eReaders

The following information is specific to the Android platform, with a dash of Chrome on Windows. Apple users seem happy with the closed iBook platform and probably don’t need any help.

The eReaders that commonly appear on top Android lists are:

  • Google Play Books
  • Moon+
  • FB Reader
  • Aldiko
  • Mantano
  • Gitden
  • Menestrello
  • UB Reader
  • Cool Reader
  • Publiwide

You can also read eBooks on your Windows desktop with the Readium plugin for the Chrome browser. This has one of the highest levels of ePub3 compatibility available. Readium is used by ePubZone to demonstrate ePub3 capabilities at http://epubzone.org/epub-3-samples.

None of the above Android eReaders was able to handle the full range of ePub3 features such as audio/video, overlays and triggers.
To illustrate the problems you are likely to face, a selection of ePub2 and ePub3 books were tested in these popular eReaders, with the very mixed results listed below.

http://epubtest.org/results/ contains a larger compatibility matrix for ePub3 readers,  with testing performed by ePub community volunteers.

Test Data

Antonio’s Tale
ePub3 demonstration book downloaded from http://azardi.infogridpacific.com/resources.html. It is meant to promote their commercial EPUB3 publishing tool, but it’s very interesting as a creative piece of work – a recursive eBook, with stunning moody illustrations, and incredible triggered sound effects. Highly recommended, especially as a test for the capabilities of your eBook reader.

Thomas Cole
IDPF ePub3 sample demonstrating mixed fixed/reflowable content, which is excellent for children’s books. Downloaded from https://code.google.com/p/epub-samples/downloads/detail?name=cole-voyage-of-life-20120320.epub

The Little Prince
Purchased through Google Books, ePub2, generated from InDesign for Google.

Calibre sample
A word Docx file imported into Calibre and converted to ePub2.

Smashwords sample – Maggies Pancakes
A free ePub2 created through Smashwords platform. Downloaded from https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/508674

Results

Antonio’s Tale
Readium on Chrome – renders correctly
Google Play – Cover page not interpreted, no navigation, no audio, no triggers. Landscape only.
Moon+ – Quite broken. No navigation, shows code instead of book. Hard to exit.
Gitden – black screen of death.
Menestrello – Shows code for events.
Mantano – Shows code for events.
FBReader – Shows code for events.

Thomas Cole
Gitden – duplicates pages in landscape mode.
Publiwide – crashes
Moon+ – opens in portrait only
Aldiko – Ok, although images are small in landscape mode.
Mantano – Fair – some images appear small.

The Little Prince
Gitden – duplicates pages in landscape mode.

Calibre Sample
FBReader – rendered correctly.
Gitden – average in portrait mode. Duplicated pages in landscape mode.
Publiwide – could not open

Smashwords Sample