UK Mobile network Orange has released a new ebook app for Android powered phones aimed at its Orange Book Club customers.
The app, powered by Mobcast, joins version already available for Symbian and Blackberry handsets and offers 23,000 eBooks and audio books which can be billed straight to the user’s Orange account.
Orange say the device also offers cross-platform functionality, allowing users to read books across multiple devices including their phone, tablet or PC.
Stuart Jackson, Brand Communications Director at Orange, said: “The new Orange Book Club app gives readers a truly 21st century book-buying experience. Think of a book you’d like to read and you can download it instantly on your connected device. Unlike many other eBook services on the market, ours allows you to purchase with a single click, making it easier than ever before to download your next must-read novel – wherever you are.”
Orange say a version for the iPhone and iPad was submitted to Apple for approval but has had to be reworked following Apple’s recent change in policy requiring vendors to offer in-app purchasing via iTunes in addition to any other purchase options they already offer.
This change has already seen the rejection of Sony’s reader app, if the rules are applied to all apps some users fear rival ebook stores such as Amazon’s Kindle app could be forced to leave the App Store.
Apple has given all existing apps not offering in-app purchasing via iTunes a deadline of June to become compliant with the new rules.
Orange’s app includes section dedicated to Orange Prize for Fiction titles and winners, including quotes from each year’s chair of judges and special offers.
The app also offers the ability to download samples, add bookmarks and font, text and background colours. The Android version of the app can be downloaded via Orange World, the Android Marketplace or online at www.orange.co.uk/bookclub