Overdrive has just released their first app for Chrome OS, which also works as a standalone app for the Chrome internet browser. It was designed as a tool to primarily read eBooks that you borrow from the library.
Over 35,000 libraries all over the world use Overdrive as their content distribution system of choice. When you borrow eBooks, audiobooks, music or videos from your local branch, chances are it stems from the Overdrive service.
The functionality of the Chrome app is totally different, depending on if you are using the browser extension for Windows, Chrome OS, Chrome for Android and a myriad of other platforms. Thanks to a diligent young scholar over at MobileRead, here is the full list of supported features for each platform.
Windows OS — Chrome Browser
- Kindle eBook
- OverDrive Read
- EPUB eBook
- Open EPUB eBook
- PDF eBook
- Open PDF eBook
- OverDrive MP3 Audiobook
- OverDrive WMA Audiobook
Android OS — Android App
- Kindle eBook
- OverDrive Read
- EPUB eBook
- Open EPUB eBook
- PDF eBook
- Open PDF eBook
- OverDrive MP3 Audiobook
- OverDrive WMA Audiobook
Chrome OS — Chrome Browser
- Kindle eBook
- OverDrive Read
- EPUB eBook
- Open EPUB eBook
- PDF eBook
- Open PDF eBook
- OverDrive MP3 Audiobook
- OverDrive WMA Audiobook
Chrome OS — Chrome App
- Kindle eBook
- OverDrive Read
- EPUB eBook
- Open EPUB eBook
- PDF eBook
- Open PDF eBook
- OverDrive MP3 Audiobook
- OverDrive WMA Audiobook
Some content is better than no content at all I guess. At least owners of the Chrome Pixel or any number of sub $200 Chromebooks can finally be able to read eBooks borrowed from the library.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.