Overdrive did not attend CES in an official capacity, but we managed to catch up with CEO Steve Potash. He spoke to us about the new Overdrive Read HTML5 reader and how it is now officially going live in a staggered release to all participating libraries that use the company’s digital content distribution system. One of the things Overdrive is going to be releasing in the next few days is a new audio and video streaming service that will allow customers to listen to audiobooks and watch video online.
The new streaming service will not be a part of Overdrive Read, but instead will be another way for patrons to listen and watch media content on all of their devices. Overdrive is really striving towards a new system that will work on all tablets, e-readers, and computers. They are trying very hard to not exclusively rely on apps but scalable web technologies.
One of the cool things Overdrive did at the CES event this year was promote the fact you can read library books on a new breed of smart connected devices. Steve was snapping candid pictures of himself reading a cookbook on a fridge, reading a kids book in the back of a car, and even reading on a washing machine. We will try and post some of the pictures when we get them, so stay tuned.
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.
