A Publishing First for the Palm Computing Platform
WAYLAND, Mass. — July 29, 1998 — Electronic publisher, Peanut Press, LLC, today announced that, for the first time, popular contemporary fiction and non-fiction books straight from publisher frontlists will be available for reading on the 3Com Palm Computing(R) platform beginning early this fall. Through an easy-to-use, web-based storefront, the more than two million existing PalmPilot(TM) computer users will be able to download hundreds of newly-published and reprinted books in a secure electronic format.
Additionally, the company announced its alliance with Tor/St. Martin's Press, a highly-respected publishing house which boasts the best selling "Wheel of Time" series, as well as award-winning science fiction/fantasy authors such as Vernor Vinge, Greg Bear, and Charles de Lint. Peanut Press also has formed alliances with such houses as trade publisher Council Oak Books; self-help publisher Aslan Publishing; and mystery publisher Intrigue Press.
"We're delighted to be offering our books to the handheld market for the first time. As a PalmPilot organizer owner myself, I know firsthand that people use them to read books, and it's turned out to be surprisingly useful for that purpose," said Patrick Nielsen Hayden, senior editor and manager of science fiction for Tor Books. "We're certainly interested in a variety of publishing which frees us from some of the traditional industry overheads," Hayden continued.
"We're thrilled to be the first to deliver top-notch books to the millions of people looking for additional ways to use their Palm Computing platform products and enjoy quality leisure reading anytime, anywhere," said Peanut Press co-founder, Jeff Strobel. "Because our books are securely encrypted for use on individual machines, we continue to attract prestigious publishers and therefore, we'll be adding new titles regularly." Co-founder Mark Reichelt continued, "Electronic publishing is becoming increasingly important; as anyone who owns a PalmPilot organizer or Palm III(TM) connected organizer will tell you, the technology is here today."
"We encourage our developers to create new and exciting applications for the Palm Computing platform," said Gabriel Acosta-Lopez, director of platform development service, Palm Computing, Inc., a 3Com company. "Peanut Press illustrates the versatility of the platform by enabling Palm customers to download published, contemporary books onto their device directly from the Internet."
HOW PEANUT PRESS WORKS
Peanut Press establishes partnerships with major publishers of hardcover and paperback books, obtaining the subsidiary rights to reprint their books for the Peanut Press proprietary reader software. Peanut Press offers an international, web-based storefront which users will find at www.peanutpress.com, featuring unlimited shelf space, easy browsing and purchasing, and real-time order fulfillment. Download time for the average Peanut Press book is about one minute on a 28.8 modem. When the customer places the PalmPilot device in its cradle and pushes the HotSync(TM) Button, the book is loaded on to the PalmPilot connected organizer ready for reading. The latest version, the Palm III connected organizer, can easily hold six or seven average-length books. The price of the books will be competitive with their paper counterparts.
WHY PEANUT PRESS?
Unlike other companies with handheld readers planned for release later this year, Peanut Press is initially targeting the large and rapidly growing installed base of PalmPilot organizers. Peanut Press plans to offer thousands of popular contemporary fiction and non-fiction books from which readers can choose.
ABOUT PEANUT PRESS
Founded in 1998, by Jeff Strobel and Mark Reichelt, Peanut Press is dedicated to providing secure electronic publishing, distribution, and sales of high-quality fiction and nonfiction. Peanut Press plans to offer books in the future for any hand-held device that gains significant market share.
CONTACT:
Cogent Public Relations
Jennifer Genest, 781-937-3489