Txtr, maker of the txtr Reader, Germany’s answer to the Kindle, is partnering with bol.com, Netherlands’ largest online retailer, to power its newly launched eBook store pre-installed on the Samsung Galaxy tablet and Android-based smartphones. In addition, an iPhone/iPad version will be available for download from bol.com.
Similar to Amazon’s multi-device approach, with various Kindle apps complementing its own dedicated e-Reader, txtr employs what it calls its “buy once – read anywhere” strategy (up to 6 different devices per eBook purchase) and targets Apple iOS, Android, PCs running Windows, as well as web and dedicated e-Ink based eReaders.
In February, txtr also launched an SDK and app store for the txtr Reader.
But unlike Amazon, the Berlin-based company white labels its platform, which is marketed at online retailers, publishing companies, device manufacturers (smartphones, note/netbooks, tablets and eReaders) and operators. Along with today’s partnership with bol.com, txtr already has similar deals in several other European countries and the Far East.
As for the bol.com tie-in, the Dutch eBook market is “ahead of most other European countries”, says txtr, with more than 1,500 eBooks downloaded per day. On that note, the txtr-powered bol.com eBook store opens with a catalogue of 5,000 Dutch and 130,000 English titles.
