Adobe Unveils Adobe Digital Editions Public Beta.

New Adobe Flash-based Rich Internet Application (RIA) for Managing and Reading eBooks and Other Digital Publications

LAS VEGAS -- Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today introduced the public beta of Adobe[R] Digital Editions, a Rich Internet Application (RIA) built from the ground up for digital publishing. With native support for Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) as well as an XHTML-based reflow-centric publication format, Digital Editions delivers an engaging way to acquire, read, and manage content, including eBooks, digital magazines, digital newspapers and other digital publications. Initially available as a free public beta for Windows[R], Digital Editions will support Macintosh systems as a universal binary application and Linux[R] platforms, as well as mobile phones and other embedded devices in future versions.

"Adobe Digital Editions builds on the ubiquitous reach of PDF and Flash and will further energize the eBook and digital publishing market," said Shantanu Narayen, president and chief operating officer at Adobe. "By creating a specialized, consumer-friendly application like Digital Editions, Adobe is ensuring publishers can securely deliver high-impact content to the widest possible audience, across hardware platforms, operating systems and devices."

Consumer-optimized Content-centric Experience

Digital Editions delivers a straightforward user experience for reading and managing commercially-published digital publications. It builds on the Adobe eBook capabilities that were integrated into previous versions of Adobe Reader[R] and takes them further by adding the ability to incorporate Flash[R] interactivity and rich media, enabling publishers to create next-generation digital publications that surpass digital forms of paper books.

High-Performance Standards-based Content Format Support

Digital Editions natively supports PDF as well as an XHTML-based reflow-centric publication format designed to represent dynamic content that can be easily adapted to different sized displays. In addition, Digital Editions support for Flash SWF will enable new levels of interactivity and rich media delivery. The Digital Editions beta includes integration with Adobe Acrobat[R] 8 and Reader 8, which can install and launch Digital Editions from within their user interface.

Digital Editions will integrate with a new, hosted content authorization service to protect publisher's rights while maintaining superior ease-of-use for consumers. This new Adobe Digital Editions Protection Service, based on Adobe LiveCycle[R] Policy Server, will allow publishers to choose from a flexible array of business models, with user-ID-based authorization that provides an improved user experience over competitive DRM models. Digital Editions also supports Adobe Content Server DRM, delivering full compatibility with existing protected PDF content and infrastructure.

Advanced Content Protection and Ease-of-Use

Digital Editions is designed to support a wide range of business models including public domain texts (open content), ad-supported content, library lending and other borrowing/subscription models, and the purchase of eBooks and digital content.

Digital Editions will integrate with a new hosted content authorization service to protect publisher's rights while maintaining ease-of-use for consumers. This new Adobe Digital Editions Protection Service, based on LiveCycle Policy Server, will allow publishers to choose from a flexible array of business models, with user-ID-based authorization that provides an improved user experience over competitive DRM models.

Flash-based RIA Architecture Delivers Rich Capabilities

The Digital Editions download is less than 3MB including Adobe Flash Player 9 and typically takes less than two minutes to install over a broadband connection. With an RIA service model, users will have access to the latest version of Digital Editions, so they can take advantage of new features and security enhancements.

Pricing, Availability and System Requirements

Adobe Digital Editions beta will be unveiled at Adobe MAX 2006 on October 24, in Las Vegas, and will be available for free download from the Adobe Labs Web site at http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/digitaleditions. Version 1.0 is expected to be available in early 2007.

Recommended system requirements for the Windows beta are Windows XP Service Pack 2, 500 MHz processor, 128MB RAM and a 1024x768 resolution screen.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated

Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information - anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

[c] 2006 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, Adobe Content Server, Flash, Flash Player, Content Server, Lifecycle Policy Server and Reader are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Windows is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. Linux is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.