Microsoft Reader

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Microsoft Reader
Developed by Microsoft
Latest release 2.6 (Windows)
2.4.1 (Windows Mobile)
OS Microsoft Windows
Genre e-book reader
License proprietary
Website http://www.microsoft.com/reader/
Microsoft Reader
File name extension .lit
Developed by Microsoft
Extended from .chm

Microsoft Reader is a Microsoft program for reading of e-books.

Microsoft Reader is available for download from Microsoft as a free program. It was originally released in August 2000. It is more useful on a Pocket PC, where it has been built into the ROM since Windows CE 3.0. Although some of the latest Windows Mobile Devices have not been bundled with it, it is still available to download for the Pocket PC. It uses Cleartype Technology for easy reading on small PDA screens. It displays books in the .LIT file format (The ".LIT" stands for "literature"). This format is based on Microsoft Compressed HTML Help format. These books can be purchased and downloaded from online stores but notably not from Amazon.com.

Among the features of Microsoft Reader are highlighting and doodling/scribbling designed for quick note-taking, text notes and a search function. Other features include finding the last page one was on, your most recent page and a library of all e-books. Depending on the book, there can be a cover image and images throughout the book. The PC version also has an optional plugin for text-to-speech (TTS), enabling books to be read out loud.

Contents

[edit] Compatibility

Operating Systems Latest version Release Date
Windows 95 1.5 2000-08-08
Windows NT 4.0, 98, 2000, ME 2.1.1 2003-06-26
Windows XP, 2003, Vista, Home Server, 2008 2.6 2007-07-09
Pocket PC 2000 1.0 (in ROM) 2000-04-19
Pocket PC 2002 2.4 2005-03-24
Windows Mobile 2003, 2003SE, 5.0, 6.0, 6.1 2.4.1 2005-11-23

[edit] Version History

[edit] Desktop

Version Operating systems Release date Major changes
1.5 Windows 95, NT 4, 98, 2000, ME 2000-08-08
  • Initial version for desktops
2.0 Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, ME, XP 2001-10-03
  • Major overhaul
  • Supports premium eBooks
2.5 Windows XP 2002-06-25
2.1.1 Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, ME, XP, 2003 2003-06-26
  • Security update
2.6 Windows XP, 2003, Vista, Home Server, 2008 2007-07-09
  • Audible support for the newer audio formats
  • Security and Performance updates

[edit] Pocket PC

Version Operating systems Release date Major changes
1.0 Windows Mobile 2000 2000-04-19
  • Initial version for Pocket PCs.
2.0 Windows Mobile 2002 2001-10-03
  • Major overhaul
  • Supports premium eBooks
2.2.1 Windows Mobile 2002, 2003 Unknown Unknown
2.2.2 2003 Unknown
2.2.3 2004-02-04
  • Fixes activation problems
2.3 Windows Mobile 2002, 2003, 2003SE 2004-07-13
  • Compatible with WM2003SE
2.4 2005-03-24
2.4.1 Windows Mobile 2003, 2003SE, 5, 6.0, 6.1 2005-11-23
  • Fixes for Windows Mobile 5 and 6

[edit] Read in Microsoft Reader

Version Operating systems Release date Major changes
1.1 Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, ME, XP 2001-09-04
  • Initial version with support for Word 2000 and 2002
1.1.3 Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, ME, XP, 2003, Vista, Home Server, 2008 2006-02-21
  • Conversion support for Word 2003. Supports Word 2000, 2002, and 2003. Not compatible with Office 2007

[edit] Software Development Kit

Version Operating systems Release date Major changes
1.5 Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, ME, XP, 2003, Vista, Home Server, 2008 2001-10-04 Initial version

[edit] Text to Speech

Version Operating systems Release date Major changes
1.0 Windows NT 4, 98, 2000, ME, XP, 2003, Home Server 2005-05-19 Initial version

[edit] Creating .LIT files

Read in Microsoft Reader is an add-on, available from Microsoft, that can be used in conjunction with Microsoft Word (versions 2000, 2002 and 2003) to create .LIT extension e-books.


[edit] External links

Languages