Google Play Books got a major upgrade today, bringing new features to Google‘s e-reading platform. The update is rolling out to users slowly, and is live on the Google Play store.
The update addresses one of the main complaints about Google Play Books, the inability to upload eBook files directly from your devices. Previously if you wanted to upload a DRM-free EPUB or PDF file to your Google Play Books account, you’d need to go through the website. With this update, a new button within the app invites you to “Upload to Play Books” directly from your phone or tablet. This is great news for folks who read public domain eBooks, such as those from Project Gutenberg, on their phones or tablets.
Aside from that major addition, the rest of the update ties up some loose ends and makes some general improvements. The UI has gotten some tweaks, especially to the highlighting and notes features, and some of the brightness and orientation settings have been fine-tuned. Also, the update claims to boost improvement overall.
You can view the whole changelog below, and grab the app from the Google Play store.
Description:
Choose from millions of titles on Google Play including new releases, New York Times best sellers, up-and-coming authors, and free books. Easily personalize your reading experience, pick up where you left off on your phone, tablet, or computer, and get reading today!
What’s New:
- Books open more quickly and smoothly.
- Upload EPUB or PDF files to your library from your phone or tablet. From email or Downloads, touch the file to open it and choose Upload to Play Books.
- Improved look and feel of highlights and notes.
- Lower brightness settings, for better reading in low light.
- Read any book in landscape view.
- Dismiss recommended books in Read Now.
- Additional improvements in performance, stability and accessibility.
[Via: Google Play]