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TECHNOLOGY A23
Monday 12 October 2015
‘Harry Potter’ e-books come to life in new Apple edition
ANICK JESDANUN enhanced editions,
AP Technology Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — You Rowling’s annota-
don’t need to be a wizard
to see the “Harry Potter” tions aren’t neces-
books come to life.
The seven books are get- sarily so. Rowling has
ting a makeover with more
than 200 new illustrations in been regularly post-
enhanced e-books made
for Apple devices. More ing new essays on
than half of the illustrations
are animated or interac- Pottermore. She has
tive, with such touches as
a golden snitch from Quid- traced Harry’sroots
ditch matches flying away
as you tap it on the screen. to a 12th-century
Series creator J.K. Rowling
also goes deeper into some wizard and has writ-
of the characters and story
lines with a handful of pop- ten about the ori-
up annotations.
The editions, released Thurs- gins of an invisibility
day, are exclusive to Ap-
ple’s iBooks Store and re- cloak that appears
quire an Apple Inc. mobile
device or a Mac computer throughout the se-
to read. For other devices,
including Amazon’s Kindle, ries. Rowling has also
standard electronic edi-
tions are available through penned supplemen-
Rowling’s Pottermore site.
The makeover offers read- tal books, including
ers young and old a new
way to engage with the “The Tales of Beedle
story. It also gives Rowl-
ing and her publishers an the Bard,” a chil-
opportunity to resell these
best-selling books, the last dren’s book that was
of which came out eight
years ago. It’s akin to Hol- referenced in the last
lywood releasing the same
movies in new formats and “Harry Potter” book.
with bonus materials.
While the illustrations are Until recently, the
new and exclusive to the
Pottermore site also
had a game that Text and an illustration from “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” are displayed on an iPad,
took readers through Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, in New York.
the books chapter Associated Press
by chapter, with rid- awaits. On the train, you tapping a quill icon em- each letter incorporating a
dles and other discoveries see landscape moving by bedded in the text. For in- lightning bolt — the shape
along the way. That game through a window.
stance, you learn how stu- of a scar on Harry’s fore-
incorporated clips from the In one scene of a feast, you dents arrived at Hogwarts head. This font — named
“Harry Potter” movies. The can slide left and right to before train service began: Fluffy, for a three-headed
new e-books do not.
see the rest of a long table Some rode on broomsticks, dog in the first book — is
Instead, the new editions covered with food. It’s not but that was tough with used for the opening letter
offer full-color illustrations obvious which illustrations trunks and pets to bring of each chapter.
and animation from Potter- are interactive. The idea is along. There aren’t many
more artists.
to get readers to explore. annotations, though. You The books cost $10 each, or
In one animation, you see There’s no sound, though. get more backstory at the $70 for the series. There’s no
multiple letters fly in through When Harry’s friend, Ron, Pottermore site, but you discount if you already own
the fireplace with news gets an angry audio letter need the e-books for the standard electronic edi-
of Harry’s acceptance to from his mother, you see full text. The books also get tions. English editions are
Hogwarts wizardry school. steam coming out, but you new digital covers to reflect available in the U.S. and 31
In another, an owl, a cat don’t hear her screaming, each book’s theme — ser- other markets right away.
and the fog come to life as you do in the movie.
pents for the second book, Editions in French, German
on Platform 9 3/4, where You can access Rowling’s for instance. Artists also and Spanish are coming
a Hogwarts-bound train supplemental materials by designed a new font with Nov. 9.q
