Houghton Mifflin has signed with Mobifusion to deliver electronic versions of its books to cell phones. Joining the ranks of publishers like Avalon and Simon & Schuster—which already work with the tech company—Houghton will work with Mobifusion to deliver mobile-friendly versions of its books with some, according to a Houghton rep, featuring "added functionality." Initially the house will focus on generating mobile versions of its reference and children’s titles.
The books will be available for customers who have service from a handful of carriers including Embarq, Qwest, Orange UK and Bell Mobility (in Canada) with more to come, according to Houghton publicity director Lori Glazer. Glazer added that the titles will “potentially” be available both through subscription and individual download, with carriers determining the method. According to HM, the price will be in line with existing market fees, which means cost will be based on list price. Potential discounts may also be wrapped around bundle purchases.
Jacques Pepin’s Fast Food My Way is set to be the first Houghton title to get the mobile treatment. Forthcoming books that will be adapted for handheld access include titles from the house’s American Heritage Student Science Dictionary and The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy.
