TOKYO, January 23, 2015 – ACCESS CO., LTD, a global provider of advanced software solutions to the mobile, beyond-PC and digital TV markets, today announced its PUBLUS™ electronic publishing solution was selected for Language Reader, a new electronic book service from NHK Publishing, Inc (NHK Publishing). For the first release of Language Reader,all five volumes of “NHK Enjoy Simple English Readers” will be released on January 26, 2015.  

Language Reader is an electronic book service NHK Publishing will launch to provide language study books for iPhones and iPads. In addition to conventional e-book functions, Language Reader also provides an “audio playback speed adjustment function” that allows users to adjust the replay speed of language study books with embedded speech data. The function allows the playback speed to be easily adjusted within the range of 0.5 times to 3 times the standard speed, and while the speed is increased, it is designed to boost the sense that the text is being read slowly, making it easier to understand. Language Reader is also equipped with other playback functions that facilitate language learning, including a function for playback with the screen off, brief rewind to listen to a segment again, and repeated playback of a segment.

NHK Publishing developed the Language Reader for provision to the public as a store-type application that offers EPUB content with embedded speech data to language learners in an optimal format, incorporating the speech speed adjustment function, developed by the NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories, in PUBLUS with cooperation from the NHK Engineering System.

PUBLUS is an electronic publishing platform that provides comprehensive support for devices ranging from terminals to server systems including EPUB-compatible electronic book viewers, content distribution, and sales management systems. It features advanced rendering of EPUB contents and outstanding operability on all devices, including smart phones, tablets, and PC, and with all major operating systems (iOS, Android, and others). PUBLUS has been adopted by leading educational publishing companies and electronic book service operators in Japan and overseas for e-book services and e-book terminals. PUBLUS was selected as the Language Reader service platform due to ACCESS’ track record and technological capabilities with EPUB-compatible digital educational materials.

“Language Reader” from NHK Publishing (compatible with iOS 7 and higher)

Bookshelf	Viewer	Language Player	Playback Speed Adjustment

* All of the above are conceptual figures.

ACCESS will continuously expande the functionality of PUBLUS and evolve it as useful digital publishing service platform for both publishers and end users.

For more information on PUBLUS, access the following site: http://publus.jp/

About the first release of Language Reader
All five volumes of “NHK Enjoy Simple English Readers” series (aired from April to September in 2014) will be released as an audio E-book designed for extensive reading and listening. It’s a revolutionary educational material which you can earn basic skills of English by listening and reading about 500 simple words in each story.

• Short Stories: One-shot short comedy in dialougue style.
• Heroes and Giants: A story of great people from home and abroad, such as, Licholn, Picasso, J.K Rowling and more.
• Japanese Folklore: Feel the rhythm of English and heart of Japan with Japanese folklore, such as “Hanasaka Jiisan (The Story of the Old Man Who Made Withered Trees to Blossom) , “Issun-Boshi (The one inch Samurai)”
• Introducing Japan: Practical dialogues that talk and introduce Japanese culture such as hot Spring, bullet train, Mt. Fuji
• New Romeo and Juliet: Parody of “Romeo and Juliet.”

The price is ¥1,100 (tax included). Only “New Romeo and Juliet” is purchasable in ¥900 (tax included).
For more details about, please refer to the information from NHK Publishing.

About ACCESS
Since 1984, ACCESS CO., LTD. has provided advanced software solutions and services that enable operators, device manufacturers, content owners and consumers to make the most of today’s multi-screen, connected world. It provides software for mobiles, smartphones and tablets, connected TVs and set-top boxes in the connected home, automotive, digital publishing and networking markets. ACCESS solutions have shipped in over one billion devices around the world. Its product portfolio includes the NetFront™ software series and the ZebOS™ network platform, providing customers faster time-to-market, flexibility and customizability; the PUBLUS™for cloud-based, cross-platform digital publishing. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Mothers’ Index, 4813) and operates subsidiaries and affiliates in Asia, Europe and the United States. Learn more about ACCESS at www.access-company.com.

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