Bookport offers the full reading experience, from browsing for a new literary obsession to devouring its final page. Previously, reading on portable devices was a hassle, full of constant jumping between the store client and the e-reader. The overall experience felt fragmented and opaque. Bookport streamlines the process by offering a massive digital library and an e-reader, all in one app.
We came to the project at a stage when Bookport had two separate apps with outdated code. The bugs present had significantly reduced ease of use. The entire concept needed to be simplified and adjusted to fit the needs of today’s users.
Our solution was to develop a cross-platform app with a unified code based on Flutter. The new app comprises a built-in reader, a complete library, and cataloging features such as bookmarks, notes, and booklists. The app’s graphic design received a complete overhaul, conceived entirely in-house.
No two readers are the same, which is why we added extensive user settings. Bookport supports PDF/EPUB and downloading books in offline mode. Everyone can also set the font and its size, text alignment, brightness, and background color. The bottom scroll bar and structured table of contents, in turn, helps you glide along the chapters at will.
Of course, the app supports PDF/EPUB as well as downloading books to your device. Each file is encrypted and secured against piracy. The app is fully available in offline mode, including reading development and notes. Everyone who highlights passages while reading, for personal journaling or later study, will appreciate quickly jumping to them at moment’s notice.
All other features received equal care. Since Bookport offers more than 10,000 books, the search function contains detailed filters for authors, languages, and publishers. When you discover a new favorite, you can add it to a personal list, rate it, or even write a glowing review. Community aspects are in place to create a platform where people not only browse and read but also enrich and cultivate their literary taste. In addition to Android and iOS, users can also run it on tablets and readers.
The entire website got a visual revamp and a new CMS (content management system). Similarly, the original backend code was rewritten to prepare for the mobile app. Data is fully synced between both platforms. Users can switch between devices as they please –– read the prologue on mobile and the epilogue on desktop. Bookmarks and notes are moved along with the reading progress.
Everything in under 5 months, from the first draft to the app launch. All to make digital reading accessible to everyone and perhaps convince even avid hardcover fans that a screen can be just as convenient as paper.
