14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft revealed that it’s preparing to close the book on its Reader application designed to support e-books in the .lit file format. Microsoft Reader will be discontinued in approximately a year from now, namely on August 30, 2012, the software giant confirmed officially via the app’s website.
The Redmond company provided no real reason for the killing of Microsoft Reader, but stressed that while download access to the app from the official Microsoft Reader site will be cut off, the solution will continue to work for customers that have already downloades it, even after August 30, 2012.
“You can continue to download the Microsoft Reader application until it is discontinued on August 30, 2012. You may also continue to use and access the Microsoft Reader application and any .lit materials on your PCs or devices after the discontinuation on August 30, 2012,” Microsoft said.
My advice to customers that own .lit books is to download Microsoft Reader and make at least a back-up copy which they’ll be able to get even after the tool is long dead.
At the same time, it might be a good idea for users to avoid any e-book purchases if they come in the .lit format. Still, .lit books will only be available for a few more months and then they too will be discontinued.
“New content for purchase from retailers in the .lit format will be discontinued on November 8, 2011,” the company said.
The software giant is pretty adamant that it will not offer a new .lit e-book reader to its customers.
“Microsoft will not provide a replacement for Microsoft Reader if you should lose the application on your device or PC,” the company said. “You may continue to access purchased content housed on your PC or devices for an indefinite period of time. The license will not expire.”
Not only will no Microsoft Reader alternative be provided by the Redmond company, but Microsoft has no plans to offer a tool or service designed to help users migrate their .lit content to another eReader.