The phrase refers to the top-performing applications available on Apple’s iOS operating system designed for opening and displaying files in the EPUB (electronic publication) format. EPUB is a widely-used standard for digital books and publications. These applications provide functionalities such as text customization, bookmarking, annotation, and library management for an optimal reading experience on iPhones and iPads. For example, a user seeking a comfortable reading interface on their iPad would actively search for this type of application.
The ability to read digital books on mobile devices offers significant advantages, including portability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. Users can carry an entire library in a single device, access reading material anytime, anywhere, and often obtain digital books at a lower cost compared to physical copies. Historically, the rise of mobile computing and the standardization of the EPUB format have driven the demand for efficient and feature-rich reader applications on iOS. The quality and functionality of these applications greatly impact the overall user experience when consuming digital literature.