Reader Features
The Publica.la Reader (Volpe) is a browser-based reading application that supports PDF, EPUB, and Audiobook formats. Each content format has specific features adapted to its characteristics. The interface adjusts based on content type (PDF, EPUB, Audiobook) and device (Desktop, Mobile). Features requiring internet connectivity are disabled in offline mode.
Platform Availability
Reader features vary based on device type and content format. The following table summarizes feature availability:
| Feature | EPUB | Audiobook | Desktop | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Header | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Side Panel | ✅ | ✅ | Partial | ✅ | ✅ |
| Footer | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Text Selection Actions | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Device Adaptation
The Reader automatically detects the user's device and adjusts the interface accordingly. Mobile devices receive touch-optimized controls, while desktop users get keyboard shortcuts and hover interactions.
Header
The Header is the top navigation bar that provides access to reading tools, navigation controls, and display settings. It adapts its content based on the type of content being viewed (PDF, EPUB, or Audiobook) and the device being used (Desktop or Mobile).
The Header automatically hides during active reading to maximize the content area. It reappears when users tap or click on the content, or scroll to the top of the document. Some features require internet connectivity and are disabled in offline mode.
Features by Section and Content Type
Left Section
| Feature | EPUB | Audiobook | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Table of Contents | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Thumbnails | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Playlist | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Notebook (Desktop) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Center Section
| Feature | EPUB | Audiobook | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Right Section
| Feature | EPUB | Audiobook | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vito AI | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Listen (TTS) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Settings | ✅ | ✅ | Theme only |
| Search | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Notebook (Mobile) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Menu More | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Side Panel
The Side Panel provides access to navigation and organization features that require more space than the Header can accommodate. It opens as a slide-out panel on desktop or full-screen overlay on mobile.
Available Panels:
- Table of Contents: Navigate document structure by chapters and sections
- Thumbnails: Visual page navigation for PDF documents
- Notebook: Manage highlights and notes across the publication
- Playlist: Chapter/track navigation for audiobooks
Behavior: Only one panel can be open at a time. Opening a new panel closes the previous one.
| Panel | EPUB | Audiobook | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Table of Contents | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Thumbnails | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Notebook | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Playlist | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Search Results | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Mobile Behavior
On mobile devices, panels open in full-screen mode to provide a better touch experience. The Header buttons are temporarily hidden while a panel is open.
Footer
The Footer is the bottom navigation bar that provides access to navigation controls and reading progress information. It automatically hides during active reading. The page navigation slider remains partially visible with reduced opacity when hidden.
The Footer is not displayed for Audiobook content. Audio playback controls are integrated into the Player interface.
Elements by Content Type
| Element | EPUB | Audiobook | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network Status | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Reading Progress | ✅ (pages) | ✅ (percentage) | ❌ |
| Page Navigation Slider | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Quick Actions (Mobile Only)
| Action | EPUB | Audiobook | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Table of Contents | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Listen (TTS) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Settings | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Thumbnails | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Mobile Behavior
Quick Actions are displayed only on mobile devices for thumb-friendly access. On desktop, these features are accessible via the Header.
Text Selection Actions
When users select text in PDF or EPUB content, a Selection Tool appears with available actions for the selected content.
Available Actions:
- Highlight: Apply color-coded highlighting to selected text
- Note: Add annotations to selected passages
- Copy: Copy selected text to clipboard
- Share: Share selected content via social networks
- Dictionary: Look up word definitions
- Translation: Translate selected text
- Listen: Read selected text aloud using TTS
- Vito AI: Ask questions about the selected content
| Action | EPUB | Requirements | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlight | ✅ | ✅ | Internet connection |
| Note | ✅ | ✅ | Internet connection |
| Copy | ✅ | ✅ | None |
| Share | ✅ | ✅ | Internet connection |
| Dictionary | ✅ | ✅ | Internet connection |
| Translation | ✅ | ✅ | Internet connection |
| Listen (TTS) | ✅ | ✅ | Internet connection |
| Vito AI | ✅ | ✅ | Internet connection, tenant enabled |
Text selection is not available for Audiobook content as there is no text to select.
Feature Categories
Reader features are organized into the following categories:
Navigation Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Table of Contents | Navigate by document structure |
| Thumbnails | Visual page navigation (PDF only) |
| Page Navigation Slider | Quick navigation via footer slider |
| Search | Full-text search within document |
| Playlist | Chapter navigation (Audiobook only) |
Reading Tools
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Notebook | Notes and highlights management |
| Text Selection | Select text for actions |
| Highlights | Color-coded text highlighting |
| Notes | Add annotations to selections |
Customization
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Zoom/Font Size | Adjust content size |
| Page Layout | Single, Double, or Scroll modes |
| Theme | System, Light, or Dark themes |
Integrations
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Listen (TTS) | Text-to-speech functionality |
| Dictionary | Word definitions lookup |
| Translation | Text translation |
| Social Sharing | Share content on social networks |
Related Documentation
- Offline Mode - Feature availability when offline
- Social Sharing - Share content to social networks
- Onboarding - New user introduction tutorial