Apple introduces iBooks store for iPad
Alongside the new iPad tablet-style device, Apple on Wednesday introduced its own proprietary virtual bookstore, dubbed iBooks, for reading content on the device's 9.7-inch color display.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs demonstrated the application, which features a 3D virtual bookshelf with a user's personal collection. He then browsed a number of books available on the New York Times bestseller list.
Samples of books can be viewed before they are purchased, and downloaded content is placed onto the iPad's virtual bookshelf.
"If you've used iTunes or the App Store, you're already familiar with this," Jobs said.
When reading a book, users just tap anywhere on the right to flip forward, and tap on the left side of the screen to flip back.
Five Major Book Partners
HarperCollins Publishers
Hachette Book Group
Penguin
Macmillan
Simon & Shuster
Mentioned during the presentation were HarperCollins, Penguin, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan and Hachette Book Group. Jobs said there are more to come.
"We're going to open the flood gates for the rest of the publishers in the world starting this afternoon," he said.
iBooks will be available on the iPad when it launches in the U.S. It will feature titles from major and independent publishers.
"Watch movies, TV shows and YouTube, all in HD or flip through pages of an e-book you downloaded from Apple?s new iBookstore while listening to your music collection," an Apple press release states.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs demonstrated the application, which features a 3D virtual bookshelf with a user's personal collection. He then browsed a number of books available on the New York Times bestseller list.
Samples of books can be viewed before they are purchased, and downloaded content is placed onto the iPad's virtual bookshelf.
"If you've used iTunes or the App Store, you're already familiar with this," Jobs said.
When reading a book, users just tap anywhere on the right to flip forward, and tap on the left side of the screen to flip back.
Five Major Book Partners
HarperCollins Publishers
Hachette Book Group
Penguin
Macmillan
Simon & Shuster
Mentioned during the presentation were HarperCollins, Penguin, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan and Hachette Book Group. Jobs said there are more to come.
"We're going to open the flood gates for the rest of the publishers in the world starting this afternoon," he said.
iBooks will be available on the iPad when it launches in the U.S. It will feature titles from major and independent publishers.
"Watch movies, TV shows and YouTube, all in HD or flip through pages of an e-book you downloaded from Apple?s new iBookstore while listening to your music collection," an Apple press release states.
Comments
my rating has gone to 7/10 can use iwork on the tablet.
You will have to pay for it... $9.99 each.
You will have to pay for it... $9.99 each.
thats fine by me, never expect anything free, but I have dropped my rating to 6/10 due to AT&T being data plan provider!
thats fine by me, never expect anything free, but I have dropped my rating to 6/10 due to AT&T being data plan provider!
It is not locked to AT&T. It can be used with any GSM carrier.
Mentioned during the presentation were HarperCollins, Penguin, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan and Hachette Book Group.
No other publishers mentioned? Just those five, eh? I dunno, seems to me like there could have been even one more there... hmm...
$499... that's unexpected
To start, anyway at 16GB.$499
$599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB. With 3G, add $130 to each. So: $629, $729, and $829.
No other publishers mentioned? Just those five, eh? I dunno, seems to me like there could have been even one more there... hmm...
Clearly Jobs was pissed about the comments yesterday on CNBC. I'm sure the Apple lawyers had worked in stipulations that if anyone were to release product information before the event, Apple would have the right to sever the agreement.
It is not locked to AT&T. It can be used with any GSM carrier.
I know, but just mentioning AT&T irritates me. I don't live in States anymore, so I hope the International plans as stated by Jobs will be much better!
So... no McGraw-Hill?
lol. yup.
I wonder if you'll be able to highlight text of the books?
Good question ... I like to markup my books when I read them, especially textbooks so I don't have to re-read anything in the event I need to go back to a book or chapter.
I wonder if you'll be able to highlight text of the books?
I'm sure you can, and if you can't they'll add it.
$499... that's unexpected
I think we now know why they bought PA Semi, not for power as such, but more so so they could sell it that cheap. They are risking cannibalizing Mac sales because they think this thing will sell bucket loads.
I'm sure you can, and if you can't they'll add it.
The reason I wonder about it. I know you can't do that with a Kindle and as another responder noted to my question, I too like to highlight text as I go. Esp with Journal articles that I have to read for work (but journal articles are another question entirely)
Plus think of all the money to be saved in chiropractic bills without those giant backpacks of paper books.
The next thing is for Libraries to push for a ipad book-loan system. That would be pretty amazing as well.