It is correct - the iBooks app is US-only according to the Apple website: "1. iBooks is available only in the U.S.". There is no mention of it at all on the UK Apple website.
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Textbook Publishers Strike Deals to Bring Content to iPad
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It is correct - the iBooks app is US-only according to the Apple website: "1. iBooks is available only in the U.S.". There is no mention of it at all on the UK Apple website.
Furthermore, the non-availability of the iBooks app outside the US raises the question of whether it can actually be used to read any eBooks except those bought from Apple. If it can, then why would the app not be included in places they don't have arrangements to sell books yet?
Tablets would be great for engineering courses
One of the great things about the iPad and similar Windows tablets that will eventually arrive, is that they will be able to incorporate calculation, analysis. and even programming capabilities, but in a much smaller footprint than a laptop, and more appropriate for the classroom.
Now assume that your coursework and applications are in a cloud that is accessible via WiFi in the classroom. It would be possible for the instructor to configure the rights to access for information and capabilities to limit to only that which is necessary for a test situation. Not only that, but the test could create an cloud access trail to verify that there wasn't any external sourcing.
As an example. Maybe there is a series of questions for a test in thermaldynamics. The student would have access to a scientific calculator application or perhaps a mathcad or matlab starter page for each problem, relevant data sheets, and necessary formulas, or a specific textbook.
Since the calculations could actually be carried out in the cloud, there would be possibilities well beyond the capabilities of a tablet.
I would argue as well that the iPad could be easily used as a front end on a local network with a backend being a Mac Pro or something like that, skipping the cloud. Both of these paradigms would as well work for laptops, but the simpler iPad would probably provide a more secure testing environment since synced apps would be the rule.
The rule for success would be that the instructor would control the access to the cloud or network.
One of the great things about the iPad and similar Windows tablets that will eventually arrive, is that they will be able to incorporate calculation, analysis. and even programming capabilities, but in a much smaller footprint than a laptop, and more appropriate for the classroom.
Now assume that your coursework and applications are in a cloud that is accessible via WiFi in the classroom. It would be possible for the instructor to configure the rights to access for information and capabilities to limit to only that which is necessary for a test situation. Not only that, but the test could create an cloud access trail to verify that there wasn't any external sourcing.
As an example. Maybe there is a series of questions for a test in thermaldynamics. The student would have access to a scientific calculator application or perhaps a mathcad or matlab starter page for each problem, relevant data sheets, and necessary formulas, or a specific textbook.
Since the calculations could actually be carried out in the cloud, there would be possibilities well beyond the capabilities of a tablet.
I would argue as well that the iPad could be easily used as a front end on a local network with a backend being a Mac Pro or something like that, skipping the cloud. Both of these paradigms would as well work for laptops, but the simpler iPad would probably provide a more secure testing environment since synced apps would be the rule.
The rule for success would be that the instructor would control the access to the cloud or network.
To all the people complaining (in this thread and all the others) about eyestrain from reading on an iPad, I don't get it. I sit at a computer for 8 hours a day at work, and anywhere from 1-3 hours a night at home. During those hours I am reading things on the screen all the time. I have never suffered eye strain, fatigue, etc. from doing this. I have wonderful vision and don't get headaches or anything from reading this way.
In all my years of working in an office I have never once heard anyone say anything about eye fatigue or any other issues from sitting at a computer all day. Sitting at a computer for 8+ hours is a part of most people's lives now and I don't that many people have issues with it.
Personally I prefer reading on a computer via printed text. When I am trying to read a book in bed with a lamp on, and no overhead light so my wife can sleep, it is too dim and THAT can make my eyes hurt. I would much rather read from an illuminated source (although I am against eBooks in general because I like a physical copy that I can lend, resell, etc. and that the seller can't remove from my device because they sold it when they weren't supposed to.)
I think the people complaining here about eye strain are either parroting something they heard somewhere else, or else don't hold an office job that requires constant computer use. For those of us that use computers all day, it really isn't an issue.
In all my years of working in an office I have never once heard anyone say anything about eye fatigue or any other issues from sitting at a computer all day. Sitting at a computer for 8+ hours is a part of most people's lives now and I don't that many people have issues with it.
Personally I prefer reading on a computer via printed text. When I am trying to read a book in bed with a lamp on, and no overhead light so my wife can sleep, it is too dim and THAT can make my eyes hurt. I would much rather read from an illuminated source (although I am against eBooks in general because I like a physical copy that I can lend, resell, etc. and that the seller can't remove from my device because they sold it when they weren't supposed to.)
I think the people complaining here about eye strain are either parroting something they heard somewhere else, or else don't hold an office job that requires constant computer use. For those of us that use computers all day, it really isn't an issue.
Crap!
I never saw that one...
So much for the ONLY interesting feature on iPad.
That truly and utterly sux if turns out to be the fact...
Damn awful!
textbook publishers
Now, as a professor, what I really hope Apple was able to do with these textbook publishers is to have encouraged them to get rid of this silly "expiring book" phenomenon. I read almost everything on the computer, but the e-textbook deals publishing reps come to me with are ridiculous. They want to still charge exorbitant prices and they want the e-textbooks to expire after a semester. If you want a non-expiring textbook, you pay more up-front, but if you purchase an expiring e-textbook contract and want to change your mind part way through, you're SOL.
Famous last words. e-book readers' great e-ink benefit is also a drawback when it comes to textbooks, which more often than not are replete with color pictures. I think people underestimate how much better the viewing experience is going to be on an iPad, just like they detracted from people's potential use of the Internet on the iPhone when it was first released.
Now, as a professor, what I really hope Apple was able to do with these textbook publishers is to have encouraged them to get rid of this silly "expiring book" phenomenon. I read almost everything on the computer, but the e-textbook deals publishing reps come to me with are ridiculous. They want to still charge exorbitant prices and they want the e-textbooks to expire after a semester. If you want a non-expiring textbook, you pay more up-front, but if you purchase an expiring e-textbook contract and want to change your mind part way through, you're SOL.
Captain iBay Sparrow
A New Cultural Revolution! The @@@@ hit the textbooks! But it's not that pirates are getting more educated - the iPad opened piracy to whole new genres. So more and more people become pirates.
Edit:
iSpy Rat (iPirate)
A New Cultural Revolution!
The @@@@ hit the textbooks! But it's not that pirates are getting more educated - the iPad opened piracy to whole new genres. So more and more people become pirates.Edit:
iSpy Rat (iPirate)
Please explain what kind of damage it does to one's eyes, then post the professional credentials that allow you to make such a pronouncement with even a shred of credibility.
It looks like analysts have doubts on Wall Street, but give this innovation some time. Remember, there is no cap on what the newspapers, journals, magazines, educational textbooks, & children's books can do NOW. This is a market that the iPad is striking for (or any tablet). Apple may have found the solution to relinquishing the "paper/journalism" market into the modern era of incorporating the old with the new media.
This may be the "best experience" to read/view/listen to your favorite book, mag, news, etc...
Give it some time...
When 4G(LTE) rolls out, and the iBooks gig has been well saturated into the market...
EVERYONE WILL HAVE or WANT ONE!!!
This may be the "best experience" to read/view/listen to your favorite book, mag, news, etc...
Give it some time...
When 4G(LTE) rolls out, and the iBooks gig has been well saturated into the market...
EVERYONE WILL HAVE or WANT ONE!!!
Are you being serious? What do you think the CPU/GPU/SOC has to do with Jailbreaking? They've surely made some changes to the iPad to make it more difficult, but it's got little or nothing to do with the choice to use the A4.
In the PS3, the CPU actually plays a fundamental role in security. Decryption keys are stored in the SPUs, which AFAIK is part of the Cell processor itself. So yeah, hardware-wise, DRM can be implemented in a CPU.
That was more to do with the tech than the medium.
Now with flat screen like an a4 pad weighing less than a textbook with hands-on resizing and page turning - the digital book can shine.
Well, yeah, I don't know why people think this is such a problem. It is already standard on Bible reader programs for the iPhone. I am doing it already, and anticipate much better features on the iPad.
1) You can already create stickies all over the place and it puts a little flag/icon in the text -- as well as allowing you to search and go through notes separately. 2) You can highlight text, in different colors, just as though you were using a highlighter pen. 3) You can create bookmarks.
Some of these link to social-type sites/networks that allow you to see other people's notes as well, for discussion -- hello university text books, read all your classmates' notes as well! Talk about Cliff notes. There's your second-hand market right there -- sell your notes to the next class.
I have only purchased two e books, I recall the cost not being much less than the paperback version, so that being said, why would anyone think that textbooks would go from $100 to $10? Just asking the question?
Also who was asking if the iPad will kill the Kindle.....these changes don't look good for them.
Also who was asking if the iPad will kill the Kindle.....these changes don't look good for them.
I'd make that number 50 million. Those analysts get their ideas from numbers, they can not imagine, they are bare of all fantasy, bare of all imagination. They interpret trends but need "historic" data for that and to be honest they failed badly in all predictions for the IPod, the IPhone and the IPod Touch because they tried to "convert" or "transcribe" sales numbers from other devices as a basis but failed to see that the device and the IPad cannot be compared.
Why? Simple because of the iTunes store, the app store, the even yet growing iBook store and for an already existing group of potential users coming from Mac's, IPod's, IPhones PLUS those people of whom we think that they'd never buy a computer - and they won't, but they will love their iPads
I would make that a TRILLION!
I think in couple of months or so, entire world, which is naturally full of money and hasn't got a clue what to do with it, will cue in front of each and every Apple store for months if it needs be in order to buy at least 3 iPads per person.
It is bargin starting at only $500 (more like 500 euros elsewhere)
It does exactly the same things as your iPhone that you got free of charge with contract! Well, not exactly the same things - it does less - but hey...
And yes, you can't exactly fit it into your pocket, nor you can fully browse the net, nor you can read books on it since it appears iBooks is only for US costumers, and no you can't have Skype open while writing your email... But this is all beyond the point...
Its just god damn cool that even if you haven't got money to waste you simply MUST find some since Steve might not like you if you don't sacrifice your 500+ bucks at the altar of pointless and useless!
Seriously...
Consumer society makes me cringe!
They all deal with the same publishers, and I'm sure the
publishers know, particulary given Apple's conciliatory behavior with respect to the publishers.
Also these people saying they will not pay for higher priced e books, if you are an avid fan of that media which seems that way by the posts, we all know you will pay the higher prices when you don't have a choice. You won't just give up on something that you have been purchasing. I understand about being upset but most people do not buy e books, which is probably the reason there isn't a bigger revolt. Its not a great analogy, but look at gas prices. By and large we "take that" increase, when such increases are not completely justifable. Of course you could argue that we have to drive to get to places, but really for some of those places we could take alternate transportation, carpool, etc. In the end we suck it up and go about as business as usual. Don't we. Those that buy e books will still by e books. Those of us that don't still won't, OR once we see this iPad we may start, and I am sure that is what Jobs and the Publishers are banking on (pun intended). I never would even think of buying a Kindle or buying one for someone that I know reads a lot, however this iPad may be worth doing that: "Looks you can read books on this thing, AND get e-mail, and listen to your songs, and......"
The sdk provides no access to iBooks data at this juncture.
How do you do it now? If you can describe it in the physical world, likely, it can be implemented in the electronic world of the iPad.
From the perspective of an iPhone/iPad Developer... having multiple documents open at the same time is not difficult, nor is switching among them or searching/scrolling through them. One needs to decide how to display them:
1) concurrent open windows (like on a Mac or PC OS)
2) tabbed single window
3) split single window
4) HUD overlay
The iPad SDK offers several new constructs to assist with 2,3 and 4.
While the Mac SDK supports (1) concurrent, resizable, overlaping windows... the iPad SDK does not. A Developer could implement this on his own... but it would be contrary to the design of the iPad: focus on a single window.
With a litle thought, I beleive that a solution could be implemented to allow the reader to customize the display to his current needs.
Another consideration: Will the ebook APIs be available to developers?
Or... you could use multiple iPads
*
In a market where the gross margins are around 70% (that is it takes 30% of the retail cost of the book to physically make it, the rest goes towards product development, overhead, SG&A, etc), and Apple expects for publishers to keep that split (70/30) you will not see a significant per-year cost reduction. Publishers will still only get 70% to developer their books.
The only way books will go down is due to the fact that they will be non-transferable, and thus the used book market will no longer exist for these versions. Now you will see a new book bought once a year, versus once every 2 to 3 years.
The only way books will go down is due to the fact that they will be non-transferable, and thus the used book market will no longer exist for these versions. Now you will see a new book bought once a year, versus once every 2 to 3 years.
Apple doesn't want to help it's future competitors. iBooks will eventually b available in other countries, after all.
A little perspective: I went on the iTunes store and looked up books offered by ScrollMotion (Iceberg Reader). The first book I looked up, Bullies, Tyrants, and Impossible People, sells for $13.99 on iTunes. The same book is available at Amazon for $11.86. The fiction work Blue Nude can be downloaded for $20.99, while the physical hardcover version is available at Amazon for $17.90.
I have two complaints about bringing books to the iPad through app developers like ScrollMotion: 1) it introduces yet another player into the food chain -- Apple gets its cut, ScrollMotion gets its cut, the Publisher gets their cut, and finally the author; 2) what does ScrollMotion bring to the table? Are they upgrading the reader experience through the addition of audio and video, or are they simply porting the copy over?
This is not a good adoption of the technology. Publishers are being very lazy by signing up with a third party vendor to do the work of porting over the content. To the publishers, I guess, all the work on the book is already complete, they are just trying to eek out a few more dollars by making their products available in another distribution channel.
My guess: well priced, well produced books for the iPad will not come from these old school publishers but from new companies formed specifically to produce tablet and reader books. It is the publishers and authors themselves that have to move this technology forward.
Edit: The WSJ story does say that the ScrollMotion deal includes "applications to let students play video, highlight text, record lectures, take printed notes, search the text, and participate in interactive quizzes to test how much they've learned and where they may need more work." Assuming they do add these enhancements, this might make the iPad versions more attractive. Price would, i believe, remain a problem.
I have two complaints about bringing books to the iPad through app developers like ScrollMotion: 1) it introduces yet another player into the food chain -- Apple gets its cut, ScrollMotion gets its cut, the Publisher gets their cut, and finally the author; 2) what does ScrollMotion bring to the table? Are they upgrading the reader experience through the addition of audio and video, or are they simply porting the copy over?
This is not a good adoption of the technology. Publishers are being very lazy by signing up with a third party vendor to do the work of porting over the content. To the publishers, I guess, all the work on the book is already complete, they are just trying to eek out a few more dollars by making their products available in another distribution channel.
My guess: well priced, well produced books for the iPad will not come from these old school publishers but from new companies formed specifically to produce tablet and reader books. It is the publishers and authors themselves that have to move this technology forward.
Edit: The WSJ story does say that the ScrollMotion deal includes "applications to let students play video, highlight text, record lectures, take printed notes, search the text, and participate in interactive quizzes to test how much they've learned and where they may need more work." Assuming they do add these enhancements, this might make the iPad versions more attractive. Price would, i believe, remain a problem.
You are worried about $680 when you are paying $50,000 a year? That is near 1% of your total school costs. I would not sweat it.
I am at the phase in my career where if I buy a textbook I am going to keep it, but I think the inability to resell these books is a killer. Most people only need the book until the final is over.