Apple and Ebook Textbooks

Apple has announced a new initiative and some new products for education. In an attempt to become even more entrenched in the education market, on Thursday Apple announced iBooks textbooks for the iPad, as well as a new textbook authoring took called iBooks Author and some changes to the iTunes U. On the surface this looks like a great way for educators to enhance the experience of students and improve the number of options for in and out of the classroom, but the technology does come with its own set of 'hooks'. This is an Apple only initiative and is very proprietary technology and so you're out of luck if you don't use an iPad. Also, it is not possible for content producers to author textbooks and sell those books except through the iTunes store. So, once again, Apple offers some very interesting innovations, that come at a price: if you live in the Apple ecosystem then you're in, if you are in whole (or in part) outside that ecosystem, then there is only frustration.

To find out more, check out the Apple's iBooks and textbooks information.