Comments on: What Apple’s iPad and iBookstore mean for publishers

By: Allan

Allan — Tue, 25 May 2010 12:17:18 +0000

I completely agree. Additionally, the introduction of full multimedia into the books unlike the Kindle I think will have a huge impact.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:40:38 +0000

I just picked up the B&N E-reader, the “nook” and it has some great qualities to it. The only thing is, it doesn’t offer the user friendly speed that we are all familiar with when it comes to the iPhone. This will be a problem in my eyes for the nook users who are used to the speed of an iPhone. It seems like this error will help to streamline the iPad when it is available in a couple of weeks.

Like many EPUB techies, I too, will purchase the iPad and enjoy the services available. B&N does offer one thing which is very cool and that is the free library of over half a million titles. The magnitude of content can be overwhelming, but it offers a way for those who do not have the time to get to a B&N or get online to get several titles in their hands in minutes.

It will be nice to see how Apple will cater new writers, publishers, and artists as time goes forward. Hopefully, they open the door to creative minds and make it possible to have great success through their platforms.

By: Richard Padley

Richard Padley — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:44:51 +0000

Todd – There is no definitive word yet from Apple on this. Apple have seeded the content in their store with deals from the major publishers, and it would make sense for then to open this out more broadly soon after launch. I will keep my eyes open for further news …

By: Todd Hensley

Todd Hensley — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:28:12 +0000

Hi Richard- Your blog is great!
As a Publisher of four-color technical how-to books, the iPad should be a viable outlet for our content. Since we are not considered one of the big -5 houses, I am wondering if you might know HOW to get my books (ePubs) included in the iTunes iBookstore?

By: Richard Padley

Richard Padley — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:55:22 +0000

Hi Carolyn,

I’m guessing your book is self published? If so, then I think you’ll have to wait some (long) time for the iBookstore to accommodate you. Apple are focussing on the big publishers to start with. They are positioning themselves as a distributor and are taking a percentage (30%) of each sale. The balance goes to the publisher.

By: Carolyn Jones

Carolyn Jones — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:51:47 +0000

Great article. Thie info is very useful. I have a question for you…

I am soon publishing a photo book. I have been shying away from considering doing an ebook because the color is not that good, I hear. But with the advent of the iBookstore, does this mean that the color will be better and I should consider trying to develop an ebook and try selling it to them? Who would I be selling it to exactly?

Thanks for your input.

By: Richard Padley

Richard Padley — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:31:45 +0000

Hi Kaveh,

I doubt the EPUB files downloaded for the iBook reader app will be available to other applications. On the iPhone I’ve not seen this kind of cross application data sharing. This would also create DRM concerns with the sealed unit model Apple have. However the market would be wide open for a TeX capable reader app with its own local data storage and download capabilities.

By: Kaveh Bazargan

Kaveh Bazargan — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:59:01 +0000

Any idea if the books, once downloaded, can be read in different Apps? Can I write an App to compete with the built in reader?