Apple iPad and iBookstore: Is this the publishing industry's savior?

Leading up to the long-speculated launch of Apple's iPad tablet computer, the publishing industry -- newspapers, magazines and books -- seemed to be the target. At least, those execs were at the forefront of the leaks (thanks, McGraw-Hill!).

Could the iPad instantly succeed -- like the iPod did for digital music before it -- where Amazon's Kindle had been slowly gaining steam?

It should come as no surprise that a publisher -- the New York Times -- was the first partner that was shown during the Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco today. The app is well-designed and looks to be a mix between NYTimes.com and its already-existent iPhone app.

"Why did we come out three weeks ago to develop an app for the iPad?" said Martin Nisenholtz, the N.Y. Times senior vice president for digital operations, during the announcement. "We think that we've captured the essence of reading a newspaper... all in a native app."

Apple took a direct shot at Amazon with the iBooks. The application looks like a bookshelf, showing the digital books owned by the user. And of course, a store (naturally, the iBookstore) along the lines of the iTunes Store, where book publishers (like, hey, McGraw-Hill!) can sell their virtual wares.

"We're going to open up the floodgates for the rest of the publishing world starting this afternoon," Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said on-stage.

Prices shown in the demo appear comparable to Amazon's Kindle store. Amazon already has an app for its bookstore made for the iPhone, so the company can't be happy that Apple is stepping into its home court.

But the iPad is not just about digitizing the paper. Electronic Arts showed off Need for Speed: Shift, a racing game built for the device. Brushes, a canvas for drawing art (finger-painting?), was also demoed. And the MLB, which has been quick to jump on new application platforms, showed off its live video app.

[Updated, 12:13 p.m.: Fixed the name of the iBookstore, which was originally listed as the iBook Store.]

-- Mark Milian

Follow the Apple event live!

Photo credit: Tony Avelar / Bloomberg

Comments

[JFD8]

Americans may not perceive
The State of the Union's this eve;
For the media mobs
Are so smitten by Jobs
They kindle attention to Steve.

News Short n' Sweet by JFD8
http://twitter.com/JFD8

[Fretboard]

Even though it's just an oversized iPhone, the iPad will do a lot for people.

Check it out:

http://www.itabletnow.com

[Louie]

If you're a teacher like me, this is a godsend. Hopefully there's some way to connect wirelessly to an LCD projector.

[Adam J]

The iPod did not instantly succeed. It took two years to get significant sales.

[Tara]

as long as none of Carlos Slim's money was involved -- the Mexican media mogul/oligarch who 'rescued' the NYT by buying 20% of its shares. His involvement would sour the Apple for me.

[Patrick Scullin]

I am so excited about this. As a comic book creator I'm excited about the possibilities of a full-color ebook.

[Greg]

It will change more than the publishing industry, it will change the way we view content on the web. A lot of online tools, such as Holosfitness.com, are perfectly suited for iPad's platform. The device's mobile nature, internet connectivity, and large viewing screen is perfect for viewing workouts, watching workout videos and tracking your fitness information Holosfitness.com. The iPad could change many aspects of our lives.

[Mike]

The screen is back-lit like a computer monitor. It doesn't make for comfortable reading. For avid readers the Kindle will be easier on the eyes.

[Chad]

Finally.. the new millennium has arrived!

Remember the little thin tablets that the crew of the USS Enterprise would use on Star Trek: The Next Generation? Well that's where we are headed. Boldly going where no man has gone before (sorry, cheesy line but I just couldn't resist).

And for all those that are bashing the new device right out of the gate without ever holding one, please remember that this is the iPad v1.0. It will only get better from here.

[james braselton]

hi there yes it can becuase it uses flash memory not a hard drive hard drives flash drives are better for mobile useage unlike hard drives no spinning platers too wear out or get damage flash drives have zero moving parts the energy savings low operating temputure not like hard drives that are power hungry and lots of heat flash drives are green becuase low power useage too

[Kristy Wolfe]

People Hurricane Katrina was a terrorist attack. Now with ipad maybe this terrorists book will get noticed. It's called Katrina Nights: Love in the Time of Flooding and he spills it all in the book. Also on the website KatrinaNights.com

[Chris]

Will the LAT sign on? Will we get comics and the crossword?

[henry schilitzar]

I must get one of these ipads it looks like the next big thing!

[markmarks]

IPad ? What a name! I want the small one – you know the mini one – think it’s called an IPod or something. Seriously it’s an oversized IPhone, so hey why not just call it a BPhone (big phone) or a DPhone (DirtyPhone), you know that screens gonna get so dirty from putting your fingers all over it…lol. Also these types of things have been around for years but apple loves to act like they made everything first. Remember when mp3 players came out? Apple didn’t invent them. But they still went ahead and claimed an IPod to be something special.
Check this out…
http://ketiva.com/Computers_and_Internet/apple_tablet_rumors__of_awe.html

[Jim8]

I almost bought a Kindle.

[Paleta Fresca]

IMO, the iPad will do very well for anyone thinking about the Kindle, which itself has done gangbusters business.

[Rachel]

A device that might actually make eTextbooks a viable option. eBook readers (all current models - Sony, Nook, Kindle, etc) are too limited to handle the complicated layout of science textbooks, the very ones that are the heaviest for University students to carry around, the ones they would love to have eBook versions of, and the ones that change so often as science knowledge grows. Publishers don't want to redesign their texts for little eBook readers, and a device like this might mean they wouldn't have to. Games, music, pictures and movies are fun, but I'm hoping for a truly useful device for once.

[Sarah]

I will still be buying a Kindle. The books at the ibookstore are going to be more expensive. The device isn't made for people who read a lot like Mike said, "The screen is back-lit like a computer monitor. It doesn't make for comfortable reading. For avid readers the Kindle will be easier on the eyes." Plus the ipad is pretty expensive.