Using the iBooks format on a powerful, but costly, device, through a closed ecosystem brings huge problems.

Using the iBooks format on a powerful, but costly, device, through a closed ecosystem brings huge problems.

the iPad is more than just an expensive e-reader or costly replacement for textbooks. the iPad is a multipurpose device capable of doing many of the things a PC can do at a cheaper or comparable cost to a budget pc or notebook.

apple’s true objective is probably to get schools to use the money they would have used to buy PC’s for classrooms to buy iPads instead. and get parents who are looking to buy a budget pc or notebook for they kids education to buy an iPad instead. if you think of the iPad as a device to replace the traditional student PC+physical textbooks, then it’s actually cheaper option.

PDF text books that can be opened and created on any platform would be a better solution for most consumers, not a cash-cow for Apple (or Amazon) and the publishers. Clearly these greedy companies will never allow that.

If only this had been e-books on the kindle or KOBO in PDFs format. For the moment E-ink readers are much cheaper, lighter and one charge lasts weeks. Whatever Apple’s true objectives, another “walled garden” product on the high cost iPad is a terrible idea for ordinary pupils in schools. Even in Universities, where Text Books cost more and are revised more often, the economics of this idea are dubious. Publishing Text Books in PDF format, which can be opened on any platform, makes more sense.

If only this had been e-books on the kindle or KOBO in PDFs format. For the moment E-ink readers are much cheaper, lighter and one charge lasts weeks. Whatever Apple’s true objectives, another “walled garden” product on the high cost iPad is a terrible idea for ordinary pupils in schools. Even in Universities, where Text Books cost more and are revised more often, the economics of this idea are dubious. Publishing Text Books in PDF format, which can be opened on any platform, makes more sense.

If only this had been e-books on the kindle or KOBO in PDFs format. For the moment E-ink readers are much cheaper, lighter and one charge lasts weeks. Whatever Apple’s true objectives, another “walled garden” product on the high cost iPad is a terrible idea for ordinary pupils in schools. Even in Universities, where Text Books cost more and are revised more often, the economics of this idea are dubious. Publishing Text Books in PDF format, which can be opened on any platform, makes more sense.

If only this had been e-books on the kindle or KOBO in PDFs format. For the moment E-ink readers are much cheaper, lighter and one charge lasts weeks. Whatever Apple’s true objectives, another “walled garden” product on the high cost iPad is a terrible idea for ordinary pupils in schools. Even in Universities, where Text Books cost more and are revised more often, the economics of this idea are dubious. Publishing Text Books in PDF format, which can be opened on any platform, makes more sense.

With iPads being currently sold at the rate of 130,000 per day – this rate will not only be sustained but can seriously increase.

Already at the current rate of iBooks downloads Apple has captured 5% of the $8billion dollars education market.

With no competition in sight Apple can expand ferociously in Vacuum in the new interactive eBook market.

I expect Apple to at least take 30% of the market before the first real competitor shows up (Amazon?)

With iPads being currently sold at the rate of 130,000 per day – this rate will not only be sustained but can seriously increase.

Already at the current rate of iBooks downloads Apple has captured 5% of the $8billion dollars education market.

With no competition in sight Apple can expand ferociously in Vacuum in the new interactive eBook market.

I expect Apple to at least take 30% of the market before the first real competitor shows up (Amazon?)