Apple launched their iBooks 2 initiative today at their education-focused media event in New York. This is an update to iBooks which pushes for interactive textbooks from a number of major publishers that Apple has partnered with. Here is how Apple has described iBooks 2:
Introducing iBooks 2 — now with iBooks textbooks.
– Experience gorgeous Multi-Touch textbooks designed for iPad
– iBooks textbooks are filled with interactive features, diagrams, photos, and videos
– Tap to dive into images with interactive captions, rotate 3D objects, swipe through image galleries, watch videos in full screen, and more
– Use a finger as a highlighter when swiping over text in a textbook
– Take advantage of Study Cards to help you memorize important highlights, notes, and glossary terms
– Tap glossary terms to see definitions of key topics and concepts without leaving the page
Some of Apple’s early textbooks partners include McGraw-Hill, Pearson, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; the same three companies responsible for 90% of textbook sales in the United States. McGraw-Hill and Pearson are launching a few introductory titles starting today, and more well on their way.
Apple is starting with high school textbooks which will be priced at $14.99 or less. This allows authors to continually edit the content of the book, and students get to keep the books they purchased forever.
You can get iBooks 2 in the App Store for free, or as an update to the iBooks app you already have installed.
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TAGS: ibooks, ibooks 2, textbook
