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News & ArtsWednesday, February 3, 2010
Books A Textbook Case for the iPad
Posted by Paul Constant on Wed, Feb 3, 2010 at 3:32 PM
The Wall Street Journal reports that textbook publishers have already started adapting their books for the iPad:
Though Apple didn't outline its strategy to target the educational sector with its iPad last week, people familiar with Apple's thinking have said that the iPad's use in schools was one of the focal points of discussions in developing the product. In its exploration of electronic book technology, it thought particularly about how it could re-invent textbooks, these people said. Apple declined to comment on the role of textbooks on the iPad. Apple has an edge in the educational sector because its Macintosh computers have always enjoyed a strong following in the academic sphere, and it already offers educational audio and video content through its iTunes U service.The iPad also will be helped by the interest that schools have always had in tablet-form computers. Science teachers, for example, could use them for taking lab notes, which often use a combination of sentences, charts and mathematical equations, while others could use them on field trips. "This is the beginning of handheld education," said John Lema, chief executive of ScrollMotion.
In other iPad news, people who are complaining about iPad's lack of Flash should read this New York Times story about HTML5 video, which could mean the eventual end of Flash. If you're not on Firefox, you can check out SublimeVideo, an HTML5 video player, over here.
2
Yeah, everyone knows about HTML5 (except you, obviously), and it's exciting to look forward to. But it's a long way from wide implementation. In the meantime, you won't be watching Hulu on your iPad.
4
@3 - you can get a keyboard to go with it or use the virtual one built in.
Remember, the best selling book on an eReader sells maybe 1000 copies. Total. Which is why most of the professional authors are way more excited about the iPad, because they know that millions of those will be sold.
The iPad is the death of the eReader competitors - remember before the iPod came out?
Besides, Flash is a lousy format.
Remember, the best selling book on an eReader sells maybe 1000 copies. Total. Which is why most of the professional authors are way more excited about the iPad, because they know that millions of those will be sold.
The iPad is the death of the eReader competitors - remember before the iPod came out?
Besides, Flash is a lousy format.
5
How do you take notes?
How does handwriting get recognized as text?
Can I annotate those text books?
Can I resell those text books?
Can I print?
Can I use OneNote on an iPad?
Pretty much "no" to all of the above.
You can get a pretty cheap tablet that does all the above (check out the Dell outlet website). Unfortunately, it will not be an Apple product.
How does handwriting get recognized as text?
Can I annotate those text books?
Can I resell those text books?
Can I print?
Can I use OneNote on an iPad?
Pretty much "no" to all of the above.
You can get a pretty cheap tablet that does all the above (check out the Dell outlet website). Unfortunately, it will not be an Apple product.
6
Does Ink not work on the iPad? It's been bundled with all the Apple OS X versions for a few years...
7
@3--
that's not how one takes notes. put it down (flat) and type on the screen? eh.
i guess this is why they didn't call it the iTablet.
i'm starting to get annoyed at all the things the iPad is *going* to be able to do.
that's not how one takes notes. put it down (flat) and type on the screen? eh.
i guess this is why they didn't call it the iTablet.
i'm starting to get annoyed at all the things the iPad is *going* to be able to do.
9
@4, I'm sure you have a citation for that statement that no e-book has sold more than 1,000 copies. Oh, wait, that's right -- you're Will in Seattle; you pulled it out of your stanky ass. You haven't got a clue, do you? I love it when you crow about the benefits and drawbacks of devices you've never touched. I also love it when you talk about books, despite the fact you've never read one.
Sony says they've sold 3 million e-books; Amazon isn't telling, but they've sold quite a bit more readers, so it's likely they've sold more books as well -- especially since they're the biggest bookseller going, unlike Sony. I'll bet between them they've sold a lot more than a thousand copies of "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett or "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks.
Keep in mind when I say that textbooks on the iPad is a fantastic idea, I'm agreeing with Paul, not with you. You have no idea what you're talking about. Again.
I'll be interested to see, however, how the iPad deals with the pagination issue that damages the Kindle's usefulness for acedemic use almost as much as the graph-butchering screen does. If they get that right (i.e., have page numbers display that match the ones in the printed text) they're onto something.
Sony says they've sold 3 million e-books; Amazon isn't telling, but they've sold quite a bit more readers, so it's likely they've sold more books as well -- especially since they're the biggest bookseller going, unlike Sony. I'll bet between them they've sold a lot more than a thousand copies of "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett or "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks.
Keep in mind when I say that textbooks on the iPad is a fantastic idea, I'm agreeing with Paul, not with you. You have no idea what you're talking about. Again.
I'll be interested to see, however, how the iPad deals with the pagination issue that damages the Kindle's usefulness for acedemic use almost as much as the graph-butchering screen does. If they get that right (i.e., have page numbers display that match the ones in the printed text) they're onto something.
10
I'd say it'll be at least 4 years before html5 becomes wide spread enough to make imbedded video a viable option.
People still use Explorer 6 for chrissakes, and it's 4 years out of date!
People still use Explorer 6 for chrissakes, and it's 4 years out of date!
12
Meanwhile there's a Flash video just 5 posts down from this one. If I can't read Slog on it, I'm not getting one.
13
And before we get all mixed up, HTML5 is a language, not a video player. This correction from the same NYT article clarifies:
Correction: February 3, 2010
An article on Monday about the absence of the multimedia software Flash in Apple’s new iPad tablet computer referred incorrectly to the Web language HTML5. While HTML5 can support video, it is not itself a video format. The article also misstated the ownership of HTML5 patents. HTML5, like other versions of Hypertext Markup Language, is open source; it is not owned by a group of companies, including Apple. (Many Web sites that are starting to use HTML5 are using a particular video encoding program called H.264, which has shared patent pool, of which Apple is a part.)
Correction: February 3, 2010
An article on Monday about the absence of the multimedia software Flash in Apple’s new iPad tablet computer referred incorrectly to the Web language HTML5. While HTML5 can support video, it is not itself a video format. The article also misstated the ownership of HTML5 patents. HTML5, like other versions of Hypertext Markup Language, is open source; it is not owned by a group of companies, including Apple. (Many Web sites that are starting to use HTML5 are using a particular video encoding program called H.264, which has shared patent pool, of which Apple is a part.)
14
@5 - you can download a handwriting app from the iStore if you care that much.
Most modern students grew up typing most of their notes - most of the time I go to a seminar or class I'm one of the few actually writing my notes, most of them type them.
Well, or check their FB pages.
Most modern students grew up typing most of their notes - most of the time I go to a seminar or class I'm one of the few actually writing my notes, most of them type them.
Well, or check their FB pages.
15
@9 - yeah, it's from the Vanguard list - unlike you, I have a lot of friends who are professional writers, and they did give links, but I really don't care about links.
Came out during a discussion of local bookstores.
Now, go away, you and your whiny "do my work for me" attitude are bothersome. Why don't you tell me how turnout for votes in November is going to be low or some other thing that isn't true.
Came out during a discussion of local bookstores.
Now, go away, you and your whiny "do my work for me" attitude are bothersome. Why don't you tell me how turnout for votes in November is going to be low or some other thing that isn't true.
16
"Textbook Firms Ink E-Deals For iPad" might be the worst headline ever written, though. Say it five times fast and see if your brain doesn't fizzle out.
17
@5 The iphone Kindle reader has highlighting and annotation. I'd be surprised if iBooks doesn't also.
Printing really is the killer missing feature for me, though. Particularly in textbooks, where I sometimes end up using figures, graphs and tables in my papers. I'm hopeful Apple might be able to consider pushing publishes towards this; in many ways printing pages from a book is analogous to burning MP3s download from iTunes onto CD, and Apple got the RIAA to agree to that even when every iTMS track had DRM.
Printing really is the killer missing feature for me, though. Particularly in textbooks, where I sometimes end up using figures, graphs and tables in my papers. I'm hopeful Apple might be able to consider pushing publishes towards this; in many ways printing pages from a book is analogous to burning MP3s download from iTunes onto CD, and Apple got the RIAA to agree to that even when every iTMS track had DRM.
18
@ 15, no one ever believes you because you can't back up any of your assertions. Again, the rule is, YOU bring it up, YOU prove it. It's called "doing your own work," which is why it's laughable for you to use it when your unsupported assertions are challenged.
19
If Apple can force textbook publishers to sell at a much lower price (and they have a material case for it - textbooks are printed on higher quality paper and binding, which won't be a factor in pricing an e-book), then this will be huge.
20
from the WSJ article: ... because its Macintosh computers have always enjoyed a strong following in the academic sphere ...
If your academic sphere began while in Kindergarten in the 1990s, yeah.
If your academic sphere began while in Kindergarten in the 1990s, yeah.
23
Will, "I don't care about links" in your case means "I don't care about facts". None of your professional writer friends (uh-huh) ever told you that no e-book has ever sold more than a thousand copies, even if that's what you overheard when you were standing forty feet away from them. Hint: if they don't even know you're there, they're not your friends.
"The Vanguard list" -- do tell. We're all ears. You are deliberately obscuring your sources because you know and I know that they aren't sources at all, you never heard any such thing, it's not true, and you're full of shit. You do this every time anyone calls you out on your bullshit. YOU'RE LYING.
"The Vanguard list" -- do tell. We're all ears. You are deliberately obscuring your sources because you know and I know that they aren't sources at all, you never heard any such thing, it's not true, and you're full of shit. You do this every time anyone calls you out on your bullshit. YOU'RE LYING.
25
Oh, and Will: a citation doesn't have to be a link. It just has to be a credible source. Page numbers, please.
The reason I can't find it on my own is because it doesn't exist. Your original statement is untrue.
The reason I can't find it on my own is because it doesn't exist. Your original statement is untrue.
26
@23, Will might be a tool, but his "writer friends" might be right:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/23/books/…
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/23/books/…
28
@27, here's the opener of the article, which unfortunately doesn't include any sales figures:
January 23, 2010
With Kindle, the Best Sellers Don’t Need to Sell
By MOTOKO RICH, NY Times
Here’s a riddle: How do you make your book a best seller on the Kindle?
Answer: Give copies away.
That’s right. More than half of the “best-selling” e-books on the Kindle, Amazon.com’s e-reader, are available at no charge.
Although some of the titles are digital versions of books in the public domain — like Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” — many are by authors still trying to make a living from their work.
Earlier this week, for example, the No. 1 and 2 spots on Kindle’s best-seller list were taken by “Cape Refuge” and “Southern Storm,” both novels by Terri Blackstock, a writer of Christian thrillers. The Kindle price: $0. Until the end of the month, Ms. Blackstock’s publisher, Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, is offering readers the opportunity to download the books free to the Kindle or to the Kindle apps on their iPhone or in Windows.
Publishers including Harlequin, Random House and Scholastic are offering free versions of digital books to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other e-retailers, as well as on author Web sites, as a way of allowing readers to try out the work of unfamiliar writers. The hope is that customers who like what they read will go on to obtain another title for money.
...
Samhain Publishing, a publisher of romance and erotica, has offered a free e-book title every two weeks for more than a year. Christina Brashear, its publisher, said that the giveaways have led to a noticeable bump in sales.
In October, the most recent month for which she has statistics, Ms. Brashear said Samhain offered free digital versions of “Giving Chase,” a romance novel by Lauren Dane, leading to 26,897 downloads.
But paid purchases of some of Ms. Dane’s other novels jumped exponentially. Her earlier novel “Chased,” which sold 97 copies in September, sold 2,666 digital units in October, and another of her previous books, “Taking Chase,” which sold 119 copies in September, sold 3,279 in the month in which a free download was available.
With e-books still representing about 5 percent of the total book market, data on the effect of digital giveaways is still inconclusive. Brian O’Leary, a principal at Magellan Media Consulting Partners, which advises publishers, said that while it appeared that free downloads led to an uptick in actual book buying, there was a risk that free reading could eventually “supplant paid reading.”
More...
January 23, 2010
With Kindle, the Best Sellers Don’t Need to Sell
By MOTOKO RICH, NY Times
Here’s a riddle: How do you make your book a best seller on the Kindle?
Answer: Give copies away.
That’s right. More than half of the “best-selling” e-books on the Kindle, Amazon.com’s e-reader, are available at no charge.
Although some of the titles are digital versions of books in the public domain — like Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” — many are by authors still trying to make a living from their work.
Earlier this week, for example, the No. 1 and 2 spots on Kindle’s best-seller list were taken by “Cape Refuge” and “Southern Storm,” both novels by Terri Blackstock, a writer of Christian thrillers. The Kindle price: $0. Until the end of the month, Ms. Blackstock’s publisher, Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, is offering readers the opportunity to download the books free to the Kindle or to the Kindle apps on their iPhone or in Windows.
Publishers including Harlequin, Random House and Scholastic are offering free versions of digital books to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other e-retailers, as well as on author Web sites, as a way of allowing readers to try out the work of unfamiliar writers. The hope is that customers who like what they read will go on to obtain another title for money.
...
Samhain Publishing, a publisher of romance and erotica, has offered a free e-book title every two weeks for more than a year. Christina Brashear, its publisher, said that the giveaways have led to a noticeable bump in sales.
In October, the most recent month for which she has statistics, Ms. Brashear said Samhain offered free digital versions of “Giving Chase,” a romance novel by Lauren Dane, leading to 26,897 downloads.
But paid purchases of some of Ms. Dane’s other novels jumped exponentially. Her earlier novel “Chased,” which sold 97 copies in September, sold 2,666 digital units in October, and another of her previous books, “Taking Chase,” which sold 119 copies in September, sold 3,279 in the month in which a free download was available.
With e-books still representing about 5 percent of the total book market, data on the effect of digital giveaways is still inconclusive. Brian O’Leary, a principal at Magellan Media Consulting Partners, which advises publishers, said that while it appeared that free downloads led to an uptick in actual book buying, there was a risk that free reading could eventually “supplant paid reading.”
29
@26, I assume you are referring to http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/23/books/…
It does not prove Will's contention in the slightest. It's true, some books at the top of the Kindle best-seller list are free. So let's not count those. But not all or even most of them are; there are plenty of books on the Kindle best-seller list that are $9.99 or some other price. And the article provides examples.
Note also that "e-book" doesn't mean "Kindle". There are several other readers available; the Kindle isn't even the only way to read Kindle books (you can read them on an iPhone, for starters).
Until proven wrong, I stand by my assertion that Will in Seattle is completely full of shit on this AND EVERY OTHER topic.
It does not prove Will's contention in the slightest. It's true, some books at the top of the Kindle best-seller list are free. So let's not count those. But not all or even most of them are; there are plenty of books on the Kindle best-seller list that are $9.99 or some other price. And the article provides examples.
Note also that "e-book" doesn't mean "Kindle". There are several other readers available; the Kindle isn't even the only way to read Kindle books (you can read them on an iPhone, for starters).
Until proven wrong, I stand by my assertion that Will in Seattle is completely full of shit on this AND EVERY OTHER topic.
30
I didn't claim I was proving anything, just throwing some actual research into the discussion.
I certainly don't argue with your observations about Will's shit content.
I certainly don't argue with your observations about Will's shit content.
31
Fair enough.
You're right, it's interesting. Speaking as a not-very-satisfied Kindle owner, I can say that the first thing I did was load up on a ton of free books, none of which I will ever read; and also a ton of free previews, several of which have indeed led to real sales. As a tactic, I think the former isn't too great, but the latter is an outstanding tool to get people to have a look; it's more informative than thumbing through it in the bookstore.
You're right, it's interesting. Speaking as a not-very-satisfied Kindle owner, I can say that the first thing I did was load up on a ton of free books, none of which I will ever read; and also a ton of free previews, several of which have indeed led to real sales. As a tactic, I think the former isn't too great, but the latter is an outstanding tool to get people to have a look; it's more informative than thumbing through it in the bookstore.
32
I remember reading something about e-textbooks where the publisher said "We'll try to keep the price at or only slightly above the printed version." Wish I could remember where I got it from. The material cost of textbooks does not justify their very high price, it's a racket. I doubt they'll give it up just because they're not printing things anymore.
33
I'm not counting The Bible.
I'm not counting Sarah Palin.
Heck, she probably bought most of those eBooks herself.
Now, go get a life.
I'm not counting Sarah Palin.
Heck, she probably bought most of those eBooks herself.
Now, go get a life.
34
So, is this iPad of which you speak anything like the HP TZ2500 I've been packing around for more than a year now?
How is it Apple can get away with claiming "the next big thing" when the "big thing" they're claiming has been around for so long before their's?
How is it Apple can get away with claiming "the next big thing" when the "big thing" they're claiming has been around for so long before their's?
35
oh look! facts!
“Millions of people now own Kindles,” said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com. “And Kindle owners read, a lot. When we have both editions, we sell 6 Kindle books for every 10 physical books. This is year-to-date and includes only paid books -- free Kindle books would make the number even higher. It’s been an exciting 27 months.”http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Amazoncom-…
36
The problem with HTML5 is that Apple and Google are pushing for a proprietary video codec that Firefox and other open browsers will be unable to legally support. Even worse, commercial and large private size will have to pay the MPEG licensing authority if they want to remain legal.
HTML5 will not be a good step if Apple and Google get their way. Support the Mozilla foundation in demanding an open and free video codec. It may not be quite as high quality, but freedom is more important.
HTML5 will not be a good step if Apple and Google get their way. Support the Mozilla foundation in demanding an open and free video codec. It may not be quite as high quality, but freedom is more important.
37
@36 html5 can embed video and not all video is h264. just because its better than avi/wmv and companies know that and support it over the inferior rivals, don't knock it.
235 because only 420 peopel oen one of those and soon millions upon millions will possibly oen an ipad. so, in short, million of users is a category that only attracted dozens previously, makes it the next big thing. mp3 players existed before ipods but the ipod sold more and was easier to use came with a store and went on to become the next big thing even though mp3 had existed prior. need i make the same analogy with all in one computers or smart phone s or is just one example enough?
235 because only 420 peopel oen one of those and soon millions upon millions will possibly oen an ipad. so, in short, million of users is a category that only attracted dozens previously, makes it the next big thing. mp3 players existed before ipods but the ipod sold more and was easier to use came with a store and went on to become the next big thing even though mp3 had existed prior. need i make the same analogy with all in one computers or smart phone s or is just one example enough?
38
@37, your impossible-to-read argument would make more sense if your examples were correct. Apple doesn't own the market in smartphones or any kind of computer, or probably even MP3 players. The iPhone has something like a third of the smartphone market; Macs about a tenth of that in computers.
I don't know what "235 because only 420 peopel oen one of those" means. Was that supposed to be @35? More than 420 people own Kindles -- a current estimate is 3 million. And not all e-readers are Kindles. Zero people, of course, have bought iPads; they don't exist yet.
Will @33, it's interesting that those are the only two books you can name. Neither is particularly high on the e-book sales chart. Seriously: seek psychological help for your compulsive lying.
I don't know what "235 because only 420 peopel oen one of those" means. Was that supposed to be @35? More than 420 people own Kindles -- a current estimate is 3 million. And not all e-readers are Kindles. Zero people, of course, have bought iPads; they don't exist yet.
Will @33, it's interesting that those are the only two books you can name. Neither is particularly high on the e-book sales chart. Seriously: seek psychological help for your compulsive lying.
39
@ 38, I don't have time to research the latest data, but a quick Google search of articles over the past couple of years indicate Apple still commands something like 70% of the mp3 player market. That may not be "owning" the market but they're definitely the dominant player. Personally, I don't even know anyone whose mp3 player isn't some kind of iPod. I know they're out there...
OTOH one figure (just for 2009 Q2) shows that iPhones accounted for only 13% of sales.
@ 37, welcome to America. I suggest more ESL lessons before engaging on a blog, if only so you can trade insults that we can understand.
OTOH one figure (just for 2009 Q2) shows that iPhones accounted for only 13% of sales.
@ 37, welcome to America. I suggest more ESL lessons before engaging on a blog, if only so you can trade insults that we can understand.
40
@39, you're right. I was just coming here to announce that I was wrong. In even more recent data (Q4), iPhone market share is actually FALLING, dropping to 16.6% of smartphone sales worldwide (though sales are increasing). And yes, I was wrong about iPods too (which is especially stupid since I have one).
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/02/01/i…
Chances are the iPad will continue Apple's usual pattern of making huge profits on well-designed, expensive niche products. I expect both portable DVD players and dedicated e-readers will continue to exist.
Has anyone heard what the MPAA has to say, if anything, about people ripping their DVDs to view on an iPad? I assume that's a crime, like everything else is.
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/02/01/i…
Chances are the iPad will continue Apple's usual pattern of making huge profits on well-designed, expensive niche products. I expect both portable DVD players and dedicated e-readers will continue to exist.
Has anyone heard what the MPAA has to say, if anything, about people ripping their DVDs to view on an iPad? I assume that's a crime, like everything else is.
41
Apple isn't bundling their own stylus or handwriting app with the iPad, but there are 3rd-party apps available for download, and styli available for purchase.
Don't be surprised if the shipping iPad includes support for printing to wireless devices (please god both Bluetooth and WiFi). Apple has only recently worked out the process to download individual printer-drivers on demand; they used to include several GB of drivers with each copy of the Mac OS X.
I'm constantly amused by the meltdown-reaction of the technocrati to the iPad; they just CANNOT deal with the fact that the iPad is a locked-down-to-avoid-virus-infestation portable digital-media-consumption appliance. Perhaps this is not too surprising, since they ALL make their living by creating digital media on computers; but obviously if you need a portable device to CREATE digital media, how hard is it to figure out to get a laptop instead!!! If you must occasionally use your iPad as a netbook computer, you'll probably want to haul around it's optional $69 keyboard.
Roughly approximately around about 75 million iPhones / iPod touches have been sold to date (I don't own one) and - guess what - Spoiler Ahead! - NONE OF THEM PLAY FLASH. Shocker, I know! Since these devices tend to be owned by persons with higher-than-average disposable incomes (who use them like crazy to browse the web), advertisers etc currently addicted to Flash might - might! - want to reconsider how to reach this group. Maybe. Possibly. Perhaps. Just a thought.
Don't be surprised if the shipping iPad includes support for printing to wireless devices (please god both Bluetooth and WiFi). Apple has only recently worked out the process to download individual printer-drivers on demand; they used to include several GB of drivers with each copy of the Mac OS X.
I'm constantly amused by the meltdown-reaction of the technocrati to the iPad; they just CANNOT deal with the fact that the iPad is a locked-down-to-avoid-virus-infestation portable digital-media-consumption appliance. Perhaps this is not too surprising, since they ALL make their living by creating digital media on computers; but obviously if you need a portable device to CREATE digital media, how hard is it to figure out to get a laptop instead!!! If you must occasionally use your iPad as a netbook computer, you'll probably want to haul around it's optional $69 keyboard.
Roughly approximately around about 75 million iPhones / iPod touches have been sold to date (I don't own one) and - guess what - Spoiler Ahead! - NONE OF THEM PLAY FLASH. Shocker, I know! Since these devices tend to be owned by persons with higher-than-average disposable incomes (who use them like crazy to browse the web), advertisers etc currently addicted to Flash might - might! - want to reconsider how to reach this group. Maybe. Possibly. Perhaps. Just a thought.
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