Apple to launch own (possibly exclusive) publishing program

[Andre Jute]

http://goodereader.com/blog/tablet-sl...

Apple currently has two ways to publish on the iStore, through Smashwords or another aggregator", or through the Apps programme, not really designed for books, and requiring Apple's latest computers, which pricey.

Now it will consult about starting a simpler route to self-publishing. I hope they don't make it exclusive.

Note how the Apple process differs from Amazon's. The Zon decides buy executive fiat to do something and imposes it on everyone. Apple consults first about what is wanted, then decides what to do.

[Patricia]

There's a discussion of it here:

http://www.thepassivevoice.com/01/201...

According to a comment late in the discussion, it may be text book publishing.

[Andre Jute]

That'll suit me fine. I have a whole bunch of textbooks, some them depending on colour to work at all.

But somehow I don't think it is likely that Apple will concentrate on a minority market.

[Patricia]

I recall Amazon's attempt to break into the textbook market was not a success. Remember the tests they did with some universities, and students were less than wowed? The iPad, being larger and in color, could probably be a good display device for textbooks -- but textbook authors already enjoy a pretty good royalty structure. All their publishers need to do is go both print and digital and they have the market covered, the authors continue to make big bucks, and Apple is cut out of the deal.