According to “All Things D” (http://macte.ch/RD2wJ), Apple is planning a media-related event to be held in New York later this month. I’m certain it won’t involve an iPad 3, iPhone 5 or iTV. So what might Apple be unveiling?
It’s likely that Apple plans to beef up its iBook app and iBookstore, which lags behind the Kindle’s offering. On the other hand, I’d be shocked if Apple offered iBooks on any platforms beyond OS X and iOS. Did I say OS X? Yes, at long last I think the iBookstore and iBook app will be available on the Mac. You’ll be able to purchase books on any OS X or iOS device and have it “pushed” to all your other devices via iCloud. Ditto for the mags available at Newsstand.
Apple will probably announce a plethora of new book titles, as well as new magazines available at Newsstand. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see the company make a major push into the digital textbook realm, promoting the iPad and iTextbooks as a less expensive alternative to pricey high school and (especially) college texts.
Also look for Apple’s to promote self-publishing. There are self-publishing offerings from Barnes & Noble and Amazon, and Apple doesn’t want to be left behind. Apple’s option will let writers publish work directly on Apple’s platform without having to go through a publisher or other third-party provider to do so. Of course, the self-published works will have to be approved by Apple, as are apps in the Mac and iOS app stores.
Of course, all this assumes that Apple will hold said media event. And that’s something the company has neither confirmed nor denied.
— Dennis Sellers