Books

Mar 7 2012

iBooks Author 1.1 Update Released by Apple

The latest version of the iBooks Author Application has been released by Apple, Inc.   iBooks Author is Apple’s home grown application which allows users to produce and publish text books for the iPad and to sell them in the iTunes Book Store.  Version 1.1 of the iBooks Author application includes

  • The iBooks Author Application has been enhanced to take advantage of the Retina Display on the New iPad
  • Includes a number of performance and stability improvements

You can download the iBooks Author application from the Mac App Store or from the Apple iBooks Author page at:

http://www.apple.com/ibooks-author/

By admin • Apple Computing, Apple Inc., Books, iPad, textbooks • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

Mar 4 2012

Apple Updates Application Loader to Version 2.5.1

Apple has updated the Application Loader for iTunes Connect.   iTunes Connect allows those authors using the iBooks Author Application to publish their books in the Apple iBookstore. The Version 2.5.1 update of the Application Loader  includes the following enhancements and fixes:

  • Improved error messaging
  • Creating and sending In-App Purchase details for apps directly from Application Loader
  • Send to Apple command now creates logs for troubleshooting delivery issues
  • Updated system requirements and newly supported formats
  • Updated server IP addresses and port information

 

You can find more information about this update and the complete Application Loader guide at:

http://itunesconnect.apple.com

You will need an iTunes Connect account in order to log into this page.

By admin • Apple Computing, Apple Inc., Books, iTunes • 0 • Tags: , ,

Feb 25 2012

Apple iBooks DRM Hacked

A posting on Mobileread.com is suggesting that Version 3.3 of Requiem by the hacker “Brahms” is capable of removing Apple’s DRM from iTunes and iBooks.  While the software has been capable of iTunes DRM removal for some time, this is the first time that it can also crack the iBooks format as well.

This type of hack does not bode well for Apple or those authors who are trying to make money from the Apple Book Store, as users would be able to crack the content and put it out on the internet for free viewing.  However, it is highly likely that a new DRM system will be pushed out in the next update of iTunes and iBooks, iBooks Author in order to block the current hack.

For more on the hack, check out the posting at:

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170053

By admin • Apple Computing, Apple Inc., Books, iPad, iPhone, iTunes • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

Feb 3 2012

Jumsoft Releases Book Palette for iBooks Author

Jumsoft has released Book Palette, a package which adds 10 book templates to iBooks Author.  The package also allows you to change and modify the templates to give the effects that you need in your books.  It also allows you to save your modified templates, thus making it easier to create your documents with uniformity across all the documents.

This package is an absolute necessity for the user who is creating lots of materials and feels that Apple’s lot of templates is just a bit short in the style side of things.   The fonts used in the Jumsoft templates are clearer and create a much crisper look and feel to the books.

The package is a $2.99 USD download from the Mac App Store and installs on your machine as a separate app. You can download the package at:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/book-palette/id497704085?mt=12/

By admin • Apple Computing, Apple Inc., Apps, Books, Education, iPad, iPhone, Software, textbooks • 0 • Tags: , , ,

Feb 3 2012

Apple Releases iBooks Author 1.0.1 to Address EULA Issue

Apple has updated iBooks Author, updating the End User License Agreement, getting even more specific about what can or cannot be sold when producing content with the application.  In the original EULA, Apple had said that “If you charge a fee for any book or other work you generate using this software (a ‘Work’), you may only sell or distribute such Work through Apple (e.g., through the iBookstore) and such distribution will be subject to a separate agreement with Apple.”

In the new EULA, Apple says “If you want to charge a fee for a work that includes files in the .ibooks format generated using iBooks Author, you may only sell or distribute such work through Apple, and such distribution will be subject to a separate agreement with Apple. This restriction does not apply to the content of such works when distributed in a form that does not include files in the .ibooks format.”

This frees up users to create content and export it to PDF or Text file and sell it as they like.  However, Apple is still insisting that if the exported content involves the iBooks format, then it must be sold through the Apple Book Store.

To download the update, go to the Mac App Store at:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibooks-author/id490152466?mt=12

By admin • Apple Computing, Apple Inc., Books, iPad, iPhone • 0 • Tags: , , , , ,

Feb 3 2012

Apple Releases iBooks 2.0.1

Apple has released an update for iBooks 2.  The update, version 2.0.1 is intended to address an issue with Textbooks not opening within the program.   The update is now in the iTunes App Store and is a free download.

 

To download the update, go to:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibooks/id364709193?mt=8

By admin • Apple Computing, Apple Inc., Apps, Books, iPad, iPhone, Software, Updates • 0 • Tags: , , ,

Jan 25 2012

Inside Apple now in iTunes Book Store

The book that has created the most buzz lately is Inside Apple by Adam Lashinsky.  The book delves into the inner workings of Apple, Inc. and how they manage to maintain their competitive edge with their shroud of secrecy.  Talked about over the past several weeks by many in the media, the long awaited book is now available in the iTunes Store

To Download the book in iTunes, go to:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/inside-apple/id444015286?mt=11

By admin • Apple Inc., Books • 0 • Tags: , , , , ,

Jan 24 2012

iBooks Author Downloads Over 600,000 in 5 Days

iBooks Author, the app which allows educators to produce their own textbooks, has pushed over 600,000 downloads in 5 days.  It was previously thought that this number was under 90,000, however Apple announce in this morning’s conference call that this plus a total of 3 million iTunes U downloads is pushing the education initiative along mightily.

The fact that iBooks Author only runs on Mac OS X Lion should also drive future Mac OS X sales or even machine sales as users come to grips with not being able to run the app unless they upgrade.

There have also been over 700 million downloads of iTunes U related materials thus far and that number is expected to grow exponentially as iTunes U is adopted by more and more universities.

By admin • Apple Inc., Books, Education, textbooks • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

Jan 24 2012

Fortune Releases Inside Apple Excerpt

Fortune has released a new excerpt from the Inside Apple book written by Adam Lashinsky.  The book discusses Apple from the employee and the secrecy and security aspect, goine into detail about how employees are treated, how they are paid, and what the policy at Apple is relating to product releases.

The book even goes into the tit-for-tat type fights that erupt between employees and that dressing someone down is acceptable if it is in the interest of making a product better.  Also the competitive nature of the business is ever apparent through the desire not to be the person who is the weak link.

To read the entire excerpt, go to the Tech Fortune page at CNN.com

You can also watch the video about the book and the way APple handles things here

By admin • Apple Inc., Books • 0 • Tags: , , ,

Jan 23 2012

Apple sells 350,000 Textbooks Since Launch

In the 5 days since the launch of the Textbooks section of the Apple Book Store, they have sold approximately 350,000 books according to Global Equities Research.  They also apparently gave away 90,000 plus copies of the iBooks Author software for textbook production.  If these numbers and trends continue, Apple could well have the largest book store sales in the world within a matter of weeks instead of the normal years that it took Amazon to get to the top.

There are no official numbers from Apple yet but if the textbook sales are extremely successful, it is highly likely that they will use the numbers as part of their presentation come time for release of the iPad 3.  That event is expected within the month, yet again, no official word of the event has been sent by Apple inc.

Source: Electronista

By admin • Apple Computing, Apple Inc., Books, Education, iPad, textbooks • 0 • Tags: , , ,

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