Apple Opens iBook Store Ahead of iPad Launch

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Apple has released its iBooks application for download, ahead of Saturday’s official launch of the Cupertino, Calif. company’s iPad tablet device. The application, which allows iPad users to read e-books as well as purchase titles from the iBookstore, can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store.

To get iPad owners started, Apple will include the children’s favorite Winnie the Pooh, by A.A. Milne.


Apple announced the 18.1MB download as “an amazing way to download and read books, designed exclusively for iPad.” “iBooks includes the iBookstore,” where you can download the latest best-selling books or your favorite classics — day or night,” the company said.

The iBooks application supports the ePub format, allowing iPad owners to download out-of-copyright titles.

iBook’s features include the ability to :

  • Download favorite books.
  • Sample a book before buying.
  • Reorder your library of books.
  • Change typeface and font size.
  • Search for a word or phrase.
  • Turn to a specific page.
  • Bookmark a page or passage.
  • Add ePub books via iTunes 9.1
  • Have words spoken.
  • Because iBooks is not pre-installed on iPads, owners of the new device can choose to use Apple’s app, or an e-reading application from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

    [via AppleInsider]

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