Earlier this week, Apple, Inc. announced a release date for the first version of the heavily-anticipated iPad. The first, Wi-Fi only version ships on April 3rd, with a second, 3G-enabled version slated to ship later in April. Pre-ordering starts for the Wi-Fi only version on March 12th.
Since our previous posting relating to the initial iPad announcement, a number of content providers have posted some interesting announcements relating to products they will be releasing for the iPad, giving us an increasingly clear view of the ways in which the iPad may have a significant impact on the publishing industry.
Wired Magazine released new details on the iPad version of their magazine, which is intended to be a digital version of the actual print publication, with extended rich media content such as expandable images and embedded video. The standalone application will use a subscription access model and offer all the content of the print publication.
Additionally, textbook publishers appear to be embracing the iPad. McGraw-Hill, Houghton Mifflin, Pearson and Kaplan have all reached deals to develop and release interactive educational and test-prep content to the iPad. Given the iPad’s powerful interactive media capabilities and clear utility as an eReader, its potential impact on the education publishing category is significant.
Finally, Penguin released details and a Youtube clip of their planned iPad content, which pushes the boundaries of the traditional eBook. Penguin’s approach takes advantage of the additional functionality offered by the iPad. Examples include integrated live chat and social networking among active readers of a given eBook and street maps integration between a travel book and the iPad’s Maps application. Their demonstration also features children’s and educational books, incorporating interactive, in-plot games, coloring, and quiz questions. Penguin views the iPad as an opportunity to offer premium versions of eBooks to consumers willing to pay a premium for enhanced content.














Penguin Group (USA) is launching a new imprint, called
Bleeding Cool, a blog for comic book fans, broke the news on March 7 of Amazon’s
The
Henry Holt and Co. has decided to stop printing a new book from its catalog, The Last Train from Hiroshima by Charles Pellegrino, after questions arose about its accuracy. The book examines the bombing of Hiroshima through the eyes of its survivors. It had received good reviews and James Cameron was even in line to direct the movie adaptation.





