Hot off the press! Apple has just announced today that it will be re-inventing the way we make and publish books. It’s called iBooks Author, and it just brought education to a whole new level.
iBooks Author is an app for your Mac computer or laptop that allows anyone to create beautiful Multi-Touch textbooks — and just about any other kind of book — for viewing on the iPad. Apple announced today that iBooks Author will include the option of adding galleries, video, interactive diagrams, 3D objects, and more! These self published books will bring content to life in ways the printed page never could.
Here are some cool features we noted while trying out the application:
Pre-designed templates take the intimidation of starting out with blank white pages.
The cool drag and drop features makes importing a breeze. Pages and Microsoft Word documents can easily be added. (If you’ve ever used Apple’s Keynote or Pages or Microsoft’s PowerPoint or Word apps, then iBooks Author will be a breeze.)
Advanced layouts are simple when it comes to adding text, shapes, charts, tables, and more. Even adding reflections and shadows to your images can easily be done with iBook Author.
3D! Adding 3D images and interactive photo galleries brings a whole new level to interactive education.
Voice over technology has also been integrated into iBook Author. This is a fabulous feature when it comes to education kids or teens with special needs. Another great education feature- movies and quizes can be built right in.
What’s the down side on this new app from Apple? The cost will follow Apple’s traditional App Store and iBookstore model where the company takes a 30% cut of the purchase price of each book. Authors are free to set their own pricing, although Apple has placed a maximum price tag of $14.99 on the textbooks.
So what do we think about iBook Authors at Tech4Moms? I am downloading it right now! Now my husband may just finish his Zombie children’s book idea! (I think he may be serious about this one.)
To learn more about iBooks Author, or to download this free app in the Mac Apple store, go here.
Update: If you charge a fee for any book or other work you generate using this software 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. Be sure to read the terms and conditions before publishing any book for profit!
Thanks for all those who brought this to my attention! You guys are awesome! ^Natalie
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive compensation if you make a purchase using the links.
Just be careful with what you create…
From Edd Dumbill on Google+
“Section 2. B from the T&Cs:
[[ B. Distribution of your Work. As a condition of this License and provided you are in compliance with its terms, your Work may be distributed as follows:
(i) if your Work is provided for free (at no charge), you may distribute the Work by any available means;
(ii) if your Work is provided for a fee (including as part of any subscription-based product or service), you may only distribute the Work through Apple and such distribution is subject to the following limitations and conditions: (a) you will be required to enter into a separate written agreement with Apple (or an Apple affiliate or subsidiary) before any commercial distribution of your Work may take place; and (b) Apple may determine for any reason and in its sole discretion not to select your Work for distribution. ]]
Write a book, any book, as long as it conforms and you permit us to own your distribution. Oh, except if you’re giving it away. In that case, have at it, we love free advertising!
No thanks.”
I was just going to say “Be sure to read the Terms and Conditions” but Sarah already did that. The exciting thing to me about this app is how easy it is to use. Amazon has made preparing ebooks for the Kindle a gauntlet. We need something equally easy for EPUB that won’t tie you in to a single platform like only for iPad or only for Kindle.