A game changer yet again: Apple’s plan to disrupt the textbook business
January 17th, 2012 | Published in Apple, Digital Technology
17 January 2012 - When Apple introduced the iPad a couple of years ago, one of the product’s promises was that it could change the classroom experience. It looks to do that on Thursday. Having trolled the digital media bloggers plus conversations we had at CES2012 in Las Vegas last week, Apple is reportedly working with some of the largest texbook publishers in the world — including giants McGraw-Hill and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt — in a new venture that will upend the traditional education publishing business. And upending traditional business models is something Apple likes to do.
SiliconRepublic had a nice piece last week on how Apple will be the “game changer” and how the traditional education publishing business is screaming for a shake up and a move away from rote learning to more dynamic, interactive learning that can only be facilitated if the tired, cynical cycle of repeatedly publishing editions just to make money is broken (click here).
And today’s Wall Street Journal has reported that the mega U.S. education publishers McGraw-Hill is working with Apple on a model that will facilitate the delivery of dynamic e-books to iOS and Mac devices. Other publishers are also understood to be involved (click here).
It is no surprise. Steve Jobs had spent a lot of time on this venture. Quoting Jobs in his recent biography, Walter Jacobson wrote: “Jobs believed that all books should be digital and interactive, tailored to each student and providing feedback in real time.”
Apple already has made a push into book publishing, launching its iBookstore. And the company has long been active in the education market, with its products used in many classrooms and by offering discounts to teachers and students. It also provides lectures, lessons and other educational content through its iTunes U.
The launch is expected this Thursday (January 19th) at the Guggenheim museum in New York (and a quick fyi: Apple has 6 stores in NYC … one a mega-size store … with a 7th store … also a mega-size store … on its way) where it is expected to unveil a textbook delivery solution optimised for iOS and Mac devices and possibly delivered via its iBooks app platform.
And one interesting note for the Irish: the world’s first algebra app for the iPad was developed in Dubin (click here).
