When a PDF is made from a large document for compatibility on our devices, it isn’t just available on an href=”http://www.apple.com/” rel=”homepage” target=”_blank” title=”Apple”>Apple or href=”http://code.google.com/android/” rel=”homepage” target=”_blank” title=”Android”>Android product – but is universal between platforms. Apple recently announced tools will be available for developers to easily convert their texts to ‘standard-compliant’ href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-book” rel=”wikipedia” target=”_blank” title=”E-book”>eBooks. At first glance, this seems to only benefit the href=”http://www.apple.com/ios” rel=”homepage” target=”_blank” title=”IOS (Apple)”>iOS adopters out there. But when considering the tech world as a whole, why can’t publishers take their conversions where they please?
My best guess is, major educational companies will sign on with Apple to offer ‘exclusive’ textbook titles to the their ebook collection. But after time, these same publishers will be able to expand beyond the iOS landscape and reach Android shores. There are no doubt billions of dollars to be made from eBooks – especially with how quickly new editions of college textbooks are available (and required).
I myself always search for eBook availability before actual text; it’s easy to store, index for particular text, and use on every one of my devices. Many classes already offer an e-text with their hardcopy, but an Internet connection is usually required. Knowing that I could take a tablet around campus and skip lugging a heavy bookbag around with me would be the best news of the semester.