Apple launches iBooks Author and iTunes U app

In conjunction with the release of the iBooks 2 app for the iPad, Apple has also released the iBooks Author along with the iTunes U app. The former is an app for Mac computers that allows users to create textbooks for the iBooks app. Basically these textbooks could be considered as “apps” for iBooks. We’re not sure how quality control will play into this situation, but if you feel like you have sufficient knowledge to crank out textbooks on a subject, you might want to take a look at the iBooks Author app.

The iTunes U app however is being aimed more at iOS mobile devices, such as the iPhone or iPad. Both students and educators will get access to an entire catalogue worth of free educational content which are intended to be used in a school’s curriculum. We’re not sure how many educational institutions are eager to jump aboard the digital bandwagon but it will be interesting to see what happens when they do. [Press release]