Apple’s View of Digital Book Readers

If you’re a regular reader of Workplace Learning Today, you’ve come across a lot of posts in recent months about digital books. Most of these posts have been about the many e-book readers that have been coming to market.  In an interview with the New York Times last week, Steve Jobs explained why Apple, maker of the immensely popular iPod and iPhone, hasn’t launched its own reader. The answer:

“I’m sure there will always be dedicated devices, and they may have a few advantages in doing just one thing. But I think the general-purpose devices will win the day because I think people just probably aren’t willing to pay for a dedicated device.”

Apple believes multi-purpose devices that include the ability to display digital books stand a greater chance of gaining adoption over devices that only serve as e-book readers. Apple is rumoured to be about to launch a table device in the months ahead that will also act as a digital book reader. (RN)

What Steve Jobs Actually Said About eBooks | TechCrunch | MG Siegler | 11 September 2009