Apple to enter education sector with its iBook next week

Apple has invited media to witness a launching event aimed at the education zone. The event is scheduled to take place on 19th January, in New York. It is strange to note that Cupertino said nothing about the subject matter but just said that it is an “education event” and it will be conducted at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in the city.

Currently speculation about the event is rife because last February, Apple conducted a like occasion and along with Rupert Murdoch, launched “The Daily” and the result of that daring adventure – Apple’s embark on the written world – is still continuing.
There are a number of reports about the event, of which, one is with regard to Apple’s intention of entering the education market with an expansion of its iBook. The reason for this belief is that textbooks are a comparatively profitable sector and Apple is very popular among students and digitization has not yet taken place in the textbooks sector.

The only clue that could be relied upon comes from Apple’s co-founder Steve Jobs’ remark found in the biography written by Walter Isaacson. During a chat about Murdoch’s new digital curriculum service, Steve Jobs remarked that the arena was ripe enough to step in as it was estimated to be worth about $ 8 billion.

Mr. Jobs was irritated by the present method by which state classification of textbooks is done. The present practice is that some of the US states place their order for textbooks in bulk and markets like Texas and California are benefited. The local state boards of education have to clear the content of these textbooks where ideological issues creep in.

Dr. Don McLeroy, leader of the majority conservative faction on the Texas Board of Education said that they are trying to keep the balance since history as well as academia is leaning towards the left. For selling the textbooks in the market, they have to fulfil certain requirements and Mr. McLeroy and his supporters have already changed more than 100 requirements. The works of Friedrich von Hayek and Milton Freidman are to be covered by textbooks, the word ‘capitalism’ should be substituted with “free-enterprise system” etc are some of the changed requirements.

Jobs’ plan was very simple. He planned to hire good textbooks writers. Once they come up with interactive digital titles, publish them on iPads. When it is available it would be a great help to students for they no longer need to carry head loads of text books. In fact Jobs met major publishers like Pearson Education and had discussion about making partnership on this project.

Jobs remarked that the present process of certifying textbooks is shady and once textbooks come with iPad, there won’t be any need for this certification. The rotten economy may last for some years but in the long run every thing could be made alright and the economy could save money.

Though Apple has got abundant cash reserve, it is doubtful whether Jobs’ vision would be materialised, since the presence of money-minded managers like Mr Tim Cook, makes it all the more doubtful.