That should be fairly obvious. When the iPad ships on April 3rd, one of the stated features of the iBookstore is the ability to import ePub formatted books into the iPad from iTunes. I am very excited about the ability to read books I have already purchased elsewhere and import them into the iPad. What I am curious about is how iTunes will change to handle this feature. I can imagine two possibilities. First, Apple will simply add a Books category in the Library list and you simply drag and drop your ePub files to the iTunes Library or import them from the File Menu. When you select the Books category, you’ll probably have the option to display your content in list, icon or cover flow view as you do with albums, podcasts and applications.
The second option is more intriguing. Build the iBookstore into iTunes or, even better, offer it as a stand alone desktop app. If the former, Apple has got to be thinking about completely revamping the iTunes app and calling it something else. The iMediaStore? We’ll let the marketing experts come up with the catchy name. I can see this app being broken down into the following “stores” under the Library heading.
iTunesstore – Music, music videos
iBookstore – ePub books, audio books
Appstore – applications for the iPhone and iPad. While were at it, add a category for Mac software too now that Storm is coming to the Mac.
Applestore – iTunes interface to Apple and third party products
iVideostore – Television shows and movies
iPhotostore – hmmm…maybe build this into the iPhoto application? Purchase and download clip art and photos? Just a thought.
At the end of the day though, the iTunes name has a lot of marketing value attached to it and it may be difficult to make the rather radical changes I propose. One thing is certain though. There will be a major iTunes release in the coming 2 weeks.
Posted by mkimble1 
