Technology giant Apple has announed a range of new products, created with the aim of re-inventing the traditional textbook.
Apple’s vice president of productivity applications, Roger Rosner, revealed the strategic move whilst speaking at a recent event in New York.
It is understood that leading names from the world of education publishing are involved, including UK-based Pearson Publishing.
Apple also unveiled a free program aimed at teachers, lecturers and authors.
Known as iBooks Author, it allows users to create their own interactive books for the iPad.
Another of Apple’s services, iTunes U, aimed at University students, has also received an upgrade and know includes a larger selection of university level journals and papers.
Following this move, Apple will now be in the market to compete with educational offerings from Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes and Noble’s Nook.
However, critics have suggested that it may be a while before Apple’s new services are seen in the classroom as many schools are still without wireless and simply do not have the budget to buy expensive devices and licences.
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