First of all, I doubt any textbook created would be created only under iPad. At worst, you'd get an eBook that would only work on iPad and actual textbooks.
That said, I haven't been willing to use eTextbooks at all, anyway. Most of the ones I know of work under the assumption that you'll be renting the textbook. Now, if I want to use it more than one semester, or it's a book that has major-relevant material, I want to keep the damn thing. Especially if they're charging 70-80% of the list pricing anyway.
Publishers on all fronts have been doing whatever they can on a variety of levels to rip students off when it comes to eTextbooks.
Long story short, I agree: It's a bad idea. Bright side: I'm not too worried it'll take off because most schools (and students/teachers) I know of haven't taken off to eBooks in the textbook realm, period. Books were enough of a ripoff without publishers doing what they keep trying to pull with the eBooks.
I feel the same problem with "Rent a textbook" as well - 50% of the full price per semester? I was going to be able to get 70% of a book's pricing back during their buyback weeks! And, again, what if I end up needing the book more tahn one semester... Nah.
no subject
That said, I haven't been willing to use eTextbooks at all, anyway. Most of the ones I know of work under the assumption that you'll be renting the textbook. Now, if I want to use it more than one semester, or it's a book that has major-relevant material, I want to keep the damn thing. Especially if they're charging 70-80% of the list pricing anyway.
Publishers on all fronts have been doing whatever they can on a variety of levels to rip students off when it comes to eTextbooks.
Long story short, I agree: It's a bad idea. Bright side: I'm not too worried it'll take off because most schools (and students/teachers) I know of haven't taken off to eBooks in the textbook realm, period. Books were enough of a ripoff without publishers doing what they keep trying to pull with the eBooks.
I feel the same problem with "Rent a textbook" as well - 50% of the full price per semester? I was going to be able to get 70% of a book's pricing back during their buyback weeks! And, again, what if I end up needing the book more tahn one semester... Nah.