Reading iBooks on macBook Pro??

No - this required the iBooks app. The iBooks app is for the iPad and the same will be available for the iPhone when firmware update 4.0 for the iPhone is released this summer.

An app written for OS X on a Mac can't be installed and used on the iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, and an app written for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad can't be installed and used on a Mac.

Well, not just fooie... suggest it to Apple. 🙂

For e-books to really be a viable platform for someone serious about books, that capability would be needed. Otherwise, it is simply a gimmick for people who pleasure-read paperbacks and ditch them. If I'm seriously going to start buying books in the 'e' format, I need to be able to use them on all my devices while I work... which means at least computer and iPad.

I have books on my bookshelf that I've owned across several computing platforms coming and going. I LOVE the idea of having all my books with me, and not having to box and move them, and to be able to search, etc. But, books aren't a 'throw away' item to me, so another thing Apple really needs to consider is how to ensure books I buy are still going to be useable to me after the iPad and OSX have moved on as well. The solution to iTMS was to end up at unlocked AAC and MP3.... and I hope that is eventually the direction stuff like books will move as well (or at least some way of being able to use them on multiple platforms). This was important to me with $1 songs... it is even WAY more important to me with a $40 book... which I might still be likely to want to use 20 years from now. This is something all these 'e-book' companies really need to think through.

I agree. iBooks is only serious if I can read it on whichever device I'm with.

When I'm at my computer I need it on my computer.

Seeing how they are releasing iBooks for iPhone, and are able to sync where you left off reading, notes, bookmarks, etc. between the two automatically, there is one less argument on why there can't be a Mac iBooks application that can't read your books in iTunes as long as you are signed into your iTunes account. It does seem a little silly.

Hi,
For what it's worth I've been exploring this as well. Kindle makes it possible to read the book you purchased on whatever platform you are on. Although I prefer the iBooks reader on my iPad, the fact that I can read the book I purchased from Kindle on my MacBook, my iPad, my iPhone, and possibly my PC (I'm not sure about that one) is a great plus for me. It also syncs up where I last left off from. So for instance, last night I had been reading a book on my iPad. When I turned on my MacBook this morning and was reading it here, Kindle asked me if I wanted to pick up from where I had left off on my iPad last night. Neat!
Have a great day and thanks,
Nicholas

I agree, I have downloaded many more books through the Kindle app because it allows me to use multiple devices. The sync function is great.

But for me more importantly, the selection of books available on the Kindle are far greater. Very rarely do I actually find the books I want to read on iBooks; I usually end up getting them through Kindle.

I suppose it's just a matter of time, but this is definitely one area where Apple has some catching up to do...

I agree, if you buy a book, it's a lot of money, and why buy something that if I want to read at night with an iPad, I can, but when I want to read the same thing at work, I need to bring both my iPad and MacBook. It's quite pointless, and if Apple fixed this problem I do say that Kindle would have a run for its money.

It really is a big bummer that I can't read the iBooks I downloaded on my iPhone, on my MacBook or desktop. This doesn't make sense and I think it's something Apple needs to fix asap! They're running behind the other platforms out there. It's supposed to be easy and effortless, remember?

One thing I find the entire eBook market lacking in, is the ability to lend books. If I buy a copy of a book, I'm able to temporarily (or permanently) give up possession of that copy, and give it to a friend (or a buyer). I still cannot do this with an eBook (B&N have something of this kind with their new eReader application, but only for a single lending period of up to 14 days, and only to other eReader users).

I think this might be an issue where there is a huge difference between physical ownership of books and having the digital right to view a digital copy. When purchasing a physical book, one has a physical copy, which can be subject to wear and tear. This is why second hand books are cheaper than new ones. This is naturally not the case for eBooks, which cannot be destroyed (especially when considering that the right for an eBook also gives you the right to redownload it if you have erased it).

I myself would be willing to pay extra for the ability to (a) lend books to friends and (b) sell my right in an eBook after I've finished with it.

Actually you can read ibooks on your Mac using Adobe Digital Editions software. I just imported one ibook into Digital Editions and it works fine. The only thing is, there's no way (that I know of) to sync highlights, etc. between the two. Apple that would be an awesome feature. I'd totally be willing to go all digital.

Actually you can read ibooks on your Mac using Adobe Digital Editions software.

What kind ebook obtained from the iBookstore are you referring to exactly? A free epub or a book you had to pay for?

Here's what I find most frustrating.

I have both an iPod Touch and an iPad and I use them both for reading e-books at home. At work I use a PowerMac which has iTunes, and at home I have a MacPro with iTunes that both the iPod and iPad are synced to.

When I'm at work, on numerous occasions someone has recommended a book that I might like. But there is no way for me to find out if that book is available for my iPod Touch or my iPad through the Apple iBookstore because the only way I can connect to the Apple iBookstore is if I physically have my iPod Touch or iPad with me at the moment, which I don't when I'm at work. But I can see if the book is available through Amazon for the Kindle App right there at work on my PowerMac computer. I don't need the iPod Touch or the iPad to check if the book is available for eRead. So I end up purchasing from Amazon because I know the book is available. I would much prefer to buy from the Apple iBookstore, but again, when the impulse to purchase is strongest (right after someone recommends a book to me and tells me how good it is), there is no way to buy from the Apple iBookstore.

Why can't Apple do the same thing with the iBookstore that they do with everything else on iTunes, where you can purchase the music or movie or audiobook or App right on the computer through iTunes, and sync it with the iPod Touch or iPad later in the evening?

Best,
-Tim

Why can't Apple

You are just talking to other users like yourself here, and nobody can answer your question. Tell Apple what you want to see and why via their feedback channels:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html

Just did, thanks.

Best,
-Tim