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People in the UK who already own iPads can now access Apple's iBookstore - but can only download free books via Project Gutenberg.
The iBooks app, which links to the iBookstore, became available earlier today (26th May). There are more than 10,000 free books available so far, although these appear to be entirely made up of out of copyright classics.
The iPad launches internationally on Friday 28th May, at which point paid-for iBooks are expected to made available. However, negotiations appear to still be ongoing with several publishers, and it is not yet clear how much content will be available to buy at launch.
No deals with a UK publisher have yet been announced, with those spoken to by The Bookseller over the past week noticeably coy. Apple's UK press office said today that it was "flat out in launch mode" adding that it would not be responding to futher questions until Monday.
One publisher said negotiations had been partly held up by the lack of Apple representation - a problem also voiced by publishers in Australia. Meanwhile publishers in Germany also appear not to have signed.
The source claimed the manufacturer had just two representatives for the whole of Europe. There are also ongoing concerns about the legal status of the agency model in the UK, as">http://www.thebookseller.com/news/118550-legal-issues-raise-question-ove... reported two week ago by The Bookseller.
One digital blog describes it as http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/the-ibookstore-is-a-waste... target="_blank">"a lackluster experience" (Sic) thus far, as it "does not have the extensive book list that USA based users enjoy, such as Best Sellers".
Image credit Ben Johncock.