Based on recent job postings, Apple seems to be recruiting an editorial team for its upcoming iBooks reboot, possibly with the idea of creating an App Store-style “Today” tab, per the Japanese site Macotakara — as noted by AppleInsider.
Presumably, the tab would feature things like author interviews and spotlights on individual books and themes. Bloomberg has reported that Apple hired Kashif Zafar, a senior vice president from Audible, Amazon’s audio books business, to help with the iBooks revamp. The article says the new app will include a simpler interface that better highlights books currently being read and a redesigned digital book store that looks more like the new App Store launched last year. It will also add a section called Reading Now and a dedicated tab for audio books, per Bloomberg.
Amazon had approximately 83% of the U.S. e-book market in early 2017, up from 74% in October 2015, according to AuthorEarnings, which tracks book sales for writers and other industry participants. Apple’s share went from 9% to 11% in the same time frame.
