Yesterday’s announcement from Apple, of a tool for the creation of iBooks, generated so many news, postings, tweets and even a blog from Carlos (Ansca co-founder): http://blog.anscamobile.com/2012/01/corona-sdk-for-ebooks-because-education-isnt-a-mac-only-privilege/.
A few Kwik users sent me emails asking me to talk about it and how it (may) affects the further development of the plugin. My thoughts (trying not to be biased) below.
iBook Author brings a couple of nice features that will capture the attention of many users (some Kwik users as well). Some reasons for that include:
- It opens a new platform for delivery of stories;
- Seems to be much easier to setup and publish to iBook store than app store (no certificates, etc);
- It’s an all-in-one package (no other tools in the process, what you see is what you get);
- Cheap, in fact it is free;
However, there are also “not so nice” points:
- Runs only on a Mac;
- Export only for iBook store(it uses a non-standard version of ePub format, meaning you will not be able to deliver your stories in other book stores);
- Only basic features (at least at this moment);
- Hard (if not impossible) to work with multiple languages (very similar with the printed model);
Based on my interactions with several users, I see some of them moving to iBooks Author. These ones are part of a group with very limited knowledge of technology (they are mostly authors/writers) and the complexities of setting account in the iOS development program, plus the hard time creating certificates, clearly will make the Author a better fit.
For the majority of other users, I still see much more potential on the app business with Kwik+Corona due the following possibilities and benefits:
- Multiplatform for creation (PC or Mac);
- Multi-store/device delivery (iOS, Amazon, B&N, Android, and who knows the other ones coming);
- Much more features and options;
- Easy way to learn coding (for future storybook improvement or new kind of apps – games, for example);
- Interactivity in another level (besides basic buttons you have gestures, canvas, and much more);
In sum, iBooks Author will bring more options for the publishing market and this is a good think not only for users but also to developers of tools. Competition always drive progress and I am really excited with the things Kwik and Corona authors will deliver to differentiate their apps from common ebooks created with Apple’s new tool.
Alex