As AppleInsider has noticed for the first time, the first beta release of iOS 11.3 includes a subtle change. iBooks is now called books. And Mark Gurman think that this could be the sign that there will be bigger changes with Apple's ebook reading application.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is working on a new design for the iBooks application on iPhone and iPad. It will have a simpler interface with a new section called "Read Now". Instead of having to browse through your library to find the book you are reading, this section will highlight your current book.
Audiobooks can also receive a dedicated tab. And it's probably the most important and revealing change. Apple has been selling audio books in the iTunes Store for years. But it does not really make sense that you have to open the Music app to listen to audio books.
That's why Apple could move audio books to the iBooks store. Speaking of the store, Bloomberg also says that Apple is working on a redesign to make it look like the new design of the App Store.
The books could be the name of the application on your home screen. But maybe Apple will call Apple Books so that it follows the same naming convention as Apple Music and Apple TV.
Bloomberg thinks it's all about fighting Amazon for ebooks. But I think that Apple's reasoning is much simpler here.
First, iBooks needs a redesign. Secondly, Apple is slowly unlocking iTunes so that iTunes can disappear into the abyss. The company could therefore delete audiobooks from the iTunes Store. Third, it seems like a good opportunity to rename the service for Apple Books.
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