iBooks for iPad Now Available in US App Store

Apple's iBooks and integrated iBookstore is now available for pre-download from the iTunes App Store [Free - iTunes link]. Due to licensing and the other insanities that keep publishing in the dark ages, it's US only for the time being, and while its purported 60,000 ePub-format catalog isn't the biggest, the integration with Project Gutenberg and ability to pull in other free ePub content will certainly keep you busy while Apple keeps ramping it up.

iBooks requires the just-released iTunes 9.1 to manage and sync iBooks ePub and DRM-free ePub content, so make sure you're all up to date. Then get reading and let us know how the experience compares to Amazon's Kindle, Sony's eReader, Barnes & Noble's Nook, and -- why not! -- one of them paper and ink real book jobbies!

Apple Guided Tour after the break!

YouTube link

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.