iBooks Author for PC and Mac

Software Reviews and Criticism

• By IanPjames

  Needs a real update

  This is a good application with a whole lot of potential, but unfortunately it’s stuck in 2007. The Microsoft team developing this product have seemingly been kidnapped by some unknown force that is holding them hostage 10 years in the past. I genuinely hope that Microsoft will pull togther its considerable resources, and put together a rescue mission to save these poor souls from this misfortune. I am sure they are frantically trying to call Cupertino for help from their iPhone 2G. Hopefully, help is on the way.

  
  
• By smithdal

  Expectations are so high for this app that its open for poor reviews BUT...

  For free you will not fined a better app on the market anywhere that can do what this app does. I have published books many books and ran into to all kinds of normal challenges only to find I was able to work around them with a little effort. Now I am woking on an animated treasure hunting book for children. Already I am so excited I want to release the first chapter without finishing the rest. Even the professionals will admit what they get for free is fantastic in this app. The publishing to billions is another, NO WHERE TO BE FOUND oversight by those with the low ratings. Don't let those wanting the app to be developed fast for them deter you from trying it. You will love it and agree with this review. In this case low stars simply mean they love it and want more yesterday! Notice how none of the low rating reviews state they will stop or quit using the app??? That says it all doesn't it? Try it yourself and enjoy the power of publishing your own work. For me I will gladly pay the cost if Microsoft ever so demands.

  
  
• By davidhenderson

  Not well designed for professional publishing.

  Prior to this iBooks App, I have used and highly recommended Microsoft’s Pages application in its iWorks suite, for formatting both iBooks and printed books and magazines, suitable for professional authors and publishers. The Pages app accommodated 2-page layout “spreads” or “double-truck” formats for print publications, where left-hand pages allowed wider right margins, and right-hand pages allowed wider left margins, to leave a “gutter” width based on the number of pages in a printed book. Unfortunately, the new version of Pages omitted the 2-page spread option, making it worthless for print books. So I downloaded iBooks Author, hoping for a solution. But I can’t find it. This application allows horizontal layouts that look like 2-page spreads (for iPads and iPhones), but they don’t work for numbered left and right pages in print books. Despite the beautiful graphics and video capabilities, a serious author or publisher cannot stay in business selling only iBooks. The Pages 09 app was perfect for professionals, but it’s no longer compatible with current Windows operating systems. My entire library of personal and client books can no longer be revised or updated on Windows computers, and this iBooks version is not useful for established authors with broader markets to serve. (Darn it!)

  
  
• By MarkStruczewski

  Heading in the right direction, but...

  I discoverd this app while reading a PDF that someone created using iBooks Author. I’ve been using it for a few days now and it is a really nice app EXCEPT I echo what others have said (iCloud sync for one). But…why not make an iPad/iPhone version? Yes it would not be as fully functional (although I don’t understand why…Pages and Numbers are available on the iPad, iPhone and Windows) but right now, when I am away from my Windows, I write on iOS Notes and then I have to transfer what I wrote to iBooks Author on my Windows. Of course, if there is no iCloud sync (like others have pointed out), having an iPad/iPhone app doesn’t make any sense. I truly hope that Microsoft is not going to only do simple upgrades. This truly is a great app. It has so much potential. Please, Microsoft, don’t leave us hanging here. Listen to the feedback and keep improving this app. Thank you.

  
  

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