Business News: The ebooks war is over between Apple and Amzon

Apple and Amazon are locked in a fight over the future of the book. Both are trying to dominate the market for ebooks, which are expected to become increasingly important to readers in the digital decades ahead.

Amazon made an early play two years ago with its monochrome Kindle ebook reader, but last week Apple’s tanks arrived on Amazon’s lawn with the launch of its latest invention. Having taken the music market by storm with its iPod and iTunes combination, Apple now hopes to repeat the trick with its new iPad and iBookstore.

Macmillan is one of five publishers – the others being Penguin, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Hachette – that have signed up with Apple to make ebooks available through its online store.

In doing so, they have moved the pricing of ebooks away from the bargain $9.99 (£6.26) price Amazon has been criticised by publishers for charging in an attempt to lure more people on to the Kindle.

Read full story: The ebooks war is over between Apple and Amzon