Apple to split iBookstore into over 150 sub-categories

With Apple poised to introduce [1] its iPad tablet device on Apr. 3, the computing giant is taking steps to guarantee the accompanying iBookstore does not fall prey to the discovery issues hampering its App Store, dividing titles into more than 150 subcategories in an effort to improve consumer browsing. According to data released by mobile media research firm Busted Loop, the iBookstore will split ebooks into 20 to 30 top-level groupings, similar to how iPhone and iPod touch applications are organized in the App Store--those groupings will include Fiction & Literature, Reference, History, Cookbooks and Comics & Graphic Novels. From there, the iBookstore divides each category into multiple sub-categories--Busted Loop reports that the Sports & Outdoors grouping alone contains classifications for 15 different sports, while the Computing category is segmented among nine different sub-categories. Forbes reports [2] that Apple did not respond to a request for comment on the Busted Loop findings.

Apple's iBooks app for iPad, which includes iBookstore, will be available as a free download from the App Store in the U.S. in conjunction with the device's retail release, with additional countries to be added later this year. The iBookstore will feature titles from the New York Times Best Seller list, with selections from both major and independent publishers including Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, Penguin Group and Simon & Schuster. The iPad will also offer access to Apple's iTunes Store and App Store, enabling consumers to browse a content catalog boasting over 12 million songs, more than 55,000 TV episodes and over 8,500 films as well as some 142,000 iPhone OS-based applications.

For more on the iBookstore launch:
- read this Busted Loop blog entry [3]

Related articles:
Survey says pre-release demand for iPad [4] exceeds iPhone
Disney pins digital media hopes on Apple's iPad [5]
Seybold's take on applications for the iPad [6]
Apple's iPad [7] debut generates more criticism than excitement