Last week Apple sent out invites for an education focused event set to take place in New York City this Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Guggenheim museum. The event will almost certainly be unveiling a partnership with publishers for textbooks as Apple reportedly worked with publisher McGraw-Hill for the upcoming announcement since June, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Cengage Learning, one of the biggest publishers of textbooks for higher education, will also be attending the event. With rumors that the announcement would revolve around iBooks, many have speculated Apple will unveil a textbook solution optimized for iOS devices or integrated with iBooks, and possibly announce partnerships with major textbook publishers.
Executive Vice President of Global Strategy and Business Development at Cengage Learning Bill Rieders would not comment on whether they have partnered with Apple for the announcement, but told WSJ the combination of the two companies “could be exciting.” Involvement from other major publishers including Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Pearson is not confirmed.
