Apple’s iBooks resembles Classics iPhone App

Apple launched a new application designed specifically for the iPad, called “iBooks.” Basically iBooks is like iTunes for eBooks. Apple has reached deals with 5 major book publishers and starting today there should be a ton of books available for download including New York Times bestellers. During the launch, people noticed its similarity to the well-known Classics iPhone app. Classics [iTunes link], if you're not familiar, it’s an iPhone app that gives you access to read over a dozen public-domain books. There’re lots of ebook readers available for the iPhone, but where Classics sets itself apart is with an exquisite user interface that mimics the feeling of going to a bookshelf, getting a hardcover book, and paging through it. It's likely that the bookshelf metaphor in Classics was inspired by Delicious Library, a Mac app for cataloging books, media, and anything else you want to catalog. But aside from the bookshelf, Classics presents the books on a slightly yellowed, paper-like background, and animates page turns with a satisfying swipe of the finger, and an audible riffling of paper.