Wisconsin Library Now Lending Out iPads

You can now borrow an iPad from your local library — that is, if you live in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Eau Claire’s L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library will soon begin offering 32 iPads (first generation, 64GB with Wi-Fi, no 3G) for seven-day checkouts. The library will also have six iPads for on-premise use. Each iPad will be loaded with 1,000 books plus 10 audio books, library director John Stoneberg told TV station WEAU.

The program was made possible by a $50,000 grant from the Presto Foundation. A few restrictions apply: You must be over 18 and sign a contract to take one out. Anything you download will also be deleted. There’s also a $10 per day late fee that maxes out at $100. If you completely trash the iPad, you will be on the hook for $1,020 — the price the library paid for the device plus an external keyboard and case, a library rep says.

The Eau Claire branch is certainly among the vanguard of libraries embracing the digital age, though it’s hardly alone. Some 11,000 libraries (out of a total of 122,101 across the nation) this week began lending books for Amazon’s Kindle ebook platform.

[Via AllThingsD ]

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Future Apple iPads to be powered by Sharp displays

Currently the iPad 2 features displays from LG and Samsung with LG commanding the lion’s share of production. According to Reuters this is due to change. Allegedly Apple is “working out a deal with Sharp” involving a pre-payment (up to $1 billion) to ensure future display supply.

Although LG is the primary supplier of iPad 2 displays, according to 9to5Mac the biggest loser will actually be Samsung. Samsung only recently began supplying IPS panels for the iPad 2 and following reports over quality control issues with LG’s displays, Samsung was in a position to increase production.

There’s three possibilities which might explain the alleged investment in Sharp by Apple. Option one is that Apple has decided that it must reduce risk by spreading manufacturing over three companies. Option two is that Apple is protecting itself from possible blow back from current and future patent disputes. The third and final option is Apple simply wants increase its margins by making an early investment in Sharp.

Let us know which reason you think fueled Apple’s alleged investment in Sharp for iPad displays.

via 9to5Mac

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