Yet there are a multitude of sources for unencrypted eBooks, including stores who sell books without DRM. It's important to note that eBooks downloaded from any of the aforementioned stores (Amazon, B&N, and iBooks) may come in the ePub format, but each is locked down with its own proprietary digital rights management system, making files from one online bookstore unreadable in another company's reader. The iPad's native reader, iBooks, currently only supports the open ePub format, although support for PDFs is promised in a forthcoming version showcased at WWDC alongside iOS4.

Those that dare to wade into the more advanced waters of eBook reading will need a quick primer on their device's capabilities. But what's the more advanced user to do if the iBooks/iTunes combination isn't enough? Each of these interactions requires little more than several clicks and files never need to be transmitted from the desktop to the iPad itself.

Other book sellers, like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, each include similar storefronts, allowing purchases from the desktop on their websites and simple delivery to the iPad. This remains an incredibly simple and turnkey solution that even advanced users should consider. The most basic users will undoubtedly simply stick to Apple's included solution and purchase all of their books directly from the iBooks store.

Unfortunately, it has brought the struggles of digital media along with it, casting users into a sea of confusion with new acronyms like ePub and mobi, among others. The iPad is, along with the Kindle and the Nook, one of the first devices to bring the pleasures of eReaders to the masses.

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