When the iPad is released in a few weeks from now, it will be taking on competition from several distinct product categories like netbooks, e-readers and gaming consoles. While Apple has already tasted success with gaming applications on the iPhone OS, the company has its task cut out in other segments like the e-reader market where companies like Amazon dominate. Apple has launched apps like iBooks to specifically cater to this segment of their customers.  

However, there have been persisting doubts over the ability of apps such as iBooks to succeed especially since rival applications like the Kindle iPhone app are already available on the App Store. In fact, Kindle on iPhone is a pretty popular application reaching out to nearly 63 markets worldwide. So how will Apple change users’ habits and make them use the native iBooks app to purchase and read ebooks?

Silicon Alley Insider makes some interesting observations on how this is possible. The author notes that Apple’s App Store policies could ensure that users have a better experience on the iBooks app over the rival iPhone applications like Kindle and Barnes & Noble e-reader. As you would already know, Apple prohibits third party app developers from including payment gateways to their applications and instead insist that these developers make use of Apple’s in-app purchasing technology.