News
Apple now selling iBooks Gift Cards
By Charles Starrett
Contributing Editor
Published: Wednesday, November 10, 2010
News Categories: Apple
Apple has started to sell iBooks Gift Cards in its retail stores. Spotted by iLounge in a Washington, D.C.-area Apple Store, the cards feature a solid color gradient background with the iBooks icon centered on top. Based on an Apple Support Discussions thread from earlier in the year, it appears as though users were able to purchase standard iTunes Gift Cards for use in the iBookstore; the new cards remove any ambiguity customers may have had about whether or not an iTunes GC would be usable in the iBookstore, and will likely be popular add-ons to those purchasing iPads as a gift.
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1
In addition to iBooks Gift Card, which is just rebranded iTunes Gift Card, Apple sells iTunes Gift Card (redeemable toward apps, books, music, and video), Apple Gift Card (redeemable at Apple’s online and retail stores), and iPhone Gift Card (redeemable at Apple’s online and retail stores toward iPhone only).
They should be combined as one, and named Apple Gift Card.
Posted by Nutmac on November 10, 2010 at 11:28 AM (PST)
2
These iBooks only gift cards are also available at Target near their iPad accessories.
Posted by SMcF on November 10, 2010 at 11:57 AM (PST)
3
I also saw one that only said apps on it though I believe it was just a standard itunes gift card redeemable for anything. Is that also the case with the ibooks card?
Posted by ImperfectLink on November 10, 2010 at 5:42 PM (PST)
4
Any cards that add dollar value to your iTunes Store account should be usable for anything, particularly in the U.S. There may be restrictions in other countries on using gift card balances for certain types of content such as apps, but that’s not a function of the gift card used, but rather a function of using a credit balance on your iTunes Store account (for instance, until recently a credit balance could not be used to purchase apps on the Canadian iTunes Store).
Basically, once there’s money in your account, iTunes doesn’t track what type of gift cards that money came from—that would end up being a logistical nightmare.
On the other hand, if you have gift codes for certain types of content, then these can only be used for that specific content. For example, if you have a code that entitles you to a song download, it can only be used to download a song - not an app, book, or video. Gift codes will show up separately from your account balance in the form of a number of items rather than a dollar value (ie, “3 songs”). Apple does not normally sell gift codes in the form of cards—they’re generally only used for promotions or customer service credits.
Posted by Jesse Hollington in Toronto on November 11, 2010 at 6:11 AM (PST)
5
Personally I like the iBook gift cards simply for gift giving. I am giving iPads for gifts to avid readers…It is just better presentation, despite the fact that you can use them for anything.
Posted by rica25 on July 18, 2011 at 10:56 AM (PST)
6
I have 3 of $50 itune gift card that I don’t use. I will sell at cheap price, if you guy want it email me .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Posted by Wilson on March 7, 2012 at 4:30 AM (PST)