When we launched almost a year ago, the idea of videos in e-books was practically unheard of. Now, thanks to the iPad, most publishers are ready to experiment with multimedia books, the New York Times reported today.

Julie Bosman writes:

“The new multimedia books use video that is integrated with text, and they are best read — and watched — on an iPad, the tablet device that has created vast possibilities for book publishers.”

She also notes that these “enriched” e-books were “pioneered” by Vook. Now, traditional publishers see the many ways that video and images can expand story-telling possibilities. The elegant functionality of the iPad makes these experiments even more appealing.

As Vook founder Brad Inman told Bosman, ““Everyone knows now that they’ve got to put their toe in this water.”

Read the full article, “E-Books Fly Beyond Mere Text” here.

Who could have predicted that one of the largest public endorsement of digital books would come from none other than the Terminator himself? Yesterday, Ahhhrni The Governator Schwarzenegger officially opened the door to e-books on a state educational level. Sure, he’s talking about generation 1.0 books — and his agenda is clearly about saving the money hemorrhaging state money — but it’s still a coup. And pretty forward thinking . . Sounds like other states and companies can’t be far behind. .