Overlooked in the frenzy over today's introduction of Apple's tablet is the potential impact on e-book sales. According to a report in today's Wall Street Journal, Apple wants publishers to set hardcover pricing levels for e-books at $12.99 and $14.99 -- higher than the bargain prices that are common on Amazon. Apple would take a 30 percent cut of sales, with publishers getting the rest.

That could be an appealing offer to publishers, who are scrambling to adjust to the world of e-books. They cringed when Walmart and other big discounters offered many best-sellers for $9 during the Christmas shopping season -- undercutting the Amazon price. Since then, publishers have been all over the map on e-book policies -- withholding the release of Ted Kennedy's memoir "True Compass" and charging $35 for Stephen King's "Under the Dome."

No doubt, publishers will welcome the chance to regain more control over the pricing of e-books, even if it means a partnership with Apple. But this won't be the last battle. Amazon won't easily cede its dominance as an e-book seller, and retailers such as Walmart are pushing hard for more influence, too. In the short term, it could lead to more competitive pricing -- and bargains for consumers.