Apple celebrates Beatles birthday

Apple has celebrated the anniversary of signing up The Beatles to its iTunes music service with the launch of a new Yellow Submarine ebook and an ad mashing up the covers of the band's thirteen albums.

The Beatles were a notable absence from Apple's music store for a long time, due to an ongoing trademark dispute between the tech company and Apple Corps, owner of the band's record label, Apple Records.

The band's music first appeared on the iTunes Store in November last year; since then over 10 million songs and 1.8 million albums have been purchased.

The Yellow Submarine ebook builds on the book released in 2004, adding video clips from the 1968 film, audio clips of classic Beatles hits, dialogue from the film, and interactive features that allow the reader to 'tap' creatures such as butterflies, starfish and sea monsters to make them come alive.

Check out the video trailer here, or go here to watch the 30-second 'covers' ad.