Possible, but other options available
I have the second class of a class I had last semester. The textbook is available on-line and is included with my fees. The physical textbook is available if you want it. After the semester closes, you can't access the book anymore, unless you opt to either extend the period by paying a fee or buy it outright where you have to download via a link. I let mine expire and got new access this semester. At the end, I will buy it outright. Another thing that seems prevalent is textbook rental. I use that as well. You send it back, postage included (built into the rental fee) or pay and get to keep it. The rental part seems pretty easy for Apple to implement, since they already do it in iTunes.
