This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, but it seems to be the first time that someone has produced a digital book cover that utilizes all the features of a tablet e-reader: The Hypothetical Library has produced three book covers that move, make noise, and set the tone for the book to come.
So why can’t these book covers move? Essentially a cover is an image and a title. But it could be a short film, or animation, abstract or narrative. It could have music or creepy noises. It could also be a portal with links to other information, like a publisher’s backlist, or more information about the subject. It could do anything you never would think a cover could do.
Here's Smilla's Sense of Snow:
Do I think this will get people into e-books? No. I don't even know if I'd want my books to have covers that move. But I think it's another sign that the possibilities for e-books are almost completely unexplored right now. Interesting things are coming.