Apple Rejects 'Sony Reader' From App Store, 'Kindle' Removal Next?

[Nightarchaon]

The company has told some applications developers, including Sony, that they can no longer sell content, like e-books, within their apps, or let customers have access to purchases they have made outside the App Store.

That bit means that VLC or any other app that lets you in some way manipulate "imported" files (whatever the format) should also be pulled as they "may" be used to access things purchased outside the app store,

Wonder if apple will pull the IPOD apps ability to play anything but iTunes store content because at the moment i can use it to play music i ripped from CDs purchased outside the app store, I have even copied and imported music purchased from the SONY store on my PS3 , they really will have to if they want to enforce this policy, or they are looking at anti-competitive practices lawsuits,

Thinking about it, i can also use VLC to watch DVD rips, (IPOD app too if i rip to the right format), i can use the photos app to browse pictures that have been purchased from outside apples control.

"

 

[Red-red]

Dear god people at least think for a minute before you post.

Apple haven't banned anything yet. Beyond a sensationalist headline there no indication they're going to ban the kindle app or anything else.

All they've done is refused an App that has been recently submitted. They do this all the time and Sony have more than likely deliberately broken a rule to see if they can push the limits because they're Sony. Now they know they can't, they get to bash Apple and they'll sort it out so works like it should.

Apple won't be banning the kindle app.

Stop reading silly headlines & getting excited.

 

[MRU]

absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Sad but very true....

I have been really disappointed. I like the iBooks application, but every time i've looked for a book on the store, it isn't there. I'm amazed they haven't done something about it. If the point of content is to sell more hardware, they either need to offer the content or let someone else do it.

It wouldn't be so bad, but iBook still has no content available for the majority of the countries the ipad has launched in.

So Apple are really kicking consumers in the nuts if they go through this.

 

[Nightarchaon]

Sony have more than likely deliberately broken a rule to see if they can push the limits because they're Sony.

Maybe Apple is just throwing its toys out the pram because they are upset that android phones will be EVEN MORE popular once sony gets them playing playstation portable 2 (or NGP) games shortly.

 

[Daveoc64]

The company has told some applications developers, including Sony, that they can no longer sell content, like e-books, within their apps, or let customers have access to purchases they have made outside the App Store.

That bit means that VLC or any other app that lets you in some way manipulate "imported" files (whatever the format) should also be pulled as they "may" be used to access things purchased outside the app store,

Wonder if apple will pull the IPOD apps ability to play anything but iTunes store content because at the moment i can use it to play music i ripped from CDs purchased outside the app store, I have even copied and imported music purchased from the SONY store on my PS3 , they really will have to if they want to enforce this policy, or they are looking at anti-competitive practices lawsuits,

Thinking about it, i can also use VLC to watch DVD rips, (IPOD app too if i rip to the right format), i can use the photos app to browse pictures that have been purchased from outside apples control.

"

Apple's rules only govern purchasing content on a device and within an app.

Content added to a device by a customer (via iTunes) doesn't count.

 

[Uragon]

Now, if Apple would actually start SELLING ebooks and movies from their Dansih iTunes store I wouldn't mind being locked into their eco-system.

People in the US might not know this - but in a lot of countries you can't rent or buy movies and ebooks from iTunes. The only ebooks available are the free ones such as Gutenbergs. And when it comes to movies all you can do is to watch trailers.

So to buy an ebook I need Amazons Kindle app. Somehow they've managed to set up shop.

I'm in the same situation with you. There's completely nothing that I could buy or rent movies, songs or books both for the iTunes and iBooks. I'm starting to get frustrated with their so-called ecosystem.

Perhaps, they can make something like iTunes international. And even if they have 100% of all items in their iTunes store or iBooks, I still hope they don't go that way.

 

[iWolf00]

Now, if Apple would actually start SELLING ebooks and movies from their Dansih iTunes store I wouldn't mind being locked into their eco-system.

People in the US might not know this - but in a lot of countries you can't rent or buy movies and ebooks from iTunes. The only ebooks available are the free ones such as Gutenbergs. And when it comes to movies all you can do is to watch trailers.

So to buy an ebook I need Amazons Kindle app. Somehow they've managed to set up shop.

+1

Apple US itunes is the best in comparison with all itunes stores outside US. Apple needs to provide worldwide itunes services, before taking such a decision. The world have different continent, they shall read people feedback and look at their needs. A good example is that most of the ebook available for sale aren't famous nor popular outside US itunes store. So if you couldn't provide ebook to your customer, why do you blockade all other services?

 

[Žalgiris]

Sony allow on their readers content bought on other stores like Barnes & Noble.

Last time i checked you can import epubs to iTunes.

Imagine there is a world outside Apple and their practices

Imagine there are real book outside too and i like to read real books, feel them with my fingers.

 

[Nightarchaon]

Apple's rules only govern purchasing content on a device and within an app.

Content added to a device by a customer (via iTunes) doesn't count.

SO as i said originally, the Kindle app breaks no policies, as the content purchased is via safari, and is not downloaded directly to the app... (that whisper sync thingy the kindle app uses to get the content is the only thing apple could potentially object to)

Im assuming apple just wants to make it as difficult as possible, making you jump through many many hoops to get to your content if you buy it anywhere but the apple store to enforce its "It just works" mentality.

 

[cRuNcHiE]

The kindle doesn't let you buy books in-app, it exits the app and loads safari doesn't it?

What about the ebay app? that let's you purchase things in-app and doesn't use apple!

 

[Daveoc64]

Last time i checked you can import epubs to iTunes.

Not with DRM you can't.

Sony's eBook readers allow you to read books with DRM from several different (competing) stores as well as books from stores that don't use DRM.

Imagine there are real book outside too and i like to read real books, feel them with my fingers.

I'm not sure what your point is.

 

[Red-red]

Maybe Apple is just throwing its toys out the pram because they are upset that android phones will be EVEN MORE popular once sony gets them playing playstation portable 2 (or NGP) games shortly.

Perhaps if you're 12 you might think that but in reality Apple couldn't care less about Sony's desperate attempts to hang on to a empire that faded long ago.

The only mobile content app store thats making any money is Apple's. They know it, developers know it, Sony knows it.

This is nothing more than Sony wanting to open a way up to sell content on iOS devices but it won't happen.

 

[Oletros]

Last time i checked you can import epubs to iTunes.

Try import a DRM epub like fictionwise, B&N or Sony store and tell me if you can

 

[Daveoc64]

SO as i said originally, the Kindle app breaks no policies, as the content purchased is via safari, and is not downloaded directly to the app... (that whisper sync thingy the kindle app uses to get the content is the only thing apple could potentially object to)

The kindle doesn't let you buy books in-app, it exits the app and loads safari doesn't it?

While it doesn't let you buy content in-app, Apple's rule could be interpreted in different ways. They have final discretion over anything and can reject apps for any reason they want to. The rules can also be rewritten.

I personally expect some changes when we see "The Daily" launch in the coming weeks. There have been reports of Apple rejecting Newspaper apps that don't use their billing system. Books aren't all that different.

What about the ebay app? that let's you purchase things in-app and doesn't use apple!

The rule only covers digital goods that are used in apps.

 

[Žalgiris]

I'm not sure what your point is.

That i do not read ebooks?

 

[Red-red]

Not with DRM you can't.

Isn't that the entire point?

 

[Vizin]

Do you think it makes sense to Apple or any other company if someone puts a free app on their store and start selling something "off the grid" redirecting to some page where you fill in your details or where you log in into some system? I think not.

How is it any different than using something other than iTunes to buy music on OSX? Or something other than Zune marketplace on Windows?

iOS has never been an "open" platform like OSX or Windows (all apps must be Apple-sanctioned), but these business practices make the future of the iPad as a platform...sketchy. If I were a big-name content provider considering bringing my product over to the iPad, I'd be hesitant. What's next, is Apple going to demand a cut of iPad users' Netflix subscriptions? Are they entitled to 30% of that, despite not having any part in Netlfix's business? (All they do is host a 6.9 megabyte file, the app itself. Content is hosted by Netflix, bandwidth is provided by Netflix, user's internet is provide by their ISP or cell data provider - Apple does nothing but provide the software API, same as any OSX or Windows application)

Keep in mind that even with In-App purchases, all Apple is doing is providing a billing system. Unlike the apps themselves, they don't host any content with IAP. For something that's just a billing system, 30% is a tremendous cut. It's different when they're providing the hosting, convenience, and discoverability the App Store provides the apps themselves.

Sure Apple has the legal right to demand this, but is it really good business? If they start bleeding 30% out of every purchase that somehow involves an iOS native app, content providers are going to start questioning the long-term value of investing in the platform.

 

[Žalgiris]

Try import a DRM epub like fictionwise, B&N or Sony store and tell me if you can

If they have some deal between them of course, why wouldn't they. Maybe it's whole point for them. Apple made no deals and i guess doesn't want any. it's their choice if you don't like it vote with your wallet.

 

[graywolf323]

Maybe Apple is just throwing its toys out the pram because they are upset that android phones will be EVEN MORE popular once sony gets them playing playstation portable 2 (or NGP) games shortly.

PlayStation Suite on Android isn't even full blown PSP games much less PSP2/NGP games

right now the only thing Sony has confirmed are PS1 games

 

[Oletros]

If they have some deal between them of course, why wouldn't they. Maybe it's whole point for them. Apple made no deals and i guess doesn't want any. it's their choice if you don't like it vote with your wallet.

What deal? Tehy use standard epub DRM schemes, nothing more. Apple use a non standard epub DRM.

 

[japanime]

As a book publisher, this frightens me. Deeply.

 

[Nordichund]

Apple could be playing a dangerous game here, which could backfire nastily. Like the iPhone, iPad and iPod, it doesn't take much gadgetry to lead the flock in a new direction, there are a lot of pretenders out there just waiting for their chance to seize the thrown.

 

[Žalgiris]

Sure Apple has the legal right to demand this, but is it really good business? If they start bleeding 30% out of every purchase that somehow involves an iOS native app, content providers are going to start questioning the long-term value of investing in the platform.

Content providers just want a free ride as always.

 

[iWolf00]

At a basic level yes, although the 30% that Apple takes in this case has to cover a few things (hosting the content, the bandwidth to distribute it, handling transaction fees, managing a billing system, allowing customers to download content again, developing the programs and tools used to both upload and consume content, marketing etc.).

Apple's model is considered to be quite fair (and is now used by Amazon, Microsoft and the Android Market for example) for what they offer. 70% goes to the App/Book publisher and they don't have to worry about any of the above issues and the associated cost.

In this case, Amazon and Sony respectively would be handling all of these costs. When a Kindle user downloads a book to an iPhone, there isn't any cost to Apple.

In case anybody is wondering, for apps that are available on the App Store for free, the developer doesn't have to pay any fees. Apple handles all of the costs as they feel that their platform will benefit from a rich ecosystem of free apps.

I don't mind apple charging me for the service, it is understandable apple is covering operating cost of its itunes. But I am wondering why don't they improve their services outside US; I live in UAE and itunes contents aren't that much; and much worse, they prevented me to use other services??

 

[Oletros]

Content providers just want a free ride as always.

Nooooo, this can't be real. Which free ride? Apple stores kindle books?, Apple deliver kindle books?