Apple Requiring eBook Apps With External Purchases to Also Offer In App Purchasing

[Carniphage]

Maybe Apple has something else up their sleeve. But as presented, this looks like a change in policy that is bad for iPad and iPhone owners, bad for booksellers, and even bad for Apple.

But it is "As presented" by a bunch of hysterical ninnies.

Apple has no commercial benefit by losing Amazon. Amazon would lose massively by dropping iOS support. Especially looking at the potential growth of the iPad next year. Customers would be very angry is the Kindle app ceased to function.

The sky is not, in fact, falling.

C.

 

[CylonGlitch]

-to use your xbox example, well they do have netflix and several other 3rd party apps without demanding a piece of there revenue.

Are you sure about that? Do you know the deal that was struck that allowed Netflix to be installed on the 360? How do you know they aren't paying a percentage?

If MS isn't getting some sort of kickback, then I'll go on record as stating that MS is down right stupid.

 

[Jcoz]

Well I am sure they could. Just as Sony can turn-off Linux on their PS3.

But why on Earth would Apple want to sabotage their own platform?

C.

Reasons are not important. All that matters is whether they do or not.

Please do not pretend that corporations only make decisions that are in their best interest.

They make decisions they THINK are in their best interests. They are in complete control here. The results are on them.

 

[ChazUK]

Are you sure about that? Do you know the deal that was struck that allowed Netflix to be installed on the 360? How do you know they aren't paying a percentage?

If MS isn't getting some sort of kickback, then I'll go on record as stating that MS is down right stupid.

I believe those features require a Gold subscription so Microsoft are instantly rewarded through that.

 

[Jcoz]

But it is "As presented" by a bunch of hysterical ninnies.

Apple has no commercial benefit by losing Amazon. Amazon would lose massively by dropping iOS support. Especially looking at the potential growth of the iPad next year. Customers would be very angry is the Kindle app ceased to function.

The sky is not, in fact, falling.

C.

Customers would be angry with apple, right or wrong.

And do not downplay Androids influence in this. If Android follows suit, then people can't say much regarding apple.

If Google chooses another path, however.....well that changes the game quite a bit. If there is opportunity for Google to further exploit the perception that Android is more "open", then this may certainly be the way.

 

[balamw]

As far as I can see, Sony don't have a web portal that you can actually buy content on.

Maybe that's the problem. They were only giving people access to the media they already had purchased via their Sony eReader and its software. Does their hardware even allow you to buy books from the device?

B

 

[Carniphage]

Reasons are not important. All that matters is whether they do or not.

Please do not pretend that corporations only make decisions that are in their best interest.

They make decisions they THINK are in their best interests. They are in complete control here. The results are on them.

Apple's curation of the device so far, seems to have worked out pretty good. Both for consumers and for content creators.

Androids un-curated market seems to be working much less well.

I think it would be bizarre for Apple to suddenly sabotage all that investment. And it's a bit paranoid to think that they would.

C.

 

[CylonGlitch]

The question though is: should Consumers need to "know" the rules? I sold my Kindle as I bought my iPad knowing how the Kindle app functions. Forget that this was before this new "rule", should consumers now considering their iPad purchase need to evaluate not only what apps are currently available, but also scrutinize whether these existing apps fully conform with existing Apple rules? Also, should they be forced to speculate what soon-to-be-made-up Apple rules will surface!?

So if you buy a car, put 3rd party rims on it, and some time down the road you can no longer find tires that fit those rims, you should blame the car manufacturer? As you said, it doesn't matter to the consumer WHY they are no longer available, they just aren't. Right?

If you are concerned about support for a specific 3rd party item; then you need to buy the device that comes from that 3rd party. They are the ones responsible for the distribution. For all we know, tomorrow Amazon can stop all support for the Kindle app on ALL platforms except the Kindle. Guess what, that's their right to do so. No one said it would be available forever.

If you want to point the finger at Apple, then complain if iBooks are pulled, that's their product. But you didn't want to use that, you wanted to use something else. Just because it was available, no where does it say it will ALWAYS be available. Relationships between companies sour, issues show up, rules change, money doesn't flow, etc . . . For some reason, as we all know, the consumer doesn't really care about, support for things ends, and yes, the consumer gets screwed.

Even products by companies lose support. I have a PS1; I can't find any new games for it. Should I be pissed? Should I blame Sony? Maybe.

3rd party means just that, 3rd party. I have a HD-DVD player, I can't find movies for it, damn Toshiba!

 

[Carniphage]

Maybe that's the problem. They were only giving people access to the media they already had purchased via their Sony eReader and its software. Does their hardware even allow you to buy books from the device?

No. Because the standard reader does not even have WiFi.
You have to tether the device to a really nasty app.

C.

Yes I bought one :-(

 

[Jcoz]

Apple's curation of the device so far, seems to have worked out pretty good. Both for consumers and for content creators.

Androids un-curated market seems to be working much less well.

I think it would be bizarre for Apple to suddenly sabotage all that investment. And it's a bit paranoid to think that they would.

C.

Again, up to this point, I agree.

That can change whenever apple wants it to.

All I am saying is that these developments are reason for concern, and buying a heavily curated device like iOS devices is in part a risky proposition, because you do not control what functions it is allowed take on.

This is different from a PS3 or Xbox or Kindle because of the way apple sells them to consumers and what expectations that cultivates in people for the purpose of selling you the device.

 

[firewood]

business exceptions

Apple has made exceptions before. The Playboy app vs. other bikini apps.

If their marketing data says the Kindle app influences more people to buy more iDevices than the equivalent money they might make from iBook sales, they will leave Amazon alone, same as with Playboy.

It's about the money.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Are you sure about that? Do you know the deal that was struck that allowed Netflix to be installed on the 360? How do you know they aren't paying a percentage?

If MS isn't getting some sort of kickback, then I'll go on record as stating that MS is down right stupid.

if I had to guess the "kick back" from Netflix on the 360 was to require the user to have Xbox Gold account. Nothing else. To MS it became a value added feature and from what I see Netflix could demand money from MS not the other way around.
Netflix becomes a marketing took for MS because it all links in.

 

[Carniphage]

if I had to guess the "kick back" from Netflix on the 360 was to require the user to have Xbox Gold account.

They "signed a deal" back in 2008. I couldn't find whether there was revenue sharing involved. Although as you say, MS benefit indirectly by offering it as a premium feature for paying subscribers only.

C.

 

[CylonGlitch]

It's about the money.

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a Winner!

Yup, all about money.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

They "signed a deal" back in 2008. I couldn't find whether there was revenue sharing involved. Although as you say, MS benefit indirectly by offering it as a premium feature for paying subscribers only.

C.

question is who is paying who. It could easily be MS is paying netflix and not the other way around.

 

[CylonGlitch]

question is who is paying who. It could easily be MS is paying netflix and not the other way around.

No idea, but could be related to the deal that Netflix later signed with Sony saying that they won't rent Sony movies for 28 days after release to encourage DVD sales.

 

[Carniphage]

All I am saying is that these developments are reason for concern, and buying a heavily curated device like iOS devices is in part a risky proposition, because you do not control what functions it is allowed take on.

I think for technology savvy users, who are accustomed to managing our own hardware, this transition to curated devices can be perceived as a big loss of control. Even a threat.

I think for the majority of consumers, curation actually represents more control not less.

Because on the iPad, the random breakages, and unpredictability that comes with non-curated platforms has gone. The computer, at last, is as predictable as a toaster.

But with great power comes great responsibility. Apple do have the potential to screw this up. I just think they are very motivated to get it right.

C.

 

[Carniphage]

question is who is paying who. It could easily be MS is paying netflix and not the other way around.

Given that Microsoft has a movie store (of sorts) on the 360, I'd be surprised if MS are paying Netflix.

C.

Much as I like the 360, I can't enjoy a movie while a giant hairdryer is whooshing away under my TV.

 

[fabianjj]

So, does the fact that I can read a book on my desktop, or a newspaper, also mean that my desktop can no longer claim to be a computer. I didn't realize being able to display text/media would disqualify a device from being a computer.

I think the concept that an iPad is a computer is pretty cut and dry:
From Webster,

COMPUTER: one that computes; specifically : a programmable usually electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data

Yeah, I think the iPad makes the threshold.

But you don't give Apple a 30% cut off of everything you buy using that computer, do you?

 

[Jcoz]

I think for technology savvy users, who are accustomed to managing our own hardware, this transition to curated devices can be perceived as a big loss of control. Even a threat.

I think for the majority of consumers, curation actually represents more control not less.

Because on the iPad, the random breakages, and unpredictability that comes with non-curated platforms has gone. The computer, at last, is as predictable as a toaster.

But with great power comes great responsibility. Apple do have the potential to screw this up. I just think they are very motivated to get it right.

C.

All the motivation in the world cannot guarantee success.

Let's leave this at "I hope you are right" .... because I do want to get an ipad this year. I mean truthfully, I'll buy and jailbreak before I jump to Android, but I shouldn't have to go through the trouble.

Hopefully I wont have to.

 

[jimboutilier]

Unclear to me what this means to apps like Zino and Kindle, but the uncertainty it cast means I won't be buying an iPad 2 until it's cleared up and if it ends up disrupting my use of these apps of costing me more I'll be dumping my iPad in a heartbeat.

 

[Daveoc64]

I believe those features require a Gold subscription so Microsoft are instantly rewarded through that.

They "signed a deal" back in 2008. I couldn't find whether there was revenue sharing involved. Although as you say, MS benefit indirectly by offering it as a premium feature for paying subscribers only.

Given that Microsoft has a movie store (of sorts) on the 360, I'd be surprised if MS are paying Netflix.

Much as I like the 360, I can't enjoy a movie while a giant hairdryer is whooshing away under my TV.

From the pieces of information I've seen, the model is quite simple on the Xbox 360.

Microsoft makes the App that gives access to the video platform (Netflix in the US, Sky Player in the UK, Canal Plus in France and Foxtel in Australia).

To recoup the cost from making the App, Microsoft requires that the service can only be accessed by Gold members.

Outside of that, Microsoft doesn't take any further payments as they require that the video platform pays for all bandwidth and hosting costs.

These terms also apply to last.fm (although obviously that is with audio rather than video).

 

[luci216]

I don't think Apple should charge the 30% in in-app purchase.. I imagine a lot of consumers bought an iPad because it does so many things AND offers Kindle/Nook/etc.

Bad idea :/

 

[wippler]

I really don't care about the discussion, but could Carniphage stop with "C" at the bottom of every post. Your username is right next to your post, we all see it - no need to put your signature at the end of post.. all the quotes are getting bloated over this.

Worst of all, some other guys starts putting B at the end.

W.

 

[balamw]

the quotes are getting bloated over this.

The quotes are bloated because the quoters aren't editing the material they quoted as they should.

I've signed every one of my 10,000+ posts here on MR over the past 5 years and am not about to stop now because you ask me to or some folks are incapable or unwilling to edit what they quote. (Of course a mod or god asks me to, I will .... try).

B