Quote:
Originally Posted by stonetools
Er no, Apple distributes, hosts, and updates the apps. And Apple certaibnly is contin nuously involved in every sale on their IOS devices. After all, the sales happen on their devices.
Well, Apple would say that they are requiring that the various stores doing business on its platform offer consumers the choice of doing an in-app purchase. Of course, that benefits Apple but in fact IOS consumers probably would prefer it.
I think the question is , Would the many books sold on the IOS platform be sold if :
1. THe IOS devices didn't exist
or
2. If IOS was closed in the way the dedicated ereader devices are closed.
What's astounding to me is that the IOS platform is relatively open. All Apple is asking for is a cut. OTOH, the KIndle platform is completely closed, but they are the good guys here, being bullied by EVUL Apple.
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wrt "closed" vs. "open" platforms in terms of content. I offer that it's more the format-drm providers rather than the device makers or even store that dictate how closed a reader is. ADE has the requirement that no other DRM content can be read on a device ADE is licensed for. The same goes for DRM'd MOBI/Amazon content. The device is not allowed to also read any other DRM content. BUT, this is stated upfront and Amazon does offer conversion services, I believe for a fee now, as long as the content is not DRM'd.
But a Kindle is no more closed than a Sony because all one needs to do is convert the formats using whatever utility. And I am not talking about removing DRM but simple format shifting. Even devices like those from Pocketbook, are forced to be somewhat closed just for the ability to read ADE content. They have a choice of going ADE or helping to port a version of the Kindle Reader app but it has to be exclusive of each other. I find this silly but it's a known restriction.
But this is where multipurpose devices like, oooohhhh I dunno-say an iPad, enter the picture because these are not dedicated reading devices but sold as multifunction/purpose devices. No Apple comes along and decided "...well, just hold on now, we have some things we are going to start enforcing now that we already have a foothold on the market". Suddenly the device millions of people bought because it was an all inclusive type device offering the ability to read all of your content in a single device regardless of the DRM issue, but now there exists the possibility that the reasons a person bought into the iOS platform will be gone pretty much overnight. Even if the version of the app you have installed still will run, and I don't see how Apple could legally stop that from being the case, but since the only way to load content is via iTunes all Apple has to do is close off that option by refusing to allow drag-n-drop of content to the device via iTunes if it was not purchased or at minimum available for purchase through the iTunes marketplace. And then it's jail-break time moving the device into the gadget freak community rather than a more mainstream device it's claimed to be.
There is more and likely better ways to state it all but this is just a rehash of the same argument for the gawds only know how many pages. Apple is risking their very reputation with even their most staunch customer base with this issue. And of course time will tell, and to be honest I hope calmer heads at Apple will prevail understanding they need to offer the sellers some reason to support their marketplace rather than try and force compliance after the fact as it appears they are trying now.