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Originally Posted by fbrII
Whether Apple's ultimate aim is hardware or content for the user it ends up being about content and ease of use. I don't think may people buy a device for it's hardware specs unless it can be shown as demonstratively superior. Apple did that with the creation of the iPad.
But now there are multiple vendors with big pockets entering the tablet market and that gap will quickly narrow or disappear. The buying decision will come down to content (that's why you bought it right) and ease of use. This decision is a step back on both fronts.
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For ebooks, yes it is.
For newspapers and magazines, no it isn't.
When iNewsstand launches it will be a single UI for all the different content. There will be a single way of purchasing through the apple id that users already have, no need to sign up with lots of different providers. There will be a small number of simple subscription offers.
They are willing to sacrifice some of the ebook value to gain the magazine and newspaper easy of use and content, because that is what they see as the more important market. It is the segment where tablets are clearly superior to eInk devices, and one that is still in its infancy, so Apple have the chance to shape it from the beginning.
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This is not a bold strategic move anticipating future market needs, it's simply what it look like on the surface, dumb and self serving. It won't be that long before we will be reading the "What happened to Apple?" articles and when we do, whether it's this year, next year or several years from now, this decision will be one of the bullet points in the article.
Lately their reputation has been growing, but not in a good way and they have chosen to ignore it. (Always a bad sign) I'm sure they see it as simply a spin problem for the marketing department.
This clearly is not the straw that breaks Apple's back, but its certainly one that will be counted when their fall occurs.
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Shrug. I think people have a hugely overinflated view of the importance of ebooks to tablet sales.