I'm beginning to really hate talk of "openness" It seems to be a kind of techie synonym for "goodness" and doesn't really mean anything.
Let's review. Originally, the Ios platform was supposed to be a closed platform with the native apps all coming for Apple. Third party developers were to be limited to creating " sweet web apps". Based on feedback from the tech community, Apple decided to open the platform native apps third party developers and to create the App Store. That represented a 180 degree transformation of the original vision for Ios devices. I bet that fTorres and others are totally OK with that "after the fact" change.
now let's look at fTorres scenario:
Quote:
respect your position, but consider the case of a total non-techie that buys an iPad:
They take the iPad home and start looking for apps to install.
"Hey! ebook readers! Lets try them out!"
"Kobo reader."
One install later.
"Okay. How's this thing work? I don't see any books? It says 'Sign in', but there's no way to create an account. Doesn't say where to get an account either. Or what the account offers."
"Useless."
"Let me try Kindle, I hear a lot of people have Kindles..."
"Same thing... Stupidd apps are only good if you *already* have an account..."
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I begin by pointing out that Netflix-maybe the most popular third party Ios app- has NEVER had a way to sign up for its service in app. Nevertheless, Netflix has thrived on the Ipad. Apparently those "non-techies" have figured out the whole "sign-up on the Web, access on your Idevice" process.
Its not as though the major booksellers CAN'T email their customers or put notices on their websites-which is what they have already done.
In the end , this is a minor inconvenience for customers that they will adjust to after some grumbling.
MP has nailed Apple's thinking on this in the other thread, and I would refer all readers to that.