Amazon, B&N, Kobo: iOS aps to be pulled in June

[L.J. Sellers]

I'm struggling to sort out this development, but this blogger seems to have inside information, and I thought I'd share the link.

http://www.the-digital-reader.com/20...ulled-in-june/

From an author's perspective, I sell so few books through Apple that I don't think it will affect me.
L.J.

[Graham]

Off the record confirmation from Amazon, B&N and Kobo?

Those are some pretty impressive contacts...

Or a large pinch of salt is called for at this stage.

Graham

[rcuadro]

I guess I better download them now

[Kali Yuga]

Sorry, but I don't buy it. It may actually happen, but I don't buy into anonymous rumor-mongers like this.

[Shack70]

For those of you on iOS check out Stanza as an alternative with support. It will not read DRMed files but all in all it is a good ebook reader and it is free. Stanza is available for other mobile devices as well I think

Stanza in iTunes Store

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Sorry, but I don't buy it. It may actually happen, but I don't buy into anonymous rumor-mongers like this.

Aside from Apple changing their mind, what else do you expect to happen? Seriously, the big ebookstores can't afford to cave, and even if they did the in-app option won't work for them.

Please, I'm open to ideas.

[snipenekkid]

Originally Posted by Shack70

For those of you on iOS check out Stanza as an alternative with support. It will not read DRMed files but all in all it is a good ebook reader and it is free. Stanza is available for other mobile devices as well I think

Stanza in iTunes Store

why? If Amazon's app gets booted then they'll just kill off Stanza themselves since it doesn't generate any direct revenue for Amazon anyway.

[Lemurion]

Interesting if true - though we'll have to see how things shake out.

I can understand why Apple might go that route, why would they want direct competition for iBooks on their platform? Especially dominant competition.

I was thinking of getting an iPhone on my next upgrade, but if this continues I'm going to stick with Android - being able to consume existing content is important to me.

[Lemurion]

Originally Posted by L.J. Sellers

I'm struggling to sort out this development, but this blogger seems to have inside information, and I thought I'd share the link.

http://www.the-digital-reader.com/20...ulled-in-june/

From an author's perspective, I sell so few books through Apple that I don't think it will affect me.
L.J.

Sadly, it may affect you more than you might think - a fair number of people read their Kindle books on iOS devices - and this looks to be putting a stop to that.

[wyndslash]

well, due to geographical restrictions, all I can really get on iBooks (through their store) is the free classics and other out-of-copyright books. that's it. nothing more, nothing less. so this will really cement my decision to get a kindle.

[pwalker8]

This seems to be the standard anti-Apple people trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. My understanding is the rule states 1) you have to offer the same deals from in-app purchases that you offer on your website. I don't see where this is a big deal. People can still purchase Amazon books on the Amazon website and read via the kindle app.

[Dopedangel]

Apple wants them to leave as it can't compete in the ebook market with them as most heavy readers that buy book are already locked in one system either with Amazon or with Adobe.
If it really thought its service deserved 30% percent it would let allow Amazon and Co to sell cheaper outside Apple. Currently they are saying you have to sell the same price as you sell outside Apple but give us 30% out of it. That means everyone will have to increase prices and Apple will be able to under cut them through Ibooks.

People are not getting the true implications of this if Amazon is selling a book for $7 it will have to sell it for $10 inside and outside apple so people that are not even using Apple get ******

[SensualPoet]

It's an astonishing idea ... I find it hard to believe Apple will actually take this step. Of course, Apple can do whatever it wants to do with its own platform -- iOS -- but at a time when e-books are already well developed under other models (Kindle, Adobe ADEPT, DRM-free, Nook variation), does Apple really want to make its devices so unilingual (as it were)?

With e-readers so relatively inexpensive, it may cede this entertainment activity to the non-iPad camp ... or encourage that same group (Nook Color being the first example) to deliver more and more value and risk forcing the hand of Amazon to develop color, video capable devices that might be in market at half the price of an iPad.

It seems nutty: Apple already has the upper-hand with native iTunes, etc linked to its devices and good relationships with most publishers. Why not just grow this segment using its current strengths?

[markbot]

The problem I have with this is that consumers thought they could have access to the Kindle app when they bought the iphone and ipad....then Apple pulls a significant feature. Consumers are put in a bind. It's like buying a computer loaded with free software but one year later they change their minds and start charging you. But, you have already bought the computer thinking the software was included!

[wyndslash]

@mark: it's sneaky, that's what it is D: