Kobo / Apple purchasing changes

[JimKal]

Originally Posted by BaenSidhe

I guess I didn't have the right app on the iPad I was playing with. All I got was a message saying Safari can't download files.

Were you "playing" with an iPad at an Apple Store? I think the stores have set the iPads up so visitors can't download things. at least, that is what I was told. They said they were hit with a lot of charges because people were downloading apps in the store.

I've followed the larger discussion with some amusement as I've done the majority of purchasing in the Kindle store using the browser rather than the now defunct in-app button, which simply took you to your browser. In fact, I tend to use my desktop iMac rather than the iPad when I'm looking for books. But I have used Safari on the iPad as well, it isn't a problem. For Amazon, if you have more than one registered device, you have an option of which device to send the e-book. I also have the Nook and Kobo apps on the iPad and have downloaded some books, but Amazon remains , for now, my preferred app.

[BaenSidhe]

Originally Posted by JimKal

Were you "playing" with an iPad at an Apple Store? I think the stores have set the iPads up so visitors can't download things. at least, that is what I was told. They said they were hit with a lot of charges because people were downloading apps in the store.

No, it was an iPad I borrowed from work. I was trying to download Baen Free Library books, but now, I can't remember if I clicked on the zipped file or the actual epub file. Ibooks was installed on the iPad.

[HarryT]

If you have iBooks installed, downloading an ePub file should work just fine.

[joenunya]

It's simple, Apple is L'Idiot* and their user experience is all part of the new cruelty.



*if you are uninformed L'Idiot (Lee-dee-oh) references the Steve Martin movie LA Story

[murraypaul]

Not sure this was worth creating a new thread for, but the Zinio magazine app has received an updated version with in-app purchasing through Apple's system.

Zinio brings iTunes purchasing to updated iPad app

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

Not sure this was worth creating a new thread for, but the Zinio magazine app has received an updated version with in-app purchasing through Apple's system.

Zinio brings iTunes purchasing to updated iPad app

At one time, I wanted Zinio on my Nook Color; but not anymore. At the time, I priced all of the magazines I was interested in and the rates for everyone have since gone up; while print rates have remained the same. Danged if I'm going to subsidize Apple's 30% surcharge.

[murraypaul]

Just noticed this in the Zinio faq:

Q: Why aren't adult titles available on my Android device?

A: Zinio must abide by the guidelines set forth by Google in order to have our app available in the Android Market. One of those guidelines currently prohibits content deemed mature. We are sorry that certain titles are not currently available on the Android. They are, however, viewable on Zinio.com or by installing the Zinio Reader on a conventional laptop or desktop.

So Google are blocking adult titles? How Apple-ish of them

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

So Google are blocking adult titles? How Apple-ish of them

Zinio's prices are too high anyway, so it doesn't matter.

[DMB]

The only Apple product I use is iTunes. I've never bought anything with it. I have a huge collection of CDs and am using iTunes to convert them to MP3s. I then play the MP3s on my computer with the aid of iTunes.

I'm moderately grateful to Apple for my free iTunes software. The programs I used before iTunes were more fiddly.

[tubemonkey]

I use iTunes to get free apps for my iPod touch. No music, no books, no videos; just free apps.

[elcreative]

Time to quit some of the threads... boring, repetitious, continuous irritating attacks on the same targets with no new information/data... bye

[BuddyBoy]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Zinio's prices are too high anyway, so it doesn't matter.

I still use them, but Zinio's prices jumped shortly after the introduction of the first iPad. I used to be great getting an subscription to a title I enjoyed for $7 or $8 a year. Now the same titles are $18, $19, $23.95, and not such a good deal.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by BuddyBoy

I still use them, but Zinio's prices jumped shortly after the introduction of the first iPad. I used to be great getting an subscription to a title I enjoyed for $7 or $8 a year. Now the same titles are $18, $19, $23.95, and not such a good deal.

How much do the equivalent paper magazines cost? It's that comparison which, for me, would be the deciding factor in whether something constituted a good deal.

[BuddyBoy]

Originally Posted by HarryT

How much do the equivalent paper magazines cost? It's that comparison which, for me, would be the deciding factor in whether something constituted a good deal.

Yes and no, because electronic magazines aren't the same as paper magazines. Layout, style, readability, colour play factors. If I open a double page spread in Zinio, I can't read the print because the resolution isn't high enough. I have to zoom into the pages, which is fine for grabbing the information bit by bit, but lacks the gestalt experience of absorbing a magazine.

It becomes a bit like reading a magazine with a magnifying glass.

That said there are positives, but I was also commenting on the price change over the course of a year. When an electronic subscription used to cost $7, now costs $18 and the print version is $18.95, I must say I do feel less inclined to subscribe on impulse. And, of course, like any early adopter, coaxed in gradually with the cheaper gateway subscriptions of the past, I feel like my magazine pusher is suddenly playing hardball and upping the prices now that I'm hooked.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by BuddyBoy

That said there are positives, but I was also commenting on the price change over the course of a year. When an electronic subscription used to cost $7, now costs $18 and the print version is $18.95, I must say I do feel less inclined to subscribe on impulse. And, of course, like any early adopter, coaxed in gradually with the cheaper gateway subscriptions of the past, I feel like my magazine pusher is suddenly playing hardball and upping the prices now that I'm hooked.

Nat Geo

• Paper = $15
• Zinio = $20
• B&N = $24

The magazine at the top of my list and it's a no go. I refuse to pay more for an electronic version.

Good thing I haven't succumbed yet.