iFlow reader another casualty thanks to the Agency 5 and Apple - Page 8

carld · 05-16-2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

And why should they have to be technically knowledgable... most people want to buy a device to do something, they are not interested in getting under the hood to use it, just like cars where most people use a garage to get things fixed.

We're not talking about that level of knowledge. We're talking about the very VERY basics, like not putting leaded fuel in a car that only takes unleaded. People couldn't even get that right.

elcreative · 05-16-2011, 12:13 PM

And that's been dealt with by making the pump nozzles differ for differing requirements... customer service... nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence and knowledge of people

Quote:

Originally Posted by carld

We're not talking about that level of knowledge. We're talking about the very VERY basics, like not putting leaded fuel in a car that only takes unleaded. People couldn't even get that right.

leebase · 05-16-2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharkLaser

Why would you base an entire business on hoping Apple continues to allow you to profit from their platform for free?

That just seems a bit silly. It was hardly unexpected that Apple would want a cut.

They had a seriously flawed business plan. What are they offering? A reader app. Do they make money selling the reader app? No, they offer it free hoping to make money selling ebooks.

Well, here they are ENABLED by Apple and the move to agency pricing. They didn't have 50% margin to work with. Who would buy ebooks from them when Amazon was subsidizing the price of all the most desired books to below wholesale cost? Agency pricing ENABLES the small book seller to exist in light of the existence of Amazon and B&N.

BUT -- they don't own the platform. Their business plan required them to compete with Apple on Apple's platform selling the same products as Apple is desiring to do. That would be like trying to setup up a book-table in the middle of a Barnes and Noble. Or trying to sell new books through Amazon cheaper than Amazon sells new books via Amazon. Just not a great business strategy.

What are they offering to the market? eBooks? They have nothing over Apple, Amazon, B&N, Kobo or anybody else to say "choose to buy your ebooks through me".

A nifty ebook app? Well, sell THAT. Sell the d@mn app if it's good enough for people to pay verses the free offerings available.

This company is the victim of their own poor business sense.

Lee

astrodad · 05-16-2011, 12:24 PM

I had never even heard of iFlow before reading this thread. Seems to me like they were in over their head from the beginning.

BuddyBoy · 05-21-2011, 07:56 PM

I had the answer back when Sony started howling over their treatment from Apple.

If Apple is actually going to enforce the rule that if you want to access titles purchased outside of the app that they must be available for purchase inside the app, all you need to do is add one little internal purchase screen that just requires you to type in the full ISBN number of the book you'd like to purchase.

Given the choice between doing that or browsing via the website, I think the website would win.

Andrew H. · 05-21-2011, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuddyBoy

I had the answer back when Sony started howling over their treatment from Apple.

If Apple is actually going to enforce the rule that if you want to access titles purchased outside of the app that they must be available for purchase inside the app, all you need to do is add one little internal purchase screen that just requires you to type in the full ISBN number of the book you'd like to purchase.

Given the choice between doing that or browsing via the website, I think the website would win.

No, Apple would just change the rules. And maybe ban the vendor. These aren't laws; they are Apple's rules and can be changed by Apple whenever they like. Obviously gaming their rules won't help.

BuddyBoy · 05-22-2011, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

No, Apple would just change the rules. And maybe ban the vendor. These aren't laws; they are Apple's rules and can be changed by Apple whenever they like. Obviously gaming their rules won't help.

Ah, but Apple has to be careful with the rules they create and enforce. Granted, they can do whatever they want with their platform, but there are consequences to that as Microsoft, Google and other anti-trust targets have learned. It's not in Apple's best interest to be an obvious target. Even when you win in the end, those anti-trust lawsuits are damn expensive, and shareholders don't like them.

CommonReader · 05-22-2011, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharkLaser

Why would you base an entire business on hoping Apple continues to allow you to profit from their platform for free?

That just seems a bit silly. It was hardly unexpected that Apple would want a cut.

It's Apple's platform, ultimately. So it's their rules. They could be like Amazon if they really wanted, and shut off all competition on their platform outright.

Well, Apple was always happy to make money using someone else's "platform" for free. I would have liked to hear Jobs' whining if Microsoft had demanded 30% of all sales made via iTunes running on MS' "platform" Windows-PC. It is quite ironic that Apple, which cultivated the role of an underdog for years, being the supplier of choice for media people and all those who considered themselves to be apart from the mainstream, displays more rapacious business practices than MS at its worst. It fits the picture that the first newspaper that is made exclusively for the iPad is published by Rupert Murdoch's right wing Newscorp. Bill Gates spends his time improving living conditions in the Third World now, while Jobs seems to be bent on piling up money until he kicks the bucket.

RockdaMan · 05-22-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommonReader

Bill Gates spends his time improving living conditions in the Third World now, while Jobs seems to be bent on piling up money until he kicks the bucket.

You fell for that?

CommonReader · 05-22-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

You fell for that?

While you always have to take philanthropy of very rich people with a grain of salt, he is doing something at least. You don't associate Jobs with anything but Apple, unless he is a secret sponsor of some worthy cause (I do doubt that, though).

RockdaMan · 05-22-2011, 11:30 AM

Is any reason, either way, to believe that Jobs is a secret donator to worthy causes or a money loving miser?

CommonReader · 05-22-2011, 12:30 PM

We haven't heard about Jobs supporting any cause apart from Apple, have we?

carld · 05-22-2011, 12:32 PM

So Bill Gates is a liar for only pretending to help people, but Jobs gets a pass because he might be a secret donator?

elcreative · 05-22-2011, 02:35 PM

Couldn't you all at least get going on an interesting conspiracy theory or piece of rumour mongering rather than traditional Bill and Steve bashing...

CommonReader · 05-22-2011, 02:58 PM

Come on, nothing wrong with bashing people who are working so hard to deserve it.

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05-16-2011, 12:24 PM	#109
astrodad Guru Posts: 962 Karma: 568242 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kindle Paperwhite 1, iPad, iPhone	I had never even heard of iFlow before reading this thread. Seems to me like they were in over their head from the beginning.

05-21-2011, 07:56 PM	#110
BuddyBoy eBookin' Fool Posts: 310 Karma: 1008360 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, KK, iPad (Ex Prs 505, 500, Reb1100-2150, Rocket)	I had the answer back when Sony started howling over their treatment from Apple. If Apple is actually going to enforce the rule that if you want to access titles purchased outside of the app that they must be available for purchase inside the app, all you need to do is add one little internal purchase screen that just requires you to type in the full ISBN number of the book you'd like to purchase. Given the choice between doing that or browsing via the website, I think the website would win.

05-22-2011, 11:30 AM	#116
RockdaMan Banned Posts: 1,644 Karma: 213512 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: On the other side of over there Device: Pandigital Novel, Kindle G1 (broken), iPod Touch	Is any reason, either way, to believe that Jobs is a secret donator to worthy causes or a money loving miser?

05-22-2011, 12:30 PM	#117
CommonReader Fanatic Posts: 528 Karma: 2530000 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Sony PRS-T3, PRS-650, Vaio Tap 11, iPad Mini	We haven't heard about Jobs supporting any cause apart from Apple, have we?

05-22-2011, 12:32 PM	#118
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	So Bill Gates is a liar for only pretending to help people, but Jobs gets a pass because he might be a secret donator?

05-22-2011, 02:35 PM	#119
elcreative Wizard Posts: 2,888 Karma: 5875940 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: PRS505, 600, 350, 650, Nexus 7, Note III, iPad 4 etc	Couldn't you all at least get going on an interesting conspiracy theory or piece of rumour mongering rather than traditional Bill and Steve bashing...

05-22-2011, 02:58 PM	#120
CommonReader Fanatic Posts: 528 Karma: 2530000 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Sony PRS-T3, PRS-650, Vaio Tap 11, iPad Mini	Come on, nothing wrong with bashing people who are working so hard to deserve it.