If you love reading eBooks with Kindle or Nook Apps, you need to watch out. Apple is starting to enforce its new subscription/purchasing model. Apple is starting to block apps that don’t allow them to get a 30% cut of things you purchase on the device. The Sony eReader app was one of the first victims in not getting its app approved.
No one is sure whether Barne’s and Noble or Amazon will be willing to share their revenue with apple. And no one is sure if Apple will continue to let Kindle and Nook apps to run on the device in the future if they don’t comply.
What does Amazon and Barne’s and Noble need to do to comply?
They need to reprogram their app a way for iPad users to purchase content directly through Apple. This way, Apple can get their 30% cut.
Amazon is reportedly working on a way to access its ebooks via web browser which would avoid the new pricing structure. Unfortunately, this approach would require you to have a constant internet connection, and would be more sluggish compared to running the ereader app locally.
Why not use Apple’s iBooks App to purchase and read books?
IBook’s selection is lacking compared to Kindle and Nook. Using iBooks may be a good solution for you if you mostly read mainstream and current books.
What does this mean for me as a consumer?
Be wary if you are purchasing an iPad mostly as an eReader. It may happen that Apple makes it more difficult for you to access your ebooks. There’s no doubt that the iPad is still a great device, but it would be disappointing to have to carry an extra Kindle or Nook around just to access your eBooks (although realistically the Nook and Kindle are small enough).
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