Apple Companies rethink app strategies - (WIRED) -- We all knew that once Apple starting enforcing new rules for in-app purchases, it would change how media companies do business on the iPhone and iPad.
Now, we're beginning to see just what that looks like for companies trying to avoid giving a 30% cut to Cupertino. Amazon, Kobo and Barnes & Noble all removed the stores from their iOS applications on Monday, as well as any hyperlinks to or mentions of their online stores.
Google Books -- recently announced distribution and retail partner for the new multiplatform Harry Potter e-books -- is simply gone from the App Store, without explanation from either Apple or Google, although possibly a revised app may be forthcoming.
Users of these newly-storeless apps can still download and read all content purchased elsewhere. But the apps are no longer an easy direct or indirect portal for sales, to the chagrin of their developers and some of their customers.
The absence of this portal will hurt some retailers more than others. For readers accustomed to buying content via the web, not much will change. But it reduces the overall functionality of the apps -- booksellers would love to have an easy way to sell new products to customers immediately, based on what they're reading or searching for right then -- and new or less-sophisticated users might find the need to make an end-around via the web browser confusing.
It's an extra bit of friction in an otherwise mostly friction-free experience. And any additional friction for other booksellers clearly strengthens the position of Apple's own iBooks.
more info : CNN!
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