Kobo and Kindle apps - in-app-purchasing removed (Canada)

Stefx · 07-25-2011, 06:54 PM

Today (Kindle) and yesterday (Kobo) both those apps released a new version with the in-app store removed.

It's an annoyance (albeit minor).
Is it a reaction to an Apple policy?

murraypaul · 07-25-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefx

Today (Kindle) and yesterday (Kobo) both those apps released a new version with the in-app store removed.

It's an annoyance (albeit minor).
Is it a reaction to an Apple policy?

Yes, Apple are requiring apps to either offer in-app purchasing using Apple's system, for which Apple takes 30% of the price, or remove ways to buy from within the app, and remove links to ways to buy from outside the app.
You can still buy books from Amazon/Kobo websites and the books will still sync to your iPad and you can read them fine, the apps just can't have the Store link in them any more.

jocampo · 07-25-2011, 08:45 PM

Nothing new ... has been announced already.

There is an existing thread about it: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=144028

Stefx · 07-25-2011, 10:19 PM

Thanks, that explains it well.
Didn't see that thread because it wasn't in the Apple devices section.

tomsem · 07-27-2011, 12:55 AM

There are still a few reading apps that still have store links and are still in App Store:
- bluefire reader (and the BAM clone)
- txtr (and at least one of its clones)

For the time being, I'm not updating Kindle or Google Books apps.

I'm finding that Inkmesh works reasonably well on my iPod Touch in terms of finding books in the various ebook storefronts, comparing prices etc., and launching the respective storefronts (except for Google Books) to purchase or get more information. I'd actually pay for an iOS app that did this with a more refined UI. Apple would no doubt find some reason not to approve such an app, but it's not clear to me how it would violate their terms.

Stefx · 07-27-2011, 08:47 PM

I just bought a book or Kobo via the web site.
Not much of a difference. Just a few extra clicks. The eBook howed up instantly in my Kobo app.
Compared to the in-app purchase, I probably lost 30-60 seconds max.

07-25-2011, 06:54 PM	#1
Stefx Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad 2	Kobo and Kindle apps - in-app-purchasing removed (Canada) Today (Kindle) and yesterday (Kobo) both those apps released a new version with the in-app store removed. It's an annoyance (albeit minor). Is it a reaction to an Apple policy?

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07-25-2011, 08:45 PM	#3
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	Nothing new ... has been announced already. There is an existing thread about it: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=144028

07-25-2011, 10:19 PM	#4
Stefx Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad 2	Thanks, that explains it well. Didn't see that thread because it wasn't in the Apple devices section.

07-27-2011, 12:55 AM	#5
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,772 Karma: 26974049 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	There are still a few reading apps that still have store links and are still in App Store: - bluefire reader (and the BAM clone) - txtr (and at least one of its clones) For the time being, I'm not updating Kindle or Google Books apps. I'm finding that Inkmesh works reasonably well on my iPod Touch in terms of finding books in the various ebook storefronts, comparing prices etc., and launching the respective storefronts (except for Google Books) to purchase or get more information. I'd actually pay for an iOS app that did this with a more refined UI. Apple would no doubt find some reason not to approve such an app, but it's not clear to me how it would violate their terms.

07-27-2011, 08:47 PM	#6
Stefx Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad 2	I just bought a book or Kobo via the web site. Not much of a difference. Just a few extra clicks. The eBook howed up instantly in my Kobo app. Compared to the in-app purchase, I probably lost 30-60 seconds max.

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