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Apple sets deadline for Amazon's Kindle app to change - They want 30% per book

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Re: Apple sets deadline for Amazon's Kindle app to change - They want 30% per book

#81

Post by tensor »

Bud wrote: post #60
maigret wrote: post #44

The first thing that comes to my mind... This will be a huge sell argument for Android: "Buy Amazon books 25% cheaper than on Apple phones".

Oh, yes, because of course, cell providers whose phones run Android would never think of charging any kind of data tariff or making money in other ways.

No more or no less than on Apple's platform. In truth, with unlocked devices like the Nexus series cell providers have little to no say in the matter any ways.

That is, so long as net neutrality remains. If they start doing packet introspection and charging based on destination or traffic type, well, that is going to be bad for all mobile users.

Re: Apple sets deadline for Amazon's Kindle app to change - They want 30% per book

#82

Post by tensor »

pnathan wrote: post #35

I'm wondering if the OS X Lion edition is going to have these encumbrances as well.

Unlikely. Although iOS is worrying, I have to assume that Apple understands that locking down OS X on the desktop in the way iOS is locked down will severely cut into their user base.

I can tell you that myself and everyone I know would immediately drop the platform if that were to happen.

Re: Apple sets deadline for Amazon's Kindle app to change - They want 30% per book

#83

Post by danielsoneg »

gst wrote: post #37

Maybe it's time for an HTML5 based Kindle app. From a customer point of view I wouldn't care as long as the functionality is the same. However, a main issue with this would be the limit space available via HTML5 databases on the ipad - afaik something like 25 megabytes.

That's not a terribly big limitation - ebooks are pretty small files, generally in the .5-1mb range. Conservatively, let's call it 20 active books on the app - if you do some decent database management or incorporate some streaming ability, 25mb should be plenty.

Re: Apple sets deadline for Amazon's Kindle app to change - They want 30% per book

#84

Post by jpravetz »

nika wrote: post #49
jpravetz wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In support of unencumbered formats, think about how Apple became dominant. iPod/iTunes initial success + music labels insistence on DRM, lead to lack of content portability, lead to device lock-in, lead to iPod dominance, lead to music labels loosing power. This is different from Kindle, where they write a player for every platform. But is what you get if you sell through Apple's store for Apple's reader. O'Reilly wi…

Amazon writes a player for every platform because the kindle format is a proprietary one created by amazon. Apple doesn't have to write a player for every platform because epubs are an open standard.

Yes ePub is open. But Apple's DRM is not an open standard. I assume they are adding DRM to content sold thru their book store?

Re: Apple sets deadline for Amazon's Kindle app to change - They want 30% per book

#85

Post by jpravetz »

mikecane wrote: post #58
rsl7 wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

the iPod didn't become dominant due to device lock-in.

That's correct. People could rip their CDs and also use MP3s they already had. The Kindle wouldn't even allow Amazon's own MobiPocket books that had Mobi DRM on them to be read! And, of course, neither the Kindle hardware nor software for platforms can read ePub.

You can get any content onto an iPod, but you can't take the DRM-protected content bought thru iTunes anywhere else, including streaming with Slimserver, etc. And people now presumably have a large collection of content that is managed the iTunes-way, with a significant subset that is DRM protected. Meaning you're locked to Apple's devices.

Re: Apple sets deadline for Amazon's Kindle app to change - They want 30% per book

#86

Post by alanfalcon »

nextparadigms wrote: post #63
nika wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think Amazon could resolve this really easily by doing a cross marketing deal with Apple. But at least Apple is only taking %30. Amazon has completely excluded Apple from selling books via the iBookstore app on the kindle. In fact, you can't even read iBookstore books on the kindle because Amazon doesn't allow Apple to produce an app for the kindle.

I think since iBoos appeared, and publishers demanded an agency model from Amazon, too, Amazon is only get 30% from that $10 price. This means if Apple takes 30% from it, Amazon will have zero left. Amazon will either quit the AppStore in protest, and hope consumer protest will make Apple change their minds, or they'll start charging $14-15 for books instead to cover the 30% cut.

If they charge $14-$15, Apple will get 30% of $14-$15 and Amazon will still get 0% because they have to pay 30% to the publisher. That's even assuming their publishing deal allows them to change the selling price, which it probably doesn't.

There is no way for Amazon's Kindle app (and other similar book selling apps) to continue on iOS under the terms as laid out in the article. Amazon will have to create a web app that functions as a Kindle Reader in order to let their content remain readable on iOS (and that's exactly what I'd start doing now if I were Amazon, if such an app weren't already in development).

Re: Apple sets deadline for Amazon's Kindle app to change - They want 30% per book

#88

Post by modeless »

ptomato wrote: post #36

The discussion here at least seems to ignore one thing: 30% will not happen because that would mean Amazon would make -no- profit and still incur expenses. The agency model under which the vast majority of Amazon's ebook sales are done has a requirement from the publisher's that they get 70% of the sale price, regardless of what said sale price is. If Amazon jacks up the price for iOS sales, then they get 70% of that…

They can't do that, because then every paid app (30% cut) would become a free demo that is unlocked with in-app purchase (5% cut). (Yes, their app guidelines prohibit this but it's a very fuzzy line that many apps have already crossed.)

Re: Apple sets deadline for Amazon's Kindle app to change - They want 30% per book

#89

Post by kmfrk »

gst wrote: post #37

Maybe it's time for an HTML5 based Kindle app. From a customer point of view I wouldn't care as long as the functionality is the same. However, a main issue with this would be the limit space available via HTML5 databases on the ipad - afaik something like 25 megabytes.

You won't know about what you lose in sales in terms of discoverability on the App Store - it's easy to see it from your own perspective (mine is the same), but the iPad attracts such a wide demographic that you may very well shut out some newbies from using and buying your service.

HTML5 don't always play nice with app-switching either, but maybe I've just not used enough HTML5 "apps".

Re: Apple sets deadline for Amazon's Kindle app to change - They want 30% per book

#90

Post by kmfrk »

sammcd wrote: post #9
martincmartin wrote: post #5

How will this work for O'Reilly books I purchase in pdf format? How can Apple stop me from reading it without blocking all non-DRMed pdfs?

I'm pretty sure they are only interested in books purchased on the device. If you don't purchase it on the device they don't get a cut.

That's isn't to say that they won't try to find a way. :)
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