Apple is all set to add another factor of income to the App Store and its nothing new. Apparently the Sony E-reader app has been rejected for it allows users to avoid the iTunes in-app purchase system and purchase eBooks. It seems that Apple isn’t happy with the ebook reader apps crossing the line and allowing users to purchase ebooks outside the iTunes ecosystem and allow them to read it on an iOS device like the iPhone, iPod touch or the iPad.
Now one thing that everyone is noticing is the fact that even Amazon’s Kindle is popular on App Store and allows people to sync their Amazon books to the iOS device. While being a direct competitor to iBooks (Apples app), it does bring in a lot of money for Amazon via ebook sales. So will Apple tighten its control over the Kindle app aswell to get some more $$?
Apple seems to have clarified immediately mentioning that the developer terms have not changed and “we are now requiring that if an app offers customers the ability to purchase books outside of the app, that the same option is also available to customers from within the app with in-app purchase.” – via
While that sound fair from Apple’s perspective as they are causing the sale via their marketplace, a 30% cut of revenue might not be what Amazon or Sony would like to share for ebooks. Will the comply? Charge more for buying ebooks via iTunes?