'iFlow Reader' iOS eBook Store Shutting Down

That doesn't really answer my question. I understand that Apple charges for people to sell stuff through their store (IAP pretty clearly goes through their store). What I don't understand is iFlow seems to be acting like this has never been the case?

If they've found out their business model was poor, why not raise prices, or do like Amazon does and sell books outside of the reader app?

What changed in this situation that is making them so angry?

The problem is the sellers cant raise prices. Read the original article. The sellers have to sell at the same price in the app store as they sell everywhere else. Apple says its now against their policy. Basically, apple is telling the sellers how much they can sell their content for. That is RIDICULOUS.

No, not monopolistic. E.g., the answer to just this one question should make that clear:

Can you buy books from the iBooks store on your Kindle?

The Kindle is not made for with the same general expectation as an iOS device. It does one thing. That is an Apples and Oranges argument.

Can you buy Amazon books and iBooks on your mac? Yes. Would it be OK for Apple to take 30% of any of your purchases through your web browser on your computer or on your iphone or iPad?

Asking 30% of the purchase price of an app is one thing. 30% of all transactions on an iOS device thereafter is highway robbery, and the users of iOS are going to pay for it, either through higher prices or less choice. It is not in the best interest of Apple to enforce this model.

It's anti-trust territory. The fact that they once allowed it and then stopped it will only strengthen the case against them.

iFlow should be able to remove the purchase capability and sell through the web, but the way the police NOW reads, if you can buy it through the web, you must sell it through the APP (I believe for the same price) which forces people to add a commission for Apple if they want to participate on the platform. Its an inequity that is too steep and is predatory toward competitors who were doing business in another market (not computer hardware sales) prior to Apple getting into the book selling market.

Kindle's iOS and MacOS readers do not have sales capability and I agree that if they did Apple could require a commission (although it should be much less than 30%) To require, however, that the app does have sales capability so that they can make a commission forces people to sell through iOS which is in itself manipulative and predatory.

Mark my words, there will be a class-action suit if this stands.

Let the consumer decide should be the motto of the free market. This is taking the choice (of where to buy books) away from the consumer and will encourage gouging on the part of publishers.

I'm an Apple fan, but I think they are over-reaching in this case.

Smells like teen class-action

I smell a class-action lawsuit.

With the volumes that iphone and ipad are now selling and have installed user base, and the fact that they also have a vehicle to sell the content that these users were forced-out of selling, this may well be considered an anti-trust/monopoly move.

I have a kindle and I have an iphone and ipad. The kindle app allows me to use the iOS device when in a pinch, but I prefer reading on the Kindle..

It will tick me off if Amazon is forced into the same corner, but it seems to me, that Apple, by this policy, is over-stepping.. and I'm normally an Apple fan.

T

:mad:
Said it before and I'l say it again,
Apple's forcing of everyone to use THEIR store mechanism with their taking a SIZABLE chunk of the profits (such as the 30% called out here) is an EXTREME conflict of interest and is VERY MUCH a monopolistic practice.

The shutting down of this alternative store is just more evidence to that end.

As an iOS device owner and a stock-holder... I am VERY displeased. :(
Cometition is a GOOD thing Apple, and forcing everyone to adhere to your facist rules and regulations is doing nothing to further competitiveness, foster creative competition or drive the cutting edge of technology, ...but it is all about GREED.

lol Yeah. And Walmart gets a cut of everything sold in Walmart.

What facists!

This is no different. "But it's their own separate bookstore!" Yeah? You think those McDonalds in Walmarts pays Walmart to be there? You'd better believe it. You don't want to pay Walmart? Build your McDonalds outside in the parking lot.

You wanna run a bookstore and not pay Apple? Build your own device. That's what Amazon did and they seem to be doing well, so you can't claim it's impossible.

EDIT: Mind you, I don't think Apple's making the best choice here. I'd do it differently than they are. But they're doing the exact same thing thousands of other companies do. To call it evil or facist or illegal is really silly. It's perfectly normal.

How about this example. Airport space is very expensive. Have you ever been to a Mcdonalds at an airport? Theres no dollar menu and all the food is twice as expensive. What if the airport told Mcdonalds that they had to have a dollar menu and charge the same as every other Mcdonalds outside of the airport? It wouldnt be profitable. Apple should let the developers charge what ever they want for their apps.

How about this example. Airport space is very expensive. Have you ever been to a Mcdonalds at an airport? Theres no dollar menu and all the food is twice as expensive. What if the airport told Mcdonalds that they had to have a dollar menu and charge the same as every other Mcdonalds outside of the airport? It wouldnt be profitable. Apple should let the developers charge what ever they want for their apps.

Another great example. Exactly right.

Hey content industry: Get rid of DRM and you can keep 100%.

Let software makers compete with software makers and content sellers compete with content sellers. No more having to use the app that comes with the content.

Don't get me wrong.
I think this is a *horrible* idea by Apple. But it's not monopolistic.
They *are* forcing competetors off of the iOS platform...
And that is very bad for consumers like me.

In fact, Apple's new policy is *why* I am not going to buy an iPhone once I'm ready to replace my 3GS and why I'm not going to buy an iPad when I'm ready to replace my 1st gen one -- Apple is in the process of locking out my content from the device.

The fact that I have a choice, though, shows how Apple doesn't have a monopoly.

What Apple is doing here is saying it's all or nothing. You get everytjhing from Apple on Apple device, etc, or you have to get off the platform entirely.

It's a dumb idea, IMO. At the end of the day, I want my stuff where and when I want it, wherever I purchased it from. If Apple devices won't do that I *will* get something else.

This might be the most absurd example I have ever read here.

YOU are absurd. That example is 100% exactly the same thing.

This might be the most absurd example I have ever read here.

It's actually a pretty good example.

Apple is forcing content sellers to sell content through iOS with a 30% cut in income when it is purchased that way.

If I go to McDonald's in a location like an Airport I expect them to charge me more.