Apple Offers Discounts on Hachette Pre-Orders Amid Publisher's Dispute With Amazon

Apple is offering discounts on several popular e-books from Hachette Book Group, the publisher currently embroiled in a dispute with Amazon. As noted by Re/code, Apple is promoting a sale on several Hachette titles under a "Popular Pre-Orders: $9.99 or Less" section in the book section of the iTunes Store, which includes upcoming titles from major authors like James Patterson, Michael Connelly, and J.K. Rowling (under pen name Robert Galbraith).

While Apple does not specifically mention the books on sale are published by Hachette, every book in the 26-book section is indeed a Hachette title. An Apple PR representative confirmed the promotion to Re/code, but declined to discuss pricing or other details.

hachette
For those unfamiliar with the dispute, Amazon and Hachette have been at war for the last month, after negotiations over profit-sharing failed. Amazon has since refused to take pre-order sales of Hachette books and has also ceased discounting existing Hachette titles, leading to much higher prices, in an effort to get Hachette to agree to better terms.

An Apple PR rep confirmed the promotion, but wouldn't discuss the pricing or any other details. So we have to assume that either Hachette is lowering wholesale prices on its own titles to help Apple tweak Amazon, or Apple is lowering the retail price on its own, and losing margin in order to tweak Amazon.

Amazon released a public statement in May, noting that it was not optimistic about resolving the disagreement with Hachette in the near future. That means Amazon customers must pay more for Hachette books and must wait for books to be launched to make a purchase, a situation that benefits Apple as it is still able to offer customers pre-orders on popular titles.

Top Rated Comments

ActionableMango Avatar
128 months ago
Wait, Apple iBooks might possibly take a tiny, temporary, and nearly inconsequential part of the market away from the behemoth that is Amazon?

Time for the DOJ to step in again and smack down Apple!
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kerrikins Avatar
128 months ago
I'm annoyed with Amazon over this whole thing, so good for Apple. :)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Frisco Avatar
128 months ago
Amazon is the new Walmart. Don't forget Walmart put Rubbermaid out of business because RM refused to succumb to Walmarts demand on crazy low prices (RM would be selling at a loss).

The Rubbermaid name was bought my another company. So when people see the RM brand in stores today they think it is a quality product, but's it's just cheap products with the RM name on it.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cube Avatar
128 months ago
I prefer paying full price for an ebook I can read on any device, that getting a discount to be locked to Apple.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
UKgaryb Avatar
128 months ago
This is Amazon becoming a monopolistic company, their website isn't particularly any good anymore; trying buying an actual genuine accessory.... too much junk on there, Prime is over priced and the website needs dragging out of the 90's.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ChrisA Avatar
128 months ago
Even at $9.95 e-books are over priced. The paper back version has the same content. It took the author as much time to write AND there is the cost of paper and shipping. The e-book should sell at the price lower then even a paper back.

For those who can wait the public library is the best option.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Delta Feature

Delta Game Emulator Now Available From App Store on iPhone

Wednesday April 17, 2024 9:58 am PDT by
Game emulator apps have come and gone since Apple announced App Store support for them on April 5, but now popular game emulator Delta from developer Riley Testut is available for download. Testut is known as the developer behind GBA4iOS, an open-source emulator that was available for a brief time more than a decade ago. GBA4iOS led to Delta, an emulator that has been available outside of...
iOS NES Emulator Bimmy Feature

NES Emulator for iPhone and iPad Now Available on App Store [Removed]

Tuesday April 16, 2024 11:33 am PDT by
The first approved Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) emulator for the iPhone and iPad was made available on the App Store today following Apple's rule change. The emulator is called Bimmy, and it was developed by Tom Salvo. On the App Store, Bimmy is described as a tool for testing and playing public domain/"homebrew" games created for the NES, but the app allows you to load ROMs for any...
iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Translate

All iPhone 16 Models to Feature Action Button, But Usefulness Debated

Tuesday April 16, 2024 6:54 am PDT by
Last September, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch ...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With the New App Store Delta Game Emulator

Wednesday April 17, 2024 12:19 pm PDT by
A decade ago, developer Riley Testut released the GBA4iOS emulator for iOS, and since it was against the rules at the time, Apple put a stop to downloads. Emulators have been a violation of the App Store rules for years, but that changed on April 5 when Apple suddenly reversed course and said that it was allowing retro game emulators on the App Store. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
iOS 18 Siri Integrated Feature

iOS 18 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Friday April 12, 2024 11:11 am PDT by
iOS 18 is expected to be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. iOS 18 is rumored to include new generative AI features for Siri and many apps, and Apple plans to add RCS support to the Messages app for an improved texting experience between iPhones and Android devices. The update is also expected to introduce a more...