Apple may be considering more restrictions for its App Store, which runs counter to the companya4‚¬a4„s more relaxed stance over the last few months.
The company has reportedly told some developers that it wona4‚¬a4„t let apps access content purchased outside of the App Store, in addition to continuing its restrictions on in-app purchases, the New York Times reports.
If true, the news could have drastic implications for iPhone and iPad apps like Amazona4‚¬a4„s Kindle application, which allows you to read ebooks purchased from Amazon.
The story seems to have stemmed from Apple blocking Sonya4‚¬a4„s e-reading app, which would have allowed users to read and purchase books from Sonya4‚¬a4„s Reader Store. Ia4‚¬a4„m not entirely sure why Sony thought it could get away with in-app ebook purchases, as ita4‚¬a4„s something that Apple has long prevented. To get around that restriction, Amazona4‚¬a4„s Kindle app sends users to the web to make purchases.
Honestly, it doesna4‚¬a4„t really make much sense for Apple to get more restrictive, especially since ita4‚¬a4„s trying to be more open to avoid scrutiny from federal regulatory agencies. Ita4‚¬a4„s more likely that Sony just wanted to make a stink about getting its app rejected when it didna4‚¬a4„t fully understand Applea4‚¬a4„s current rules. So this may not be an example of Apple getting any worse &8212' just Apple being Apple.
Update: A Sony PR representative tells Technologizer that its app didn&'t feature in-app purchases, it instead sent users to the web browser like the Kindle app. Curiouser and curiouser, indeed. We&'ll have to wait until Apple responds to hear the whole story, but for now, I think the NYT may be overblowing the story.
Update 2: Apple has finally clarified the situation. In a statement to All Things Digital, Apple says that it hasn&'t changed its rules, it&'s instead going to start enforcing an existing rule that will require apps like Amazon&'s Kindle to have in-app purchases, even if the apps direct users to buy content outside of the app. Users won&'t be forced to buy content in-app, but the in-app feature must be implemented and Apple will be making its usual 30 percent cut from purchases.
Calling all developers: We want to write up your app for VentureBeata4‚¬a4„s Mobile AppSpotlight! If you have an innovative mobile app that hasna4‚¬a4„t been featured on VentureBeat yet, submit it for consideration right away. The Mobile App Spotlight is sponsored by The Intel AppUp developer program.
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Companies: Amazon, Apple, Sony
Companies: Amazon, Apple, Sony
Devindra Hardawar is VentureBeat's lead mobile writer and East Coast correspondent. He studied philosophy at Amherst College, worked in IT support for several years, and has been writing about technology since 2004. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can reach him at devindra@venturebeat.com (all story pitches should also be sent to tips@venturebeat.com), and on Twitter at @Devindra.
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