Google Books says goodbye to Apple App Store

Many, myself included, were hoping that Apples implementation of new rules that prevent e-book retailers from linking out to their own storefronts had permanently fallen by the wayside when they didnt immediately go into effect after the original June 30 cut-off date. Unfortunately, events this past weekend proved that may not be the case.

The biggest development is that Google Books is no longer available on the App Store. The app, introduced in December of last year, allows users to read books from Googles e-book service. It also provides access to the web-based Google eBooks store, which is against Apples new rules. The banning of outside links seems designed to prevent e-book resellers from bypassing Apples own in-app purchase mechanism, from which Apple garners a 30 percent cut of revenue.

While Google hasnt yet confirmed that the rule change is the reason for the apps removal (weve contacted them and will let you know if do provide comment), given changes that have taken place in other e-book apps in recent days, it seems very likely. E-reader software from Kobo and Barnes & Noble have been recently updated, and the links to their respective online stores are now absent from the app.

The last major holdout is Amazon, which still hasnt issued a change for its Kindle app. Kindle for iOS still prominently displays a button that links out to the Kindle store on the web. Amazon is arguably the only e-book retailer in a strong enough position to be able to negotiate with Apple regarding the new rules for e-book stores, since it reaches a very large audience through its presence on virtually every platform. Amazon is also known to be working on its own tablet device, which could give it even more bargaining power. Barnes & Noble and Kobo would likely stand to gain a lot if Amazon decides to leave the Apple ecosystem and go it alone, since users that decide to stick with iOS will need a replacement e-book resource.

As a Kindle user and iOS device owner, Im hoping that we see a solution that allows the Kindle app to remain in the App Store. But as an industry observer, Id be very interested to see who would fare better if users are forced to choose between Amazons better e-reader software and library, or Apple hardware. Anyone care to place any early bets?

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