News - Newspapers unhappy about Apple's stance on iTunes sales

[HEXUS]

Apple’s arguably controlling tendencies criticised.

Read more.

[Defiant]

I dont know whats more funny.

The press crying or the fact that they met there match in all controlling mega corporations with to much power.

[aidanjt]

Apple are their own worst enemy. They're gonna be boned without Job's reality distortion field.

[Saracen]

Apple presently collects a healthy 30 percent share of the revenue from apps and e-books sold via its iTunes platform.

And therein lies one of the reasons why I won't use iTunes.

But as for the newspapers bleating, well, don't provide material via iTunes then. The only way Apple can exploit a pseudo-monopoly power is if content providers provide content. Maybe they content providers need a union.

[crossy]

But as for the newspapers bleating, well, don't provide material via iTunes then. The only way Apple can exploit a pseudo-monopoly power is if content providers provide content. Maybe they content providers need a union.

Not knowing what conditions Apple apply currently, a question occurs to me. Why can't the newspaper groups just ship a (free?) "portal" app that then allows you to subscribe to their various publications - in the same manner an RSS reader works (generally speaking).

Ok, Apple would get a percentage of the app sales money - but if that's a small amount then the newspaper groups aren't going to lose much. And if the high value purchases are being carried out inside the app then surely Apple can't touch those. Presumably all those advertiser friendly details would have to be supplied to the app by the poor subscriber and, as I said in the previous point, the newspapers would have total control over the subscription money coming in.

Oh, and competition rules permitting, what's to stop smaller newspapers (like the local papers in this country) clubbing together to share the costs of the "newspaper" app?

I've got no sympathy for Lies, sorry "News", International - but remember that there's more effected by the Church of Apple than just these big corporations. Not that I'm likely to be a customer because there's nothing in the Apple portfolio that appeals to me.

Of course, the other approach is to ditch iOS and go WebOS/Meego/Android - the news media have only got themselves to blame for continually bigging up Apple.

[aidanjt]

Apple would reject the app, like they did with Sony's book reader app.

[crossy]

Apple would reject the app, like they did with Sony's book reader app.

Hmm, I wonder what the justification for that was - I'm guessing that the truth ("you're denying us a shedload of money that we're not entitled to") won't figure highly.

Also be interesting if such an app was submitted to Google Market Place - would Google also reject it, or allow it through. I'm guessing probably the latter.

[Biscuit]

Hmm, I wonder what the justification for that was - I'm guessing that the truth ("you're denying us a shedload of money that we're not entitled to") won't figure highly.

http://mobile-device.biz/content/item.php?item=28740
I dont think they give a crap what people think, they just want more money
the greedy little *****
As with Saracen this is part of the reason why i wont buy from itunes. That alongside their insanely strict DRM.

Also be interesting if such an app was submitted to Google Market Place - would Google also reject it, or allow it through. I'm guessing probably the latter.

I doubt they would care, i have bought an app which didn't go through the Google store at all. It was free to download from the marketplace but you had to sign in using a payed account.

[pipTheGeek]

...As with Saracen this is part of the reason why i wont buy from itunes. That alongside their insanely strict DRM. ...

I detest their DRM. I use iTunes as a music played becuase I like it. I'm not keen on having to install all the iPod / iPhone stuff but never mind. I NEVER buy anything from iTunes though because of the DRM. I can't understand why anyone would buy music from iTunes when you can get it from Amazon generally cheaper with no DRM. (and a higher bitrate, but mp3 instead of m4a, no idea which equates to better quality)

Sorry, I've just realised that I'm a little off topic, but I've already typed it all so I'm damn well gonna post it!