Amazon has quietly updated its Kindle application on iOS, allowing users to buy electronic books more easily via a new “Get Book” button – something that has not been possible for more than a decade. This decision follows a recent American court decision which forced Apple to withdraw its grip on the payment policies of the application, including restrictions on external links for purchases.
Until now, iPhone and iPad users had to go to a browser, connect to the Amazon website and manually finish purchasing of electronic books – bulky experience compared to the transparent process on Kindle devices. With the latest update, users pressing the new Kindle application button are redirected to the Amazon mobile online store, where they can finish the purchase and have the book synchronize with the application.
The change stems from a decision by judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers on April 30, in longtime Epic Games C. Apple. The court concluded that Apple can no longer apply its 27% costs on purchases made outside the App Store or prevent developers from pointing users to other payment routes. Although Apple has appealed, he currently complies with the order.
Amazon, which has long resisted the 30% Apple commission on purchases in the application, has so far avoided providing direct or even indirect purchase options in the Kindle application. In fact, since 2011, the application has had no link to the Amazon ebook store. Users could only read previously purchased books or examples of chapters, without any option to browse prices or finish transactions.
A spokesperson for Amazon confirmed the update, saying that it was part of the business efforts to make the experience more practical for users. “By selecting ‘` Get Book’ ‘in the Kindle for iOS application, customers can now finish their purchase via their mobile web browser, “said the spokesperson.
Although the update does not directly allow integrated purchases, it marks a significant change for the closely controlled application ecosystem of Apple. It is also the first time in years that Kindle on iOS users can launch a book purchase from the application itself, even if the last step has always occurred on a browser.
However, there is uncertainty over the duration of this configuration. If Apple wins its appeal, Amazon – and other developers who have made similar updates – may be forced to return to the older and more restrictive design. For the moment, however, iPhone users have a easier way to buy electronic books, especially in situations where the use of a Kindle device is not practical or possible.
