iOS Kindle app now has a ‘get book’ button after changes to App Store rules

Legal change & Kindle button behavior

• Thread centers on a recent US court ruling that:
  • Removes Apple’s anti‑steering rules (apps can now link users to external payment on the US storefront).
  • Blocks Apple from imposing new commissions on off‑app purchases.
• Commenters clarify that:
  • “Reader apps” (like Kindle) already could display externally purchased content, but could not steer to web checkout.
  • Now, in the US, no special entitlement is needed to add external links or “Get book” buttons.
• Multiple users confirm the new Kindle “Get Book” button opens the browser to the book’s web page; the purchase is completed on Amazon’s site, not via in‑app payment.

Appeal, enforcement, and “genie back in the bottle”

• Many think if Apple wins on appeal, removing these links will be politically toxic: users will finally understand Apple is blocking cheaper web payments.
• Others argue most users will shrug, stay in the ecosystem, and blame developers for any degradation.
• Several note the judge appears extremely hostile to Apple’s prior tactics and unlikely to tolerate loopholes.

Apple’s future monetization strategies

• Speculation that Apple will try to replace lost App Store revenue via:
  • Higher or tiered developer program fees.
  • Per‑install or per‑user charges.
  • Platform “subscription” style fees for large companies.
• Others counter that the ruling explicitly bans new commissions on off‑app purchases and that any attempt to recreate the 30% cut in disguise risks further legal trouble.
• A minority argue Apple should not be allowed to “monetize” third‑party apps at all beyond cost‑based review/hosting fees.

Developers’ strategies & the fate of the 30% cut

• Many expect more apps to:
  • Go free on the store and charge via web links.
  • Offer lower prices or discounts on the web versus in‑app.
• Some think prices won’t drop much because:
  • Most users don’t know about Apple’s cut.
  • Cross‑platform pricing and existing revenue optimization already factor it in.
• Others cite existing examples (music/video subscriptions) where web prices are lower than IAP, predicting broader use of that model now that steering is allowed.

User experience vs control debate

• Strong split between:
  • Users who value Apple’s one‑click IAP, unified subscription management, and simpler refunds/cancellations—even at a 30% premium.
  • Users who prefer cheaper or more flexible web payments and resent Apple blocking cheaper options and “no‑disparagement / no‑alternatives” rules.
• Some fear a worse landscape of dark‑pattern cancellations if Apple’s centralized system is bypassed; others reply that antitrust and consumer‑protection law, not platform monopolies, should fix that.

Platform openness & security

• One side argues phones are general‑purpose computers and should allow sideloading and non‑store distribution, like PCs.
• The opposing view sees phones as “console‑like” appliances; most users allegedly want curated, locked‑down environments to avoid scams and malware.
• Debate arises over whether central app stores are genuinely consumer‑friendly or primarily rent‑seeking.

Perceptions of Apple and Amazon

• Many see Apple’s App Store policies (including earlier gag rules on telling users about cheaper options) as plainly greedy and anti‑consumer.
• Some think Apple remains relatively pro‑privacy compared to ad‑driven rivals, but agree this specific policy was hostile to users.
• Amazon is viewed as acting purely out of self‑interest as well; the Kindle change is seen as grudging compliance, not altruism.

Smaller developers’ concerns

• Indie developers worry that:
  • Adding external payment links could quietly tank their App Store search ranking with no recourse.
  • Large platforms will be fine, but small apps may be punished algorithmically despite the formal rule change.

Miscellaneous Kindle/App Store points

• Historical notes: Kindle’s iOS and Android apps have previously removed or restricted in‑app purchasing due to platform fees.
• Some users discuss iOS quality trends, Apple’s hardware margins, and whether App Store revenue is actually needed to fund OS development, with others pointing to Apple’s huge cash reserves and high‑margin hardware as evidence it is not.