Why Apple Backed Down in Fight With Publishers

Maybe Apple isn’t so untouchable after all. The device maker, which has been locked in a battle with publishers, made a surprise concession recently, dropping a pricing requirement for its App Store that irked publishers. Before, publishers couldn't undercut the subscription price they offered in the App Store—the new guidelines do away with that requirement. The previous guidelines, issued in February, seemed aimed at ensuring Apple had a pricing advantage. They also presented a complication for publishers who are used to testing various price points to hook new subscribers and reward existing ones. Apple doesn’t say a lot about why it does what it does. But while it had gotten a few big publishers to agree to its subscription terms, it’s had pushback from companies over its terms, including the 30 percent it skims off App Store purchases and its refusal to share customer data, and it's likely this move is related to that. Other devices are coming to market, presenting new competition for Apple, and loosening the stranglehold that the company has had over content producers to this point. Plus, publishers are exploring browser-based apps that would skirt the App Store altogether. This week, The Financial Times made waves when it did just that after having rejected Apple’s subscription terms. Outsell’s Ken Doctor believes other publishers, like The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, marquee brands that are important to Apple, see the FT as a potential model to imitate... Continue reading at 'AdWeek'

[ AdWeek | 2011-06-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #digital editions #gregg hano #vice president #popular science #digital version

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Quarto rebrands publishing divisions, records 'solid' 2013

The Quarto Group has rebranded its publishing divisions, and announced what c.e.o. Marcus Leaver... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House Remains Committed to Indian Publishing

Despite the controversy surrounding its publication of "The Hindus: An Alternative History," Penguin Random House said it remains committed to publishing in India. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bringing Tools of the Trade to Self-Publishing

In Publishing Perspectives' Issues on the Ether, Porter Anderson asks #EtherIssue participants to focus on tools needed by entrepreneurial authors. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-02-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Should More Top Authors Give Back to Indie Bookstores?

Love him or hate him, you can't fault James Patterson for his generosity, as he's giving some $1 million of his money back to independent bookstores. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Distribution: Blue Apple Signs with Consortium

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple Wants to Move E-book Damages Trial

Apple is looking to escape from New York. In a filing this week, Apple attorneys argue that Judge Denise Cote does not have jurisdiction to oversee its upcoming damages trial. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK's creative industries 'must back regional and ethnic diversity'

IPPR report calls for advertising, film and TV to support businesses outside London and to help develop non-white talentThe UK's creative industries need to embrace regional and ethnic diversity if they are to play an improved role in helping the economy, warns a report from a leading... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Time to rethink the publishing internship?

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[ Digiday | 2014-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Do publishers need a WhatsApp strategy?

WhatsApp, Facebook's bold $19 billion acquisition, may be best known as a cross-platform instant messaging service for smartphones. But it could become an invaluable distribution tool for publishers.The post Do publishers need a WhatsApp strategy? appeared first on Digiday. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2014-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Way Publishers Cash In Twitter Referrals Now (Hint: More Ads)

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[ Advertising Age | 2014-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Yellow Kite to publish Ella Woodward

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[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple Remains Defiant After Loss on Monitor Appeal

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Engadget | 2014-02-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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After Losing Monitor Appeal, Apple Gets a Referee

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ PC World | 2014-02-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Digiday | 2014-02-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Los Angeles Times | 2014-02-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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