Amazon has updated its Kindle app for iOS, introducing a “Get Book” button that allows users to purchase e-books directly through their mobile web browsers. This change follows a recent court ruling in the Epic Games v. Apple case, which prohibits Apple from collecting a 27% commission on purchases made outside of apps or restricting developers from directing users to alternative payment methods.
Previously, due to Apple’s App Store policies implemented in 2011, Amazon had removed direct purchasing capabilities from the Kindle app to avoid Apple’s 30% cut on in-app purchases. Users had to navigate a more complicated process through web browsers to buy books.
The new “Get Book” button streamlines the purchasing process by linking users directly to the corresponding Amazon product page in their default mobile web browser, with the Kindle edition of the book pre-selected. After completing the purchase, the book is automatically synced to the user’s Kindle library and becomes available for immediate reading within the app.
This update is currently available only in the United States, as the court ruling applies specifically to apps available in the U.S. App Store. Apple has appealed the decision but is complying with it in the interim.
The addition of the “Get Book” button marks a significant improvement in the user experience for Kindle app users on iOS devices, simplifying the process of purchasing e-books and potentially influencing other app developers to implement similar features in response to the court ruling.
For now, users can enjoy a more streamlined process when purchasing e-books on their iOS devices, reflecting a broader trend towards increased flexibility and user choice in digital transactions.
