3 replies to this topic

[Ed Heckman]

Today there's been a huge fuss over a change Apple made in requirements for eBook readers.

More details here:

http://www.tuaw.com/...isnt-yet-clear/

http://arstechnica.c...-book-sales.ars

http://www.appleinsi...out_amazon.html

It really seems as if this change in policy could have a negative impact on Accordance for iOS since it is basically an ebook reader on steroids. Combined with Apple's recent removal then rejection of The Manhattan Declaration app because it espoused Christian principles, I'm getting a bit worried about how Bible apps such as Accordance are going to be treated by Apple in the near future.

Do you have any insights on this issue?

Thanks.

[Fr. Rusty]

Today there's been a huge fuss over a change Apple made in requirements for eBook readers.

More details here:

http://www.tuaw.com/...isnt-yet-clear/

http://arstechnica.c...-book-sales.ars

http://www.appleinsi...out_amazon.html

It really seems as if this change in policy could have a negative impact on Accordance for iOS since it is basically an ebook reader on steroids. Combined with Apple's recent removal then rejection of The Manhattan Declaration app because it espoused Christian principles, I'm getting a bit worried about how Bible apps such as Accordance are going to be treated by Apple in the near future.

Do you have any insights on this issue?

Thanks.

Dear Ed:I am not part of the Accordance staff, I am however a Signer/Member of the Manhattan Declaration group and just wanted to say : I do not think Apples decision to reject the Manhattan Declaration App had anything at all to do with the espousing of Christian Principles, but rather, the rejection was about Political Issues, which Apple generally likes to stay out of.

The Manhattan Declaration is specific in it's content concerning opposition to certain trends, laws and possible Laws, the intentions of it's signers to oppose those Trends, Laws/possible Laws even if that means breaking them. The Manhattan Declaration was drafted as a Political Statement, for a political purpose, specifically. ( Christian positions as related to Politics and Law )

IMHO, Apple had no intention of being seen as Corporately supporting this opposition, and, it just opens up to many "other" doors that might be very difficult to shut, such as: A Jihad App.
The argument could be made: You let in an App that promotes civil disobedience for laws Christians don't agree with, so to be fair, you have to let ours in as well.

I "think" they just didn't want to open up a door of precedence that might be really hard to close.

There are a great many Bible apps, Religion Apps and Books of all types/backgrounds in the App Store , these are not going to go away.
In the same type of way, there are Apps that are "about" politics from Historical/Academic etc. perspectives, these too Apple seemingly has no issues with.

In my opinion, they were just staying away from an App that could be seen as using Apple to promote a "political position".

I really don't think we have anything to fear concerning Accordance , or any E-Readers for that matter.
The whole e-reader issue seemingly was/is about revenue streams and it will get worked out.

Grace and Peace,

Rusty+

Edited by Fr. Rusty, 02 February 2011 - 02:27 AM.

[WGTShedd]

Today there's been a huge fuss over a change Apple made in requirements for eBook readers.

More details here:

http://www.tuaw.com/...isnt-yet-clear/

http://arstechnica.c...-book-sales.ars

http://www.appleinsi...out_amazon.html

It really seems as if this change in policy could have a negative impact on Accordance for iOS since it is basically an ebook reader on steroids. Combined with Apple's recent removal then rejection of The Manhattan Declaration app because it espoused Christian principles, I'm getting a bit worried about how Bible apps such as Accordance are going to be treated by Apple in the near future.

Do you have any insights on this issue?

Thanks.

My concern about the new way Apple ruled on Sony is that it "might" have an impact on Accordance - that was my first gut level response. It "seems" to say that Apps must sell contents through the App while at the same time allowing it to do the same outside of the App. That means Apple gets a bite at the profit (30%) for each purchase. I don't know how this will affect Accordance - I hope I am totally misunderstanding this and that the current Accordance efforts to allow us to download through sync method (in the works) won't be hampered or for that matter, having an ipad accordance app won't be a losing financial endeavor for Accordance (because they won't be able to give anymore time to it if it is and we are stuck with what we have). Again, I'm no lawyer and am not schooled in these legal matters but that was was reaction to the announcement I read yesterday (and today). Hope I'm misinformed!!!!

[Fr. Rusty]

My concern about the new way Apple ruled on Sony is that it "might" have an impact on Accordance - that was my first gut level response. It "seems" to say that Apps must sell contents through the App while at the same time allowing it to do the same outside of the App. That means Apple gets a bite at the profit (30%) for each purchase. I don't know how this will affect Accordance - I hope I am totally misunderstanding this and that the current Accordance efforts to allow us to download through sync method (in the works) won't be hampered or for that matter, having an ipad accordance app won't be a losing financial endeavor for Accordance (because they won't be able to give anymore time to it if it is and we are stuck with what we have). Again, I'm no lawyer and am not schooled in these legal matters but that was was reaction to the announcement I read yesterday (and today). Hope I'm misinformed!!!!

Agreed, It's a financial situation.
I think it will get worked out, Apple stated the contracts are "living documents" so things can be modified.