Apple has denied updating the App Store rules regarding in-app purchases – and which Sony fell foul of with their Reader for iPhone app – claiming instead that it is merely enforcing a rule that has been in the guidelines for some time. “We have not changed our developer terms or guidelines,” Apple spokesperson Trudy Muller told AllThingsD. “We are now requiring that if an app offers customers the ability to purchase books outside of the app, that the same option is also available to customers from within the app with in-app purchase.”
The rule in question is believed to be 11.2:
11.2 Apps utilizing a system other than the In App Purchase API (IAP) to purchase content, functionality, or services in an app will be rejected
It, along with Muller’s statement, implies that Amazon could continue to sell ebooks via its current method – opening up the regular Amazon webpage in the Safari browser – but if so it would also be required to offer an internal system using Apple’s in-app purchasing system. Since IAP items are treated as just more app store content by Apple, that might mean Amazon had to individually submit each ebook for approval, as well as handing over 30-percent of the takings in an iTunes tithe. It’s also unclear whether Amazon would then allow Kindle users to re-download – from their own servers – the IAP content on Kindle ereaders or non-iOS versions of the app.
If anything, the clarification has made the situation a little more confusing; Apple looks to be pushing for a bigger cut of the content pie, and since Sony’s Reader app looks to have used the same browser-based purchasing system as Amazon’s, that implies Amazon may well have to tweak the Kindle app too. Apple has also been using rule 11.2 to crack-down on emagazine subscriptions; according to Monday Note, publishers have been told that they have a “grace period” up until June 30 2011 to enable the required IAP support:
“For existing apps already on the App Store, we are providing a grace period to bring your app into compliance with this guideline. To ensure your app remains on the App Store, please submit an update that uses the In App Purchase API for purchasing content, by June 30, 2011″
That pinch-to-zoom update for the Xperia X10 that Japanese customers got an early lead on is now rolling out around the globe according to a new blog post from the boys and girls at Sony Ericsson. That may not be the most interesting part, though: they’re also chatting up a future firmware update that’ll enable ANT+ support on the Xperia X8, X10 Mini, and X10 Mini Pro, a capability baked into the chipsets on those devices that Sony Ericsson hadn’t previously exploited. Theoretically, that means that heart rate monitors and other wearable fitness gear — a market where ANT+ has really blossomed — could connect directly to your phone rather than passing through a computer with an ANT+ dongle first, perfect for analyzing jogs on the go. Of course, workout technology is always more appealing than the workout itself… but if you can solve that problem, Sony Ericsson, let us know. You can find us on the couch over there.
It’s been quite a while since Apple’s tight reins on the App Store were a subject worth discussing, but they’re back in the spotlight now following the company’s rejection of Sony’s Reader app for iOS. The reasons given to Sony were that Apple will not no longer accept applications that permit in-app purchases of content that don’t go through Apple itself, and, moreover, will not tolerate apps that access material purchased through external content stores. So the Sony Reader Store is out — but wait, doesn’t the Kindle app spend its time serving up Kindlebooks? No comment has been offered on the matter from either Apple or Amazon, while Sony’s Reader Store page describes the situation as “an impasse” and promises to seek “other avenues to bring the Reader experience to Apple mobile devices.” In the mean time, you can get the Reader app for Android or just read your ebooks on a device dedicated to that task.
Update: As noted by Harry McCracken over at Technologizer, it has actually been Apple’s longstanding policy to forbid in-app purchases — the Kindle and Nook apps send you to a browser — so Sony’s desire to do so will have been the major cause for the Reader application’s rejection. That doesn’t invalidate the second concern expressed in the New York Times article, that Apple will no longer tolerate content brought in from external stores, which is a displeasing development, if true.
Update 2: Looks like McCracken nailed it — Apple’s come out with a statement pointing out that the App Store guidelines require that apps that allow content purchases must also allow them in-app through Apple’s official iTunes-backed system. We can’t imagine that Sony is thrilled with the idea of cutting Apple in on Reader content, but if they want to play ball, they should be able to score an approval. Notably, Apple says that they are “now requiring” this even though the guidelines haven’t changed, suggesting they’re just now getting around to enforcing it; the effect on iOS’ Kindle and Nook apps isn’t yet known, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Apple started nudging them in the direction of pushing updates. More on this situation as we have it.
I am all for thin electronics to a point. If you go too thin some gear can be hard to grip and that can be bad news if you drop the device. A patent app has surfaced from Sony that shows a novel way to create a grip for a thin camera when the lens cap is open.
The line art with the app shows a very thin digital camera with the lens on the left edge of the screen. The lens is covered by a sliding section on the front for protection, which is a very common design today. The cool part about the Sony design is that it uses a strategically placed hinge to do something that is so simple I am surprised we haven’t seen this before.
When the user slides the cover back to take pics, the hinge creates a triangular shaped grip on the right side of the camera that makes the camera easier to hold. Ingenious isn’t it. I hope we see this design soon.
When it comes to point and shoot digital cameras there is a huge amount of offerings to choose from depending on your needs. One of the most interesting of the point and shoot camera features is the super zoom range. These cameras let you get close to the action you are shooting from a distance. Sony has unveiled a couple new super zoom cameras today that have huge zoom numbers.
The most impressive of the new duo is the HX100V that has a 30x optical zoom lens. The HX9V digital camera offers 16X optical zoom. Both of the cameras can shoot 1080p HD resolution video at 60 frames per second. Both of the cameras use a 27mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonar T lens.
The cameras also share the same 16.2MP Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor and have Sweep Panorama function. The cams can record video and shoot 2MP still shots at the same time and they feature Optical SteadyShot to keep images free from blur at high zoom rates. Focus speed is as little as 0.1 second and the cams have GPS and compass functionality along with a wealth of automatic and scene selection features. The cameras will both land at Sony Style stores in April with the HX100V selling for $450 and the HX9V going for $350.
Sony Japan has outed a Satin Silver version of the PS3, intended as a limited edition for Japanese gamers. The repainted console offers the same functionality as the existing PS3, but suits those for whom the traditional black or previous ceramic white versions haven’t been aesthetically pleasing enough.
Sony will also offer matching controllers and a stand to keep the Satin Silver PS3 upright. The PS3 itself will be available in 160GB and 320GB variants, priced at 29,980 yen ($368) and 34,980 yen ($429) respectively, while the stand will be $25. A single silver controller will be included with each console, and they’ll go on sale – Japan only – come March 10 2011.
Sony’s plans to make the PlayStation Move controller a PC peripheral have been prematurely outed, after references to the “Move Server project” were included in a Game Developers Conference 2011 schedule. According to the description, Game Systems and Developer Support head John McCutchan will be discussing PC software development for Move at a GDC talk later this month.
McCutchan will be revealing the “Move Server project that will make it possible for academics and hobbyists to develop software using the PlayStation Move controller on their own PCs” as well as looking at how the Move Shooter accessory can be accommodated. The project appears to be Sony’s attempt to kick start sanctioned hacking of the Move, perhaps in similar ways to how we’ve seen Microsoft’s Kinect and, before then, Nintendo’s Wii used in non-standard ways.
Apple has rejected Sony’s Reader for iPhone application, with the New York Times [subscription required] reporting that Apple now insists that from now on all in-app purchases must go through its own systems. According to the report, developers have been told that they can “no longer sell content, like e-books, within their apps, or let customers have access to purchases they have made outside the App Store.” It’s unclear at this stage what this means to existing titles, like Amazon’s Kindle app, which allows users to load ebooks bought on other Kindle devices or software into the iPad version.
Currently, ebook purchases made for Kindle on iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad are made not using Apple’s in-app purchase system – which would see Amazon handing over a 30-percent tithe on all transactions – but by loading up the Amazon store page in the browser. New titles can then be downloaded in the Kindle app itself; alternatively, all ebooks purchased from Amazon are accesible in a cloud store, even if they were not bought in the iOS browser.
It seems that Apple is changing the rules, however, so as to ensure that it gets a share of the purchase action in future. A similar push was reported back in January, when magazine and newspaper publishers were told that they would no longer be allowed to bundle inclusive digital access to iOS versions of their content with a print subscription.
According to a Sony statement, the company is “exploring other avenues to bring the Reader experience to Apple mobile devices” but has “reached an impasse at this time”:
Reader for iPhone
We would like to update everyone on the status of our Reader™ for iPhone® mobile application. We created an app that we’re very excited about, which includes all the features you’ve come to expect from a mobile reading application – including access to your existing collection, synching with your Reader Daily Edition™ and purchasing new content as is possible on other mobile platforms.
Unfortunately, with little notice, Apple changed the way it enforces its rules and this will prevent the current version of the Reader™ for iPhone® from being available in the app store. We opened a dialog with Apple to see if we can come up with an equitable resolution but reached an impasse at this time. We’re exploring other avenues to bring the Reader experience to Apple mobile devices. We know that many of you are eagerly awaiting the application and we appreciate your continued patience.
We’ve never had a guest on The Engadget Show that inspired quite as much excitement as Steve Wozniak — the crowd was pumped and the Woz was in full effect. Josh and Woz talked for a full 40 minutes about everything from Woz’s white iPhone to the future of server storage to anecdotes about Apple, and it’s all topped off with a little creative currency manipulation, as Woz promises us his custom $2 bills can get us “arrested, but not convicted.”
Then it’s on to the roundtable, where Josh, Paul, and Nilay talk over Sony’s new NGP, PlayStation Suite, and even play with a super-secret unannounced prototype of the PlayStation Phone. This is one you absolutely should not miss. What are you waiting for? Watch it now! Hit up the video stream after the break or download the show in HD below!
Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller Special guests: Steve Wozniak Produced and Directed by:Chad Mumm Executive Producer: Joshua Fruhlinger Editedby: Danny Madden Music by:Zen Albatross Visuals by:invaderbacca Woz Intro by: Nick Criscuolo Opening titles by:Julien Nantiec
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Playstation 3 fans may soon be able to take advantage of the cloud for saving their game content. It is reported that Sony may be including this new feature, which they’ve dubbed “Online Saving,” in their next major PS3 firmware update, version 3.60.
However, the feature will only be available to gamers that subscribe to PlayStation Plus, which costs extra. And also developers can opt out their titles from the cloud service due to concerns over possible copyright issues.
Besides taking the load off of physical storage, having game content saved on the cloud will also allow gamers to access their game data off of their friend’s consoles because the data will be linked into a Playstation Network account. Exact date for the offering has not yet been announced.
Apple has denied updating the App Store rules regarding in-app purchases – and which Sony fell foul of with their Reader for iPhone app – claiming instead that it is merely enforcing a rule that has been in the guidelines for some time. “We have not changed our developer terms or guidelines,” Apple spokesperson Trudy Muller told AllThingsD. “We are now requiring that if an app offers customers the ability to purchase books outside of the app, that the same option is also available to customers from within the app with in-app purchase.”
Apple has rejected Sony’s Reader for iPhone application, with the 
