Android users lose access to in-app purchases on Radio, Audible, and Barnes & Noble platforms
In recent developments, Google has tightened its enforcement of in-app purchase rules, requiring digital purchases, including e-books, to be processed through Google Play Billing, with Google taking a commission. This policy, similar to Apple’s, has led to a shift in the industry, with major e-book apps, such as Amazon's Kindle, Audible, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, having to adapt.
Amazon's Kindle app for Android now faces a choice: comply with Google’s billing system and pay commissions on all e-book sales, or remove the ability to purchase books directly from the app. Historically, Amazon has chosen to remove direct in-app purchases, instead directing users to their website. This approach is likely to continue for Android, as Amazon is expected to maintain a "read-only" app, emphasising Kindle device or web purchases to avoid Google’s commission.
Audible, being an Amazon-owned company, is expected to follow a similar path. Barnes & Noble and Kobo, however, have not announced specific strategies, but may either comply with Google’s rules or adopt Amazon’s redirect approach. As a competitor, Kobo might also negotiate a special deal, but there’s no public evidence of their current plans.
The broader trend is towards "walled gardens", with app stores enforcing strict commission rules and publishers seeking ways to bypass them. This could lead to a fragmented experience for Android users, who may need to visit multiple websites to purchase content, as in-app purchases become rare for premium digital goods. Discoverability and convenience for users are reduced, but publishers avoid significant revenue loss to platform fees.
Michael Kozlowski, the editor-in-chief at a platform covering news in the audiobook, e-Reader, e-paper, and digital publishing industry, has been writing about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. His articles have been featured in numerous newspapers and websites, including the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post, and the New York Times. The Good e-Reader Radio Show, part of the platform discussed, discusses the latest news in the audiobook, e-Reader, e-paper, and digital publishing industry.
In 2022, at least 10+ of the new e-paper readers worldwide will be using Kaleido Plus and any new technology that follows it. The future of Kindle for Android remains uncertain, but the trend suggests a shift towards a more fragmented user experience, with more steps required to purchase content outside the app environment.
Gadgets such as e-readers are experiencing a change in their purchasing processes, with Amazon's Kindle app for Android potentially diverting users away from in-app purchases to their website, a strategy similar to the one Kobo might adopt. This maneuver, in an attempt to bypass Google's commission, could lead to a complex and less convenient note-taking experience for users, as they may need to navigate multiple websites to acquire digital goods.
