Originally Posted by cmalinowski

Someone would pop up to fill the void and sell the book. Unfortunately, Apple would not allow that app on their iDevice. But the book would be for sale

Well I'm guessing the Amazon and Kindle App allow a little more freedom, which gives the ability to download things that Apple may not like?

1991-C4 - I think you've kind of missed the point of my post. It's not really about the specific books they've removed, but the fact they will remove books at will, and what guidelines they apply.

I've never actually bothered looking to see what Apple will allow and what they won't. Is Secret Dairies of a Call Girl excluded? Lady Chatterly's Lover? Is it certain words they'll ban or is there a percentage of sexual content they'll allow in a novel before they won't sell it?

Seems like the App Store debacle all over again...

Originally Posted by Prasius

1991-C4 - I think you've kind of missed the point of my post. It's not really about the specific books they've removed, but the fact they will remove books at will, and what guidelines they apply.

With all due respect, I think you missed my point which was that no one forced you to buy an iPad or to buy books through iBooks.

I think the situation would be totally different if your only choice of book vendors was iBooks, but that is not the case. There are at least a dozen other sources for electronic publications, paid and free.

And it would also be different if Apple told Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders and the others what they could or could not offer to iDevice customers, but again, they don't.

So if you don't like the way Apple does business, vote with your wallet and simply buy your stuff somewhere else.

Easy, huh?

Originally Posted by 1991-C4

I think the situation would be totally different if your only choice of book vendors was iBooks, but that is not the case. There are at least a dozen other sources for electronic publications, paid and free.

And it would also be different if Apple told Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders and the others what they could or could not offer to iDevice customers, but again, they don't.

So if you don't like the way Apple does business, vote with your wallet and simply buy your stuff somewhere else.

What is stopping Apple from preventing those other book vendors - Amazon, for example, releasing books on any topic on the iPad as well? Of course you could download it from elsewhere on a non-Apple computer (god forbid you taint an iMac with such FILTH!), and email it to yourself. But then you might not be able to open it up in Page because it could do a word scan and block out any words they consider offensive to the little Baby Jesus.

I don't see why Apple has seemingly decided of late that it is the Guardian of all that is wholesome and good (feel free to buy violent hollywood blockbusters from the iTunes store though..). I'd understand a little more if the material in question was anything more than what you can probably buy in the relevant section of a high street bookshop, but I doubt that.

I personally find "no-one made you buy an iPad" to sound a bit Apple fanboi, especially when followed by

Originally Posted by 1991-C4

Easy, huh?

. I like lots of what Apple does, and how they do it - that doesn't mean they should be free from question or criticism.

The fanboi card has now been played.... all serious discussion has ended....

Originally Posted by Prasius

What is stopping Apple from preventing those other book vendors - Amazon, for example, releasing books on any topic on the iPad as well?

The point is that Apple is NOT preventing Amazon from selling whatever they want to whomever they want. If there is a Kindle version available, I can read it via the Kindle app on my iPad.

The iPad is a piece of hardware. If I want to use a "pornographic" image as my wallpaper, there is nothing Apple can do about it. On the other hand, iBooks is an application that is tied directly to Apple. I can not buy certain books from iBooks, so what? But there is nothing, absolutely nothing preventing me from buying anything I want from any other ebook seller and reading it on my iPad... as long as there is an app for it.

I get accused of it all the time, so it's nice to be able to pull it out now and again

I was going to go back and delete that comment as I know someone will end up getting their knickers in a twist about it - you've gone and ruined it now, so it can stay for posterity - No company should be free from any question or criticism, and to say that I personally shouldn't question the Holy Apple just because I own one.. wait.. several.. of their devices, is just silly.

Does it concern you that they might see providing the Kindle app (example?) through the App store, which may or may not provide access to such obvious literary genius as the books in question (I honestly have no idea! ), is a similar link, and pull the App? Given Apple's history on such decision making, it seems there is nothing stopping them from turning around right now and just pulling it because they've decided it offends them. Of course they have *the* right to do it, it doesn't mean that they would *be* right to do it.

The whole story just really got me wondering where Apple considers its liability (as it presumably sees it) stops?

Originally Posted by Prasius

Does it concern you that they might see providing the Kindle app (example?) through the App store, which may or may not provide access to such obvious literary genius as the books in question (I honestly have no idea! ), is a similar link, and pull the App?

It concerns me not because I honestly do not see that happening. The enormous popularity of the iPad is due in large part to its ability to serve as an eReading device and Apple would be cutting off their nose to spite their face if they pulled all of the other eReading apps.

Steve Jobs is, first and foremost, a businessman who's first loyalty is to the stockholders. He likes money too much to stop that stream of revenue into Apple's bank accounts to pull all of the other eReading apps.

Originally Posted by Prasius

The whole story just really got me wondering where Apple considers its liability (as it presumably sees it) stops?

I don't think it is a liability issue at all. Even with such inane apps as the Atomic web browser, I have to agree to the fact that it could be used to obtain material suitable to people over the age of 17 (or something like that) before I download it. And speaking of noses, if Apple wants to "take the high road" in terms of its literary offerings, what skin is it off of your nose? Show Mr. Jobs the way you feel then next time you are in the market for a computer.

Originally Posted by 1991-C4

Show Mr. Jobs the way you feel then next time you are in the market for a computer.

Or better yet, buy stock in Apple and voice your opinion that way. Venting your spleen on an Internet forum serves absolutely no purpose (except maybe to make you feel better) and Apple is much more likely to consider the opinions of their share holders even before those of their customers. At the end of the day, it is the share holders who own Apple, they merely let Mr. Jobs run it... for now.

Actually, Apple is telling sellers what they can sell through their apps.
This is from the Zinio FAQ page:

Q: Why aren't adult titles available on my iPad?

A: Zinio must abide by the guidelines set forth by Apple in order to have our app available on their iTunes store. One of those guidelines currently prohibits content deemed mature. We are sorry that this title, and similar titles, are not currently available on the iPad. They are, however, viewable on Zinio.com or by installing the Zinio Reader on a conventional laptop or desktop.

That said, while I disagree with the concept and seemingly randomness of Apples decisions I do believe it is their right to be able to make these decisions. Just as it is our choice to Jailbreak if we wish to go around their choices.

Originally Posted by iPAD@UVA

Actually, Apple is telling sellers what they can sell through their apps.
This is from the Zinio FAQ page:

Q: Why aren't adult titles available on my iPad?

A: Zinio must abide by the guidelines set forth by Apple in order to have our app available on their iTunes store. One of those guidelines currently prohibits content deemed mature. We are sorry that this title, and similar titles, are not currently available on the iPad. They are, however, viewable on Zinio.com or by installing the Zinio Reader on a conventional laptop or desktop.

That said, while I disagree with the concept and seemingly randomness of Apples decisions I do believe it is their right to be able to make these decisions. Just as it is our choice to Jailbreak if we wish to go around their choices.

Well said

Note how Zinio tells how to get their content, if you want it, on other devices. Not censorship, just company guidelines of what products to sell. In our local Wal-mart they have HP, Dell, and Acer computers. I want a SONY! Wal-mart is censoring and cherry picking products to sell! It is MY RIGHT to buy a SONY computer if I want one.... err...... well, instead of whining and threatening, perhaps a trip to Best Buy is in order.....

By the way, I DO NOT recommend making your computer purchases at Wal-mart, it was just an example...