Apple Pulling other eReader Apps? (Update: Apple Responds)

Gadgetator's trying a new format for the not so tech savvy readers. At the beginning of each post, we will be writing a list of tech jargon and their definitions that one would need to know at the beginning of the article. Like this idea? Hate it? Please leave a comment with your feedback. Thank you.

eReader-An eReader is a device that allows you to read digital books instead of paper ones.

     Sony makes an eReader called the Sony Reader. As with many eReaders, Sony designed an iPhone app that allowed one to read the eBooks that they downloaded from Sony on their iPhone. This app was rejected by Apple for some unknown reason. 

     Apps are rejected all the time by Apple, but it's always because of a violation of one of Apple's rules. So far the Kindle, the Nook, and many more eReaders have apps on the iPhone that weren't rejected. This could simply be because the Sony app had some problem with the code that went against Apple's rules. It could also be that Apple has changed it's policy and is now not allowing third party eReader apps.

     Apple also has an eReader app called iBooks, which is the reason why one would think that Apple is rejecting other, third party eReader apps, and even may start to pull the old ones.

     According to the New York Times, Apple is changing their policies to no longer allow third party apps to sell content, like eBooks, inside their apps. Now, if you're worrying about games like Farmville, which allows you to buy coins from inside the app for the game, that's nothing to worry about, this does not stop app developers to sell through their apps, rather just requires them to use Apple as an intermediary. 

     The story seems true, as Sony spokesperson Steve Harber is quoted, "“It’s the opposite of what we wanted to bring to the market, we always wanted to bring the content to as many devices as possible, not one device to one store.”

     So what does this mean for other eReader apps? Although the other apps don't have an integrated bookstore, they do allow users to download already purchased content from other devices, something which, according to the New York Times, Apple said was against the rules. This would affect Amazon with it's Kindle and many other popular eBook apps. 

     For now, we'll just have to see what happens. The story seems very believable, and neither Apple, Sony, or Amazon would comment.


UPDATE: Apple responded saying that they had not changed any developer guidelines, but wants a cut of anything sold through their devices.

Thank You - One More Day!

Just a very quick post to say THANK YOU for your support of the My Mom Pattie Etsy Shop sale over this last weekend!

Earrings By Jenny Davies-Reazor

Even though I have gotten items shipped today, I am a bit behind on the computer catching up (I have been spending time off-line and getting my hands all full of clay goodness!) and we are supposed to get freezing rain in the wee hours of the morning which means my little ones will most likely be home tomorrow…

Earrings By Marie Dodd

So if you want something from the My Mom Pattie Etsy shop but though you missed the sale - I'll keep the coupon code MMP20 active until midnight EST on 2-1-11.

Necklace By Lorelei Eurto

There are some amazing pieces that want to come and live with you (or someone you know!)…

Thank You - One More Day!

Just a very quick post to say THANK YOU for your support of the My Mom Pattie Etsy Shop sale over this last weekend!

Earrings By Jenny Davies-Reazor

Even though I have gotten items shipped today, I am a bit behind on the computer catching up (I have been spending time off-line and getting my hands all full of clay goodness!) and we are supposed to get freezing rain in the wee hours of the morning which means my little ones will most likely be home tomorrow…

Earrings By Marie Dodd

So if you want something from the My Mom Pattie Etsy shop but though you missed the sale - I'll keep the coupon code MMP20 active until midnight EST on 2-1-11.

Necklace By Lorelei Eurto

There are some amazing pieces that want to come and live with you (or someone you know!)…

iOS 4.2.1 Untethered Jailbreak for iPhone 4 and ATV2

• iOS 4.3 is nearly out soon and tethered Jailbreak for iOS 4.2.1 is already out for quite sometime
• However, most of us (including myself) has been waiting since Christmas last year for the official release of Untethered Jailbreak iOS 4.2.1 but until today we are all disappointed.
• I was hoping to really use Airplay with my iPhone and Apple TV 2 but without iOS 4.2, I am unable to enjoy that new feature.
• However, a recent news mentioned that a solution using Redsn0w 0.9.7 for untethered Jailbreak will be coming out soon.

A Sale For My Mom Pattie Etsy Shop...

I have asked all the artists that make stuff for the My Mom Pattie Etsy shop if they would mind if I ran a 20% off sale in the MMP Etsy shop (starting at Midnight EST tonight): January 28-30th. 

Everyone thought it was a good idea, so here are the details:

On Friday, January 28th you can use the coupon code "MMP20" to have 20% taken off your order (excluding shipping). The sale ends on Sunday January 30th. 

I think this is perfect timing for Valentines day gifts… 

Even if it is a gift for yourself (you should be kind to yourself - you deserve it - and you will love the jewelry - and it helps me with the room dedication!)

I really want to get the room dedication (or whatever remains) at the Tri-State Bird Rescue taken care of in February. So this will be a last hurrah for collection for this "cause".

Because all of the artists keep the finished pieces in their possession until it sells, all the items will ship from the various artists individually after the sale is over. If you ordered multiple items from the same artist - then I will send you a refund for the extra shipping charges via paypal. You can always select "other" as a form of payment and I can send you an updated invoice as well.

And a reminder to you, your purchases through the MMP Etsy shop automatically get you entered to a drawing I have over on my Marsha Neal Studio Specials Blog. And I have decided that for those people that do make a purchase this weekend and use the coupon code MMP20 can also use that code for my Marsha Neal Studio Etsy shop in February to get 20% off your order just as a personal Thank You for helping me gather funds for this room dedication...

A Sale For My Mom Pattie Etsy Shop...

I have asked all the artists that make stuff for the My Mom Pattie Etsy shop if they would mind if I ran a 20% off sale in the MMP Etsy shop (starting at Midnight EST tonight): January 28-30th. 

Everyone thought it was a good idea, so here are the details:

On Friday, January 28th you can use the coupon code "MMP20" to have 20% taken off your order (excluding shipping). The sale ends on Sunday January 30th. 

I think this is perfect timing for Valentines day gifts… 

Even if it is a gift for yourself (you should be kind to yourself - you deserve it - and you will love the jewelry - and it helps me with the room dedication!)

I really want to get the room dedication (or whatever remains) at the Tri-State Bird Rescue taken care of in February. So this will be a last hurrah for collection for this "cause".

Because all of the artists keep the finished pieces in their possession until it sells, all the items will ship from the various artists individually after the sale is over. If you ordered multiple items from the same artist - then I will send you a refund for the extra shipping charges via paypal. You can always select "other" as a form of payment and I can send you an updated invoice as well.

And a reminder to you, your purchases through the MMP Etsy shop automatically get you entered to a drawing I have over on my Marsha Neal Studio Specials Blog. And I have decided that for those people that do make a purchase this weekend and use the coupon code MMP20 can also use that code for my Marsha Neal Studio Etsy shop in February to get 20% off your order just as a personal Thank You for helping me gather funds for this room dedication...

Staying Connected While on the Road

     It's a few days until I take a trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico. I'll be there about three days, and have been thinking about how to stay connected. For my work, all I really need is a web browser, but some need powerful desktop machines that can do HD video editing or 3D rendering. You can't really bring a 10 pound desktop computer with you on the trip, so how do you stay connected without lugging around a giant PC?  

     There are some great, free tools to help. I use a great free remote access program called TeamViewer. TeamViewer is free for noncommercial use only. I don't know exactly what the term "noncommercial" means, but buying a licence for commercial use costs a crazy $749. TeamViewer gives you amazing capabilities for free, such as file transfer, recordable sessions and more. You also get a free iPhone and Android app ,both which allow you to connect to other PCs remotely. The android app is still in beta, which does have some serious restrictions, but expect a non-beta version soon.

TeamViewer  on Windows

     TeamViewer is pretty simple to use, but each PC has to download the free application. When you download and open the application, the first thing you see is a home screen with an ID number and a password. Next to it is a text box labeled "create session". To have someone remotely connect to your PC, tell them your User ID and password, they enter that in, and the other user is on your PC. It's just as simple to start a session.

     Once you are connected, you see the other one's screen. You use the mouse and keyboard just like you  normally would on your PC. At the top of the screen is a small taskbar which lets you record the session and even do VOiP (voice over the internet). 

     To connect normally you have to have a person at both PCs to tell you the password. You can set up unattended access by making a free TeamViewer account. You then give the computer a name and password and you're ready to go. 

TeamViewer iPhone App

     The iPhone app is also really simple and easy to use. It works almost like the desktop client, but has less customization options. It gives you a list of recent remote access connections, and a cleaner looking interface. The controls for clicking and scrolling might take some getting used to, but overall, the entire system is easy to use.

     The days of not being connected because you aren't home are definitely over. With always connected smartphones, WiFi all over the place, and even data connections in some laptops, you really don't have the excuse of "I'm on vacation." With tools like TeamViewer, you now can work wherever you are, for little or no cost.