Google Unveils Answer to Apple App Store

But publishers are leery of idea

(NEWSER) - Amazon is chatting with publishers about starting a subscription-based digital book library—but publishers are reluctant to jump on the bandwagon. Under the Netflix-like proposal, consumers would pay a yearly fee to get access to the library, insiders tell the Wall Street Journal . Publishers, however, are concerned that such a plan could weaken books’ perceived value among customers; it could also damage the publishers’ relationships with other booksellers, they note. "What it would do is downgrade the value of the book business," says a publishing exec. More»

Google trying to drum up support among publishers, say insiders

(NEWSER) - Google is considering launching a digital newsstand that would cater to users of smartphones and tablets that run Android, setting the stage for a competition with Apple for publishers’ support. Apple’s iTunes already sells a number of popular periodicals; Google has reportedly held talks with Time Inc., Condé Nast, and other publishers about its plans for the e-newsstand, which would house apps from media companies who offer Android-friendly versions of their publications, the Wall Street Journal reports. Google has promised to take a smaller cut from publishers than the 30% slice Apple takes, say insiders. More»

Tim Bray 'hates' Apple gadget because freedom isn't 'optional'

(NEWSER) - XML co-inventor Tim Bray has signed on with Google to be a “Developer Advocate” focusing on its Android mobile OS, and used the announcement to fire a broadside at Apple on his blog. While Google is all about freedom, he writes, Apple is about control. “The iPhone vision of the mobile Internet’s future omits controversy, sex, and freedom,” Bray writes, according to the Business Insider . “It’s a sterile Disney-fied walled garden surrounded by sharp-toothed lawyers.” More»

Philosophical standoff led to Schmidt's ouster

(NEWSER) - Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s departure from the Apple board can be most directly linked to the rejection of the Voice app from the App Store, which has sparked a probe by the Federal Communications Commission, Erick Schonfeld writes for TechCrunch: “Google brought down the disapproving scrutiny of the FCC onto Apple on Friday night, and on Monday morning Schmidt resigned. It is difficult not to make a connection.” But, Schonfeld writes, there is a deeper conflict. More»

(NEWSER) - For all the iPhone’s bells and whistles, it doesn’t mesh well with Gmail. While users of Palm Pre and Android smartphones get instant “push” notification of new email, iPhone users have to manually “pull” messages off Google’s server. A simple new app may finally bring push Gmail to the iPhone, TechCrunch reports—if Apple approves it for sale. More»