I'd like to say "Apple, you're already bringing in record revenue quarters, why are you doing this?" But I think the answer would be "because we can," Apple is creating a monopolistic market place for media (look at the battle of record labels providing DRM to Apple and non-DRM to Amazon to lessen-Apple's grip over their digital content) and applications. I think requiring a big player like Sony or Amazon to comply with new policies, will not go over well. I can't see Sony telling Apple "forget it," since I don't know anyone with a Sony eReader... but I could see Amazon and the Kindle, rightly, starting an issue over this. Apple has done a great job of making user friendly (see: locked down) platforms which work well, but the DRM battle and now this could turn public opinion against them.
Apple is just trying to create a new revenue stream early on as iPad sales increase and the tablet market heats up; smart move. It'll take a big ereader player like Amazon to battle them, and if ereader content creates a price hike war due to Apple's insistence on 30% cuts, then negative public sentiment towards pricing or not having access to ebook material that has already been purchased on one platform will hopefully create a retraction in Apple's policy. But then again, the airlines never got rid the baggage fee, and even with negative sentiment we all still pay them.
Apple is just trying to create a new revenue stream early on as iPad sales increase and the tablet market heats up; smart move. It'll take a big ereader player like Amazon to battle them, and if ereader content creates a price hike war due to Apple's insistence on 30% cuts, then negative public sentiment towards pricing or not having access to ebook material that has already been purchased on one platform will hopefully create a retraction in Apple's policy. But then again, the airlines never got rid the baggage fee, and even with negative sentiment we all still pay them.