Google launches direct e-book, audiobook sales on iOS

Google has received approval to sell e-books and audiobooks directly to users through the iOS version of its Google Play Books app.

Users can now click a “Get book” button within the app, which directs them to the Google Play website to complete their purchases.

This bypasses Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases, letting users complete transactions with Google’s payment system.

The change follows Apple’s external link account entitlement, which permits “reader apps” to direct users to external purchases.

Recent Google developments

Timeline
14-Feb-2025 🛠️ Google’s Gemini adds recall feature for past chats Google’s Gemini adds recall feature for users. Available in English; more languages coming soon.
14-Feb-2025 🤖 Google ends DEI training, updates AI military policy Diversity training and DEI commitments ended. AI policies now allow military and surveillance use.
14-Feb-2025 🔄 Google’s India public policy head resigns Sreenivasa Reddy resigns as Google India policy head. Iarla Flynn to temporarily lead India’s public policy.
13-Feb-2025 🛡️ Google to test AI for age verification, starting in US Google tests AI to estimate users’ ages. Tool aimed at improving age restrictions online.
12-Feb-2025 📱 Google backs Toonsutra’s expansion in Indian webtoon market Toonsutra raises $5.9M for webtoon content Platform boasts 500K monthly active users
11-Feb-2025 🤖 Google AI chief calls DeepSeek’s cost claims ‘exaggerated’ Hassabis calls DeepSeek’s cost claims misleading. Startup’s performance questioned, no response yet.