Barnes & Noble has introduced an update to its Nook app for iPhone and iPad, featuring a new “buy on BN.com” button. This addition allows users to be redirected to the company’s website to finalize their purchases of e-books and audiobooks.
The “buy on BN.com” button appears next to book listings within the app. When clicked, it opens the user’s default browser and takes them to the relevant product page on Barnes & Noble’s website.
Once the purchase is completed, the content syncs automatically to the Nook app and any associated Nook devices. Before this update, iOS users often faced confusion about how to buy content, as there was no straightforward method available through the app.
This change reflects a trend seen in recent updates to other platforms, such as Amazon’s Kindle app and Spotify, which have implemented similar external purchase options. The updates were prompted by a court ruling in the ongoing litigation between Epic Games and Apple.
A notable decision made by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in April prohibited Apple from blocking external purchase links or imposing commissions on them. For years, Apple required developers to either utilize its in-app purchase system, which comes with a 30% commission, or refrain from including links that directed users to alternative payment methods.
The recent ruling has paved the way for e-reader applications like Barnes & Noble’s Nook as well as Kobo to provide a more seamless and user-friendly purchasing experience.
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