Tired of ads? Enjoy an ad-free experience by signing up.
👩‍🍳 How we use AI at Tech in Asia, thoughtfully and responsibly.
🧔‍♂️ A friendly human may check it before it goes live. More news here

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

Stay ahead in Asia’s tech landscape

You've reached your 2 free content limit for the month. Sign up for free to read the full story.

🏄 For casual readers / 👶 Free

Basic

US$0

Free forever

Get instant access to this article and more every month

0 premium content

Unlimited news briefs

5

5 articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0 per day

⌛Sign up in 20s. No payment details needed.

📖 For learners / 👍 Starter

Lite

US$4.92/month

Billed annually at US$59/year

Get instant access to this article and more every month

4

4 premium content

Unlimited news briefs & articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0.17 per day

Cancel anytime

Our subscriber community includes professionals from these companies:

Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.

Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.