Apple has cut around 100 jobs in its digital services group, “part of a shift in priorities for the critical division,” Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports, quoting unnamed “people with knowledge of the matter.”
The article says the tech giant informed the affected employees, who worked across several different teams in Senior Vice President Eddy Cue’s services group on Tuesday. They have 60 days to apply for another position at Apple.
Gurman says that the layoffs signal that Apple Books has become less of a priority for the company, which the tech giant apparently doesn’t see it as a major part of its services lineup. That said, he adds that the Books app is still expected to get new features over time. As for Apple News, the layoffs were said to be an indication that it is less of a focus for Apple, notes Gurman.
This is bad news. If Apple is serious about its Services division, it needs to be pumping more money into Books and News. In fact, I think it’s time for Apple to give us Apple Books+ along with Apple News+, Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple Fitness, and Apple Arcade. On March 26, 2019, Andrew Orr at The MacObserver had this idea. His take: Apple Books+ would be Apple’s answer to Kindle Unlimited.
As Andrew pointed out, for one monthly fee you could read all of the books your heart desires. Here’s his idea:
Like Apple Arcade, Apple Books+ would probably be separate from the Apple Book Store. Books created for this service could also be exclusive to it, and unlike Amazon I think Apple could get some big publishers on board. Independent authors would also benefit, if it makes it harder for their books to be pirated.
Or, publishers could just make two versions of their books: An EPUB for the Apple Book Store, and an iBook for Apple Books+. So in a way I guess it would be similar to Kindle Unlimited, with a lot of indie authors. Publishers love DRM, and if enough get on board I think it could still be a win for authors and customers.
I think that’s a great idea! How about you?
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I agree with Dennis here. Poor decision by Apple.