The Kindle app’s iTunes listing now has a majority of ‘one star’ reviews alongside negative reviews lamenting the loss of the store link.
Users have described the updated, link-less app as “defunct” and “a big step backward”.
Other Kindle app users have made use of the reviews facility to denounce Apple’s policy and to insist that they won’t – as some suggest the iPad maker was hoping – defect to its iBooks store.
However some reviews highlight the lack of IT-awareness of many users who are seemingly unaware the link merely redirected them to Amazon’s website which remains accessible via the iPad’s web browser.
A number of app users have expressed confusion about how they can continue to purchase titles to read in the app.
That confusion is mirrored on Amazon’s support forums where users who have heard about the change have expressed concern about what it means for their Kindle devices or apps for other mobile platforms.
Staff employed by Kindle rival Kobo have complained that Apple’s rules even prevented them from explaining why store links have been removed from apps.
Kobo’s own iTunes listing has largely avoided negative ratings and has far fewer negative reviews though a post on its own blog, since removed but currently available via Google’s cache, attracted high levels of criticism directed towards Apple.