Internet search services provider Google, Inc., US, is planning to enter the digital books sales market by July 2010, media reports indicate. Such a move would pitch the company against existing players in the market such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Apple. The online sale of digital books has been part of Google’s strategy for several years now. Dubbed Google Editions, the service is projected to allow users to procure e-books from various websites via different devices. This would differentiate the service from existing rivals that require proprietary devices and software.
The Google service would allow users to purchase digital versions of books they come across via its book search service. Also, book retailers, including independent shops, would be able to sell Google Editions via their websites. This would give Google partners the bulk of the revenue. The company’s servers would hold copies of works for which it forges agreements to sell. Whether the prices will be set by publishers or Google is yet to be decided upon.
Google Editions would allow users to read books from a web browser, doing away with the need for a specific e-reader device. Plans are also afoot to develop software to enhance reading on certain devices – such as the iPhone or iPad. On the other hand, Amazon has built its digital books strategy largely around its proprietary Kindle e-reader and software that operates on certain other hardware.
While publishers have not yet publicly committed to participate in the new service, Google is unlikely to face problems here, since publishers have no reason to object to an increased number of retail outlets. Also, Google Editions would ensure that small independent bookstores also gain access to the e-book sales service offering a wide range of titles.
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