Google Editions is Google’s first real foray into the consumer space. It is supposed to launch sometime this summer. As this article notes, we don’t know too much about it.
So, what little we know is summarized here as to which books, what platform, what partners, Google Editions & EPUB, cost and price, enhanced Books, Print on Demand and a rumoured gPad.
Book distribution is in great flux an this affects libraries, of course. The biggest bricks&clicks chain Barnes & Noble was put on the block today. It’ll likely be bought by one of its current investors or private equity but don’t rule out a surprise player too. RIM is announcing a reader/tablet. And the Amazon/Kindle/iPad/Android juggernaut continues. It’s a fun rollercoaster as long as you lke rides.
Google Editions: What We Know (and Don’t Know)
Read more at DigitalBookWorld.com: Google Editions: What We Know (and Don’t Know) | Digital Book World http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2010/google-editions-what-we-know-and-dont-know/#ixzz0vlIhMFmi
UPDATE: What Is Google Editions? by Peter Osnos, The Atlantic, July 20 2010
Of course Google potentially has rights from up to 40,000 current publishers and their huge digitization vault to draw upon. I predict they’ll start comparatively small and learn by doing but don’t underestimate this sea change to a consumer model at the Big G.
Stephen
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