Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Google Editions to Go on Sale by June or July?

By
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Speaking at a Book Industry Study Group panel in New York, the Wall Street Journal reports Google Book Search’s manger for strategic partner development Chris Palma indicated Google intends to start selling digital books under the name “Google Editions” beginning in June or July of this year. Although Google has been working on launching its own ebook service for more than a year, the move will finally put it into direct competition with the likes of Apple, Sony, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com.

Google has been offering a large number of public domain titles to ebook readers for some time in the ePub format for free, and many ebook stores have made deals with Google to offer those titles in order substantially expand their selection. However, Google Editions will focus on offering current and catalog titles from major publishers. Palma’s statement is the first time Google has pinned a date to any of its retail bookselling plans.

Recommended Videos

Google has not offered any information on book pricing or which publishers will be participating in the program. Google will be touting the value of Google Editions to consumers as being ebooks that can easily be shared across a wide variety of devices, from dedicated ereaders and mobile devices to netbooks and PCs. For booksellers, Google plans to launch affiliate programs that will allow retailers, independent booksellers, and online businesses to offer Google Editions for sale via their own sites, keeping the majority of revenue from the sale.

Google Editions is a separate effort from Google’s efforts to digitize and offer for sale out-of-print books; Google’s actions have been challenged by a wide variety of publishers and rights holders, along with Internet giants like Yahoo and Microsoft and even the Justice Department—a U.S. District Court is expected to rule in the Google Books case soon. In the meantime, Google is facing a similar legal complaint from visual artists whose work may be subsumed in Google’s mammoth scan-and-sell initiative.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Geoff Duncan
Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
How to change your Google background in Chrome
A man holding a teacup staring at laptop screen.

Google Chrome is fairly plain, but there are ways to make it your own and liven it up. One way to customize it is by refreshing the overall look with a new theme. Not only can you change the New Tab background but you can also change the overall colors of your tabs, bookmarks bar, and more.

Read more
Google’s holographic ‘magic window’ video calls are becoming a reality
google project starline io 2021 news

Project Starline impressed the world back in 2021 with "magic window"-like video calls. It seemed a bit like a glorified tech demo at the time, but now, Google is back with an exciting update. The search giant has announced a hardware partnership with HP, aiming to sell and integrate the technology into existing video-conferencing platforms like Google Meet and Zoom beginning in 2025.

First showcased at Google I/O 2021, the core of Project Starline is a blend of cutting-edge technologies, including advanced 3D imaging, AI, and display capabilities. The platform aims to bridge the gap between physical and virtual interactions, creating a sense of presence and realism akin to face-to-face meetings.

Read more
Google has a chance to take on the Quest and Vision Pro in a big way
Google's Android logo wears an XR headset.

Over the years, Google has made many attempts at pushing VR and AR ahead, whether it was Google Cardboard, Google Glass, or Google Daydream. All were failed projects, ultimately.

But with the introduction of the Vision Pro and Meta's recent announcements, there's never been so much interest in extended reality (XR) headsets and AR glasses. And with the Google I/O developer conference coming this week, there are rumors that Google may make another venture into this technology.
Google’s in the game
Apple’s launch of the Vision Pro doesn’t necessarily demand a response from Google. It's a relatively niche device given its high price. But we know Google is in the game based on some recent hints.

Read more