The momentum toward digital publishing continues with Google entering in the eBook market.
Google has been discussing its vision for distributing books online for several years and for months has been evangelizing about its new service, called Google Editions. The company is hoping to distinguish Google Editions in the marketplace by allowing users to access books from a broad range of websites using an array of devices, unlike rivals that are focused on proprietary devices and software.
“broad range of websites using an array of devices, unlike rivals that are focused on proprietary devices and software.” This sounds good to me. Would be so convenient to get my ebooks on whatever device I find convenient!
The New Yorker also has an article that discusses Google Editions, toward the end:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/04/26/100426fa_fact_auletta
“Publish or Perish: Can the iPad topple the Kindle, and save the book business?”
Ordered my 3G ipad this week – I took the plunge specifically so we can get the Wall Street Journal and a couple of magazines digitally rather than cluttering up my house.
I’m not sure if I’ll use it for ebooks though. I still love the feel of a print book.
Although, in an interview with a librarian I heard recently, the point was raised that ebooks have the potential to offer a more multi-dimensional experience than traditional print books.
I would love to see what ebooks can do for the comic strip compilation book market. Since most of today’s comics run in color seven days a week, it could make producing a full color book for fans a whole lot easier. Maybe even lead to two versions of such books – a B & W version for print and a color version for the ebook.
From a profit-for-creators standpoint, walled gardens like the iPad are emerging as superior to the open model. I hope this fails.