Search Engine giant now gets ready to launch its Google Editions, online service for booksellers that will let book lovers buy books and download and read them on every gadget that has web browser.
Google Editions differ from the existing e-book services as it would require no dedicated device like Kindle from Amazon or Sony’s new Reader Pocket Edition, and (probably) Barnes and Noble who are soon to launch their dedicated e-book readers.
Google describes its upcoming book service as a wholesaler and not as a retailer which would enable retail partners to sell books online and Google will keep 55 percent of the profits to split between it and the retail partner, while 45 percent will go to the publisher. In case publisher decides to bring its books through Google, they will receive 63 percent letting Google to pocket in 37 percent of the profit earned.
The company said that service would start with between 400,000 to 600,000 books in the first half of 2010 and consumers would be able to read the books on any connected device, including PCs, Netbooks, and smartphones. Apple iPhone users could access the e-books through their Gmail accounts.