Google planning on getting into ebooks in a big way

We've been having life-changing ebook experiences of one form or another promised to us for what seems like forever, but it really could be just around the corner this time, honest -- though the whole life-changing thing is still debatable at this point. It turns out Google is pressing forward with its Google Book Search service, and planning to roll out full-on ebook sales "sooner rather than later," with downloadable books available to computer screens and mobile devices. Of course, with Sony already in the game, and Amazon prepping downloads of its own, it's not like Google will be doing this all by its lonesome, but some innovative features like the proposed rental and single-chapter purchase schemes could garner interest in the Google offering, not to mention the whole "Google world domination" thing. It seems like the primary obstacle at this point for Google is the publishing associations that still haven't decided they're so hot for Google throwing up the contents of books online for open searchability, but we have a feeling they'll come around soon enough, or Google will just go ahead with the licensees it already has -- which with buddies like Penguin, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster already warm to the book searching, probably won't be insubstantial.

[Via Digg]

[richardishere @ Jan 22nd 2007 3:40PM]

Google is building 2 huge data centers in the Carolina's. One is confirmed in Lenoir, NC. Another facility, rumored, will lie just outside of Charleston SC. A large parcel of land has been purchased for a "confidential" company that will bring 200-300 jobs to the area.

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=google&btnG=Search+News

[deedubya @ Jan 22nd 2007 3:48PM]

That iPhone will make a nice little e-book reader. Just scroll your finger to turn the virtual page? Scroll up and down.

[thegoodoldkicker @ Jan 22nd 2007 4:12PM]

Sony E Book Reader and Google are the One Two punch. Sony made the best ebook on the market and google are the best search on the market...

It's pretty much over for anyone else if these 2 giants team up.

[LukeA @ Jan 22nd 2007 4:38PM]

As long as Google doesn't submit to using a Sony-specific format.

[Sharky @ Jan 22nd 2007 5:36PM]

Yawn.... As interested as I am in the technology, I have yet to see what I consider a commercially viable reader. Until there's a compelling reason to change from bound books, I just don't see this as being more than a niche for Google or anyone else.

[guitarplayer943 @ Jan 22nd 2007 10:03PM]

omfg google kicks ass....I can't wait

theyr seriously dominating...

[MobileA @ Jan 22nd 2007 10:35PM]

I just can't see anyone will shell out $400 to buy a device that does nothing else but an e-book reader, whereas you can get a free e-book reader AND content using Wattpad - assuming you have a mobile phone - who doesn't?? I think Sony is e-book reader is doomed. If Google can digitize everything that I want to read and make it available via Wattpad, that's all I need.

[Will Heineman @ Jan 22nd 2007 11:38PM]

I don't care who makes these ebooks avalible to us, but for gods sake will someone give us cheap college text books in ebook format???

$120 a book starts to add up and ebooks would be just as easy for many of us students!

/vent

[victor @ Jan 23rd 2007 12:54PM]

Enjoyed reading your post.

For everyone’s info, we at Bookyards ( http://www.bookyards.com ) have compiled a good collection of free digital libraries with books available for downloading for free. Just go to Bookyards “Library Collections - E Books” at http://www.bookyards.com/links.html?type=links&category_id=1780
There are approximately 550 digital libraries separated alphabetically and by category, with over 500,000 unique ebooks

Bookyards is a free online library located at www.bookyards.com

[Brett Morgan @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:07PM]

The advantage that google will have over sony and, to a lesser degree, amazon is that people are already searching on google, and the abilit to smack the little "buy it now" icon is going to convert a percentage of sales.

[deedubya @ Jan 25th 2007 6:47AM]

That iPhone will make a nice little e-book reader.

[Tom Britt @ Feb 16th 2007 7:44AM]

I heard rumors from a reliable source that Amazon is coming out with an eBook reader that has wireless capabilities. Instead of a phone with eBook downloads, it's an eBook with wireless access.

[blargman @ Feb 20th 2007 9:11PM]

Google created offices here in Ann Arbor Michigan a few months ago. They have been working on scanning the University of Michigan's Library. If they don't have a plan of creating an online ebook service, they sure have wasted alot of money here. :D

[Smith @ Feb 27th 2007 12:25PM]

It's so nice to say that google lunching the new books search which is really useful to us get the information of a wide range of e-books ,if you want to find more results just click here

[brecklundin @ Apr 14th 2007 3:18PM]

I am someone who would find an e-ink based ebook reader a great product. I have RA and cannot hold regular books in my hands for long periods. Using an easel is, well, not convenient. Backlit readers are useless outdoors. PDA/cell phones are so small as to be pointless and an impediment to enjoying that I am reading.

I find the Sony format using e-ink just fine except for the DRM issue...BUT at $400-$500 for the device and then costs equivalent to full retail for a bound edition make the whole thing cost prohibitive.

I hope some time soon a company really gets the idea that these readers need to be low cost. I have no problem with $100-$200 with enough memory to store a few hundred books. RAM is cheap and there is no huge expense for the batteries. And I simply do not buy into the idea the displays are so costly. That is simply a production issue.

But until these devices gain some foothold in reality on costs I see zero point to buying into the whole deal...as much as I miss reading I can make due with a free reader on my laptop. Not as convenient but it is also not gonna cost a month's living expenses to buy a reader either.

Oh, btw, I would see no point to adding an MP3 player into a reader either...I can buy a $50 el cheapo player for that if I want music...I would prefer the battery life for the reader. Adding an MP3 play is just a way for the MFG to sell more batteries and inflate the TCO for the device.

[Joy Vermaak @ Sep 10th 2008 7:26PM]

I have almost begged GOOGLE daily to have their own hand held reader, GOOGLE CAN DO IT IF ONLY IT WOULD DO SO. We could then get a reader at a reasonable price. PLEEEEEZE GOOGLE GO. I did have the 1250 Reader one of the very first available and it was wonderful. However they closed down about 2 years ago and out into the refuse went my 1250.

[han peder @ May 27th 2007 1:15PM]

Hi there,

just found a good ebook search engine which I'd like to share:
http://ebooksearchr.googlepages.com/

It is basically a Google Custom Search engine which searches more than 120 different ebook sites. All ebooks are free to download, most of them are warez (that's why you can find so many different e-books). However, it is thousand times better than a google.com search because it removes all irrelevant sites and searches only the crop of the cream ebook sites...

Give it a try if you like,
HP Solo