Google to launch its digital book store this summer

6 May, 2010 (07:01) | Songs and Music, Technology News | By: Technology Expert

Google's e-book store, "Google Editions," is nearing launch, according to the Wall Street Journal. First announced late last year, it was scheduled for 1H2010, and now appears heading for a late June or July unveiling.

Chris Palma, Google's manager for strategic-partner development, announced the latest launch date info for "Google Editions" on Tuesday at a publishing- industry panel in New York. While obviously placing Google in the same market as Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com, it also would also once again place Google and Apple in competition with each other.

Google and Apple have not been BFFs of late. This would be another example of them locking horns.

Reportedly, "Google Editions" will be accessible by a variety of devices. This differs from current strategy among e-book vendors, who have primarily focused on proprietary devices, e-book formats, and software.

Books purchased through the store could be viewed through browsers, in fact, and not require specific apps. According to the report, agreements are yet to be signed with publishers, but odds are that isn't going to be a problem.

Pricing, however, remains an open question. It's likely, however, that Google will follow both Apple and (now) Amazon.com and allow publishers to set pricing.