The service, dubbed Google Editions, is slated to launch in the first half of 2010. At launch it will feature about 500,000 eBooks from publishers Google is already working with on Google Book Search. Purchases can be made directly from Google or through partner sites like Barnes & Noble.
Interestingly, Reuters names Amazon.com as a potential retailer for Google's electronic books. Considering Amazon would surely prefer to sell its own titles for use on the Kindle, and also considering Barnes & Noble plans to launch its own eReader device as well, these 3 partners seem interesting bedfellows.
Looking into how the revenue sharing breaks down, though, it starts to make more sense. When Google sells an eBook outright, the publisher will get 63% of the sale with 37% going to Google. When sold through a retailer, 45% goes to the publisher, 55% goes to the retailer, and Google only takes "a small share." In this scenario, publishers will have incentive to promote customer purchases direct from Google, and it will be interesting to see what sort of market share grab will come of this.
Good News for the Consumer
To the consumer, Google's entry into the electronic books market is most certainly a good thing. It means more customer choice, more widespread support for eBook open standards, and better access to the books they buy online. You'll be able to use your Gmail login to access your Google eBook "library" from almost any device, whether it be desktop, laptop, netbook, phone, or anything else able to access the web.
Does Google's entry into the electronic books market make you think twice about picking up an eReader like the Kindle or Sony Reader? Or are the gains in reduced eye strain, battery life and portability enough to make you interested in a specialized device?