The issues surrounding fonts and the web are complicated and can be tricky to navigate. Google is hoping to make it easier for developers to integrate more distinctive typefaces into their designs.
Google's cross-browser solution is similar to what companies like Typekit and Fontdeck are doing, that is, providing users with a library of available fonts that they can easily embed into their sites. Typekit has partnered with lots of commercial foundries and is priced affordably for designers who want to use lots of commercial typefaces legally.
Google's solution is unique in that it is comprised of open source fonts. Google's Font API can be integrated into websites using either HTML or using a JavaScript WebFont Loader co-developed with Typekit.
While Google's font library isn't as robust as some competing solutions, it is open source. In fact, the fonts in the library can even be downloaded and used in other ways including print.
I'm a big fan of Typekit and think it provides a really excellent solution for consumer use of dynamic typefaces on the web while also keeping foundries in business. Hopefully Google's new Font API will help further the cause of improving type on the web.
[img credit: playgrounder.com]