Google is jumping further into the e-book market, preparing to allow authors and publishers to sell digital books through the Google-backed service.
Even though Amazon currently leads the way in the e-book market -- both with the Kindle e-book reader and an e-book store -- Google will allow publishers to set a suggested list price, though it's still up to Google to set the price made available to shoppers.
To put it into perspective, Amazon currently charges around $9.99 for a recently released book that sometimes cost upwards of $25.99 for hardback copies in stores. The significantly lower price has frustrated some book publishers, who are looking to keep prices a bit higher to keep them on par with regular hardback releases.
Access to e-books wouldn't be restricted to just one device, but an Internet connection will be required to login and get the book.
"Clearly, any major company coming into the e-book space, providing that we are happy with the pricing structure, the selling price and the security of the technology, will be a welcome addition," according to Hachett Book Group CEO David Young.
Amazon is seeing great success from Kindle and digital downloads of e-books, and it isn't a huge surprise to see Google also try in cash in. A recent survey indicates even more people would be willing to purchase an e-book reader and buy several books, so expect to see more companies enter the market.
It should be extremely interesting to see what Google is able to put together -- and if it will be able to one day compete with Amazon.
