Google ebooks launches in America

By Charles Arthur in The Guardian

Google is launching its long-expected web-based ebook offering, now renamed Google eBooks, in the US from today and says it aims to bring it to other countries next year.

The launch means that there are now three big players – Amazon, Apple and Google – in the ebook market, with the latter two having only just joined this year. Apple launched into the market with its iBooks offering for its iPad tablet in April.

Previously known as Google Editions, the new platform will be web-based but incorporate various technologies to prevent piracy.

Google says that it will "make it easier for writers to find new audiences for their books, and for readers to find, buy, and read books on most devices."

Here's the story on the Official Google Blog, with the video below.