There was an article today on Google Edtions (here) that discusses Google's foray into the e-book selling world. More open to multiple formats seems to be the key.
"Google Editions hopes to upend the existing e-book market by offering an open, "read anywhere" model that is different from many competitors. Users will be able to buy books directly from Google or from multiple online retailers—including independent bookstores—and add them to an online library tied to a Google account. They will be able to access their Google accounts on most devices with a Web browser, including personal computers, smartphones and tablets."
But beyond this is Google's desire to route all searches for books to their site to buy it.
"Google says it is on a mission to reach all Internet users, not just those with tablets, through a program in which websites refer their users to Google Editions. For example, a surfing-related blog could recommend a surfing book, point readers to Google Editions to purchase it, and share revenue with Google. Through another program, booksellers could sell Google Editions e-books from their websites and share revenue with Google.
"Google is going to turn every Internet space that talks about a book into a place where you can buy that book," says Dominique Raccah, publisher and owner of Sourcebooks Inc., an independent publisher based in Naperville, Ill. "The Google model is going to drive a lot of sales. We think they could get 20% of the e-book market very fast."
That first quote is ho-hum. I am, and most people are creatures of habit. I like my little Kindle, have gotten use to it, and from time to time enjoy downloading my Kindle books to my phone. That's about all I need. Multiple by thousands of people and across different platforms. Still, it doesn't necessarily effect me. Quote two does. That is the insidious part. The passive influence of Google to reach into every search that you might do in order to sell you your book.
I take the Norm Peterson of Cheer's approach when they were talking about changes to the bar. "Is this going to affect the price of beer? No? Then what do I care?" If anything I suspect it will make books easier to find and procure. Secondly, the competition will drive the price down. Win -Win for the reader. Not sure yet what the writer side of me thinks.
1 comment:
Are there no worries that people will share their passwords or accounts? Won't there be websites that people share books? With the right website setup, no one would ever have to buy more than ten books. Setting up a library system, where users have to own 10 ebooks that they lend out for the library, they would then get 1 book per month to read. That would be more than enough for more people. For those who want more, they would buy 10 more ebooks. Eventually, it would be very cheep to keep a virtual library running and charge people small amounts to share with one another. This would really hurt authors. I worry about it.
Post a Comment