Publishers Weekly (@PublishersWkly) reports on the much eagerly awaited debut of Google eBooks. Here’s an excerpt:
After months of anticipation, Google today launched its long-awaited cloud-based ebook program, Google eBooks. Rebranded from its original moniker, Google Editions, Google eBooks overnight becomes the largest ebook provider in the world, at least in terms of its offerings, launching with nearly three million books available for purchase or download, including “hundreds of thousands of ebooks” available for purchase and over two million public domain titles available for free.The launch includes a redesigned Google Books page, featuring both a store where consumers can find and buy ebooks, and a research option for those who wish to search and use the repository. It also includes a Google Web reader, and apps for both Apple and Android devices, which are available for free. Google's cloud-based ebooks can be accessed and read anywhere, on any device with a modern, HTML5-enabled browser, whether desktop computers, laptops, netbooks, tablets, or via apps for iPhones, iPads, and Android-powered smartphones. Because it is an open platform, Google eBooks will also be accessible on any e-reader that is based on an open platform, like ePub, including, the Sony Reader and the B&N Nook. Announced over two years ago, the program launches just in time for the 2010 holiday season, with roughly 4,000 participating publishers. Although it is currently limited to the US, Google will roll out international editions of Google eBooks beginning in early 2011.