Google on Monday added another volume to the e - script saga withthe introduction of the fellowship ’s eBookstore . The retail process , first annunciate in May for launch in the summertime , falls under the umbrella of Google Books andboasts more than 3 million title , ranging from current bestsellers to classic .
The company says that in addition to a Web - based reader , it ’s create free apps for Android and iOS devices , allowing for fluid shopping and reading ( the iOS app was not yet uncommitted for download at this writing , but is on the face of it due in the App Store curtly ) . Staple feature article like font face and size , day / night version modes , argument - spacing , and pick up where you left off on another twist are also supported , though Google specifically says these will be useable “ for many books . ” Google is also giving its users three free titles : Great prospect , Alice ’s Adventures in Wonderland , andPride and Prejudice .
In an interesting move , Google is n’t the sole retailer for Google due east - books : the party is also partnering with autonomous bookseller such as Powell ’s , Alibris , andmany members of the American Booksellers Association . As a upshot , you’re able to pick which vendor you want to buy your e - books from — but they still all end up aggroup together in one emplacement , for ease ’s sake .
All of this marks a change in scheme from the original — and somewhat contentious — thought behind Google Books , which involved work out with library and publishing house to digitize collections from around the globe . The company say that all of the more than 15 million works it scan from those sources will go along to be searchable alongside the eBookstore .
Google ’s launch also mean another heavyweight player in the increasingly crowded atomic number 99 - book field , whose roster already includes Amazon , Barnes & Noble , and , of class , Apple . For consumer , though , this is potentially a big positive : more vendor means more challenger , and more competitor encourages companies to always better their products as well as to push prices down .
Of course , that comes with its own patronage - offs . In the real world , for example , you may buy your e - books from any number of trafficker , and they all end up on the same bookshelf : in the digital world , it looks like you ’ll have to bounce back and forward between your Kindle , iBooks , and Google Books apps in decree to get the whole story . At least , for now .
