With Google Editions, read anywhere e-books will be available on any device with a Web browser. (Photo Credit: CC BY/goXunuReviews/Flickr)

By the end of 2010, e-book lovers will have a new reason to be happy: Google Editions. Google wanted to have its ebook retailing operations ready by summer 2010, but technical and legal barriers stood in the way, reports the Wall Street Journal. Now the road is clear, and Google appears ready to give Amazon.com and other e-booksellers all they can handle with its “read anywhere” e-book format.

Google Editions teams with independent booksellers

Google Editions, which is expected to debut in the U.S. before New Year’s Day and by the end of first quarter of next year internationally, appears to be forming alliances with a wide variety of independent booksellers. Several publishers have admitted to “exchanging files” with Google, said Scott Dougal, a Google product management director. According to publishing industry insiders, this is a sign that Google Editions is very close to launch.

Going where other e-books cannot

The read anywhere e-book model that Google Editions will use is different from the vast majority of the competition, including Amazon.com, which currently holds at least 65 percent of the e-book market. After purchasing a Google Editions e-book directly from the search giant or from an affiliated online bookseller, the e-book file is tied to the customer’s Google account. With a Web browser – whether it be on a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone – customers can access their e-books, cloud computing-style.

While Amazon.com gives readers the flexibility to read their e-books on any device that runs Kindle software, the books generally must be purchased from the Amazon.com store. Some free titles are available from outside sources.

Share for independent booksellers currently unclear

Participation by independent booksellers in the Google Editions platform will largely depend upon the compensation offered, and the revenue percentage Google intends to offer is not currently known. Furthermore, the identities and number of bookselling partners for Google Editions is also uncertain, although the American Booksellers Association told the Wall Street Journal that more than 200 independent booksellers in the U.S. could be connected at launch. If Google can get major booksellers like Borders and Barnes & Noble to feature Google Editions content, it could be in line to dominate the e-book field quickly.

Sources

Wall Street Journal

The best holiday saving deals may all be at Amazon.com. (Photo: MIKI Yoshihito/Flickr/CC-BY)

You don’t have to wait until Black Friday 2010 to take advantage of some of the sweetest deals this holiday season. Skip the long lines and head to Amazon.com today and save bundles on the items you’ve been saving for all year long. Keep in mind that many of the Amazon Black Friday 2010 items are on limited-supply, so don’t wait till the last minute to get your cart filled.

Amazon Black Friday 2010 ads

Amazon Black Friday 2010 ads are out, and shoppers won’t have to wait to start saving on their holiday buys. Amazon.com is searching for the best holiday savings deals out there with one purpose in mind: Beat out other store prices and unleash a list of items offered at ridiculously low prices.

Looking to get a new flat-screen HDTV for your home or office? With these Amazon Black Friday deals, you can get a Samsung 32-Inch HDTV for as low as $329.99, a savings of $170. What about a Blu-ray disc player to go with your new flat-screen TV? Wal-Mart is offering LG Blu-ray disc players for as low as $188 — not bad, considering most are priced at about $250 or more. However, at Amazon you can save even more on an LG Blu-ray player with Wi-Fi NetCast intergration — for only $151.92.

More Amazon Black Friday 2010 deals

Electronics

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Sports and Outdoors

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Health and personal care

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Be a smart holiday shopper

If you want to save even more money this holiday season, be a smart shopper. Don’t settle too quick on the first offer. Shop around and compare prices. You never know what you’ll find or how much more you can save by taking your time to shop. Fortunately, with these Amazon Black Friday 2010 deals, you get started early before the holiday stampede rushes through.

Source

Amazon.com