Google Intends World Domination In The e-Book Market

Google is one of the most innovative companies around the world. The company is not only good at developing new products and services but is particularly very competent in taking advantage of others’ hard work to grow its own business. Take the case of Apple iPhone. While many experts sided with Google during that episode (which is still ongoing), there is no question that Google is known for entering and dominating markets like no other company. So it’s no surprise that other companies are always wary of Google coming after their lunch.

Apple may have held off Google for now, but it seems Amazon will have to do so as well. Google is currently not planning its own e-book reader. The company is not in the hardware business, and it clearly knows what its core capabilities are. That is why it is focusing on developing a killer e-book store (Google Editions) that could challenge the supremacy of Amazon in the e-book reader market. Amazon has a huge advantage over its competitors with its Kindle store. But Google is planning to target all e-book readers that can run a browser by enabling their owners to download books through the web easily. So you won’t have to rely on Amazon or any other e-book provider (other than Google) to get your hands on more content on your e-book reader.

Google’s Book project has been quite controversial, but Google Editions will may now enable the company to make money from its venture. It’s a real smart strategy that doesn’t involve Google getting into the hardware business, something that many have argued Amazon should have done as well. Amazon is doing its best to branch out its Kindle platform to other mobile devices such as the iPhone. Google will pose a real challenge to Amazon. For starters, the company will give publishers yet another avenue to get their work in front of more people. They get to make some money in the process as well. More importantly, Google is leveraging the current trends in the e-book industry to reach out to more people through the web. Many upcoming e-book readers (and mobile devices) allow you to access the web through a browser, and that’s where Google comes in. Instead of focusing on a single proprietary platform, Google is using the universal “web” platform to put pressure on companies such as Apple and Amazon.

Will Google Editions kill Amazon Kindle? I doubt it. It will certainly raise the bar and make the e-book market more competitive for all the parties involved. At the same time, Google has been all but controversial when it comes to its approach to the e-book business. Many experts are concerned that Google may not play by the rules and could get too powerful to rein in. So far, Google promises openness and more options to e-book fans. Being able to buy from Google exclusive publishers, Amazon and other retailers through Google Editions is certainly interesting. But will retailers such as Amazon play ball?