Google Opens Bookstore

After heavy speculation, Google has made its foray into the world of e-books official with the launch of Google eBookstore.

The company said its new e-bookstore will give users access to three million titles and will be available on a number of different platforms including laptops, netbooks, tablets, smartphones and e-readers. Essentially as long as the user has modern browser, they will be able to read their eBooks from Google.

In addition, Google is using its cloud based technology to treat eBooks like its other properties. Using the new Google eBooks Web Reader, you can buy, store and read Google eBooks in the cloud. That means you can access your ebooks like you would messages in Gmail or photos in Picasa, using a free, password-protected Google account with unlimited ebooks storage, Abraham Murray, product manager, Google Books, wrote in a blog post.

Google eBooks and the eBookstore will both be available in app format as well. Along with the official eBookstore, Google has teamed up with independent booksellers such as Powell's, Alibris and other members of the American Booksellers Association.