Google Launching Bookstore

Watch out Amazon. Google used the Frankfurt Book Fair to announce that it will officially launch its own online e-book store in the first half of next year. The new service called Google Editions will allow readers to purchase books for use on a variety of devices. It will go head to head with the Amazon Kindle and will include about 500,000 titles to start. Prices will be set by individual publishers. Google Editions represents the first time that Google will attempt to make money from its sizable book operation.

Google Editions will offer access to e-books on any device that has a Web browser, including smartphones, PCs and notebooks. Customers can make purchases through Google Checkout, and once the book has been accessed once, it will be available offline. Google will partner with publishers that it already works with in offering the books, as well as retailers such as BarnesandNoble.com. Google will host the e-books and provide title searching. Consumers can access the books and make purchases through either Google or individual retailers. According to Tom Turvey, Google’s director of strategic partnerships, Google does not plan to offer its own e-reader. [via Reuters and AP]