Google today revealed plans to open its own ebook store later this summer. Google Editions, as the service will be called, will let users buy digital books they discover through online searches.
Unlike services like those of Amazon’s Kindle Store or Apple’s new iBookstore, Google’s books will only be accessible through a web browser and will not be downloadable. If so, Google will need ot offer some sort of offline access capability to allow users to read their books even when not connected.
Another difference is that Google will allow other retailers to offer Google Editions on their own sites. Revenues will be shared between Google and retailers with the latter apparently getting the larger portion.
Google did not reveal pricing information or what formats will be supported.
Google Editions should launch in June or July.