As predicted last week, Google has launched its Google eBookstore - although only in the U.S.

If you go to the store from anywhere else in the world you'll see a message to tell you the service is not available in your location but that you can browse the free and public domain Google eBooks. 

Although the store claims you can:

use just about any device with an Internet connection

there is one glaring omission - you cannot read them with a Kindle.

As with Kindle books once you have purchased a title (or selected a free one) you can read it on several devices -your PC, your Android or Apple smartphone or tablet, your Nook or Sony e-reader and your book will sync to the device enabling you to read either online or offline.

As well as purchasing books via the Google eBookstore that are also available from  Powell’s, Alibris and participating members of the American Booksellers Association.

Perhaps customer loyalty to these stores will enable it to compete with Amazon as well as with Barnes and Noble and Apple.

For more information:

Google ebookstore

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Google Editions to launch soon

Nookcolor e-reader unveiled

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