14 DAY TRIAL // If you want a more open reading experience on your iOS device, according to Google, now you can. Minutes ago, the Mountain View, California-based company released its all-new Google Books application for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, hoping to convert some of Apple’s iBooks fans over to the search giant’s cloud, where every person can have an estimated collection of over 3 million e-books.
"We designed Google eBooks to be open," said Abraham Murray, product manager for Google Books. "Many devices are compatible with Google eBooks -- everything from laptops to netbooks to tablets to smartphones to e-readers.”
iOS customers have their very own app to use with the service. It’s available as a free download from the iTunes App Store here.
"With 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," Murray adds.
Since everything is stored in the cloud, reading a book can be done across multiple devices, which includes picking up where you left off.
“In addition to a full-featured web reader, free apps for Android and Apple devices will make it possible to shop and read on the go,” Murray said.
“For many books you can select which font, font size, day/night reading mode and line spacing suits you—and pick up on the page where you left off when switching devices.”
Users can choose to purchase books from the Google eBookstore, or from independent bookseller partners like Powell's, Alibris, and members of the American Booksellers Association.
Google touts its e-book service by saying it's "all about choice."
"Launching Google eBooks is an initial step toward giving you greater access to vast variety of information and entertainment found in books," said Murray. "Our journey has just begun."
Depending on the iOS device you own, Google has the following features on offer:
iPhone / iPod touch Google Books app features
- Stores up to 8,000 titles on average (based on 16GB model) - Recommended for iPhones with 256MB memory or above - Mobile eBookstore - Search within book - Adjust text size, typeface, line space - Night-reading mode - Free samples of books - Information about book - Offline reading - Worry-free archive
iPad Google Books app features
- Stores up to 16,000 titles on average (based on 32GB model) - Native iPad interface app for optimal reading experience - Mobile eBookstore - Search within book - Adjust text size, typeface, line space - Night-reading mode - Free samples of books - nformation about book - Offline reading - Worry-free archive
A video introduction to Google Books can be found below.