Google has been getting a lot of heat with its Books project but it hasn't stopped it from going ahead with another book-related project, this time a lot less controversial. Originally announced earlier this year, Google has now revealed more details about the upcoming Editions service, which will allow users to purchase and read ebooks on a multitude of platforms and devices. Google Editions will launch in the first half of the next year with a selection of about half a million books from several partners.

“Google Editions allows retail partners to sell their books, especially those who haven't invested in a digital platform,” Tom Turvey, Google's director of strategic partnerships, said at the Frankfurt Book Fair. “We expect the majority (of customers) will go to retail partners not to Google. We are a wholesaler, a book distributor.”

Ebook stores are becoming big business thanks to the success of Amazon's Kindle ebook reader. Amazon is the current market leader but is seeing increased competition from a number of services and the battle is about to increase with the launch of a Barnes and Noble ebook store and dedicated reader. There are some not interested in owning the entire platform or which may be too small to directly compete with the likes of Amazon and it's these companies that Google is looking to partner with.

“It will be a browser-based access,” Mr. Turvey said today at the 61st Frankfurt Book Fair. “The way the e-book market will evolve is by accessing the book from anywhere, from an access point of view and also from a geographical point of view.” The project is in line with Google's usual undertakings with its openness but it is also a great move in countering the growing threat that Amazon poses. The big advantage for the user is, of course, portability, allowing them to read books on any device, in any setting. The interface will also permit them to search the content of the books. Revenue from the sale of the books will be split 55/45 percent with the publishers, and a large portion of Google's 55 percent will go to the retailers that will make the books available.