Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Google Watch - Google Book Search - Google Editions Doesn't Stand a Chance vs. Amazon Kindle

Another timely Google reality check

I don't mean to suggest Google shouldn't enter any market it can't win the way it has dominated with search. But it shouldn't dabble where so many others are well entrenched.

Where's the value in that sort of "me, too" proposition? In such instances, I think Google underestimates its user base.

It assumes that its Web searchers, which comprises 65 percent of the United States and more in other countries, all use or will use Google's other Web services, too.

That's given it a sort of hubris in believing it can compete in any market it enters just to make sure its ads catch more eyeballs.

Google: Apple owns music, Amazon owns books. Don't embarrass yourself. Google Book Search is a different animal because it aims to make orphan works the other book providers aren't trucking in available online for purchase. This could catch on big in university libraries.

But Editions is just another mini-mart for books. The open device and platform approach is a nice gesture, but it's not enough. Amazon Kindle is rolling.

Google Watch - Google Book Search - Google Editions Doesn't Stand a Chance vs. Amazon Kindle

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