Google to Launch Digital Books by Early Summer

Google says users will be able to buy digital copies of books they
discover through its book-search service. It will also allow book
retailers–even independent shops–to sell Google Editions on their own
sites, giving partners the bulk of the revenue.

The company would have copies on its servers for works it strikes
agreements to sell. Google is still deciding whether it will follow the
model where publishers set the retail price or whether Google sets the
price.

While Mr. Palma didn’t go into details, users of Google Editions
would be able to read books from a web browser–meaning that the type of
e-reader device wouldn’t matter. The company also could build software
to optimize reading on certain devices like an iPhone or iPad but hasn’t
announced any specific plans. —Wall Street Journal