Will Google’s book store affect the Kindle?

Q: Will the entrance of Google into the book reader market adversely affect the Kindle? Do you stll recommend the Kindle? – Bob from Indianapolis, Indiana

A: I assume you are referring to Google’s recent announcement of its new Internet book store called Google Editions. While I’m not sure how this new book store will directly affect the market I do have a few initial thoughts.

For starters, Google is technically not releasing a book reader just a book store. But given the popularity of more and more smart phones running Google’s Android operating system you can bet that everyone of these devices, along with all Android-based tablets, will be able to read books sold in Google Editions.

Amazon has a big head start

But Amazon.com still has a huge head start. So to me, the Google book store is to Amazon.com and the Kindle as the Microsoft Zune is to the iPod. Never heard of the Zune? My point exactly.

Amazon also has a giant advantage due to its existing relationship with book publishers. Remember Amazon sells books. Google doesn’t.

Finally, it appears Google is going to encourage (require?) people to use Google Checkout to purchase its books. People are just getting used to PayPal so having to register for yet another checkout service could be yet another roadblock to mass acceptance for Google.

Google has more options

On the plus side, I do like that Google is not going to force you to shop at its store. They are also allowing other merchants to sell its books which should open up the market a bit and lead to a little more healthy competition.

So do I still recommend the Kindle? Absolutely. It’s the iPod of book readers and still will be for a while. And besides, it’s only $139 making it one of the cheaper hi-tech gadgets you can get your hands on these days.

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