Amazon takes on Google with web eBooks
Coming to a web browser near you
Amazon has taken just days to respond to Google’s unveiling of an online bookstore, announcing its own take on the web eBook store under the Kindle for the Web banner.
The online retailer has had a web-only version of the Kindle software in beta form for two months already, but now says it will be taking the training wheels off “in the coming months”.
However, rather than seeking to set itself up in opposition to Google’s new eBooks service, it appears Amazon is happy to share the spotlight with the search giant. Kindle for the Web will support devices running Google’s Chrome OS, and will even be offered through the newly announced Chrome Web Store.
Bringing the Kindle service to the web browser means Amazon eBooks will be able to be purchased and read on virtually any web-enabled device, stepping up Amazon’s challenge in the face of not only Google but a variety of other digital bookstores – including from Apple.
So far we’ve yet to hear whether Kindle for the Web will be available internationally from launch, or just in the US initially as is the case with Google’s offering. We’ll know more early next year.
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