Google Enters the E-reader Market

So, what impact will the device have on the e-reading market? "It is great to see Google come on to the market bringing more competitiveness through pricing and content offering," says David Renard, partner at media research and consulting firm mediaIDEAS. "If Google can establish itself as a viable third alternative to Amazon and Barnes & Nobles in the e-paper, e-reader space, then both consumers and publishers benefit."

One possible disadvantage Google may have lies in its current battles with publishers and authors on the process of scanning out-of-print books that are currently under copyright. The settlement process on several law suits worldwide continue to be a thorn in its side. "Google's Story offering today is very competitive in terms of price, but less so in terms of content. If they could include the out-of-print books that they have been digitizing for years it would create a greater competitive differentiator in the market. But due to the lack of a clear and final settlement with the book industry, this is not yet possible," notes Renard.

Google's success, notes Renard, "is linked to the availability of content that others do not have, as well as a seamless interactivity with Google's online universe."

You can learn more about the Story HD on the iriver website.