Quote:
Originally Posted by tomsem
ePub can be DRM'ed in which case conversion will not be straightforward (and would probably be considered illegal by publishers).
On the other hand, if Google can convince publishers not to use DRM, presumably they would provide automatic conversions for most ebooks to whatever format you wanted, including mobi/azw. Why would they want any barriers to sales?
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I'm sure Google will push for non-DRM ePub format. This is the best way to overtake the Amazon and Sony stores.
I liken it to the old AOL vs. Internet model. Why would people pay to use the inferior AOL network when the faster, bigger free Internet exists? Amazon and Sony have to keep their stores open, which surely cannot be cheap.
By selling non-DRM'd books, developers can create apps for netbooks, laptops, PDA's, and soon tablets that run on Android or whatever. For the "serious reader" manufacturers can create eInk devices that support ePub only, because now there's a market. They all have WiFi, which is becoming common enough to be almost as good as Whispernet.
Google only has to worry about delivering the books, not producing, shipping and supporting the hardware and stores.
Amazon made a pretty good run at trying to corner the market, but I think the Open model will win again.