Google follows Apple's iTune Store - I hope it pick up more sales

wannabee · 03-06-2012, 11:19 PM

Instead of having multiple sites for Googles apps, books and music, Google have announced Google Play. A sensible solution to their jumble sale of different sites. But will the iTunes look-alike generate more ebook sales?

For every book I sell through Google I sell 100 each in iTunes and Amazon.

Announcement

Spoiler:

elemenoP · 03-07-2012, 10:39 AM

What is the format behind Google Play books and has it changed? Can you ever actually download the files that you buy, or just see them in the reader app?

eP

K. Molen · 03-07-2012, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

What is the format behind Google Play books and has it changed? Can you ever actually download the files that you buy, or just see them in the reader app?

I don't know if it's the same for all books, but for the free books included with my account (Frankenstein, Pride & Prejudice, Wonderful Stories for Children) I can download either an ePub or a PDF.

To download the file(s), click the title in your library on Google Play, then click on the "How to Read" tab and scroll to the bottom.

Skydog · 03-07-2012, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K. Molen

I don't know if it's the same for all books, but for the free books included with my account (Frankenstein, Pride & Prejudice, Wonderful Stories for Children) I can download either an ePub or a PDF.

To download the file(s), click the title in your library on Google Play, then click on the "How to Read" tab and scroll to the bottom.

Yes, but can you simply download the file independent of viewing in the reader?

camiller · 03-07-2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skydog

Yes, but can you simply download the file independent of viewing in the reader?

In theory yes. In reality, and perhaps with the re-writing of the site, at the moment I can't seem to download the entirety of a purchased book, only a "sample". I can read the whole thing online though and it was yesterdays "play of the day" for $0.25 so I'm not out much. Hopefully it is a bug and will get fixed.

Edit: I notice that if I go to the old version of Google Books at books.google.com I can in fact download the full version of the book I purchased at play.google.com/books

=X= · 03-07-2012, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wannabee

Instead of having multiple sites for Googles apps, books and music, Google have announced Google Play. A sensible solution to their jumble sale of different sites. But will the iTunes look-alike generate more ebook sales?

For every book I sell through Google I sell 100 each in iTunes and Amazon.

Google has been making their reader better and better but still needs a way to go.

For Google to really make a dent it needs to have promotions. I have never bought a google book before today because their price has always been the same or higher than Amazon. With all of their "Play" specials I've finally purchased a book.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skydog

Yes, but can you simply download the file independent of viewing in the reader?

Yes you can download the ePUB or PDF of a book.

anamardoll · 03-07-2012, 05:51 PM

Is there an easy way for indie authors to upload their book for sale? The Google eBooks old interface was labyrinthine to me, and seemed to balk when I tried to upload an ePub directly without giving them a PDF version first.

K. Molen · 03-07-2012, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skydog

Yes, but can you simply download the file independent of viewing in the reader?

Yes, isn't that what I said? Granted, I haven't actually done it, but if you follow my instructions you can test it for yourself with one of the free books that should already be in your account.

Catlady · 03-07-2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skydog

Yes, but can you simply download the file independent of viewing in the reader?

Yes, absolutely.

OddCosine · 03-07-2012, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camiller

In theory yes. In reality, and perhaps with the re-writing of the site, at the moment I can't seem to download the entirety of a purchased book, only a "sample". I can read the whole thing online though and it was yesterdays "play of the day" for $0.25 so I'm not out much. Hopefully it is a bug and will get fixed.

I had the same problem trying to download an EPUB last night and sent them a support query. They acknowledged it was a bug and offered this workaround:

1. Under "How to Read," navigate to "Download EPUB" or "Download PDF"
2. Right click on the icon, and select "Copy Link Address"
3. Open a new tab and pate the Link Address
4. Before hitting "Return" to prompt the book to download and open, remove "&dl_type=sample" from the URL
5. Now hit "Return" to open the file

It works; I'd actually figured that out about 5 minutes after I'd sent the query. Looks like the problem is still there.

Way to launch a new service huh?

camiller · 03-07-2012, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OddCosine

I had the same problem trying to download an EPUB last night and sent them a support query. They acknowledged it was a bug and offered this workaround:

1. Under "How to Read," navigate to "Download EPUB" or "Download PDF"
2. Right click on the icon, and select "Copy Link Address"
3. Open a new tab and pate the Link Address
4. Before hitting "Return" to prompt the book to download and open, remove "&dl_type=sample" from the URL
5. Now hit "Return" to open the file

It works; I'd actually figured that out about 5 minutes after I'd sent the query. Looks like the problem is still there.

Yep that worked. I have to admit I'm surprised, since "sample" is in the download link twice, once as a parameter and once in the actual file name. But you only have to delete the parameter for it to work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OddCosine

Way to launch a new service huh?

Indeed

MrTeatime · 03-08-2012, 03:41 AM

Bought a couple of eBooks last night (after figuring out the workaround for myself - quite an amazing "oversight", there!). I'm very impressed with their UK prices, so far: I've made a few spot checks, and haven't found a UK ePub seller to beat them, yet.

Edit:

Although with a decent discount code, Kobo will often beat them.

MoodRing · 03-08-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wannabee

Instead of having multiple sites for Googles apps, books and music, Google have announced Google Play. A sensible solution to their jumble sale of different sites. But will the iTunes look-alike generate more ebook sales?

For every book I sell through Google I sell 100 each in iTunes and Amazon.

Announcement

Spoiler:

I am a little confused with how you are generating more sales off amazon and Itunes then? I really enjoy using Itunes software, I think it is designed well compared to google's messy, approach. But I have learnt some new software techniques in this training day. Im trying to design my own site to feed off rss feed from gadget sites.

This site is inciteful for the google vs Itunes debate.

Blue Tyson · 03-08-2012, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTeatime

Bought a couple of eBooks last night (after figuring out the workaround for myself - quite an amazing "oversight", there!). I'm very impressed with their UK prices, so far: I've made a few spot checks, and haven't found a UK ePub seller to beat them, yet.

Edit:

Although with a decent discount code, Kobo will often beat them.

Whereas their Australian prices are horrible, still. Saw some books there that were 20 and 30 when they are 10 on Amazon.

Also, no music or movies and their search and browsing is horrible. So what it will probably do here is get people downloading more apps when they come across it from a link in google.

Pretty ham handed, too, find a google play music link in search by accident and you get the equivalent of a 404 when it is not available in your country.

calibrated · 03-08-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OddCosine

I had the same problem trying to download an EPUB last night and sent them a support query. They acknowledged it was a bug and offered this workaround:

1. Under "How to Read," navigate to "Download EPUB" or "Download PDF"
2. Right click on the icon, and select "Copy Link Address"
3. Open a new tab and pate the Link Address
4. Before hitting "Return" to prompt the book to download and open, remove "&dl_type=sample" from the URL
5. Now hit "Return" to open the file

It works; I'd actually figured that out about 5 minutes after I'd sent the query. Looks like the problem is still there.

Way to launch a new service huh?

Thanks for the workaround. Karma sent!

03-06-2012, 11:19 PM	#1
wannabee Media Bloke Posts: 2,382 Karma: 113956855 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NSW - Australia Device: iOS	Google follows Apple's iTune Store - I hope it pick up more sales Instead of having multiple sites for Googles apps, books and music, Google have announced Google Play. A sensible solution to their jumble sale of different sites. But will the iTunes look-alike generate more ebook sales? For every book I sell through Google I sell 100 each in iTunes and Amazon. Announcement Spoiler: Dear Partner, Today we introduced Google Play, a new digital content destination available on mobile devices and on the web. With Google Play, users can buy and experience books, music, movies and Android apps, available across their devices. Google Play gives our partners and the ecosystem an integrated entertainment hub for Android and Google users. As part of this launch, Google eBooks and Android Market will become part of Google Play, and users will now get their ebooks from Google Play. In addition, customers who go to the web ebookstore will be redirected to the Google Play store. While this doesn't change the way consumers read Google eBooks, it does provide a more compelling mobile purchase experience. We are excited about the opportunities ahead to "play" together. Google Play team Helpful Resources: Google Play overview - http://play.google.com/about Google Play brand assets - http://www.android.com/branding.html FAQs - http://support.google.com/books/part...answer=2494942 ---- You have received this mandatory email service announcement to update you about important changes to your Google Books account. © 2012 Google Inc. 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA

03-08-2012, 03:41 AM	#12
MrTeatime Connoisseur Posts: 61 Karma: 513276 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Sony PRS-350	Bought a couple of eBooks last night (after figuring out the workaround for myself - quite an amazing "oversight", there!). I'm very impressed with their UK prices, so far: I've made a few spot checks, and haven't found a UK ePub seller to beat them, yet. Edit: Although with a decent discount code, Kobo will often beat them. Last edited by MrTeatime; 03-08-2012 at 05:03 AM.

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03-07-2012, 10:39 AM	#2
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	What is the format behind Google Play books and has it changed? Can you ever actually download the files that you buy, or just see them in the reader app? eP

03-07-2012, 05:51 PM	#7
anamardoll Chasing Butterflies Posts: 3,132 Karma: 5074169 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: American Southwest Device: Uses batteries.	Is there an easy way for indie authors to upload their book for sale? The Google eBooks old interface was labyrinthine to me, and seemed to balk when I tried to upload an ePub directly without giving them a PDF version first.