On July 17, 2011, Google's highly anticipated ebook reader will be for sale at Target stores, according to the Official Google Blog on July 11, 2011. Google suggests that the Story HD is not the only ereader that will work with the Google eBookstore; the Google Books blog post by Product Manager Pratip Banerji says that fans of Google ebooks should, "stay tuned for more Google eBooks-integrated devices to come."
Overview of the Story HD
Ever since the Google eBookstore opened in December, there has been speculation about a Google ereader. It is easy to download books from the bookstore to Android devices and the iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad through Google's app. Nook users can also access the Google ebookstoreby going though the Nook bookstore, but a dedicated Google ebook reader makes sense considering the size of the store; there are 3 million ebooks in the Google eBookstore, and the number is always growing.
The Story HD is a 139 wi-fi ereader that is designed to access the Google eBookstore over a wireless connection, as opposed to the download and transfer method required for other ebook reading devices. The device is not made by Google but by iriver, and Google invites other manufacturers to join into a Google ereader collaboration.
Google and Amazon
Google's press release does not mention the Kindle, but it is impossible to consider ebook readers without considering Amazon's masterpiece. Google says that they want the "Google eBooks platform to be open to all publishers, retailers and manufacturers," but Kindle books are not included. Amazon and Google were at odds over Google's intention to digitize every book, and Amazon and Microsoft argued anti-trust issues in the Google court case about possible copyright violations and the ensuing settlement.
Pictures of the iriver Story HD shows a device that looks a lot like a Kindle. The rectangular keyboard buttons are reminiscent of the first generation Kindle, and it looks like a white Kindle 2 or 3. Google and irivier clearly have Amazon in mind with the Story HD. At ZDnet, Larry Dignan sums up the design by saying, "Google is late to the game." The iriver itself isn't especially impressive looking, but the idea of Google getting an ereader that connects to their fabulous bookstore is delicious.
The big question for Amazon fans is if the Story HD will inspire Amazon to start offering hints about the Kindle 4. Barnes and Noble has moved in two directions with the Nook; the Nook Color is an Android Tablet and the Nook 2 is a touch screen ereader. Amazon has always been firm that the Kindle will stay as a dedicated ebook reader, although the web browser, social networking features, and audiobook support (through Audible downloads) on the Kindle 3 show that Amazon will go beyond a mere electronic book.
Sources
"The First Google eBooks-integrated e-reader: iriver Story HD" was written by Pratip Banerji and cross posted on Google Books and the Official Google Blog on July 11, 2011.
"Google's E-book Effort will Need a Better Horse than iriver Story HD" was written by Larry Dignan and published by ZDnet on July 11, 2011
Alex Sharp - Alex Sharp is a teacher who has been keeping Suite101 readers up to date with the latest in audio- and e-book gadgetry since 2008.
