I have spent a bit of time researching eBook readers considering features like screen size, memory, wireless connectivity, etc. While opinions vary on which eBook reader is the best, one thing we rarely investigate is the actual number and types of media available for the eBook readers on the market.

Electronic book sales have become an almost $60,000,000 business in the United States. This represents some issues for traditional paper book publishers as they wade into the eBook pool. The big question is whether or not they will fall into the same trap that music publishers fell into, worrying about how the new electronic formats would destroy their industry rather than thinking of innovative ways to deliver book content and reinvent ways of bringing the media to consumers.

Here’s the rub in the electronic book world… Amazon. Amazon has created the proprietary AZW format. A format that cannot be read on any other reader. The vast majority of the remaining readers use EPUB, an open standard file format. And… you guessed it… the Kindle does not natively read books in the EPUB format. Savvy programmers have invented ways to get around this by creating converters, but this is an extra hassle that many consumers would rather not have to endure.

Enter Google.

In plans announced in October of 2009, Google is setting itself up to be the end-all, be-all for eBook consumers. While still in the negotiation stages, several eBook and publishing giants are in the mix with Google who has been talking about entering the direct e-book market. This would mean consumers would have access to eBooks from a variety of electronic devices including eBook readers, computers and phones.

Publishers are working out ways to negotiate the book prices, and with the help of existing negotiations by Apple with several large publishers for their own “iTunes-like” book selling model, those publishers are in good position. What this means for consumers is unclear, but you can bet it will most likely mean you will be paying much less for that best-seller, and you will have access to it on your favorite electronic device.

For more information and reviews about eBook readers visit my page at http://reviewebookreader.com and for a special treat, take a look at my List of Lists.

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