Google Book Search is doing free downloads now

2006 August 30
by eoinpurcell

UPDATE: Google Book Search finally posted on it.

Techcrunch, a site that covers technology says that Google Book Search is now facilitating download. So does BusinessWeek and PaidContent.

There is no mention of it on Inside Google Book Search at least not yet (though they do now allow yoiu to add GBS to yoiur website, a fairly nifty feature).

I am able to download Dante’s Divina Commedia. Which is absolutely amazing. Wow. Usage must be oncommercial and also must retain the Google Watermark. Seems pretty fair. Does this make Google an e-book publisher?

I like the idea of downloading classics, and I do not mind if it is Google, Penguin, HarperCollins or Nonsuch who provide them. It does strike me that this product a revenueless one. Considering the effort Google and others have gone to to get this off the ground is it realistic to belive that they will simply allow downloads for free?

I guess it is.

Fearing the day I have to pay
Eoin

from → Books, Business, Future of Books, Future of Publishing, Google Book Search, Publishing Companies, Publishing Innovation, e-publishing, ebooks

2 Responses
  1. 2006 December 17
    Mohit Gujjar permalink

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    Please let me know how can i download a book from books.google.com on my email.

    i ll be thankfull to you,

    Mohit Gujjar

  2. 2006 December 19
    eoinpurcell permalink

    Hello Mohit,

    Simply search for a book that is out of copyright. Once you find such a book a download button will appear on the page. When you click on this it allows you to save a PDF file to your computer. Once you have it saved you can e-mail it as you like!
    Eoin

Comments are closed for this entry.