Google play now selling textbooks!

[sfbloodbrother]

As a student heading off to college in 10 days, this is exciting news for me. Google play now offers textbooks for sale, and also for rent! This could save students some money, rather than going to the school book store, and spending up to $400 like my sister did.
I hope I'll be able to find the books I need for school here. Have a look at the Google plus post I found for more information.

https://plus.google.com/106886664866983861036/posts/NsDiXcJdwDW

 

[palmtree5]

Conveniently, none of my books for this semester are currently offered there...

 

[Mehta23]

Because people in the UK don't deserve to pay less for their books?

Seems like it isn't that cheap then

 

[electricpete]

Come back at the end of the semester and tell us how out worked out.

I think I'd rather study from an old fashioned paper book than a Google Play Book accessible only thru google app. Possibly it will depend on what kind of outline, highlighting and comment/note tools are built into their app.

 

[FlameBV]

Along with a Nexus 7, this will make the college experience a billion times easier. I hope that Google stays competitive with Amazon price-wise; I saw some Kindle textbooks that undercut their Play Store equivalents. I'll pay slightly more for the Google Play version if it's a small difference, but in some cases there's a significant difference. I hope the introduction of Google to the digital textbook game brings some price downshifting across the industry due to the increased competition.

 

[sfbloodbrother]

Along with a Nexus 7, this will make the college experience a billion times easier. I hope that Google stays competitive with Amazon price-wise; I saw some Kindle textbooks that undercut their Play Store equivalents. I'll pay slightly more for the Google Play version if it's a small difference, but in some cases there's a significant difference. I hope the introduction of Google to the digital textbook game brings some price downshifting across the industry due to the increased competition.

You bring up an excellent point. Google needs to do a good job pricing the books in order for people to make the choice to get them from the Play Store.

Conveniently, none of my books for this semester are currently offered there...

That's what I was afraid of. I just hope that the books I need are in the play store, otherwise I will have to pay a big deal to my schools bookstore to get the books. Which reminds me, I NEED to get to my school to get the books, school starts like next week!!!

 

[sfbloodbrother]

Along with a Nexus 7, this will make the college experience a billion times easier. I hope that Google stays competitive with Amazon price-wise; I saw some Kindle textbooks that undercut their Play Store equivalents. I'll pay slightly more for the Google Play version if it's a small difference, but in some cases there's a significant difference. I hope the introduction of Google to the digital textbook game brings some price downshifting across the industry due to the increased competition.

After having a look at the prices, I won't be buying these books from Google. Not even they got it right. The book industry needs to learn. I ,mean $60 to rent a book. I won't be going passed $20 sorry Google, but you messed up here.

 

[mikedt]

$60 bucks to rent a textbook....wow!

Google trying to arrange an e-book pricing cartel with the publishers?

Apple tried that, and they were prosecuted.

 

[sfbloodbrother]

$60 bucks to rent a textbook....wow!

Google trying to arrange an e-book pricing cartel with the publishers?

Apple tried that, and they were prosecuted.

Considering the price of competitors like kno textbooks and Amazon, its not that bad actually. Sure they should be cheaper to rent, but its better to save about $50 rather than buying them.
The major problem is the way Google advertises its play services, as the promises Google has is different than what the publisher has. I have 3 tablets, 3 computers, and access to computers at school. I expect that I can use all my play services no matter what device I'm in, but that is not what the publisher gives. I'm only allowed to use a textbook on 2 specific devices.

I don't think Google was ready to release textbooks yet, they are below my expectations of Google. This is nothing compared to apples iBooks.