Google Editions in the Fall

After originally announcing a June/July launch for Google Editions, the internet giant appears now to be aiming at unveiling the new eBook retail platform in the Fall, according to a recent story. Additionally, Google is promoting Editions as an eBook option that might save independent booksellers, rather than condemn them to death:

"We often say we're like Mark Twain: that the rumors of our death have been greatly exaggerated," said Oren Teicher, chief executive of the American Booksellers Association (ABA), an industry group for independent bookstores.

The ABA has reached a deal with Google Editions -- Google's digital bookstore, due to launch this fall -- that would allow its 14,000 members to sell Google's eBooks through their websites.

"Google Editions will serve as an e-bookstore, an e-book wholesaler, an e-book discovery platform and an e-book storage system in the cloud," said Jeannie Hornung, spokeswoman for Google Books and News.

"We anticipate Google Editions will be a popular channel for independent bookstores with a web presence," said Hornung, adding that Google expected hundreds of bookstores to sign on.

Is the Fall release a symptom of problems with the Google Editions platform, or is it part of a marketing strategy, holding back GE until a rumoured Google Chrome-powered eReader/tablet (created in partnership with HTC and Verizon) is available?