Google's EPUB embrace challenges Kindle - InternetNews.com

Google's backing of the open standard EPUB earlier this week for its one million free, public-domain digital books is accelerating EPUB as the e-reader industry standard. In doing so, analysts say this leaves front-runner Amazon's (NASDAQ: AMZN) Kindle, with it uses proprietary technology, out of the loop.

By adding support for EPUB downloads, Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) hopes to make these books more accessible as new e-readers, smartphones, netbooks and other portable devices with small screens that don't readily render image-based PDF versions of the books already scanned by the search giant...