Google acquires eBook Technologies

Google has acquired eBook Technologies, a company that specializes in both hardware and content distribution for electronic readers, according to a message on the company's homepage. "eBook Technologies, Inc. is excited to announce that we have been acquired by Google," the message reads. "Working together with Google will further our commitment to providing a first-class reading experience on emerging tablets, e-readers and other portable devices."

"We are happy to welcome eBook Technologies' team to Google," a Google spokesperson said in a statement. "Together, we hope to deliver richer reading experiences on tablets, electronic readers and other portable devices." The company did not disclose financial details of the deal.

This news comes soon after the search giant launched Google eBookstore with more than 3 million titles. Google eBooks is compatible with laptops, netbooks, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. The Google eBooks Web Reader lets a user buy, store, and read Google eBooks in the cloud.

The store is only available in the US, meaning Google still has a lot of work to do. This acquisition should also help the company fight its competition.

Many parts of eBook Technologies' website have been stripped, but you can use Google's cache to see what was there earlier. Here's how the product page is introduced: "The eBook Technologies, Inc. (ETI) platform consists of four parts: electronic reading devices (eBook devices) plus their associated UI firmware technology, the 'Online Bookshelf', an Internet-based content sales and delivery system (the eBookstore), and eBook content conversion / publication tools."