What if you could print a copy of a rare book, complete with a cover and binding, while you wait at a kiosk? You can, now that Google has signed an agreement with On Demand Books.
On Thursday, Google inked the deal with the maker of the Espresso Book Machine, allowing consumers to print more than two million public-domain titles in the Google digital files. On Demand Books already offers 1.6 million titles.
"I'm a sucker for a cool piece of technology," said Brandon Badger, a Google product manager. "The Espresso Book Machine, which can print a book in minutes before your eyes, fits the bill. If sentient robots ever succeed in taking over the world, this is how they will print their books."
Un-Digitizing Books
The Espresso Book Machine is a patented high-speed, automated book-making machine that can print, bind and trim a single-copy library-quality paperback book, complete with a full-color cover, within minutes. Now it will print rare and classic books from the public domain.
"On Demand Books, in effect an ATM for books, will radically decentralize direct-to-consumer distribution," said Jason Epstein, chairman and cofounder of On Demand Books. "With the Google inventory, the Espresso Book Machine will make it possible for readers everywhere to have access to millions of digital titles in multiple languages, including rare and out-of-print public-domain titles."
On Demand Books works in the opposite manner of the classic Gutenberg model of centrally producing, shipping and selling. Espresso sells first, then produces. Technology consumers are familiar with the process through computer maker Dell's business model.
The Espresso Book Machine relies on proprietary software to connect to a network  of legal content. The software uses encryption to assure the security of publishers' titles, tracks all jobs, and provides payments to publishers. Content owners retain full ownership and control of their digital files.
Competing with Kindle?
"We founded Google Books on the premise that anyone, anywhere, anytime should have the tools to explore the great works of history and culture," Badger said. "We recently made available over a million free public-domain books for viewing and download from our Web site. Reading digital books can be an enjoyable experience, but we realize that there are times when readers want a physical copy of a book."
Google believes in an open ecosystem where people can access and read books, whether at a computer, on a phone or an electronic reader, or from their local library or bookshop, Badger said. Google sees the On Demand Books partnership as one more step toward fulfilling that mission.
"In the near term, this is really little more than a demonstration of concept since there are only 14 such kiosks in the world," said Phil Leigh, a senior analyst at Inside Digital Media. "If they are going to grow, they are going to have to move fast, because the competitive service of digital downloads is actually more amenable to those who have an Amazon Kindle."
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