Google Editions, the search giant's new foray into the ebook market is in the final stages of development, according to sources. It is set to debut before the end of the year and may cause a serious threat to the Apple and Amazon stores.

Google product management director Scott Dougall told the Journal that Google Editions is set to launch in the U.S. by ‘the end of the month and internationally at the first quarter of next year.'

Sources close to Kitguru have told us that many independent booksellers have received contracts in the last two weeks, which is a strong indication that the store is due to open really soon.

Google are targeting their platform tied into Google Accounts, and will be accessible on almost all devices with a web browser. Amazons Kindle reader is a program available on a wide array of devices, even Apples iPad, but the Apple iBooks store is only available on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

“Google is going to turn every Internet space that talks about a book into a place where you can buy that book,” Dominique Raccah, publisher and owner of Sourcebooks Inc, told the Journal. “The Google model is going to drive a lot of sales. We think they could get 20% of the e-book market very fast.”

KitGuru says: Google won't have it all their way however, as they are six months behind their competitors. It will be a tough fight.

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