Reports are coming in that Google is planning to launch its anticipated E-book service called Google Editions. The idea behind the service is a bit different from the major competitors in that the books can be purchased through a variety of online retailers and can be accessed anywhere through a Google account.

It’s unclear at this point whether or not Google is planning a dedicated hardware reader like the Kindle, but given the emerging popularity of smartphones and tablet computers (including the upcoming Chrome tablet?), chances are they will just release a series of apps for multiple platforms and devices.

While no specific date has been set, Google Editions is slated to launch in the US by the end of the year, and internationally sometime in Q1 of 2011.

Google gearing up to launch E-book service called Google Editions

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Image via Entertainment Weekly, credit Andrew Macpherson/© The Muppets Studio, LLC

Okay, so a frog, a bear and an actor are sitting around a table…

Entertainment Weekly has a peek at the next Muppet movie online and in a two-page print spread shared by ComingSoon.net.

The brief piece on the movie – one working title is The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made, judging by some news coverage this summer — describes what sounds like a fun mix of new takes and old Jim Henson-style meta-fun. Take the new guy, Walter, for example: He’s obviously a Muppet in our world, but in his world, he’s a human, and he’s also a huge fan of “The Muppets.” (And yes, he’s toting what looks like an iPhone — I bet those felt fingers keep that screen shiny like you wouldn’t believe.)

Written by Jason Segel — Marshall on How I Met Your Mother, among other roles — and Forgetting Sarah Marshall director Nicholas Stoller, the next Muppet movie is being directed by Flight of the Conchords co-creator James Bobin, and it’s due for a Christmas 2011 release.

Wakka-wakka!

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Verizon seems to be launching their own app store, according to a press release intended for developers. On September 1st, Big Red began accepting submissions to their V CAST App Store, and although no formal announcement has been made regarding a release date, it may not be too far away.

According to the document, submission to the App Store will be free, although each application will have to undergo a more rigorous review process.  In addition to this, Verizon will only take a 30% cut of sales, with the other 70% going to developers.  The V CAST App Store will also feature carrier billing, forgoing the need for credit cards or PayPal payments.

The move comes after some strange decisions on the part of Verizon, including the selection of Bing as the default search engine on the Samsung Fascinate.  Also, V CAST Apps will only be deployed on Android phones running 2.2. Granted, Android is an open platform, so there is nothing preventing Verizon from selling apps.  Still, it will be interesting to see how this one plays out.

Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available, and continue after the break for the full presser:

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Is Verizon gearing up to launch a V CAST App Store?

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Word of Wind Mobile picking up the Motorola Milestone XT720 has been blowing in the, er, wind for some time now, but a recent shot of an internal training screen reveals that the handset launch should be right around the corner. This will mark a significant upgrade from the carrier’s first Android handset the low-end Huawei U8100. This will also give Wind a fairly nice excluive for Canadian Android lovers to consider — the phone has a pretty low presence in North America in general.

The source of the news has the XT720 pegged for a release towards the end of the month, but no word on what the pricing will be like. Wind is a pay-as-you-go carrier, so don’t expect any subsidies to drop the price of this handset too low. It has been selling for over $500 unlocked, so it will be interesting to see where Wind prices it.

[via IntoMobile]

You may have heard a thing or two about Google’s music service, likely to be dubbed Google Music.  The idea was discussed at I/O back in May, which expectations we would see something around September.  Well, September is here, and we’ve really heard nothing new about Google Music, until now.

Reports are now coming in that sources are revealing that Google Music may be landing sometime around Christmas.  Sources are also revealing that Google is planning to launch the service along with Android 3.0.  There’s only one catch, it seems that Google Music, being spearheaded by Andy Rubin himself, is having zero luck in signing deals with any major record labels.

Music is not the only area where Google is reportedly having difficulty getting content providers to come on board.  There have been numerous reports that they are having an equally difficult time swaying studios and networks to partner with them over Google TV.  One thing is for certain, though, and that is Google had better hurry up and get some record labels on board, or they will be launching a shiny new music service with no music to be found.

Google may be gearing up to launch their music service along with Android 3.0

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