Google Play will now offer digital textbooks for purchase or rent

In Google’s recent Android and Chrome event in San Francisco, Google announced the upcoming launch of a textbook portion to the Google Play store. This update will allow college students to purchase or rent digital versions of textbooks for up to 80 percent off their normally high retail prices. This move is obviously a positive one, as textbooks are easily one of the most expensive parts of a student’s education (aside from tuition itself).

This announcement follows Google’s reveal of Google Play for Education in May, which will work to bring Chrome and Android apps to schools.

The textbook portion of the Google Play store will feature books from five current textbook partners, but no specific prices or price ranges were announced.

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