As expected, Barnes & Noble revealed its latest offering in the electronic reader device market by introducing the Nook at a news conference Tuesday in New York City.
William Lynch, president of Barnes & Noble.com, said the company will aggressively market its new device within brick and mortar stores.
The Nook has software that will detect when a customer comes into a store so that it can push out coupons and other promotional stuff, like excerpts from upcoming books or suggestions for reading. While in stores, Nook owners will be able to read any e-book through streaming software.
Barnes & Noble said that the Nook will be releasing at a price of $259 which will begin shipping by the end of November.
Features and Availability
- Runs on Google Inc.’s Android operating system
- Contains 2 gigabytes build in memory—enough to hold 1500 books and with an option to expand
- 3.5-inch LCD screen in the lower quadrant
- Touch Screen Navigation
- Little bit heavier and on the thicker side
- Removable batteries (estimated to run for about 10 days on single charge if the several other wireless options are turned off)
- Free access to 3G cell networks (via AT&T); it includes Wi-Fi to allow some features to run during foreign travels
- Can be connected or charged via mini-USB port
- Also has speaker and headphone jack
Some more exciting stuff about the Nook
Google’s Android operating system in the Nook will help support many file formats, including eReader, MP3, PDF, PNG, JPG, EPUB, PDF and GFI image formats.
Just like Kindle, the software will allow easy synchronization of content among a variety of devices, like PC’s and MACs as well as iPhones, iPod touches etc.
Another amazing thing about Nook is this that it allows users to lend their purchased items to friends with linked accounts. Users’ friends have 14 days to read the sent content.
Barnes & Nobel also promised to provide access to newspaper and magazines subscription once the Nook launches. Deeper analysis can be made once it’s available in the market, but so far, the Nook has managed to get everyone’s attention.
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