Barnes & Noble - Barnes & Noble Nook

Barnes & Noble Nook

Barnes & Noble Nook is an electronic book reader developed by the company, based on the Android platform. The device was announced in the United States on October 20, 2009, and was released November 30, 2009, for US$259. On June 21, 2010 Barnes & Noble reduced the Nook's price to US$199, as well as launched a new Wi-Fi-only model, for US$149 and released a Nook colored touch screen for US$249.

The Nook competes with the Amazon Kindle, Kobo eReader, Sony Reader, Apple's iBooks for the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and other e-readers. Various Nook models feature a 6-inch or 7-inch touchscreen. Version 1.3 of the Nook introduced Wi-Fi connectivity, a web browser, a dictionary, chess and sudoku games, and a separate, smaller color touchscreen that serves as the primary input device. The Nook also features a Read in Store capability that allows visitors to stream and read any book for up to one hour while shopping in a Barnes & Noble Store. According to a June 2010 CNet article, the company plans to expand this feature to include periodicals in the near future. The color version of the Nook introduced a 7-inch color touchscreen, and the ability to view at a portrait or landscape orientation.

On April 30, 2012, Microsoft invested $300 million dollars for a 17.6% stake in Nook, which valued the business at about $1.7 billion.