Barnes and Noble for sale

This was shocking news to me yesterday.

My local Barnes and Noble is seemingly always full of people, busy people buying books and stuff.

The Nook, I thought was a HUGE success and was hungrily eating away Kindle’s market share.

So, why the “FOR SALE” sign?  I’m confused…

Link to the Wall Street Journal by James B. Stewart; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703824304575435512550936090.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Link to Barnes and Noble Press Release; http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/press_releases/2010_aug_3_bks_strategic_alternatives1.html

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The above is an opinion of the Authors.

Nook – Free Fridays

Not being a Nook owner, I was unaware of this delightful little treat that’s offered up every Friday; Yes, a FREE eBOOK, the entire book, not just a preview.

Also, different Barnes and Noble locations occasionally offer a ‘local selection’ that’s different from the Corporate Offering.  So, you could actually download two free ebooks on a Friday.

Ahh, it’s nice to have a Nook…

This link takes you to the Nook Blog that talks about the Free Fridays (it is not a download site) http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Unbound-nook-and-BN-eReader-Blog/Free-Fridays/bc-p/506638?nobounce

eReader status checks

Now that the iPad is out and the reviews are flooding the www; it’s a good time to remember some of the other strong players in the market.

Available;

iRex – http://www.irextechnologies.com/

Kindle – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015T963C

Nook – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?cm_mmc=Redirect-_-nook.com-_-Storefront-_-nook

Sony – http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644523779&XID=O:sony%20ereader:dg_read_gglsrch

Available but really hard to find;

Fujitsu Flepia – The only full color e-ink style device.  Not in the North American Market Yet.  This link is to a REVIEW - http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/hands-on-with-fujitsu-flepia-color-e-book-reader/

Things to look forward to;

Pixel Qi – This company makes screens but are often rumored to be coming out with their own product – http://www.pixelqi.com/

Plastic Logic Que – The original ship estimate was April 2010, that’s now moved out to ‘Summer’ – http://www.plasticlogic.com/ 

Skiff - http://www.skiff.com/skiff-reader.html

enTourage eDGe – This is not a dedicated eReader.  The dual screen (1 standard screen & 1 e-ink screen) make this a working unit - http://www.entourageedge.com/

Units with LCD type screens are not listed.

Pretty Nook

Credit; www.nook.com

The Nook’s been out for enough time that the user reviews are skewing firmly in the ‘happy’ direction. 

Although it did have a difficult start (production just couldn’t match demand), along with first-time only download issues and the occasional need to ‘reset’ the unit; it’s introduction into the market has been well received. 

The units are now rumored to be available In-Store (but not at my local Barnes and Noble yet).  So, now would be a nice time to drop in and check it out yourself.  Nothing beats a ‘hands on’ look at the unit.

And, check out the dazzling colors for the back of the unit – that’s NEW too!

Link to Barnes and Noble; http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?cm_mmc=Redirect-_-nook.com-_-Storefront-_-nook

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The above is an opinion of the Authors.

Plastic Logic’s Que and Barnes and Noble

Credit-Que.com

Not everyone reads fiction and not everyone reads for pleasure.  Lots of people have to work and part of that is reading the associated documentation.  It can range from text-rich Financials to image-rich Presentations and all of it needs a large screen with fast, clear rendering, as well as business compatible file format support.  iRex was alone in that niche and it remains as the standard for the business world.  Plastic Logic wants in.

And what better way than to partner with Barnes and Noble? It comes with a huge distribution base and a substantial eBook offering. Their Nook is optimized for the pleasure reader, the Que will satisfy the business reader.

Nook, barnesandnoble.com

I look forward to walking into my local Barnes and Noble and seeing both units working together; the Nook, like a zesty little sports car and the Que, like a grander and more stately sedan.

Link to Plastic Logic Press Announcement, http://www.plasticlogic.com/news/QUEPressRelease_102709.pdf,

Link to Plastic Logic (if the 1st link doesn’t work), http://www.plasticlogic.com/news/QUE/que_presskit.html,

Link to Barnes and Noble Nook, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?cm_mmc=Redirect-_-nook.com-_-Storefront-_-nook

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The above is an opinion of the Authors.