(Image source: Barnes & Noble)
BY EVAN THOMAS
ANCHOR NATHAN BYRNE
Barnes & Noble is getting ready to carve out a bigger nook in the tablet market. The bookseller is said to be finishing up its latest tablet for release this spring.
A New York Times article on the retailer cites company executives giving the ballpark release date. Nobody is saying anything further, but the rumor mill has it from here. CNET speculates on the two most likely offerings.
“Another tablet, perhaps a larger model (think iPad size but with a $300-$350 price tag)? An even more affordable e-ink e-reader that might allow the company to break the sub-$50 barrier?”
Engadget thinks the latter is more likely. A refreshed e-ink device would fit the trend.
“Given last year's release schedule, timing-wise the device would fall closer in line with the company's e-ink line of products...”
Barnes & Noble holds about 22% of the e-reader market share in the U.S., according to a report published last year by Goldman Sachs. That’s about a third of Amazon’s slice. The two companies have similar offerings on both the e-ink and tablet ends of the market. Android Police says Barnes & Noble could use something innovative to set its fifth tablet apart.
“We are talking about the company that built a dual-screen device with both e-ink and color touchscreen displays. Perhaps B&N will come up with yet another new category.”
In the meantime, Barnes & Noble will be expanding the market for its existing readers. The New York Times reports the company has plans to take its Nooks to bookstores in Britain.
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