Is B&N Getting Its Own Android e-Book Reader?

barnes-noble-logo-jpegReuters is reporting that bookseller Barnes & Noble is getting ready to launch its own e-book reader device. It is no secret that B&N is getting into e-books in a big way, starting with their purchase of Fictionwise. They have recently inked deals to be the content provider for the upcoming Plastic Logic and iRex e-book readers. B&N operates the Fictionwise, eReader and their own branded online e-book retail outlets, and they are obviously gearing up for a serious run at Amazon’s Kindle business.

This new e-book reader that is rumored to be coming to B&N is a touch screen device using e-Ink technology, like other devices on the market. Gizmodo is claiming that this new reader will be based on the Android platform, which is interesting if true. What sets the stage for the Amazon showdown is that both companies would be producing their own reader and operating their own content store. B&N would have the advantage in that scenario as they will also be selling content for other readers on the open market, along with the continued operation of their current online stores.

B&N hinted at some big news coming down the pike in our exclusive interview with them a while back, perhaps this reader is what they were hinting at:

B&N will have announcements in the coming months that address further innovation in the works. Steve was not in a position to divulge what those announcements might include. He was more than willing to tweak our curiosity, however, by stating that these announcements will show “that mass adoption of e-books is coming.”

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