Barnes & Noble to sell own electronic reader-WSJ

sforce · 10-08-2009, 04:17 PM

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Bookseller Barnes & Noble will soon sell its own electronic reader, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, in a move that could further heat up the competition in the nascent market currently dominated by Amazon.com Kindle.

The wireless touchscreen device could be sold as soon as next month, said the newspaper, citing sources briefed on the matter.

In July, the company unveiled an online digital bookstore that it touted as the world's largest, with over 700,000 titles that could be read on devices like Apple's iPhone.

It also said then that it would be the exclusive provider of digital content on the Plastic Logic e-reader, due in early 2010.

The Wall Street Journal did not cite a retail price for the new Barnes & Noble device.

The company could not be reached immediately for comment.

Barnes & Noble received approval from the Federal Communications Commission for its device in September, the newspaper reported." (Reporting by Alexandria Sage)

http://www.reuters.com/article/marke...0091008?rpc=44

juj1n · 10-08-2009, 06:43 PM

I'm really excited about this and it's holding me back from a kindle 2 right now...
speculated to have a 6 inch touchscreen with wireless just like the kindle.

Xerxes · 10-08-2009, 07:02 PM

Isn't this the IREX?

JSWolf · 10-08-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

It also said then that it would be the exclusive provider of digital content on the Plastic Logic e-reader, due in early 2010.

If this is actually true, then it means that the specs of the Plastic-Logic are wrong.

• PDF
• DOC
• DOCX
• XLS
• XLSX
• PPT
• PPTX
• JPEG
• PNG
• TEXT
• HTML
• BMP
• RTF
• ePub

No place does it mention PDB (eReader) which is what B&N sell. Something is rather fishy here.

Xerxes · 10-08-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If this is actually true, then it means that the specs of the Plastic-Logic are wrong.

• PDF
• DOC
• DOCX
• XLS
• XLSX
• PPT
• PPTX
• JPEG
• PNG
• TEXT
• HTML
• BMP
• RTF
• ePub

No place does it mention PDB (eReader) which is what B&N sell. Something is rather fishy here.

I thought B&N was going Epub as well?

AnemicOak · 10-08-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xerxes

Isn't this the IREX?

The I-Rex will offer B&N content, but will be sold through Best Buy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If this is actually true, then it means that the specs of the Plastic-Logic are wrong.

• PDF
• DOC
• DOCX
• XLS
• XLSX
• PPT
• PPTX
• JPEG
• PNG
• TEXT
• HTML
• BMP
• RTF
• ePub

No place does it mention PDB (eReader) which is what B&N sell. Something is rather fishy here.

I'm pretty sure that list is old and has been on their site for a long time. Doesn't look like their site gets updated much.

juj1n · 10-08-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xerxes

Isn't this the IREX?

The Irex will be supplied by the B&N bookstore but they're also B&N is also coming out with their own e-reader.

The-eBook-Reader · 10-08-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xerxes

Isn't this the IREX?

I don't think it's the iRex DR-800 because iRex apparently wanted to brand that device with B&N but B&N turned them down. And this is probably why . . .

sforce · 10-08-2009, 09:14 PM

Further news...

Gzmodo is out saying that the B&N device *might* run Google's Android OS.

That would be neat. Think of all the fun developers would have creating applications.

An eReader with an open-standard operation system, running open-standard apps, for open-standard eBooks. You want folders? How long would that take an even modestly creative chap?

From Gizmodo:

"It's not certain, but I'll be damned if it isn't the best idea I've heard in a while: Barnes & Noble's rapidly-approaching eReader will be an Android piece, according to our source. And it really should be, according to me.

The leak came from someone who (quite convincingly!) claims to work for B&N developing mobile apps-his background knowledge of their app projects was startlingly deep, at any rate-and makes quite a bit of sense as an alternative to the brutally dumb software of current ebook readers.

Think about it. At six inches, it's a smallish device, and we've seen Android on similarly-sized screens already. Wireless connectivity is built into the OS. Extraneous, inappropriate software and settings could be easily stripped out and replaced with relevant ones. A custom-designed interface could be easily dropped in. Apps-oh, sweet apps-could be a huge boon. And hey, E-Ink Android drivers have already been demonstrated on video. Not to mention the fact that B&N has conveniently skirted releasing an Android app, despite putting quite a bit of effort into iPhone and BlackBerry versions of the mobile ebook sofrware.

Simply put, this would be pretty fantastic, and it's eminently plausible. And from the looks of it, we won't have to wait long to find out."

http://gizmodo.com/5377516/rumor-bar...yline=true&s=i

fuzzy_dunlop · 10-08-2009, 11:13 PM

Color!?!? This video with a B&N rep claims their device will be color (http://tinyurl.com/yh87d9p).

Mashable is reporting it will be color and developed by Plastic Logic. This seems unlikely though because Plastic Logic has already demonstrated their device and haven't mentioned color and e-ink doesn't support color well yet (http://tinyurl.com/m38nax).

Plus the WSJ article is referring to B&N having their own reader, what is this guy talking about?

Xerxes · 10-08-2009, 11:23 PM

I'm thinking it'll be some sort of... MID is it. That's what the kids are calling it right?

It's funny for them to make it seem like that other company is the only one to worry about.

juj1n · 10-09-2009, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuzzy_dunlop

Color!?!? This video with a B&N rep claims their device will be color (http://tinyurl.com/yh87d9p).

Mashable is reporting it will be color and developed by Plastic Logic. This seems unlikely though because Plastic Logic has already demonstrated their device and haven't mentioned color and e-ink doesn't support color well yet (http://tinyurl.com/m38nax).

Plus the WSJ article is referring to B&N having their own reader, what is this guy talking about?

What the heck?! Color?! I have no idea what this guy is talking about! What happened to the WSJ rumor of a B&N ereader early next month? If they do come out with a color reader it will be so expensive since the technology is brand new... I didn't even think that the technology was going to be available for at least a few more years. It's so hard to hold back on not buying the kindle 2 right now... I wish there were some real answers.

sforce · 10-09-2009, 01:02 AM

Well, he gave his name, said color, said Plastic Logic and repeated both color and Plastic Logic a few times--and he seemed quite lucid.

Since B&N wouldn't confirm even the WSJ story's version, I can't imagine we'll know for some time, unless PL coughs up some news.

Xerxes · 10-09-2009, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juj1n

What the heck?! Color?! I have no idea what this guy is talking about! What happened to the WSJ rumor of a B&N ereader early next month? If they do come out with a color reader it will be so expensive since the technology is brand new... I didn't even think that the technology was going to be available for at least a few more years. It's so hard to hold back on not buying the kindle 2 right now... I wish there were some real answers.

It's not going to be color e-ink. I don't think anyone thinks it will be. Does sound like B&N is putting it's eggs in all sorts of baskets though.

sforce · 10-09-2009, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xerxes

It's not going to be color e-ink. I don't think anyone thinks it will be.

The Barnes and Noble guy said Plastic Logic a few times. I have never heard about PL working on anything other than e-Ink. Sounds like they may have had a breakthrough...

10-08-2009, 04:17 PM	#1
sforce Connoisseur Posts: 81 Karma: 184 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Plastic Logic (?)	Barnes & Noble to sell own electronic reader-WSJ SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Bookseller Barnes & Noble will soon sell its own electronic reader, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, in a move that could further heat up the competition in the nascent market currently dominated by Amazon.com Kindle. The wireless touchscreen device could be sold as soon as next month, said the newspaper, citing sources briefed on the matter. In July, the company unveiled an online digital bookstore that it touted as the world's largest, with over 700,000 titles that could be read on devices like Apple's iPhone. It also said then that it would be the exclusive provider of digital content on the Plastic Logic e-reader, due in early 2010. The Wall Street Journal did not cite a retail price for the new Barnes & Noble device. The company could not be reached immediately for comment. Barnes & Noble received approval from the Federal Communications Commission for its device in September, the newspaper reported." (Reporting by Alexandria Sage) http://www.reuters.com/article/marke...0091008?rpc=44

10-09-2009, 01:02 AM	#13
sforce Connoisseur Posts: 81 Karma: 184 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Plastic Logic (?)	Well, he gave his name, said color, said Plastic Logic and repeated both color and Plastic Logic a few times--and he seemed quite lucid. Since B&N wouldn't confirm even the WSJ story's version, I can't imagine we'll know for some time, unless PL coughs up some news. Last edited by sforce; 10-09-2009 at 01:21 AM.

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10-08-2009, 06:43 PM	#2
juj1n Connoisseur Posts: 95 Karma: 350 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Lots!	I'm really excited about this and it's holding me back from a kindle 2 right now... speculated to have a 6 inch touchscreen with wireless just like the kindle.

10-08-2009, 07:02 PM	#3
Xerxes Addict Posts: 355 Karma: 90 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, TX Device: Astak EZReader, Pocket Pro	Isn't this the IREX?

10-08-2009, 09:14 PM	#9
sforce Connoisseur Posts: 81 Karma: 184 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Plastic Logic (?)	Further news... Gzmodo is out saying that the B&N device might run Google's Android OS. That would be neat. Think of all the fun developers would have creating applications. An eReader with an open-standard operation system, running open-standard apps, for open-standard eBooks. You want folders? How long would that take an even modestly creative chap? From Gizmodo: "It's not certain, but I'll be damned if it isn't the best idea I've heard in a while: Barnes & Noble's rapidly-approaching eReader will be an Android piece, according to our source. And it really should be, according to me. The leak came from someone who (quite convincingly!) claims to work for B&N developing mobile apps-his background knowledge of their app projects was startlingly deep, at any rate-and makes quite a bit of sense as an alternative to the brutally dumb software of current ebook readers. Think about it. At six inches, it's a smallish device, and we've seen Android on similarly-sized screens already. Wireless connectivity is built into the OS. Extraneous, inappropriate software and settings could be easily stripped out and replaced with relevant ones. A custom-designed interface could be easily dropped in. Apps-oh, sweet apps-could be a huge boon. And hey, E-Ink Android drivers have already been demonstrated on video. Not to mention the fact that B&N has conveniently skirted releasing an Android app, despite putting quite a bit of effort into iPhone and BlackBerry versions of the mobile ebook sofrware. Simply put, this would be pretty fantastic, and it's eminently plausible. And from the looks of it, we won't have to wait long to find out." http://gizmodo.com/5377516/rumor-bar...yline=true&s=i

10-08-2009, 11:13 PM	#10
fuzzy_dunlop Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	Color!?!? This video with a B&N rep claims their device will be color (http://tinyurl.com/yh87d9p). Mashable is reporting it will be color and developed by Plastic Logic. This seems unlikely though because Plastic Logic has already demonstrated their device and haven't mentioned color and e-ink doesn't support color well yet (http://tinyurl.com/m38nax). Plus the WSJ article is referring to B&N having their own reader, what is this guy talking about?

10-08-2009, 11:23 PM	#11
Xerxes Addict Posts: 355 Karma: 90 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, TX Device: Astak EZReader, Pocket Pro	I'm thinking it'll be some sort of... MID is it. That's what the kids are calling it right? It's funny for them to make it seem like that other company is the only one to worry about.