Barnes & Noble preps Kindle punching Google machine
Android ereader with virtual keyboard
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Amazon nemesis Barnes & Noble is on the verge of challenging the Kindle with its very own ebook reader based on Google's open source Android operating system.
According to a source speaking with The Wall Street Journal, B&N could begin selling an ereader as early as next month in the US, and gadget-obsessed blog Gizmodo pegs the mystery machine as an Android device.
Apparently, the device will include a six-inch touchscreen from digital-paper maker E-Ink Corp., and this will offer up an iPhone-like virtual keyboard - something you won't find on the Kindle.
The Journal also says that in the Kindle-like fashion, the B&N reader will include a wireless connection for downloading titles. Barnes & Noble unveiled its own online ebook store this summer.
The company has already announced partnerships that will see this online store hook into ebook readers from Plastic Logic and Irex. At the moment, the store is serving up texts for a software app that runs the Apple iPhone, the iPod Touch, and the RIM BlackBerry as well as full-fledged Windows and Mac desktops and laptops.
After a filing made on behalf of Barnes & Noble by a Taiwanese outfit, the American bookseller has received approval from the FCC for an ebook reader.
This marks Barnes & Noble's second foray into the ebook. It had a go in the pre-Kindle says - but failed miserably. No word on the price of the company's mystery Android device. Amazon recently cut the price of the Kindle to $259 in the US, while Sony offers a competing device for $199.
This week, Amazon confirmed that the Kindle will be available outside the US next year. ®
COMMENTS
Some sort of progress
As a recidivist mature student, this seems like a step in the right direction - an eBook won't become useful to me until I can easily annotate pages, which I would be able to with a decent keyboard. Of course it would also need to be able to offer me digital copies of some of the obscure and very heavy course books I occasionally require for it to become completely useful, and I suspect that won't be for a good while yet.
For the time being, I'll stick to Book 1.0 - it's nice to have at least *something* that doesn't require charging to be useable.
Who needs it ?
I'm still using a 10 year old Handspring Visor to read. Holds anywhere from 1 to 20 full length novels, and it cost me less than $ 25 american on ebay.
Let those who have too much money get either of these readers, Paris likes mine instead, it leaves more money to spend on her.
Barnes & Nobel
Sorry but B&N didnot launch their own eBook site they purchased an allready existing one Fictionwise .com and as a result allsort of restrictoins have been put on what they will sell you.
you can only purchase the full range of titles if you live in the USA.
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