New York – Barnes & Noble today introduced the Nook Wi-Fi and
lowered the price on its 3G Nook to $199.
Amazon followed these announcements later on Monday by reducing
the price of its 3G Kindle to $189.
The price juggling now taking place between Amazon and Barnes
& Noble is coming at a time when 24 percent of active readers, those who
read between one and five books per month, intend to purchase an e-reader this
year, according to a study from theconsumer electronics shopping and review site Retrevo. The firm found 13
percent of casual readers, those who read one book every few months, intend to
make an e-reader purchase this year.
About 9 percent of those surveyed already own an e-reader and 58
percent of the respondents had no plan to buy such a device this year.
Barnes & Noble’s new Nook carries a $149 suggested retail
price, is Wi-Fi only, has the same color touchscreen as the older 3G version
and uses E-Ink. Other features include Barnes & Nobles LendMe technology
that lets customers share e-books with friends for up to 14 days and has Read
In Store that lets users browse complete e-books while in a Barnes & Noble
location.
