NEW YORK –
Barnes & Noble expanded the capabilities
of its Nook Color last week, effectively turning
it into a tablet PC.
The Nook Color e-book reader is now running the
Android 2.2/Froyo operating system with Flash support
for a better video performance, the company
said. In addition, users can access free and paid apps
and various web email services using the devices fullscreen
virtual keyboard.
This has all been accomplished through a free firmware
download.
The Nook Color Wi-Fi device carries will retain its
$249 suggested retail price.
The Android 2.2 OS improves the Nook’s web
browsing ability and an enhanced pinch and zoom
feature on the 7-inch touchscreen, the company said.
The Nook Color also has an upgraded reading experience
with more interactive content and a sliding page
turn animation that the company said was requested
by its customers.
The Nook Color apps store now contains 125 apps.
These range in price from free to $5.99, the company
said, with the majority costing $2.99 or less.
Other changes include Nook Books Enhanced,
which include embedded video and audio in 225 multimedia
titles such as Knitting for Dummies and Workout
Yoga with Brooklyn Decker.
Barnes & Noble also increased the number of periodicals
available or the Nook Color to a total of 150 titles.
The bookseller also expanded the Nook Kids feature
adding 15 Read and Play digital book titles for a total
of 350. Nook Kids books allow children to interact with
the story, which is read to them by the Nook.
To support these improvements Barnes & Noble
has created a new marketing campaign. It will include
advertising spread over broadcast, cable, digital and
social media along with radio. The campaign, dubbed
Read Forever, and will attempt to attract customers
by portraying intimate portraits of people who love to
read, the company said.
The spots will hit the air this week.
