Bookstore Barnes & Noble will reportedly release its own e-reader device in the immediate future, which could be available to consumers as early as November.
The most popular e-reader currently on the market, the Amazon Kindle, is priced at $259 -- after a recent price cut -- so B&N will likely need to have a similar price, if not cheaper, I believe.
Not much is known about the reported B&N e-reader, except that it may have a virtual keyboard and touch screen. Unconfirmed reports indicate the B&N e-reader may be powered using the Google Android operating system. Furthermore, the device has a 6-inch screen with E-Ink technology, and will have support for wireless downloads.
B&N hasn't confirmed the e-reader's development, with pricing and release information also unknown.
B&N will be able to show off its e-reader in stores, opening up distribution avenues that are still missed by the Kindle and other e-readers. It's true that Borders currently has Sony e-readers on display, but there isn't much effort to flow store visitors to the e-readers.
E-readers continue to increase in popularity, but the price of the reader and individual books may hold the industry back a little bit longer.
There certainly is more room in the industry for additional e-readers, but the price point must drop to the $200 barrier before mainstream adoption occurs. In addition, B&N is set to really cash in on the growing market, assuming its device has a fair price and decent hardware specifications.
