Josh Ong
The Nook maker sent out invitations for the event on Monday, as noted by The L.A. Times. The launch will take place at 10:00 AM Eastern in New York.
"Please join us for a very special announcement," the invite read, while also displaying the "N" logo for its line of Nook e-readers and tablets. The report noted that the event will probably see an update to the company's Nook Color tablet.
The Nook Color received a software update in April that enabled new apps beyond just reading, such as email, a web browser and games. Currently the e-reader is based on Google's Android mobile operating system.
Barnes & Noble released a new Nook black-and-white e-reader with a touchscreen e-ink display in May.
The company revealed earlier this year that it expects Nook and e-book sales to double during its fiscal year, which ends next April, to $1.8 billion. The Nook is currently the No. 2 e-reader behind only Amazon's Kindle.
The book seller is in the midst of fierce competition with Amazon and Apple for control of the tablet and e-reader market. Rival Amazon took the wraps of its much-anticipated Kindle Fire tablet and new e-reader models, in September.
Though some have pointed to the Kindle Fire's low $199 price as a threat to Apple, several analysts have dismissed the Fire as targeting a different market than the iPad. J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz called claims that the Fire will quickly propel Amazon to become the No. 2 tablet maker as mere "noise."
The online retailer's strategy appears to be to sell its hardware at a low profit margin or a loss in hopes of making money off of content and special offers on the device. Even as Amazon is building "millions more" Kindle Fire units than originally expected, the company projected its fourth quarter earnings to fall to as much as a $200 million loss.
Recent rumors have suggested that Apple may seek to counter 7-inch devices such as the Amazon Kindle Fire and the Nook Color with a so-called "iPad mini" in 2012. Last month, one report claimed LG Display and AU Optronics are supplying Apple with 7.85-inch screens for the iPad.
Apple continues to be on a tear with the iPad, selling a record 11.12 million tablets during the most recent September quarter.
Wesley Hilliard
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
Amber Neely
Andrew Orr
21 Comments
I really love this. Not the tablet but the competition of it all. I see this as constant improvement to already great products. True, Apple set the bar. But its really fun to watch the competition. I welcome the new tablet. I can't wait to see the iPad 3 next year.
Some say the Kindle Fire will not affect iPad sales. Some say it will.
The fact of matter is that some consumers will choose the Kindle Fire over the iPad. The question is how significant will this population be. For sure, it won't be zero.
The Nook, on the other hand, is smack in Amazon's bullseye, at least as a first target. Even though I will never buy one, I am still intrigued to see what they have in store.
Am I the only one who is more intrigued as to what kind of breakfast they will offer than any technological achievement they have devised with a "me too" Nook tablet?
The fact of matter is that some consumers will choose the Kindle Fire over the iPad. The question is how significant will this population be. For sure, it won't be zero.
I predict the upcoming Kindle Fire will be a success for Amazon and increase long term sales of the iPad. My reasoning: the $500 starting proce of the iPad might be too much for some to warrant a device they don't think they really need, but $199 might be fine. After they get a "starter" tablet they might see just how useful it can be and decide to further increase that utility with an iPad.
Sent from my iPad.
Am I the only one who is more intrigued as to what kind of breakfast they will offer than any technological achievement they have devised with a "me too" Nook tablet?
I predict the upcoming Kindle Fire will be a success for Amazon and increase long term sales of the iPad. My reasoning: the $500 starting proce of the iPad might be too much for some to warrant a device they don't think they really need, but $199 might be fine. After they get a "starter" tablet they might see just how useful it can be and decide to further increase that utility with an iPad.
Sent from my iPad.
I agree on the benefit to iPads. I saw the same 'starter' concept play out many times in the iPod arena years ago. Many friends and relatives wouldn't pony up for an iPod instead buying various far cheaper MP3 players. Over time they all obtained iPods either as gifts or they convinced themselves it was worth the extra.
p.s. Is it only me that wishes the iPad keyboard had arrow keys?
Am I the only one who is more intrigued as to what kind of breakfast they will offer than any technological achievement they have devised with a "me too" Nook tablet?
I predict the upcoming Kindle Fire will be a success for Amazon and increase long term sales of the iPad. My reasoning: the $500 starting proce of the iPad might be too much for some to warrant a device they don't think they really need, but $199 might be fine. After they get a "starter" tablet they might see just how useful it can be and decide to further increase that utility with an iPad.
Sent from my iPad.
I doubt it. The Fire is not an iPad Touch and the iPad is no iPhone.