Barnes and Noble Nook eReader (The All-New Nook 2)

Barnes & Noble Inc., the biggest United States bookstore chain, is launching a lighter, slimmer, and cheaper new version of its digital book reader well-known as “Barnes and Noble Nook” for $139, competing on pricing with rivals Amazon Kindle reader and Borders Kobo reader, while Sony ereader is relatively more expensive. The new Kindle reader costs $114 but includes advertisements on the bottom of its home screen and on screen savers, while Borders will sell its new version of touch screen Kobo reader in early June for $130. Barnes & Noble has the advantage that it can feature the nook ereader in its physical stores where one can touch it first and even use it before deciding on purchasing, something that can not be done online in Amazon.com. On the other hand, Borders Group Inc., the second biggest US bookstore chain, filed for bankruptcy in New York on February 16, 2011 after management changes, job cuts and debt restructuring failed to make up for sagging book sales in the face of competition from Amazon.com Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Available June 10, the second edition of Barnes and Noble ereader known as the “All-New Nook” has a 6 inch black-and-white display with touch screen technology and can hold up to 1,000 digital books. It is a Nook WiFi only (i.e. can not access 3G networks) that features the latest eInk technology, which significantly minimizes flashing that can occur as a user pages through an ebook, resulting in pages that seem to melt into each other. The design of the all-new Nook focuses on simplicity meaning that the battery would last up to 2 months on a single charge. Nook 2 lets readers look up words, highlight passages, search and adjust font size by typing on its touch screen keyboard. It weighs 7.5 ounces and is 35 percent lighter than the first edition Nook reader, which launched eighteen months ago (around October 2009). Nook 2 replaces versions that came before Nook Color, which still sells for $249, while the first edition Nook e-reader will sell for $119, and the Nook 3G will sell for $169.

Nook 2 is a simple touch ebook reader that features:

• Touch Screen Technology: An easy to use 6 inch black-and-white touch screen, where you just tap to shop and download the best-selling ebooks, magazines and newspapers right on your Nook. Read your way as a touch of your finger would turn pages, look up words, add bookmarks, highlight passages, or adjust the font size and style.
• eInk Pearl Technology: The most advanced electronic ink technology on the high-contrast 6 inch touch screen displays text as crisp and clear as a printed page, so you can read easily, even in bright sun. Nook 2 has 50 percent more contrast than Nook first edition. It also has 80 percent smoother page turns and minimized flashing compared to other e-readers. With Fast Page, you can scan easily through any ebook, magazine or newspaper.
• Touch Screen Keyboard: The on-screen keyboard appears whenever you need it, by just touching and typing to shop for a new ebook or find a title in your library.
• Free Wi-Fi: You can browse and shop from almost anywhere via thousands of Wi-Fi networks, including fast and free access at all Barnes & Noble stores and more than 24,000 AT&T hotspots like cafes, hotels, and restaurants nationwide.
• The Longest Battery Life: You can read for up to two months on just one charge, a time that is longer than any ereader.
• The World’s Largest Bookstore: Barnes & Noble ebook store has over 2 million titles including e-books, magazines and newspapers to download in seconds. Thousands are free, while most others cost $9.99 or less. You may also pre-order books and subscribe to magazines.
• Portable, Ultra-Light and Super Thin: It is less than 8 ounces, yet holds up to 1,000 digital books, magazines and newspapers to make easy to take your entire library with you anywhere.
• Nook Friends: Connect with Nook Friends to share and find new titles, and see your friends’ favorites and what they are recommending. 
• Expert Recommendations: Get recommendations from Barnes & Noble expert booksellers, by browsing top picks, bestseller lists and personalized suggestions.
• ePub Books: You can borrow local public library books in the universally accepted ePub format.
• Stay Organized with My Shelves: You can arrange books on shelves you name yourself. 
• Read on your Smart Phone or Computer: The free Nook reading apps let you start an ebook on your Nook at home and pick up where you left off wherever you go.