The Wall Street Journalreports
that Barnes and Noble is launching an ebook reader to take on Amazon.com's Kindle.
The device is expected to feature a six-inch screen from digital-paper maker E-Ink Corp. with touch input and a virtual keyboard, like the one used on Apple Inc.'s iPhone. The Barnes & Noble device is expected to also use a wireless connection to download books from the online e-book store that the books retailer unveiled in July, those people said.
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In September, Barnes & Noble received approval from the Federal Communications Commission for a device, but the filing concealed details of the product. That filing was submitted on behalf of Barnes & Noble by Taiwanese company Amtek International Co.
The debut of a Barnes & Noble branded device sets the stage for fierce competition among makers of e-readers this holiday shopping season. Barnes & Noble, the largest book retailer in the U.S., could leverage its retail presence to market the product in ways that online-only retailer Amazon.com Inc. can't do as easily.
Barnes and Noble isn't commenting to reporters, but rumors say that the device will launch next month in time to take on the Kindle for Christmas. There's been no word yet what the pricing will be.
