Barnes & Noble ereader rumored to run Android apps

Earlier this week, bookseller Barnes & Noble officially launched [1] nook, a touchscreen-based color ereader device powered by Google's Android mobile operating system. While B&N did not elaborate on the role Android will play in nook functionality, a source close to the situation tells MobileCrunch the device will be able to run Android-based mobile applications. It is not known whether the nook will offer full access to the Android Marketplace application storefront or whether B&N will restrict users to apps written expressly for the nook platform.

Barnes & Noble will offer more than one million nook titles at launch, with most bestsellers and new releases priced at $9.99--in addition, consumers can subscribe to periodicals including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times. Barnes & Noble reports that nook can hold up to 1,500 ebooks and other printed content--a 16GB MicroSD card holds up to 17,500 ebooks. The device's LendMe technology enables consumers to lend ebooks to friends free of charge for up to 14 days at a time--nook content may be shared across devices including the iPhone, iPod touch, select BlackBerry and Motorola smartphones, and PCs or Macs equipped with Barnes & Noble eReader software. Barnes & Noble will begin shipping nook at the end of November--the device will cost $259.00.

For more on Android's role in the nook:
- read this MobileCrunch article [2]

Related articles:
Barnes & Noble [3] takes on Amazon with new eBookstore
Barnes & Noble [4] introduces B&N Bookstore app for iPhone