October 21st, 2009
Retail distribution may tip e-reader race; Barnes & Noble rolls out Nook
Barnes & Noble unveiled its Nook e-reader, the latest in a line of alleged Kindle killers, and much of the chatter revolves around open standards, touch features, a little color and competition. The reality: Retail distribution may be much more important to winning the e-reader race.
Barnes & Noble’s Nook will run $259, have 3G and Wi-Fi access and be open. The Nook also runs on Android and has a color screen (Techmeme). But here are some overlooked elements in the Barnes & Noble statement:
- The Nook will have “stunning storefront displays” aimed in stores near universities.
- Barnes & Noble has 40,000 booksellers.
- Customers will be able to browse e-books for free in stores.
Why does this matter? If e-readers (all resources) are going to hit the masses consumers are going to need to pick the devices up and play with them. That’s something you can’t do with the Kindle, which has apparently lured Amazon’s best customers.
Gallery: 
Gallery: E-book e-reader list is growing
Sony, with its distribution deals with Target and other big retailers, is pursuing a similar strategy. The game plan for Barnes & Noble and Sony is to surround Amazon—with bricks and mortar distribution points.
Also: B&N’s Nook e-reader: Weirdly unrevolutionary
- Google challenges e-readers by taking e-books directly to browser
- Barnes & Noble’s e-reader triplets and the e-commerce distribution game
- E-reader devices: The fun is just starting
- Amazon cuts Kindle price, goes global as competition ramps
- iRex launches e-reader in U.S.; Jabs at Amazon, netbooks
- SONY goes “Open Kimono” with sexy new e-Readers
Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and Editorial Director of ZDNet sister site TechRepublic. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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