MS Buying its Way into the eReader Market

[poofyhairguy]

Microsoft has invested $300m (£185m) in a digital venture with US bookseller Barnes and Noble.

The deal could make Barnes and Noble's Nook e-book reader available to millions of new customers, integrating it with the Microsoft's new Windows 8 operating system.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17896534

I guess that ends the lawsuits between the two as well....

[Bateluer]

Originally Posted by poofyhairguy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17896534

I guess that ends the lawsuits between the two as well....

Thats good news. I hope this means that B&N won't be spinning off its Nook business too . . . would be an epic blunder for them.

[dagamer34]

Originally Posted by Bateluer

Thats good news. I hope this means that B&N won't be spinning off its Nook business too . . . would be an epic blunder for them.

Technically the Nook business is worth more than B&N itself.

[dougp]

Windows 8 ANT eBook readers inc?

[MaxFusion16]

bye bye android.

next version of nook will run windows 8

[vshah]

Originally Posted by MaxFusion16

bye bye android.

next version of nook will run windows 8

yeah, sucks.

[Golgatha]

I almost want to short B&N stock. I can't imagine Google, Amazon, or the iTunes store ever losing to Microsoft's store. Too much competition out of the gate, and Microsoft doesn't have digital distribution rights to streaming content like Apple and Amazon both do. I expect this venture to fail as hard as Zune did.

[Headcase_Fargone]

Originally Posted by Golgatha

I almost want to short B&N stock. I can't imagine Google, Amazon, or the iTunes store ever losing to Microsoft's store. Too much competition out of the gate, and Microsoft doesn't have digital distribution rights to streaming content like Apple and Amazon both do. I expect this venture to fail as hard as Zune did.

This is most unfortunate, as I really love the Nook hardware so far. I've owned every iteration of it and they just keep getting better.

[destrekor]

Originally Posted by MaxFusion16

bye bye android.

next version of nook will run windows 8

Originally Posted by vshah

yeah, sucks.

I was thinking the same thing.

Which is a disappointment in some ways, but a good Windows 8 (likely WinRT, aka Win8 for ARM) eReader/eReader-focused tablet is definitely needed in the market once ready.

Personally, I might be looking to the Win8 tablet/laptop hybrid devices (like the Intel reference design), if they feel good and don't feel like I'm sacrificing too much (also depends on thickness/weight).

Considering I have no express need, I am in no rush and will definitely be interested in more options out there. I won't go the "limited" tablet route like the Nook Color / Nook Tablet / Kindle Fire route again, but that's a huge market in of itself.

[Super56K]

Microsoft likely just locked up their budget Win8 tablet, and I bet it'll be as successful as the current Android Nook tablets if pricing is consistent. Could be a very smart move because B&N can push the Nook branding while Microsoft gets a lot of new customers into the Win8 ecosystem.

[poofyhairguy]

What makes me sad is B&N's first tablet- the Nook Color- is easily one of the most hacker friendly devices ever. They go from that to the Nook Tablet (with its locks) to a Windows Tablet.

[gorcorps]

Originally Posted by poofyhairguy

What makes me sad is B&N's first tablet- the Nook Color- is easily one of the most hacker friendly devices ever. They go from that to the Nook Tablet (with its locks) to a Windows Tablet.

Sucks from a consumer standpoint, but from a business standpoint they don't care about that. By now we all know that they didn't make money selling the hardware, they made money selling books and apps. Changing OSes sucks for us rooters, but that capability doesn't matter if it didn't bring them any extra money.

[destrekor]

Originally Posted by gorcorps

Sucks from a consumer standpoint, but from a business standpoint they don't care about that. By now we all know that they didn't make money selling the hardware, they made money selling books and apps. Changing OSes sucks for us rooters, but that capability doesn't matter if it didn't bring them any extra money.

Well, after the Nook Color, it really lost the appeal of a rooter's entry-level tablet. There are better tablets for around the same price.

And if this rumored Nexus Tablet from Asus ever drops, it's probably game over in that arena (until better hardware finds its way to that price level).

I stopped feeling tied to the Nook Color once magazines were brought to the Nook for Android app - which wasn't long after release iirc.
I just haven't had a desire to upgrade, since I rarely use it. I WOULD use it more if it had better hardware, but I'm being exceptionally picky about what I want in my next tablet and don't mind waiting since I have no express need and wouldn't get to use it much out of the house - and honestly, I'd rather sit back at my PC instead of messing with a tablet.

[Skel]

From what I’ve seen / read on these forums, the kindle is destroying the Nook in sales. With that in mind, and B&N not doing well all around it’s not surprising that they’re looking at creating something different than their competitors. Getting a huge cash infusion from MS is in a way a lifesaver as I don’t think B&N could have survived long term the way they were going. From what I’m also reading it’s no longer the sought after root kit as there are now cheaper models that can do more. Unless I’m misunderstanding, which is very possible as I don’t follow all the shades of Android let alone tablets.

Of course having said that, I’ve also not seen where they’ve announced they’re dropping the Android platform. I wouldn’t put it outside the idea of them creating two tablets, one being a higher end Win8 tablet/ereader and another going more the Kindle route and removing all things Google from Android.

[Skott]

Not surprised. MS buys what it cannot make. They been doing this a long time.