The Nook has seen its fair share of delays but Barnes & Noble is now saying that it will be available online and in the majority of stores mid-week — just in time for Valentine’s Day, guys! That’s actually right on schedule according to the timetable the bookseller set back in December. But please, unless your spouse has specifically asked for an ebook reader, don’t give him or her a Nook or Kindle this Sunday.
B&N’s is clearly using Saint Valentine’s holiday to sell their wares with a special edition nook preloaded with a short story from Adriana Trigiani and recipe for red velvet cupcakes. That’s really not out of place. After all, the holiday is mostly a shame anymore, but elaborate electronic gifts such as the Nook or an under-the-counter TV (I gave one a few years back) aren’t great Valentine’s gift.
In fact an ebook reader is something that a person should probably buy themselves. It’s a tad pricey and is something that runs the risk of not being used. For instance my wife and I both read a lot of books but neither of us want an ebook reader. If you really think an ebook reader is a good bet, take your significant other to your local B&N store so at least they can play with one first. There are demos in most locations.
Barnes & Noble Launches Exclusive In-Store Content and Promotions
Barnes & Noble, Inc., the world’s largest bookseller, announced that its popular nook eBook reader — the ultimate gift for book lovers — is in stock online at nook.com and will be rolling out in the majority of Barnes & Noble stores beginning mid-week, just in time for Valentine’s Day. While in-store, nook customers will enjoy exclusive holiday-themed online content, kicking off this month.
Barnes & Noble quickly sold out of nook stock online over the holidays due to unprecedented customer demand. Since then the company has ramped up production and is shipping stock to the majority of its stores, beginning this week. Customers can visit the Barnes & Noble nook In-Store Locator at www.bn.com/nook/instore, updated daily beginning February 10, to find local stores with devices in-stock.
Enhanced in-store connectivity allows nook customers to seamlessly access fast, free Wi-Fi in Barnes & Noble stores. There, they can browse the extensive library of more than a million eBooks, magazines and newspapers and enjoy exclusive “More In Store” content and promotional offers, officially launching in February, which include:
— A short story by bestselling favorite Adriana Trigiani featuring characters from her newest blockbuster, Brava, Valentine.
— A Valentine’s Day recipe for red velvet cupcakes from Anne Byrn, the Cake Mix Doctor.
— “Read Between the Wines,” a regular feature by renowned wine expert Kevin Zraly, guides readers and wine lovers through the mystery of pairing books with the perfect vintage.
“nook is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for anyone who loves reading. Demand for nook continues to be very high, and we’re pleased our customers will be able to try and buy nook in our stores and online and enjoy it in time for the holiday,” said William J. Lynch, President of Barnes & Noble.com. “In Barnes & Noble stores, nook owners will enjoy exciting nook-only content from their favorite authors and other valuable offers, along with fast and free in-store Wi-Fi, which nook customers have been accessing in droves over the last few weeks.”
New Barnes & Noble in-store content will be updated weekly and available for a four-week period. nook users can stay apprised of upcoming exclusive More In Store content at www.bn.com/nook/moreinstore. Also in February, nook users in Barnes & Noble stores can enjoy 10 percent off any CD. nook customers need only show the special offer on their nook to the cashier to redeem.
Barnes & Noble has continued to optimize nook software for an improved reading experience with the newly updated nook v1.2. Automatic over the air (OTA) updates, which do not require any action from nook customers, are underway and will be conducted seamlessly through this week. nook customers currently using the previous version can also immediately download v1.2 at www.nook.com/support, where additional update and technical support information is available.
nook marries innovative technology and sleek minimalist design with access to the Barnes & Noble’s digital store of over one million eBooks, newspapers and magazines. nook’s color touch screen for navigation along with a best-in-class E Ink display offer an immersive, enjoyable e-reading experience. It offers both 3G wireless and Wi-Fi access and is the first to offer digital lending for a wide selection of eBooks through its LendMe(TM) technology.
To learn more and experience nook, visit www.nook.com. Follow our eBooks and other updates onwww.bn.com/twitter. To learn more about the free Barnes & Noble eReader software and Barnes & Noble eBookstore apps, visit www.barnesandnoble.com/ebooks.