Dani Strehle
Staff Writer
The Nook HD and HD+ tablets have received a make-over thanks to Google. The new Google Play storefront provides Nook owners access to more than 700,000 Android apps and games. The new addition also boasts millions of songs and a wide variety of ebooks.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Barnes & Noble, William Lynch, stated: “By adding Google Play to NOOK HD and NOOK HD+, we are offering our customers even more great entertainment on our award-winning tablets.”
“Now with access to more than 700,000 apps and the best reading experience available, both are must-see products for entertainment lovers looking for high-quality tablets at incredibly low prices.”
Nooks will also offer a myriad of other Google products such as Google Maps, Gmail, Youtube, and Google Chrome, which is Google’s own web browser.
According to an article on “The Business Insider” website, this move could prove detrimental for Barnes & Noble. All of the revenue generated from the purchase of Google Play apps will be pocketed solely by Google. And, with the actual device priced so cheap- the Nook HD now starts at $149 USD- it stands to reason that Barnes & Noble will be taking a loss, or at least a significant decrease in profits.
Nook users have complained about the apps available on their device since it was released. Barnes & Noble eschewed the typical Google ecosystem and stripped it bare in an attempt to mirror Amazon’s own personalized app world. Where Amazon Kindle Fire users were thrilled with the enormous amount of content available, Nook users felt that the available digital content offered through the Barnes & Noble ecosystem was lacking considerably. Conforming to Google Play’s operating system will present Nook owners with more apps than they will know what to do.
Could this be the kiss of death for Barnes & Noble? Or, could this move revitalize the floundering corporation and keep them in the race? Only time will tell.
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