Barnes & Noble to Launch 8GB Nook Tablet
Barnes & Noble plans to release a new version of its wildly popular Nook tablet this week, according to The Verge.
However, this version will feature half the internal memory of the current Nook, holding only 8GB as opposed to the 16GB in the original version.
The 16GB Nook retails for $249 so Barnes and Noble could be creating this new version in order to undercut its closest competitor, the Amazon Kindle Fire, that currently sells for $199.
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Barnes & Noble CEO William Lynch criticized the Kindle Fire during the launch of the Nook tablet, stating that it was "deficient for a media tablet" due to it only including 8GB of storage.
It seems that he has now taken a cue from Amazon's device that caught on like wildfire during the 2011 holiday shopping season, becoming one of the first legitimate competitors for the iPad.
However, neither the Amazon Kindle Fire nor Barnes & Noble Nook compare to the iPad 2, the latest version of Apple's tablet, when it comes to specifications.
Instead, the Kindle Fire seems to have created a new market where consumers are searching for lower-end tablets that are more affordable for the everyday person.
The iPad starts at around $500 while the Kindle Fire's price undercuts it greatly. For consumers looking for a device to watch NetFlix, check out pictures, surf the internet and play games, the $199 Kindle Fire is perfect.
The high-end market would need something more powerful such as the iPad to conduct business for their careers and to store more media.
The new 8GB version of the Nook tablet is expected to hit stores on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
Apple is expected to announce the iPad 3 within the next few weeks in order to have an official launch in the beginning of March. So far, the company has remained quiet about its plans for the next generation tablet.
