Barnes & Noble Nook (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Microsoft and NY-based Barnes & Noble, are partnering to create a Nook (e-book) application for Windows 8, as well as a subsidiary for B&N digital and college businesses. According to the AP, B&N will be appeasing shareholders with this move, who have been pushing for a sale of the Nook business or the entire company, while Microsoft will own 17.6 percent of the company.
Though Microsoft will now be part owner of e-reader that uses the Android software of its competitor Google, this deal also means that Nook apps will become available to the new Windows 8 tablets coming out this fall. According to William Lynch, the CEO of Barnes & Noble, the Nook software will also continue to be available on the iPhone.
According to the AP, Microsoft, “has a long-standing interest in the e-book field. It launched e-book software in 2000, but was never able to build a substantial library of books. It’s discontinuing the software on Aug. 30.”
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