Barnes & Noble Unveils 'Nook' E-Reader

Barnes & Noble unveiled its new e-reader today: the Nook. Like the Kindle, it's a wireless device that allows for instant downloads of purchases. Some details, via CNET, the Wall Street Journal, the LA Times, and PC World.

• It costs $259, same as the Kindle, and will be out in November.
• Unlike Kindle users, Nook readers can loan e-books to others for up to 14 days. They can be read on other Nooks, cell phones, or computers.
• The Nook doesn't have the Kindle's text-to-speech feature, though it can play back MP3 audio.

• It has a 6-inch reading screen and a smaller color touch screen for navigation and searches.
• It has 2GB of memory, for about 1,500 books, but it can be expanded with a memory card of up to 16GB.
• It has 10 days of battery life, shorter than the Kindle's 14, though its battery is removable and replaceable.
• It weighs 11.2 ounces, 1 more than the Kindle.

(More Barnes & Noble stories.)