Gadgets, E-reader | featured news

Both Barnes & Noble and Kobo have introduced nearly identical e-readers that are clearly intended to embarrass the industry leader, the Amazon Kindle.

Last week, a consortium of Dutch publishers unveiled the so called “delay app”, which allows the reader to choose a story to read while waiting. It allows the user to chose a story from a well-known Dutch author to match the time you spent waiting, from 5 to 60 minutes. It still has some issues: the app contains a certain amount of stories so no new content can be added and it is only for the iPad and iphone.

Barnes & Noble is adding an applications store and an email program to its Nook e-reader. That brings the $249 device closer to working like a tablet computer in the vein of the iPad.

Amazon.com said it will allow readers to borrow Kindle books free at more than 11,000 U.S. libraries, a new twist in the growing battle for market share among electronic tablet makers.

Amazon will lower the price of its electronic reader by showing ads as screensavers and at the bottom of the home screen, and by selling special offers.

How to convert a Barnes & Noble Nook Color into a fully functioning tablet computer.

Barnes & Noble said its line of Nook e-readers has become the best-selling product in the company's nearly 40-year history.

Will Barnes & Noble fire the latest shot in the escalating e-reader battles with a color version of the Nook?

But as you scroll down the list of Kindle offerings, you can't help but notice all of the steamy writing that seems to be targeted at men--an emotionally uncommitted genre which, if not exactly new, is associated with book publishing less commonly than with "Penthouse Forum."

Best Buy will add the Amazon Kindle to its selection of e-book readers.