Barnes And Noble eReader Could Run Android [Rumor]

• Rob Jackson
• 15 years ago

Before we get carried away, keep in mind this is 100% rumor, based on a tip that Gizmodo got from a seemingly knowledgeable tipster. What isn’t rumor is that a Barnes & Noble eReader passed through the FCC. What IS rumor is that the device could be running Android.

Why an eBook Reader with Android you ask? My question is better…  why not? It has everything you need and could be customized and modified to better serve its core purpose. You’ve already got drivers for touch sensitivity, 3G connectivity on GSM and CDMA, Wi-Fi, auto-rotate, on screen keyboard and much more. Why rebuild what is already built for you?

Take Android, customize the appearance/UI, limit what can be downloaded by installing a proprietary eBook store of sorts and give it a go. A few details were leaked by WSJ:

The device is expected to feature a six-inch screen from digital-paper maker E-Ink Corp. with touch input and a virtual keyboard, like the one used on Apple Inc.’s iPhone. The Barnes & Noble device is expected to also use a wireless connection to download books from the online e-book store that the books retailer unveiled in July, those people said.

Sounds fancy and if it hits in time for the holidays it could get some quality attention. Assuming these aren’t all just pipe dreams… which is still a possibility.