Barnes & Noble's Nook HD Tablets Face iPad, Kindle Fire HD

Nerval's Lobster writes "It's proven a busy month for mobile-device releases. First Nokia whipped back the curtain from the Lumia 820 and 920, its first Windows Phone 8 devices. The very next day, Amazon unveiled its new line of Kindle devices, including the Kindle Fire HD. Not to be outdone, Apple executives took to a stage in San Francisco the next week to show off the iPhone 5, complete with a larger screen and faster processor. But September's not over yet, and the releases keep coming: Barnes & Noble has launched a pair of HD tablets, the Nook HD and Nook HD+, designed to maintain the bookseller's toehold in the tablet space. The question is whether the Nook, even with upgraded hardware and new services, can successfully punch above its weight against the iPad and Kindle Fire, which are widely perceived as the dominant devices in the tablet market." Nook HD specs (Android 4.0, Dual 1.3Ghz Cortex-A9, 1G RAM), and HD+ specs (1.5GHz Coretex-A9 and a larger screen). Nate the greatest writes with a job posting that may indicate B&N is defecting to Windows 8, or at least hedging their bets.

Sticking with it

[n9uxu8]

Good to see them staying in the game, but my tendency is to favor the Nexus devices, and avoid any of the bookseller ecosystems.

Fixed that for you

[captaindomon]

"It's proven a busy month for mobile-device releases. Knowing Apple would be releasing the iPhone 5 to crazy acclaim from news organizations, and not wanting to be smothered, Nokia quickly shipped the Lumia 820 and 920 before they lost the lime light. The next day, Amazon, worrying over persistant rumors the Apple release could include a small form-factor iPad, quickly announced the Kindle Fire HD. Barnes & Noble, not to be outdone by Amazon, threw something out there to compete as well." It's all about marketing and timing, folks. Have you ever noticed how movie releases are carefully planned to compete for attention in the same way?