Barnes & Noble announced a smaller, less-expensive Android-based touchscreen eBook reader.
The Simple Touch Reader weighs 7.48 ounces, is thinner than the first Nook, more compact, measuring 6.5" X 5" X 0.47" and has a six inch greyscale E Ink Pearl full touchscreen display that is readable in full sunlight. B&N’s custom interface runs on top of Android 2.1.
B&N says the new eReader holds up to 1,000 books in its internal 2 GB memory and can be expanded with a microSD card up to 32 GB. The compan also claims a battery life of up to two months with Wi-Fi turned off.
Other features include Twitter and Facebook integration, JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF image viewing and ePub and PDF file compatibility. Computer connection for file transfer and charging is supported via a microUSB connector. There is no 3/4G radio inside and no sound support.
The Simple Touch Reader is up for pre-order now at $139 and will ship around June 10.