barnes & noble

The 404 1,076: Where you don't know you're beautiful (podcast)

Hope you're sitting down for this: Jeff actually has positive words about a movie he saw this weekend! Without giving away the surprise, suffice it to say that Jeff's complaints about the lack of creativity in film and his disgust with the movie-going experience disappeared for two hours on Friday.

In advance of Microsoft's mysterious press event today, we'll speculate what's in store for the software giant and how it could fit into the 56-page road map document that leaked over the weekend.… Read more

Barnes & Noble not part of Microsoft event

You can scratch a Nook-inspired tablet as the product Microsoft is unveiling at its mysterious event today.

Dow Jones Newswires initially reported that Barnes & Noble will not be a part of Microsoft's event. Business Insider, which initially picked up the Dow Jones report, independently confirmed with book retailer that it isn't participating the event.

CNET has also confirmed that Barnes & Noble will not be a part of the event.

A report over the weekend had Microsoft unveiling an entertainment-focused device alongside Barnes & Noble.

It contradicted several other reports that Microsoft was unveiling its own tablet … Read more

Microsoft to unveil tablet with Barnes & Noble?

Microsoft's mysterious media event scheduled for tomorrow has generated a lot of speculation about what the software giant has up its sleeve, with many bets being placed on a new tablet to challenge Apple's iPad.

Now we are hearing that while the tech titan is indeed expected to unveil a tablet, the new product is being developed in conjunction with Barnes & Noble and will focus on entertainment, according to a TechCrunch report. Another source says Xbox streaming is also on tap for the tablet.

If true, the report suggests that a new Microsoft tablet would be aimed … Read more

Putting a price on Facebook

week in review We now know what investors will spend -- at least for a few seconds -- to get a piece of what is likely the most anticipated tech IPO ever.

Facebook is seeking to raise as much as $13.6 billion in its IPO, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange commission, which would value the company at roughly $88 billion. The company is aiming to price its shares between $28 and $35.

This paves for the way for Facebook and its bankers to begin the road show on Monday, with shares to start … Read more

Barnes & Noble to add NFC chips to Nooks

Barnes & Noble has a plan to attract more in-store use of its Nook e-readers, and it involves near-field communication chips.

The technology -- known mostly for allowing consumers to use their phones to make payments -- will soon be embedded in the bookseller's Nook devices, Barnes & Noble CEO William Lynch revealed during an interview with Fortune magazine.

"We can work with the publishers so they would ship a copy of each hardcover with an NFC chip embedded with all the editorial reviews they can get on BN.com," Lynch said in the interview. "And if you had your Nook, you can walk up to any of our pictures, any our aisles, any of our bestseller lists, and just touch the book, and get information on that physical book on your Nook and have some frictionless purchase experience." … Read more

Microsoft, take my Nook, please!

The announcement that Microsoft & Barnes and Noble are going in together on what essentially amounts to a spin-off of B&N's Nook business could prevent an ugly divorce in my household. For those who know me personally, don't worry, my wife and I are getting along just fine, but I can't say the same for me and my Nook Tablet.

Shortly after the Nook Tablet -- an updated version of the popular Nook Color e-reader -- was released in November, one showed up on my doorstep as an early holiday gift from a family member.

At first, I was swept off my feet -- as a writer, I'd resisted the temptation to buy an iPad or comparable Android tablet, holding firm to the close relationship I've developed over my career with hard-wired keyboards, so this was essentially my first relationship with a touch screen. … Read more

Microsoft's $300 million gamble on B&N: Hey, why not?

Quite a lot has already been conjectured in the wake of Microsoft's decision to invest $300 million in a new joint venture with Barnes & Noble. Is a Windows Nook on the way? Are we witnessing a sly move to poke Google in the eye by fostering Android fragmentation? Or is this part of a longer range effort to help users e-books and articles across myriad devices?

Yes to all of the above. But there's not much sense in overthinking this. If you're Steve Ballmer, there's no way that you don't do this deal.

First, … Read more

Microsoft's got the hots for Nook

Every weekday afternoon, CNET Update delivers the top tech stories of the day. The show keeps a close eye on emerging trends, hot devices and new apps. And it's all in less than three minutes.

In today's show, Microsoft's got the hots for Nook, LG has its head in the cloud, and we're battling pigs in space! (space! space! space!):

Microsoft is investing $300 million in a new Barnes & Noble subsidiary that will handle digital and college business. With this investment, expect the Nook to become a stronger player against the Kindle and iPad.

A … Read more

Is there a Windows-based Barnes & Noble reader in the works?

Microsoft and Barnes & Noble's patent settlement and partnership both announced this morning, have spurred questions as to whether there is some kind of Windows-powered e-reader in the wings.

Neither party is saying much at this point. During a call with press and analysts about the formation of NewCo -- a jointly-owned subsidiary -- execs from the two companies danced around questions about the possibility of a Windows-powered e-reader, which could be branded as a Nook or in some other way.

There are clues that some kind of a dedicated, Windows-powered e-reader built by Microsoft and/or Barnes & … Read more