Barnes and Noble just announced today that the new Nook Color e-Reader will be available late November. Although it does not have access to the Google Android Market, they have opened up an exclusive new program for the Nook Color entitled NOOKdeveloper. This will allow developers to customize existing Android applications, or create new ones for the Nook Color e-Reader.
In a very short period of time Barnes & Noble has become one of the industry leaders with their range of eBooks and e-readers. With the impending launch of NOOKdeveloper, Barnes & Noble will offer content providers and application developers access to revenue sharing opportunities for Barnes and Noble and their extended network. Their network includes Barnes and Noble website, and their College bookstores across the country.
“With NOOKdeveloper, we’re opening our doors to content providers and developers to change the future of reading together,” said Jamie Iannone, President of Barnes & Noble Digital Products. “We invite developers across all platforms to join us in growing our eReading ecosystem by creating engaging content and reading-centric applications for our millions of customers to enjoy on NOOK Color and beyond.”
Developers can revolutionize how people read, beginning with NOOKcolor, the ultimate reading experience. They can setup audio, video, pictures and text in full color. This will take cookbooks, childerns books, and unique applications in a different direction. You will also be able to extend book content with applications from cooking to travel to science and nature, helping readers further explore their interests. Expand beyond reading with word games, puzzles, and more when it’s time to take a break from a favorite book or magazine.
The new NOOKdeveloper program will get access to a special SDK, tools, documentation and a community forum to troubleshoot applications. You will also get access to exclusive Web API’S to tap into other facets of Barnes and Noble. Starting in early 2011, developers will be able to submit their applications for sale to millions of readers.
In our opinion the NOOK Developer program is a step in the right direction, since most Android Applications will not work with the Nook Color right out of the box, some tweaking may be required. The SDK will allow existing Google App owners to tailor their programs to better suit a dedicated reading device. Of course, the Nook Color will come bundled with Microsoft Open Office, Pandora and a slew of other applications. You can bet, Facebook, Twitter and other companies will get into the game.
Developers can learn more about the new program and sign up for NOOKdeveloper at www.bn.com/NOOKdeveloper.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
