Book retailer Barnes & Noble announced that it will release a new Apple iPad app designed to allow owners native access to the company’s e-book store.
The "B&N eReader" gives "our customers access to more than one million eBooks, magazines and newspapers in the Barnes & Noble eBookstore," the company said in a recent blog post.
B&N has its own Nook e-reader, but has an internal company strategy to offer apps for as many other platforms as possible. It's unknown how B&N Nook sales are doing at the moment, but several setbacks ranging from shipment and launch delays and slow navigation were first reported in December.
Trying to attract new customers whenever possible seems like a good business plan, even if the number of app users remains small.
Although the Apple iPhone -- and the soon-to-be-released iPad -- can read digital books, Apple has yet to create a standalone e-reader. The higher price tag also likely means the iPad won't become an e-reader except for customers who already wanted it for Internet and other functions.
Amazon, which leads the industry with the Kindle e-reader, has also released an app for several different mobile platforms. The e-reader industry is expected to become even more competitive as more companies flock to the growing business sector. Samsung, Asus, Acer and numerous other companies have entered the e-reader market, with consumers showing increased interest in the technology.
Since B&N is attempting to compete with the Kindle, offering its e-book store to as many users as possible makes sense. I don't know if iPad owners will be keen to use the B&N app, but increased choice is always a good thing, assuming the Apple overlords will allow the app on their app store.
