Barnes & Noble Adds a 'Hook' to the Nook

Image by orb9220 via FlickrThe E-reader wars continue unabated, with Barnes & Noble set to expand its Nook e-reader to accommodate email and an applications store, according to an Associated Press story.

Amazon, Inc.'s Kindle has made more of a splash in the market, but Nook does offer a color touchscreen, compared to the Kindle's non-touch-sensitive black and white screen.  (See "TUOL" post 2/10/10.) Among the 125 applications introduced for the Nook today are the game, "Angry Birds," and  "Epicurious" recipes.

Flash content will further jazz up Nook's Web browser. Nook runs Google, Inc.'s Android software, but not standard Android apps.

Is Livestand Yahoo's Last Stand?

Image via WikipediaSometime during the first half of this year, Yahoo plans to launch Livestand, a tablet news and magazine service that users will be able to follow on their Apple iPad or Google Android, the San Jose Mercury News reported today.

Yahoo Finance and Yahoo Sports will be among the content available to subscribers, along with certain magazine and newspaper offerings, the Mercury News story said. No details on the actual launch date or how Yahoo plans to divvy up revenues with participating newspapers and magazines. The company said Livestand would be personalized to individuals' interests and would take into account the users' location and the time of day.