The bookstore chain has invited press to a May 24 event -- this date coincides with information in an SEC filing regarding "the launch of a new ereader device."
Last month Barnes & Noble revamped the Nook Color, giving the device more tablet functionality. Meanwhile, rival Amazon is rumored to be planning to release its own tablet, which fills a market niche above the Kindle and is more directly competitive with Nook Color.
In response, some speculate that Barnes & Noble’s new ereader will be a compact, monochrome, lower-priced Nook designed to compete with the Kindle. So far, the Nook has been a successful bulwark against Kindle. Janney Capital Markets analyst David Strasser estimates Nook has 28% of the ereader market.
B&N reps declined comment on the announcement.