![Barnes & Noble Unveils Ereader With 2 Months of Battery Life [PICS]](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/archives/05HqGp3E1EqQ8hj1ykybmc7/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1647019928.jpg)
After announcing that it has captured 25% of the ebook market, Barnes & Noble unveiled a small touchscreen E-Ink ereader (tongue twister, anyone?) at a press event in New York City Tuesday.
Priced at $139, the Wi-Fi-only, Simple Touch Reader is designed to more closely compete with Amazon's Wi-Fi-only Kindle 3, which is likewise priced at $139. The new Nook device improves upon the Kindle 3 in several ways, however.
First, it sports a touchscreen, reducing the number of buttons to one: a simple on/off switch on the upper back. It also has up to two months of battery life -- double that of the Kindle, and greater than any ereader in the industry. And although the device is substantially smaller than the Kindle at 6 x 5 x 0.47 inches (versus 7.5 x 4.8 x 0.335), it sports the same 6-inch screen.
And, at 7.5 ounces, it's a full ounce lighter than the Kindle 3.
The device is available for pre-order now in-store and on nook.com, and will ship "in time for Father's Day" on June 19, says Barnes & Noble CEO William Lynch.
In addition, Barnes & Noble announced that the prices of its first edition Nook Wi-Fi and 3G + Wi-Fi devices will be reduced to $119 and $169 respectively. The price of the Nook Color, a heavy, 7-inch, Wi-Fi-only Android tablet, will remain the same.
Yesterday, Kobo announced that it is bringing a $129 touchscreen ereader to Walmart and Best Buy stores in June, although it only offers 10 days of battery life.
Additional Photos
The Simple Touch Reader features a single on/off button on the back.
A few of the covers created for the device.