Barnes & Noble Introduces Nook Mobile App
By Megan Zielinski, contributing writer
Users can also purchase a variety of apps through Nook
It seems it was only a matter of time before Nook and other mobile devices would connect. Barnes & Noble introduced a new app for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, as well as Windows 8 tablets and PCs. To introduce the new Nook Reading App, Barnes & Noble announced that for a limited time, customers who sign in to the app with a new Nook account are eligible for limited-time free content, including some books, magazines, and, with access to Nook Newsstand, articles.
Nook SYNC technology integrates Nook accounts with smartphones, allowing users to pick up from bookmarks, take notes, and mark highlights between both devices. App users can browse through free samples, purchase book titles and read instantly right on their phones.
Read: Holiday Trends Report: Mobile Apps
Users can also purchase other apps through Nook. Nearly a year ago, Barnes & Noble mentioned the development of integrating in-app purchasing programs. “We are thrilled to be bringing in-app purchasing to Nook with Fortumo for our community of developers so they can foster a profitable relationship with customers, while also providing our Nook customers with a more in-depth app experience and an even wider selection of popular apps,” said Claudia Romanini, VP of Nook Apps and Nook Media.
The Nook now presents thousands of apps to consumers based on interests. Apps are organized in categories and subcategories, making it easier for consumers to purchase what they are looking for and discover new ones. App users can use their Nook to shop through thousands of retail stores across the US and UK.
Between October through December 2013, sales of Nook devices experienced a decline in sales by 60.5 percent at sales of $125 million compared to holiday period of 2012. CEO Michael Huseby of Barnes & Noble explains that Nook sales declined year over year because no new tablets were introduced during holidays 2013, whereas two new tablets were introduced in 2012. While Nook sales declined, analysts estimate Amazon Kindle sales will total up to $5.5 billion in 2015, and iPad sales are expected to grow 10 percent year over year.