Hey, The Nook Isn't A Failure (BKS, AMZN, GOOG)

Apparently Amazon isn't the only company that can put out press releases trumpeting a product success with infuriatingly vague sales numbers: Barnes and Noble has just announced that it's sold "millions" of its Nook e-readers since introducing them in fall 2009, making the Nook the best selling product of all time in the company's 40-year history.

B&N also noted that it now sells more electronic books than physical books through its online store--a milestone that Amazon passed last Christmas--and that it sold more than one million e-books in the Nook format on Christmas day 2010.

All kidding aside, this means the Nook has sold at least 2 million units, making it a strong number-two competitor to the Kindle and proving (like Apple has known for years) that a big retail footprint is great for selling electronic gear. A strong second validates the market for e-books and dedicated readers.

It also shows that Google's Android OS, used in the Nook Color, has potential in devices beyond smartphones and general-purpose tablets.

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See Also:

• How To Run Android Apps, Including Kindle, On A Nook
• How Amazon Saved The Kindle
• Amazon Says Kindle 3 Is The Best Selling Product Ever On Amazon