Like Amazon's Kindle, the Nook device draws in e-books over its built-in 3G wireless. Its components shut down when not in use to save energy. Nook also works over 802.11b/g, such as via hotspots in the B&N brick-and-mortar bookstores.

A distinguishing factor is that Nook, along with the usual E-Ink display, includes an additional 3.5" color LCD display with touchscreen functionality and backlighting for showing and selecting color book titles. A nice feature, but paid for dearly in battery time: the device runs 10 days on a battery load (with the wireless turned off), according to the data sheet, about half the time of other readers on the market.

The operating system for the Linux handheld is Android version 1.5. The reading software is B&N's own eReader, in which they partnered with Adobe and adapted its Content Manager to a DRM implementation. A special "lend-me" feature allows customers to pass on their favorite title to another Nook owner free for up to 14 days (with customer access unavailable during that period). Implementation of eReader is also available for iPhone, Motorola Smartphone and Blackberry models. The software can also go on Windows and Mac OS X PCs.

B&N will distribute content in the PDB Palm and the Epub open standard formats. Nook can also display PDFs and JPGs and play MP3 audio files. The device should be available in November at B&N outlets for $259 and is also orderable from Nook.com.