Apple, Barnes & Nobles Working Together?

On the eve of Apple’s suspected unveiling of a tablet computer comes word the Cupertino, Calif. firm may team up with Barnes & Noble. An unconfirmed report suggests Apple’s new device could include an ebook store from the Nook-maker.

“We believe there is a good chance there will be a Barnes & Noble bookstore built into the Apple Tablet, either as one of the showcase apps which launches with the device, powering a new book section in iTunes, or integrated directly into the Tablet’s ereader,” writes TechCrunch.

Although no sources are mentioned for the claim, such an arrangement may make sense. Although Apple has been in furious negotiations with a wide array of publishers to create content for the highly-awaited product, some in the publishing industry believe users could wait up to mid-2010 before reading material for the device begins to appear.

Another reason to give Tuesday’s report credence is it is becoming increasingly apparent Apple sees Amazon, not B&N, as its chief rival in the ebook space. Indeed, reports say Apple is already using Amazon’s payment plan for ebook authors as a way to differentiate itself from the giant online bookseller. The reports suggest Apple could highlight its “Agency” model as a dig at Amazon.

A third reason may be the simplest: Apple’s Steve Jobs loves to compete. And as Tech Crunch’s Erick Schonfeld writes, “An Apple tablet tied to a Barnes & Noble digital bookstore must be Jeff Bezos’ worst nightmare.”

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[Via TechCrunch]

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