Barnes and Noble's NOOK e-readers run on Android operating system.
Barnes & Noble to Upgrade NOOK E-readers in 2026
Barnes & Noble has announced plans to enhance its NOOK e-reader lineup in 2026, aiming to close the gap with competitors like Amazon's Kindle and Rakuten Kobo. The proposed improvements include the addition of audiobook support and the introduction of colour e-ink displays [1].
Currently, Linux-based e-readers such as the Kindle and Kobo are known for their stability, low hardware demands, and long-lasting battery life. In contrast, the NOOK's software has been criticized for its lack of responsiveness, and the user interface has remained largely unchanged for some time [2].
As part of these upgrades, Barnes & Noble is phasing out older NOOK models and encouraging users to upgrade to the new devices. Meanwhile, competitors like Kindle are advancing with AI-powered features such as book "Recaps" and improved web browsing [2].
Michael Kozlowski, a veteran e-book and e-reader journalist who has been writing about audiobooks for 18 years, has observed these developments. In a side-by-side comparison, Kindle and Kobo e-readers perform better and are more responsive than the NOOK [3].
The new NOOK e-readers will be released in 2026, but specific details about their specifications are not yet available. Notably, the current generation of Tolino e-readers, now under Rakuten Kobo's control for both hardware and software, operate with minimal RAM, smaller batteries, and single-core or dual-core processors [4].
Intriguingly, the current management of NOOK does not seem to use NOOK e-readers as their daily drivers. The NOOK's customized launcher also hides the fact that it runs on Android, a more demanding operating system compared to Linux [5].
Despite these challenges, Barnes & Noble appears determined to innovate and compete in the e-reader market. With the focus on audiobook support and colour displays, it seems the company is aiming to significantly improve the multimedia and visual experience of its devices [1][5].
Michael Kozlowski, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, has been closely following these developments. The Amazon Kindle and Rakuten Kobo are global e-reader brands that use Linux, and it remains to be seen how Barnes & Noble's improvements will impact the market.
[1] https://www.goodereader.com/blog/barnes-noble-nook-audiobooks-colour-e-ink-display [2] https://www.goodereader.com/blog/barnes-noble-nook-discontinuing-older-models [3] https://www.goodereader.com/blog/kindle-vs-nook-comparison [4] https://www.goodereader.com/blog/tolino-e-readers-now-under-rakuten-kobo [5] https://www.goodereader.com/blog/barnes-noble-nook-uses-android-operating-system
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