Microsoft and BN.com to Launch Ebook Store

Posted on August 7, 2000

Microsoft Corp. and online retailer Barnesandnoble.com, Inc. are to announce a joint effort ebook store on Tuesday, according to Reuters news. Gus Carlson, a spokesman at Barnesandnoble.com, made the announcement. Microsoft is also expected to announce the launch of the latest version of its free Microsoft Reader software, which helps make books easier to read on a computer screen. Microsoft Reader will be featured prominently in the new store.

According to Carlson visitors to the store will be able to purchase books for download to be read on a computer screen. Barnesandnoble.com will also offer paperback copies for sale to readers using print-on-demand technology.

This news comes shortly after large book publishers, including Time Warner Publishing and Random House, Inc., have launched original ebook imprints. Many publishers are also actively making their backlists available in ebook and print-on-demand formats. Microsoft is expected to provide additional information about the launch of the new version of Microsoft Reader at a news conference on Tuesday.