Barnes & Noble And Samsung Partner To Create Co-Branded Tablets - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Samsung Electronics America Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of South Korean conglomerate Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (SSNLF.PK, SSNNF.PK), and NOOK Media, a subsidiary of Barnes & Noble Inc. (BKS), announced a partnership to develop co-branded Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK tablets that feature Barnes & Noble digital reading experience.

Barnes & Noble stated that the co-branded devices will combine Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 hardware with customized NOOK software to give customers powerful, full-featured tablets that are designed for reading, with easy access to Barnes & Noble's expansive digital collection of more than three million books, leading magazines and newspapers.

The companies are expected to introduce Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK in a 7-inch version in the U.S. in early August. The co-branded tablets will be prominently displayed along with NOOK eReaders and sold at Barnes & Noble's nearly 700 bookstores across the U.S. and online at bn.com, one of the leading e-commerce sites.

Michael Huseby, Chief Executive Officer of Barnes & Noble, said that the company will continue to offer its NOOK GlowLight and continue to provide customer support for its millions of customers. He added that the partnership is a major milestone in Barnes & Noble's efforts to rationalize the NOOK business. Working with Samsung on co-branded tablets will allow the Company to reduce its exposure to the substantial cost structure and other financial commitments that accompany ownership of the hardware production aspects of the NOOK tablet business.