Barnes & Noble Stops the Production of Their NOOK E-Readers
In the world of digital reading, Barnes & Noble has made a significant impact with its NOOK e-readers. The company ventured into the e-reader and tablet market back in 2009, introducing the Nook First Edition, marking the beginning of a new era for Barnes & Noble.
Over the years, the company released several models, including the Nook Color (2010), Nook Simple Touch (2011), Nook Tablet (2011), Nook HD (2012), and Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight (2012), among others. The NOOK HD+ followed in 2012 as well.
However, as technology continues to evolve, Barnes & Noble has chosen to discontinue several of its older models. As of 2024, e-readers such as the Nook Simple Touch, Nook Color, Nook Tablet, Nook HD, and earlier models have been officially retired. This means they no longer receive support or software updates from Barnes & Noble. Despite this, purchased NOOK content remains accessible on these devices. For instance, the Nook Simple Touch (2011-2024), Nook Color (2010-2024), Nook Tablet (2011-2024), and Nook HD (2012-2024) are part of this retired lineup.
In contrast, more recent NOOK devices, like the NOOK GlowLight 4 Plus released in 2025, continue to be supported and are available for purchase. These modern devices boast features such as waterproofing, Bluetooth audiobook playback, and high-resolution screens.
It's worth noting that Barnes & Noble's return policy for NOOK devices allows for returns within 14 days of purchase, as long as the devices are undamaged. However, this policy may not apply to retired older devices.
Michael Kozlowski, a renowned journalist with eighteen years of experience in writing about audiobooks, e-books, and e-readers, resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He has been a significant voice in the digital reading community, providing insights and reviews on various NOOK devices over the years.
NOOK e-readers can be purchased online and in over 600 Barnes & Noble bookstores across the United States. The NOOK brand has become one of the most popular e-readers in the country. However, with many NOOK e-readers being discontinued or considered End of Life (EOL), it's essential for consumers to stay informed about the latest developments in the digital reading market.
Barnes & Noble's NOOK e-readers, such as the Nook Color and Nook Tablet, were among the gadgets introduced by the company to digital reading market back in 2010. However, as technology advances, some NOOK e-readers, like the Nook Simple Touch, Nook HD, and earlier models, have been officially retired by Barnes & Noble in 2024 and no longer receive support or software updates.
