Travel apps publishers are finding a new audience as Barnes & Noble upgraded its Nook Color e-reader and opened a Nook Apps store.
Although the Nook Apps store debuted in the last few days, third-party developers have dabbled with Nook developer tools since late last year and have been creating apps for the 7-inch tablet. Nook Color uses the Android operating system so developers can work on redeploying their existing Android apps for Nook Color.
The v1.2 update to the reader, which competes with the Amazon Kindle, among other e-readers, includes an upgrade to Android OS 2.2/Froyo and supports Adobe AIR and Adobe Flash Player.
The Nook Apps store currently only offers about 150 apps, but among the travel-related entries are apps from American Airlines, Lonely Planet, Boingo, FlightView and National Geographic.
Of course, there are plenty of other features, including books and apps for games and weather, which people can use when traveling.
Developers can submit free and paid apps for Nook Color and receive a 70% payment for the paid apps. Developers also can optionally offer Nook Color users free trials.
The upgrade to Nook Color, available via a free download, also brings to users built-in email for the first time and supposedly an enhanced Web experience.
Barnes & Noble is gambling that Nook Color's $249 price point will pay dividends vis a vis the tablet competition.