Barnes & Noble Nook
Launched: November 2009
Launch price: $259
Current price: $149 for Wi-Fi version, $199 for Wi-Fi 3G version
Barnes & Noble's answer to Amazon.com's Kindle, the Nook, made its debut just in time for Christmas 2009, selling for the same price as the Kindle of the time -- $259. Like the Kindle, the Nook relied on black & white E-Ink technology, but it added a small color touchscreen to help readers navigate through their digital library.
New York Times reviewer David Pogue found it lacking compared to Kindle, with software "slower than an anesthetized slug in winter."
B&N's next move was to compete with Amazon on price, launching a Wi-Fi-only Nook in June for a rock-bottom $149. Just hours later, Amazon struck back with a Kindle price cut.
But B&N struck out in a radically new direction in October, unveiling a color, touchscreen Nook that mimics iPad features for half the price.
Your move, Amazon.
NEXT: Apple's game changer
