Nook Color to get Nook Store for apps, probably Flash support as well

Barnes & Noble's Nook Color e-reader/tablet is getting a Nook Store for apps and (probably) Adobe Flash support in April.

The Nook Color is Barnes & Noble‘s Kindle-killer. More tablet than e-reader, the little Android 2.1-powered device offers e-books and then some with its 7-inch color screen, pre-loaded games and web browser. The only downside is that those who choose not to root their Nook — the Android equivalent of a jailbreak — have been stuck without the Android Market or the ability to download apps.
Not for much longer though. It seems that the Nook Color will soon be home to the launch of B&N’s Nook Store, which is set for an April release. The word comes from a product listing at the Home Shopping Network of all places (via CNET, which also reveals that the device is getting Adobe Flash support as well. Or… it did, at least.
The listing has been changed since CNET’s initial pickup of the news. Originally there was a bullet-point beneath the “Adobe Flash” heading that read “Expand your web experience by watching videos that use Adobe Flash.” The heading has now been changed to “Enhanced Web Browser” and the bullet’s text instead reads “Enjoy a full web experience by watching videos.” Oops! Though since Android 2.1 already plays HTML5, an “enhanced” web browser still likely points to Flash.
There’s not much to say about the Nook Store yet, other than that it seems to be arriving in April as part of a big update. The listing mentions Angry Birds, Lonely Planet Phrasebook and Drawing Pad as some of the apps that will be available. If you’re considering a purchase though, you might want to skip it on HSN. B&N has the Nook Color available for $249, $50 less than the HSN price.
Also… hey, Steve Jobs. Now an e-reader is apparently going to be able to do what your iPads still cannot. Are you ready to reconsider the whole “no Flash for iOS” philosophy yet? Pretty please?


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Apple sues Amazon over ‘App Store’ trademark

Apple is taking Amazon to court in California to try to get the online retail giant to drop the name for its newly-launched Android app marketplace.
Amazon today launched its very own Android app marketplace, which it has decided to name simply, but appropriately, the “Appstore for Android.” Unfortunately for Amazon, Apple is a bit sensitive over anything bearing a combination of the words “app” and “store.” As such, Apple has decided to sue Amazon to prevent the company from using the “Appstore” name by claiming trademark infringement.
The lawsuit was filed last week, but was first reported late Monday. Apple is seeking to have a judge prevent Amazon from continuing to use the “Appstore” name and is also asking for compensation for unspecified damages.
“Amazon has begun improperly using Apple’s App Store mark in connection with Amazon’s mobile-software developer program,” Apple’s complaint stated. Apple claims that it contacted Amazon on three occasions to try and get the company to drop its planned name for the app portal, but failed to get a “substantive response.”
Amazon launched its Android app developer portal today alongside a promotional offer for a free download of Angry Birds Rio. The store currently features some 3,800 apps.
Earlier this year, Microsoft filed a motion to dismiss Apple’s claim on “App Store” on the grounds that term was “too generic” to qualify for trademark status. Apple then countered with an argument of its own, which said basically that “App Store” was no more generic than Microsoft’s trademark on “Windows.”
Apple had originally filed for the rights to the name back in 2008, shortly after launching the iTunes App Store for the iPhone.

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