Based on the iPad and Kindle, B&N has been REacting rather than being PROactive. And frankly, I liked the Kindle MUCH better than the Nook.
I've had my Kindle Keyboard for awhile and also tried the Nook Simple Touch. It went back to the retailer within two days. It took forever for the battery to get its full first charge, the USB connection into the unit was "iffy" and I wasn't sure the cord connector would last, and when I began reading, I'd swipe the screen to turn pages and I'd begin getting a ghost image of other pages (which became more visible as I continued on). That was it. Back in the box and back to the store.
My only complaint about the Kindle is their goofy idea of showing the percentage of the book read instead of what page your on. Sure, you can hit the [Menu] key to find out, but why should I have to do that?
My simple little e-Ink Kindle "Keyboard" WiFi will also let me browse the Internet, check my email, maintain a calendar and contacts list, play games, play music, and store photos (yes, in B/W). It's essentially a tablet without the color. And I've read the screen is easier to see in different light conditions than the Kindle Fire, also less taxing on the eyes.