Nook line to expand to U.K. with mid-October launch

Barnes & Noble will for the first time expand its Nook business internationally.

The company announced today that its e-readers and digital bookstore will be launching in the U.K. in mid-October. At that time, customers will be able to access the company's e-books, as well as purchase either its Nook Simple Touch or Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight.

As with its service in the U.S., Barnes & Noble will let U.K.-based customers read titles on their Nook or "mobile and computing devices."

The Nook Simple Touch has earned high marks from CNET, landing in the listing of "best e-ink readers," alongside Amazon's Kindle and Kindle Touch. However, B&N's e-readers have been overshadowed by its Nook Tablet. That device's price was slashed last week from $199 to $179 for the 8GB version and from $249 to $199 for the 16GB option.

Barnes & Noble did not say whether its Nook Tablet will be made available in the U.K.

That wasn't the only omission in the announcement. The company failed to say exactly when its Nook service and e-readers will launch and did not provide any pricing.

Barnes & Noble declined CNET's request for comment.