It wasn't exactly the best-kept secret in the industry. After months of rumors and a few proverbial cats let out of the bag the morning of by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, Barnes & Noble yesterday made official its stab at the e-book market--The Nook.

The book giant's Kindle killer is Android-based, as speculated, and features two screens (also rumored prior to release)--one a standard electronic ink display for reader and one color touch screen. The reader also features 3G connectivity via AT&T (good luck using it in New York) and Wi-Fi, which can be accessed in Barnes & Noble retail locations.

The reader will begin shipping the end of next month for $259. The first 10,000 customers who pre-order will receive a free copy of Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point.