Barnes & Noble’s Nook HD And Nook HD+ Tablets Get Google Play

Google-Play-Nook

Like Amazon’s Kindle Fire devices, Barnes & Noble’s Android-powered Nook HD and Nook HD+ tablets have always relied on the company’s proprietary app store for software distribution.

While this ensures that every app you download will work well on your slate, it also means that the app selection is limited, and nowhere near that of Android’s own Google Play store.

But that all changed today when Barnes & Noble announced it will finally be bringing Google Play to its tablets.

That means Nook HD and Nook HD+ owners now have access to the 700,000 Android apps that are now available through the Google Play store — as well as all the books, movies, magazines, music, and TV shows.

“By adding Google Play to NOOK HD and NOOK HD+, we are offering our customers even more great entertainment on our award-winning tablets,” said William Lynch, chief executive officer of Barnes & Noble. “Now with access to more than 700,000 apps and the best reading experience available, both are must-see products for entertainment lovers looking for high-quality tablets at incredibly low prices.”

The Google Play app will be added in an upcoming software update to Nook devices, and it’ll be pre-loaded on all future slates as well. The update will also bring other Google apps, including Chrome, Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps.

Barnes & Noble will continue to keep its own content stores open, so any purchases you’ve already made will remain available — though we have a feeling that when it comes to apps most users will prefer to use Google Play.