Waterstones is Launching it's own Ereader

Waterstones is planning to take on Amazon's Kindle.

America's Barnes & Noble isn't the only bookshop with an interest in releasing its own ereader. Waterstones has said that 2012 will bring a Waterstones ereader. Company director James Daunt told Radio 4 that having been inspired by Barnes & Noble, his company was preparing their own digital reading device.

"We in Waterstone's need to offer you a digital reader which is at least as good, and preferably substantially better, than that of our internet rival, and you will have a much better buying experience purchasing your books through us," Mr Daunt told BBC Radio 4, adding that the project was "well down the planning line" and scheduled for launch in the spring of next year.

Daunt did not reveal any information about the ereader his company is working on, including what kind of display it will use. We're assuming Waterstones is thinking more along the lines of the traditional Kindle (pictured) rather than Amazon's rumoured Kindle tablet. Earlier this week, rumors of an Amazon tablet came to a head when TechCrunch posted an in-depth hands-on with a slate called the 'Amazon Kindle.' The 7-inch (and later 10-inch) tablet will be the first full-colour, back-lit Kindle that doesn't sport an e-ink display, will have no hardware buttons and is meant for more than just reading. The tablet is expected to launch later this year with a price tag of about $250.