NOOK HD And HD+ Take Kindle's Former Place On Walmart Shelves

Barnes & Noble's NOOK HD and HD+ tablets are headed to Walmart, with the Android duo expanding their footprint as they attempt to snatch sales from Amazon's Kindle Fire and Google's Nexus slates. Priced from $199 for the 7-inch HD model, and from $269 for the 9-inch HD+, the tablets will be offered both in Walmart's retail stores and via its site.

At one point, that would have given Barnes & Noble a significant advantage over Amazon, whose online sales strategy meant it lacked a brick & mortar outlet for its Kindle range. However, that changed when the firm began pushing Kindle ereaders and tablets through retail partners; you can pick up a Kindle Fire at Best Buy or Staples, now, for instance.

However Walmart doesn't offer Kindle products, having cut its ties with Amazon back in September. That should give B&N some extra visibility in-store, something the company desperately needs since its recent financial results have been less than gratifying.

As for whether the NOOKs are worth the money, the HD made our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide for recommended tablets, and you can find our review here.