The e-reader Nook Color will be on the receiving end of Android 2.2 (in order to improve performance and battery life) in the next few weeks, as well as a host of other goodies. Are they trying to turn it into a tablet?

This January, the full-colour $250 e-reader will get Android 2.2, making it more like a tablet than ever. SmartphoneMag.com were informed by Barnes & Noble annd Steve Green of SmartphoneMag.com commented, “The 2.2 update, or overhaul if you prefer, will give you access to a retooled Android Market, the typical Android home screen and even has pinch zooming with the browser. The Android Market app was still under development and was not on the device to see. I was told that Nook users may not have access to the full market. The Nook I looked at had apps loaded via the SD card slot and seemed to run fine. The device will still give you access to all of your Nook material via the current interface that will be switchable for the user.”

Can we really call the Nook Color an e-book after hearing that it will have a “switchable” interface as well?

Ars Technica point out that whilst the Nook Color may be getting Android 2.2, it will not have full access to the Android Market as well. Spokesperson Brittany Roth said, “Standard Android applications can run on the device, but we are working with developers to create Nook-specific applications using our SDK. Those will be available via the Barnes & Noble e-book store in early 2011.”

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