When it comes to eReaders, it looks like customers prefer to have a WiFi-only model. Despite Barnes & Noble's Nook product line showing all-time sales highs (thanks in no small part to the uber-popular Nook Color), the e-ink Nook 3G is apparently about to be discontinued, according to an Engadget tipster. Sales will continue until supply is depleted, but after that, don't expect to see any more of these. 
 
 As eReaders only need data connections for downloading books (usually not something you'll do everyday) and syncing, it makes perfect sense that more customers opt for a cheaper WiFi model. 
 
 It's been a slice, Nook 3G. [Engadget] ||||| Engadget claims that Barnes & Noble is phasing out the 3G Nook. Does that mean a new Nook is coming? 
 
 Gone baby gone? (Credit: Barnes & Noble) 
 
 We're not sure quite what to make of this rumor, but Engadget is reporting that Barnes & Noble is phasing out the Nook 3G. 
 
 Engadget doesn't cite a specific person or anonymous source, but says it, "Received hard evidence from within B&N; that the Nook is being discontinued, with sales to seemingly continue until stock is exhausted." The "outfit" (we assume that means Barnes & Noble) is apparently "encouraging retail partners to not send out any 'bulk requests' for the Nook 3G, as there simply 'will not be sufficient quantities to fulfill those orders.'" 
 
 The article then goes on to say that "the company never actually received a huge amount of Nook 3G bulk orders to begin with, so maybe Wi-Fi really is everywhere these days." 
 
 As we said, it's a little hard to decipher what this means, but we should point out that Engadget's story about the Nook Color getting an update to Android 2.2 and possibly blowing up if you rooted it (installed custom Android firmware) ended up being just a tad off base. However, this latest story was written by veteran Engadget reporter Darren Murph, so we're taking it more seriously. 
 
 One thing worth pointing out is that it would seem odd for Barnes & Noble to discontinue the 3G/Wi-Fi version of the Nook and tell customers they could only get the Wi-Fi-only version. The fact is, Amazon offers both a 3G/Wi-Fi Kindle and Wi-Fi-only Kindle, and Barnes & Noble would most likely continue to offer models that compete with what Amazon's got. 
 
 While Barnes & Noble remains heavily focused on marketing the Nook Color, the more likely scenario is for the company to refresh the Nook e-ink line, which launched in November 2009. Whether that ends up being a substantial makeover or just some modest design and parts tweaks is unclear, but some industry insiders say that Barnes & Noble may be losing money on its e-ink readers (which is why it hasn't quite matched Amazon's prices). Therefore it would behoove the company to release a product that was more cost-effective to produce. 
 
 In any case, we think that Barnes & Noble will continue to offer some sort of sub-$200 3G-enabled Nook as long as Amazon is offering one. But to be clear, that's just speculation. We have no "hard evidence" to prove some change is coming to the Nook line, and Barnes & Noble doesn't comment on rumors. 
 
 Update: A Barnes & Noble rep told us that the Nook 3G sold very well during the holidays and remains on sale both in Barnes & Noble stores and in its retail partners stores. She would not comment on the Nook "roadmap" going forward. ||||| New Recommended Models Including Galaxy Tab 10.1 Offer Consumers Highly-Rated Performance and Free E-Books, Flash Video Bonuses 
 
 YONKERS, N.Y., July 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer Reports' latest Ratings of tablets and e-book readers highlight some new models that match or even beat market leaders on performance, price and portability for consumers looking to buy a gadget to go this summer. 
 
 The full report on tablets and e-book readers appears in the September issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReports.org. Check back on the website frequently for additional buying tips and Ratings updates. 
 
 While the iPad and Kindle still earned high scores, they now have company at the top of the Ratings. The Galaxy Tab 10.1, a new 10-inch tablet from Samsung, almost matched the iPad 2, Apple's newest tablet, in screen quality and, like all Android-based tablets, it supports the Flash videos used by many websites. And a new version of Barnes & Noble's Nook e-book reader, the Simple Touch, outscored the Kindle in Consumer Reports' Ratings, offering touch-screen navigation and a lighter weight than the Amazon device. It's the first time since the Kindle's launch that it's been outscored overall by another e-book reader. 
 
 "The days are over when you needed to consider only two names to make the best choice for you: iPad and Kindle," said Paul Reynolds , electronics editor for Consumer Reports. "That said, the additional fine choices have not eliminated mediocrity from the market; there are still middling performers at the bottom of both the tablet and e-book reader Ratings." 
 
 Other devices, sometimes dubbed "tablet readers," offer consumers a combination of tablet and e-reader traits. These hybrids place a heavy focus on reading, but also include tablet-like features such as color screen and access to a selection of apps. One such example is Barnes & Noble's Nook Color, which is the top-scoring color model in Consumer Reports' tests. (Tablets offer the option to download e-book reading apps, including those from Kindle and Nook.) 
 
 For people looking to add more variety to their reading lists, on any type of device, a number of free e-book options are available for e-book readers. Hundreds of thousands of public-domain editions of many classic titles published before 1923 have been digitized by Google and offered up to the public as free downloads. 
 
 Other sources of free e-books include the e-bookstores for the Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader and Kobo devices and apps. Some public libraries also offer e-book readers, including Nook and Sony models, the option to borrow e-books with a local library card after downloading the free Adobe Digital Editions computer software. 
 
 How to Choose 
 
 E-book readers are best for books. An e-book reader remains the best choice if reading books is the top priority for a new device. Its lighter weight makes it more comfortable to hold during sustained reading and the text on an e-ink screen is easier to read than the text on tablets' LCD screens, especially if plans include reading in bright light--as, say, on the beach. 
 
 Tablets offer more reading versatility. A tablet is generally better-suited for reading e-magazines and e-newspapers. The iPad has by far the most access to magazines designed for the tablet experience. Plus, most tablets offer downloadable apps from Kindle, Nook and other digital booksellers that allow consumers to read e-books with the versatility of a tablet device. 
 
 Choose a screen size and shape. Most screens on e-book readers and tablets are 6 to 7 inches or 10 inches. For e-book readers, Consumer Reports recommends the smaller size range. With a tablet, the extra real estate of a 10-inch screen better suits such activities as Web surfing, video views and gaming. The iPad and most e-book readers have squarish screens, which Consumer Reports found to be better suited to more tablet uses than rectangular screens. For e-book reading, screen shape is a matter of personal preference. 
 
 Opt for Wi-Fi connectivity. All but a few low-rated devices Consumer Reports tested offer Wi-Fi connectivity. Most of the higher-rated devices also come in a version that can access cellular data networks as well as Wi-Fi. 
 
 Consider apps selection for tablets. To make the most of a tablet's capabilities, consider that there are a far greater breadth of apps available for iPads than for other tablets, though those competitors (especially those that use the Android operating system) are steadily expanding their selection. 
 
 SEPTEMBER 2011 
 
 The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is published by Consumers Union, an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports®, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our permission. Consumers Union will take all steps open to it to prevent commercial use of its materials, its name, or the name of Consumer Reports®. 
 
 SOURCE Consumer Reports 
 
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– Barnes & Noble's Nook e-reader is quite popular—but apparently, just the WiFi-only version. The bookseller is discontinuing the model with 3G, reports Engadget, and apparently will continue sales only until the current stock runs out. The move makes sense, writes Will Shanklin on AndroidCentral.com: Because e-readers require data connections only when the user is downloading books or syncing, "it makes perfect sense that more customers opt for a cheaper wi-fi model." But CNET cautions that other so-called scoops about the Nook turned out to be false.