Best Buy Backs the E-Reader, Big Time

If you're like some analyst firms (iSuppli, for one), you firmly believe that the e-reader will be the hit of the holiday season. Best Buy, apparently, believes it too.

The electronics retailer said Thursday that it will add a dedicated e-reader and gadgets section to its stores this holiday season, stocking more than 120 different products priced between $25 and $75. Brands will include Sony, Sharper Image, Leapfrog, and Rubik's Cube beginning Oct. 11.  Of course, the Amazon Kindle won't make an appearance.

Highlighted products will include the Sony Reader Touch and the Irex DR800ESG, which Best Buy announced in September. Gadgets will include the Sharper Image line of gadgets, the LiveScribe Pulse pen computer, the Ambient Flurry alarm clock and Cirrus 7-Day weather forecaster, the Rubik's TouchCube, the Leapfrog Tag and Leapster 2, Tracksters online racing game, and Mattel's XTRACTAURS.

Best Buy's gadget section will also appear online, at BestBuy.com/gadgets.