(Smart Money) — In a move that was described as a potential market-changer, Amazon.com (AMZN: 121.45, -0.86, -0.70%) and Barnes & Noble (BKS: 16.43, +0.26, +1.60%) earlier this week dropped the retail prices of their e-readers — the Kindle and Nook, respectively. The globally-wireless Kindle now sells for $189, while the 3G-enabled Nook is available for $199; both had previously sold for $259. Barnes & Noble also introduced a sister e-reader, the Wi-Fi-only Nook, for $149. Of course, price may not be the only motivator at the cash register — or at least that’s what Apple (AAPL: 270.97, -2.88, -1.05%) seemed to underscore when it announced Tuesday that it sold three million iPads ($499) in just 80 days. (Apple and Amazon didn’t return calls for comment.)
