Electronic books emit light

US retailer Barnes & Noble has unveiled its first self-luminating Nook flash e-book that allows users to read books in the dark without the need for external lighting.

Nook will be available in the US market in May. (BBC)

Dubbed the 'Simple Touch and Light' , the Nook uses an LED system to illuminate when light from the surrounding environment is too small. Light emits enough to not disturb the sleep of the people around.

In addition, anti-glare technology is also equipped to help customers read well under the sun.

The device was announced less than a week after Amazon announced it was developing a Kindle e-book.

The product is expected to appear in the US market in May for $ 139.