Barnes & Noble Adds NFC to Nook: Hot Trends

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Popular searches on the Internet Wednesday include Barnes & Noble (BKS) on news that the book retailer plans to add near-field communication (NFC) technology to its Nook e-readers.

Barnes & Noble CEO William Lynch said the company is going to start embedding NFC chips into Nooks. Lynch said the company plans to ask publishers to embed NFC chips in hardcover books so that in-store shoppers can get information on hardcover books via their Nooks.

Near-field communication is an embedded chip that can communicate information over close distances.

No timeline has been given yet as to when NFC will be added to the Nook.

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Facebook is trending after an announcement on the social networking giant's Web site that it will now allow members to share whether or not they are an organ donor.

Facebook will also link to state databases where those who are not officially organ donors can register to become one online. The site is partnering with Donate Life America in the initiative.

Since Facebook's announcement of its donor initiative on Tuesday, thousands of people have signed up to be organ donors. According to Donate Life America, by Tuesday evening 100,000 Facebook users proclaimed to be organ donors -- 10,000 of which took advantage of the links through Facebook to register to become donors.

Ten states have especially seen a boost in new organ donor registries, including Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Wyoming.

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Lane Bryant is another popular search. Ascena Retail Group (ASNA) is set to buy Charming Shoppes Inc. (CHRS), parent of Lane Bryant, for $890 million.

Ascena will pay shareholders $7.35 per share of Charming. Through the deal, Ascena, which owns stores including Dress Barn and Justice, hopes to increase its presence in the market for larger-sized women's clothes, a growing area in retail. The deal would be the largest acquisition for Ascena.

Charming also owns Fashion Bug and Catherines Plus Sizes stores.

The deal is expected to close in the second quarter.

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The chatter on Main Street (a.k.a. Google, Yahoo! and other search sites) is always of interest to investors on Wall Street. Thus, each day, TheStreet compiles the stories that are trending on the Web, and highlights the news that could make stocks move.

-- Written by Brittany Umar.

Brittany joined TheStreet.com TV in November 2006 after completing a degree in Journalism and Media Studies at Rutgers College. Previously, Brittany interned at the local ABC affiliate in New York City WABC-TV 7 where she helped research and produce On Your Side, a popular consumer advocacy segment.