Barnes & Noble has revealed that it is to jettison the idea of releasing follow-ups to its colour tablets, Nook HD and Nook HD+, in favour of licensing the brand to third-party manufacturers.

Although Pocket-lint highly rated the two Android-based tablets in the last year, neither set the world alight financially, with revenues for the Nook brand overall decreasing 34 per cent year-on-year, rather than increasing as had been the plan. Even enormous price cuts in April and the adoption of Google Play on each device's previously closed system failed to alight consumer interest, it seems.

READ: Barnes & Noble Nook HD+ review

In announcing its 2013 year-end financial results, Barnes & Noble said it would continue to sell and support the devices currently available in retail stores until the end of 2013, and support them with future software upgrades. Any new device will be co-branded with chosen partners, much like the Google Nexus 7 is made by Asus.

"The company plans to significantly reduce losses in the Nook segment by limiting risks associated with manufacturing," Barnes & Noble said in a statement. "Going forward, the company intends to continue to design eReading devices and reading platforms, while creating a partnership model for manufacturing in the competitive colour tablet market," 

READ: Hands-on: Barnes & Noble Simple Touch with Glowlight review

However, while the tablet devices will be farmed out, it will continue to manufacture and support its eBook reader line.

"The widely popular lines of Simple Touch and Glowlight products will continue to be developed in house," it said. "At the same time, the company intends to continue to build its digital catalogue, adding thousands of eBooks every week, and launching new NOOK Apps."