Microsoft ponies up $300 million investment in Nook spinoff

From Gizmodo:

In what some may consider an odd move, Microsoft has just announced that it's investing $300 million into a "strategic partnership" with Barnes & Noble to develop the future of e-reading. ...

There is, however, method to Microsoft's move. First off, the deal includes some patents, which could account for the price. What's more convincing, however, is the fact that the cash injection will see a Windows 8 Nook application become available.