In the midst of a CNET report that Barnes & Noble (B&N) is working on a new 7-inch tablet with "revolutionary screen technology," the retailer has come up with an offer of a 50 gift card for customers who purchase its Nook Tablet before the end of this month.

According to reports, in what apparently is a promotional offer, B&N has thrown in a $50 gift card with the purchase of its November-unveiled 16GB Nook Tablet, at least for a limited time --- till July 29, as of now.

The gift card offer implies that customers who buy the $249-priced 16GB Nook Tablet till July 29 will get a $50 gift card, which they will be able to apply to a number of products, including e-books, apps, and accessories. However, the $200-priced 8GB Nook Tablet version and the pre-owned Nook devices are not eligible for the gift card offer.

Otherwise, under the promotional offer is good online as well as in the B&N stores. While the gift card will be given immediately to customers who purchase the 16GB Nook Tablet at a B&N store; the buyers of the tablet online will receive the card "within a few short days of purchase," via e-mail.

The promotional gift card offer from B&N is a move which will allow the retailer to clear out its existing stock of the Nook Tablet --- more so as CNET has reported that a "revolutionary" 7-inch tablet from the company is just round the corner!