Is Microsoft launching a Barnes and Noble Windows 8 device?

Later in the day, Microsoft will host a major announcement in Los Angels. Many have reported that it will be an in-house Windows 8 tablet, but today a report by TechCrunch points towards a Barnes  and Noble Windows tablet, that will perhaps take on the likes of the Amazon Kindle Fire which will also have Xbox Live streaming capabilities.

Microsoft had previously announced a strategic partnership with Barnes and Noble, with Microsoft investing $300 million into the joint venture dubbed “Newco” for a 17.6 percent equity stake in Barnes and Noble. So, this might be the preemptive strike for the tablet wars Microsoft has been wanting to wage for quite sometime.
Reports suggest, this device might in fact not run Windows 8 or Windows RT, but in fact may run an OS that might be a middle ground between Windows Phone and Windows RT and the device could be billed as Reader, considering Microsoft has killed off its own E-Book reader.
Anyways, nothing can be really confirmed as of now, but stay tuned for more, all will be revealed soon.