The Nook ~ Barnes & Noble's eBook Reader

The Nook ~

The Barnes & Noble Nook, the first Android-powered e-book reader, had a rocky beginning. However, after six months of firmware upgrades, the Nook is a real choice on the market.

There are many good points to this eBook reader.
• Large library capacity (1,500 books internally)
• Built-in FREE wireless data network where no PC is required
• Virtual keyboard for notes & annotations
• 2GB of internal memory w/expandable SD slot
• 6" e-Ink screen
• Adjustable font size
• MP3
• Compatible with Windows and MAC machines
• Removable & replaceable
• In-store browsing while in Barnes & Noble stores
• eBook lending program
• ePub format compatible
• Read free google books & loaner eBooks from local libraries
• Built-in web browser

Some of the negative aspects of the Nook are:

• No protective carrying case
• Color LCD impacts battery life
• Limits to in-store reading & loading capabilities
• NO support for .txt files ~ which is big!
• Few bugs in software
• NO ability to download books when outside of US


The Nook has many additional features that could entice many away from the Kindle. Barnes & Noble brought out the Wi-Fi-Only version of the Nook for only $149. Amazon responded by immediately lowering Kindle’s price.

Let’s talk about the Nook’s design. Upon comparing it to the Kindle you will find the Nook is 10% smaller in surface dimensions and a bit thicker and heavier. As an accessory, Barnes & Noble offers the back cover in different colors. One of the biggest improvements over other eBook readers is the removable and rechargeable batter.

The Nook comes with a color touch screen located at the bottom of the device. This creates an interesting dynamic. It is bright and vibrant when turned on making the e-Ink screen appear a little off. The Nook is the only eBook reader to offer this WOW eye-catching factor at this price point. Touch-screen navigation is used, however, you need to get used to the realization that it is only at the bottom and not on the e-Ink screen. The bottom screen can be turned off or put to sleep for energy-saving. e-Ink still has some stutter when turning pages. This technology is still slow on the start but the speed has improved.

There is one thing that most reviews seem to ignore. The one item that causes me to still be so frustrated with eBook readers as a whole. You need to look at the eBooks themselves and decide where you want to purchase most of them from. I downloaded a pdf book from Barnes & Noble only to find that I could not put it on my eBook reader! This proprietary nonsense makes me crazy. I am waiting for the day that an eBook will be translated into whatever platform my eBook reader is written in, much like Word and WordPerfect documents.

The Nook, in comparison to the Kindle, is comparable. Both devices offer wireless and have a keyboard. I also found the Nook is a little easier to use than the Kindle with less bugs. The one big advantage the Kindle has over the Nook is the simple fact that Amazon has a more tried and tested life.