Kindle Fire vs. Nook Tablet

by: admin - Filed under: Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble nook, eReader News & Updates

Yesterday, Barnes & Noble announced a new $249.00 Nook tablet…it features a 7″ color touchscreen, comes preloaded with Netflix and Hulu, and is set to take on the Kindle Fire.  Will it be able to steal Kindle’s Fire?

Kindle Fire, Full Color 7Frankly, I just don’t see that happening.  Already the reviews on the new Nook tablet are lukewarm…no one’s really singing the praises.  No real innovation has been mentioned.  In short, the Nook tablet will likely appeal to current Nook owners,  and loyal Barnes & Noble shoppers, but it will not be able to compete with the Kindle Fire. 

Why?  Well, to be honest, at the price point of $249.00, compared to Kindle Fire‘s $199.00 price point, more people will choose Kindle Fire without even comparing the two.  And, once they do compare them, there will really be no question…Amazon’s offering one year’s membership to their Amazon Prime program with the $199.00 Kindle Fire, and this membership INCLUDES streaming video, music, and access to Amazon’s new lending library for Kindle books.  That alone means a huge savings for most tablet owners…with the price of the average book around $9.99, your Prime membership quickly saves you money on the latest books, movies, and more.

Frankly, with all that Amazon is offering with the Kindle Fire, I cannot even imagine that anyone would seriously consider buying any other comparable tablet over the Kindle Fire.

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New Review: Nook, The Simple Touch Reader

by: admin - Filed under: Barnes & Noble nook, eReader News & Updates
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Be sure to read our latest review, the Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch Reader! 

Barnes & Noble NOOK Touch eBook Reader (NEWEST model, WIFI Only) Price: $80.00 Read Reviews Buy Now

Not only do we contrast the differences between the Nook and the Kindle, we also go over many of the features and the few issues that have been reported with the eReader.   So, before you buy an eReader, don’t miss this review!

 

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Do I Need an eReader Stand?

by: admin - Filed under: eReaders, Kindle Accessories, nook Accessories, Reader Accessories

One of the first things that I ordered after ordering my Kindle was a stand to use when I wanted to read while doing something…

If you’re like me, you’re a multi-tasker…meaning that sometimes you read while you’re working out, while you’re eating (especially if it’s a night when you happen to be eating alone)… heck, I even read a little while I am drying my hair!   I read while I’m laying out in the sun on the beach….pretty much anywhere I am, I’ve got my Kindle.

Multi-Position Reading Stand for Kindle 2 (2nd Gen 6") E-Reader (Kradle SQ :: KA-222G in Graphite) Read Reviews Buy Now

That’s why, as soon as I got my Kindle, I turned around and ordered the stand.  Now, I can read whenever, wherever, and however I want.  AND I can read WHILE I am doing other things. 

Plus, when I am not reading with it, it’s the perfect place at home to store my Kindle – I always know where it is.

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Barnes & Noble Nook Update

by: admin - Filed under: Barnes & Noble nook, eReader News & Updates

The Original Nook gets a facelift!

Barnes & Noble unveiled an update to the original Nook eReader today that combines the latest eInk technology with touchscreen features.  Updated Nook

Available for preordering beginning today, with shipping about June 10th, this new version of the Nook features WiFi only access, costs less than NookColor, and it weighs under 7.5 ounces (that 35% lighter than the original Nook).  At 5 inches wide by 6.5 inches long, Nook has a 6-inch Pearl eInk display combined with an infared touchscreen that lets you navigate with taps and swipes of your fingers.

William Lynch, CEO, stated that ”the Nook Color has been a home run, but there’s also a number of people who don’t need all those features” at the Nook unveiling in the bookseller’s Union Square, New York City location.

Nook, powered by Android 2.1, includes two gigabytes of onboard storage, which will allow you to downloaded about a thousand books, and there’s an SD card slot for additional storage.  Nook runs on an 800 MHZ Texas Instruments OMAP 3 processor, which Barnes & Noble say will enable a much smoother reading experience, with quicker page transitions, and 80% less “ghosting,” or page flashing.  Even better, it also will last two months between charges.

With the launch of the new version of the Nook, Barnes & Noble is putting the Kindle directly in the crosshairs, comparing features like battery life (Kindle 3 features one month of battery life compared with the new Nook’s two months) and the actual number of physical buttons.

“The Kindle 3 has 38 buttons, 37 more than the all-new Nook,” Lynch said.  “Anyone who has mobile devices with [a lot] of buttons and nav bars knows that means a lot of scrolling and a lot of interface. . . with the all the new Nook, you just get into the device.”

The new Nook software interface introduces a homescreen with three sections:

  1.  A “Reading Now” area that displays what you’re currently reading and the number of pages of left.  
  2. A “New Reads” section
  3. A ”What to Read Next” section that is social-focused and displays what your friends are reading.

With less physical buttons to deal with and the new homescreen, Barnes & Noble says, users will be a few taps or swipes away from anything they want.

Amazon…your move!

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Android 2.2 Froyo OS Added to Nook Color

by: admin - Filed under: Barnes & Noble nook, eReader News & Updates

Nook ColorBarnes & Noble’s Nook Color is even closer to becoming a true tablet computer with the recent addition of the Android 2.2 Froyo operating system,  an app store offering both free and paid apps, an email client, and a few features for kids, such as Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat (complete with learning games and drawing activities) to the device. 

And, even better, Barnes & Noble added all of this without increasing the price of the Nook Color!

Froyo comes with video capabilities, and the Nook Color’s use of Adobe Flash Player support enables interactive features, such as videos in more than 150 digital magazines and newspapers.  There are more than 225 digital magazine and newspaper titles available on the Nook Color.

The ability to see books, newspapers and magazines literally jump off the page is new even to tablet makers, who have yet to complete merge eReader capabilities with video features.

While the Nook Color store has less than 200 apps, catching up with both the iPad and the Blackberry tables definitely seems possible, especially with a free developer program with 70 percent revenue sharing!

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nookColor…the world’s most inexpensive tablet?

by: admin - Filed under: Barnes & Noble nook, eReader News & Updates

nookColor Android Update -

Technorati is reporting that that Android 2.2 will be officially released for the nookColor this January, giving users access to an Android home screen and the Android Market.  Assuming a straight-up installation of Android 2.2 is allowed, Barnes & Noble is about to really change the game, and could just have the most reasonably priced Android tablet on the market.

More details on nookColor upgrades to come!

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Is the NOOKcolor Backlit?

by: admin - Filed under: Barnes & Noble nook, eReader Questions

NOOKcolorBarnes & Noble recently introduced a full color version of the popular NOOK ereader, called the NOOKcolor.  Priced at $249, this eReader features a full color touch screen, however, unlike the Amazon Kindle, NOOKcolor is backlit.  This means that, while the color will be clear and crisp in most lighting, in bright sunlight you may notice a difference.  The choice between backlit full color and the E Ink featured in the Amazon Kindle is basically an individual selection.  If you don’t read much outdoors, then the NOOKcolor may be the right eReader for you.  Here are some of the other display features of the NOOKcolor:

  • The 7-inch VividView™ Color Touchscreen on the new NOOKcolor is backlit, but NOOKcolor promises that your screen will be easy to read day or night. 
  • NOOKcolor features high-resolution imaging capable of displaying more than 16 million colors.
  • NOOKcolor’s display gives you an extra wide viewing angle of 178°, so you can view the screen from almost any angle.  This design also promises to reduce glare, providing optimum brightness for enjoyable reading indoors or outside.
  • Your NOOKcolor can easily switch between portrait and landscape modes, depending on what you’re reading.  A quick turn of your NOOK switches from portrait to landscape allowing you to flip through a magazine or enjoy a bedtime story with your children.

Again, the choice between E Ink and the backlit full color NOOKcolor is more an individual preference, depending on what you’ll be reading with your eReader, and where you’ll be using it! 

Order your NOOKcolor through this link and get free shipping!

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How Long Does the Battery Last on an eReader?

by: admin - Filed under: Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble nook, eReader Questions

NookThere are two different types of eReaders on the market and because of the difference, each has vastly different battery capabilities.    An E Ink eReader, like the new Amazon Kindle, uses no power to display a page, therefore, you only use the power to turn the page, use the “read to me” setting, and access other features.  So, this low power consumption can equal up to a month of reading without needing to charge your eReader.  And, it will never feel warm, or even hot, to the touch like your laptop, your tablet computer, or your smartphone will.

An LCD electronic reader, like the Barnes & Noble color reader, Nook, on the other hand, uses continuous power to display pages, turn pages, and access features.  Typical battery life is up to 8 hours before your reader will need charging.

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How Much Does It Cost to Download a Book?

by: admin - Filed under: Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble nook, eReader Questions

Amazon KindleIf you buy an eReader for yourself, or as a gift for someone else, how much does it cost to download each book? 

Typically, when you buy a print book in a store, the cover price is anywhere from $7.99 for a paperback to 27.00 or more for a newly-released hardback book.  Bestsellers can cost even more.  However, since the “book” that you buy with your eReader is in digital format, prices usually range from $9.99 to $14.99 for newly released books and bestsellers, and even less for what would be a paperback book in stores. 

Even better, there are literally hundreds of thousands of FREE books available for download!  That’s right.  There are books that are absolutely free. 

Currently each of the major eReader sellers have their own online “bookstores,” like Amazon’s Kindle Store, that cater to the particular models of digital readers available in their stores, however, since there are eReader “apps” for your computer, your phone, and your other electronics, you can easily download a free app, and access some merchants online eBookstores without the reader.  And, your eReader app will remember your place regardless of where you’re reading your book!

Currently Amazon is the leader in eReader portability, with it’s Kindle app available for download for free for most electronic devices, including most cell phones, desktop computers, laptops, etc.  However, with the release of the Nook color edition, look for apps to make the Nook more portable!

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What’s the Difference Between an E Ink Screen and an LCD Screen?

by: admin - Filed under: Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble nook, eReader News & Updates, eReader Questions

Amazon KindleE Ink screens, like those used on the Amazon Kindle/KindleDX provide a clear, sharp image with no backlighting, unlike the LCD screen, which works similar to your LCD television or your laptop screen.  LCD screens use backlighting, which can result in glare, the inability to see in bright sunlight, and that annoying sideways blindness that you find with your laptop.  The result can be a distraction from the true function of your eReader…enjoying a good read!   So, if you’re a true book-lover, the E Ink screen found on the Kindle DX is probably your best bet in an eReader.

Of course, for those of you who prefer the digital LCD screen, the Nookcolor uses the most state of the art LCD imaging, and is about as good as you’ll get for this type of digital reader. 

Really, it’s a matter of preference!  And, you do have some great choices.

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