dearmash wrote:Can any owners chime in as to the restrictions put on the "3G" portion?

I don't know if anyone answered this but the 3G function is only for browsing and buying books and NOT for going on the web. You can only use WiFi for the little browser they have on there.

As for those wanting to compare the Kindle, I personally love my Nook (I have the WiFi version). The reason I didn't get the Kindle is because of Kindle's refusal to open up their system to epub. Granted, you can convert any book to their mobi format using Calibre but its a principle thing. Also, because you can't borrow books from the library with a kindle.

If you're into reading, get an eInk reader. The battery lasts for days, the screen is easy on the eyes and if you read in the dark, you can get a book light like you would with a regular book.

Major advantages the Kindle 3 has over the Nook: Lighter, longer battery life and a slightly better screen (slightly sharper and more contrast but hardly noticeable). If Kindle supported epub, I'd be on it but they don't.

Also, if you live near a B&N, you can get some coupons for free stuff from their cafe. You can also read their books for an hour a day on your Nook if you're in the store.

DarkLazer wrote:Is this the nook you can hack into an android tablet? If so, I would consider this.

No, that's the Nook Color, which is $250 + tax.

I have Cyanogen Mod 7 (Gingerbread) on mine. My wife loves it.

Well, I am a bookaholic. I bought a refurb Sony reader on Woot a few months back so I could download library books (but haven't used it yet). I also have a Kindle with 3G and love it. I have almost 500 books on it at the moment and probably 350 of those were free.

Hate to say it because of all the naysayers out there but I LOVE Amazon's website and very much dislike B&N's. Amazon's is user friendly (too much so in fact). Incredibly easy to download books onto my Kindle either by using the Kindle or my laptop.

There is also a neat website that sends me updates on free Kindle books and I have also bought some great ones in the $.99-$3.99 range.

Color would be a nice little add-on both for book covers or magazines but it doesn't bother me much not to have it. And Amazon has been pretty good about sending out software upgrades in a timely manner (loaning to other Kindle owners, page numbers rather than locations).

I love my Kindle. I love the fact that it has 3G. I have some great games on it - some free and some purchased. I just got Scrabble and am enjoying it. Also Sudoku, Blackjack, Video Poker, Solitaire and Mine Sweeper to name some others.

That's not to say I won't get a Nook Color one of these days, too.

Last week these were sold at $79 with free shipping ( see http://deals.woot.com/deals/details/2c2a6e33-f49e-4446-bb47-912de0768bac/refurbished-nook-wi-fi-ereader-by-barnes-and-noble )
Better wait for a better deal.

sdc100 wrote:The eInk display is amazing, but the original Nook is a dead product. Barnes & Nobles is no longer actively supporting it, putting all its resources toward the highly touted Color Nook. The new color ereader has received a lot of attention because it can be hacked to run Android 3.0, making it one of the cheapest (and first) Android 3.0 tablets available.

Still, this original eInk Nook is great if you just want an e-reader. The only caveat is that color is highly desirable if you read magazines. I personally prefer eInk because a reflective screen is more like real paper, and is less fatiguing than a backlit LCD. Staring at a backlit LCD is like staring at a lightbulb.

This simply wrong. A mere glance at www.nook.com makes it plain that the original B&W model is still fully supported. See the 'Which Nook is right for you?' page on their site. Barnes & Noble understands perfectly well that the e-ink screen cannot be matched for comfort be any shipping color technology. Maybe Mirasol will make a big splash this Xmas but it remains vaporware for now.

NookColor does a lot more stuff but it cannot do the one thing Nook does perfectly: look like a printed page on paper. It really matters.

donnabrown wrote:We have 5 Kindles in my family. We love them. The biggest advantage over the Nook is Amazon's customer service. If you need your Kindle replaced, even if you are at fault (dropped it, etc), you will have a new one on it's way to you the next day. I have never dealt with better customer service anywhere! The actual device is lighter than the Nook and screen contrast is better. There are tons of free books on the Amazon site. When you finish with a book, you can delete it off your Kindle and Amazon will archive it for you forever. It only takes a few seconds to re-download it if you want to reread it. I have nothing but praise for my Kindle 3 and Amazon.

Although I too prefer eInk, analysts say that the technology is pretty much dead for eReading unless they can introduce color and faster speeds -- soon. Barnes & Noble has abandoned the technology, and Sony (with its large media library, aka movies) is probably not far behind. That leaves Amazon alone. Surveys have shown that younger users (aka the MTV generation) overwhelmingly prefer color LCDs and apparently don't experience the eye fatigue that older users do. And for better or worse, this generation drives the market for new technology. If analysts are correct, eInk will be relegated to small devices like clocks, thermometers, scales, etc. I personally have an eInk weather forecaster (Brookstone) and an eInk watch (Phosphor), and love them.

huja wrote:Is there something fundamentally unsound about this device that require them to be refurbed?

Hard to say, but keep in mind Best Buy (which sells the Nook) instituted its "we'll buy back almost anything" program early this year.

Here's another link regarding the Amazon Orwell deletion, there was a lawsuit because the buyer was unable to use the notes he'd made on the device. Given the press around it at the time, this is a total nonissue, they've learned their lesson.

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/07/30/lawsuit-amazon-ate-my-homework/

On this note, I haven't tried the notetaking capabilities, but assume they are poor- the e-ink refresh rate makes typing a chore.

FWIW, I've only used the dictionary once and it worked okay, though navigation is tedious. Not sure how many other ways to say "if you treat it like a never-ending paperback (and nothing else), you will enjoy it immensely."

chaley0803 wrote:Anyone know if a rooted NOOK COLOR can have apps installed on it? Angry Birds!

Yes, but you're better off just replacing the ROM with Cyanogen Mod 7 (Gingerbread). The B&N interface is Crap (with no Bag) for use as a general-purpose tablet.

You can always install the Android Nook app on it if you also want a reader.

boazbz wrote:Last week these were sold at $79 with free shipping ( see http://deals.woot.com/deals/details/2c2a6e33-f49e-4446-bb47-912de0768bac/refurbished-nook-wi-fi-ereader-by-barnes-and-noble )
Better wait for a better deal.

That was the WiFi-only model. 3G is easily worth $20 to a lot of people. I personally didn't buy a 3G model but fair is fair.

jdorritie wrote:Yep. Don't wrack your brain over it. Their reasons were valid.

Sorry but I don't think there is any valid reason for deleting books I purchased, off my e-reader.
They screwed up on licensing is not a valid reason in my eyes.

Either way if it doesn't bother you thats cool.

One more thing to keep in mind in the nook vs. kindle fight.
Memory.... the nook id expandable by 16 more gigs with a sd card. The new kindle iirc is 3 gigs with no sd slot.

Final post on this device, can't believe I've spent this much time on Woot for something I already own.

Here is a video of the page flip functionality. Everyone I know with a Nook talks about how great this is and in my mind it's the core sales point over the kindle and other devices. No clicking buttons, no keyboard, no d-pad... just the page, and a natural movement turns it. The movement can be MUCH smaller than the model in this video is making it, and anywhere on the small screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bbRwAS7JsM

Priced nicely, but I'm a loyal Kindle fan! With Kindle 3G, you can browse the web (for free!). So, I can email my family when I'm in the middle of nowhere in China. LOVE my Kindle and constantly think about how wonderful it is and smile.

sdc100 wrote:Not only an Android tablet but one of the first, and cheapest, to run Android 3.0 (aka Honeycomb).

Well, it was the FIRST (even before the XOOM) to run sorta Honeycomb. I don't know the details but the ROM was put together using some code stripped from an emulator and not actual Honeycomb code, or something like that. I ran it off an SD card for a while but it wasn't ready for prime time. The release version of CM7 (Gingerbread) looks great on the NC.

FYI, it's almost impossible to brick a NC with a bad flash. It's hard wired to boot off the SD card if there's a bootable image on it, so you can always recover a bad flash.

epobirs wrote:This simply wrong. A mere glance at www.nook.com makes it plain that the original B&W model is still fully supported. See the 'Which Nook is right for you?' page on their site. Barnes & Noble understands perfectly well that the e-ink screen cannot be matched for comfort be any shipping color technology. Maybe Mirasol will make a big splash this Xmas but it remains vaporware for now.

NookColor does a lot more stuff but it cannot do the one thing Nook does perfectly: look like a printed page on paper. It really matters.

Read the blogs. Yes, it's being sold but updates have apparently stopped for months, and no further improvements are expected. Just like the Zune. Third party and hacker support have also reached a standstill from what I've read.

Perhaps I should have clarified and said that it's the platform (and technology) that B&N no longer supports, and not the device itself.

Not supported:
DOC
LIT
TXT
AMZ (Amazon)
LRZ/LRX (Sony)

Why wouldn't it support TXT and DOC? Seems like weird formats to exclude.

jdorritie wrote:I assumed as much, but maybe that's exactly what Amazon would want you to think? Hm. Hm?

The paranoia was fleeting, and even if it stuck, there's always google to help me answer questions.

No, it's really true.

sdc100 wrote:Although I too prefer eInk, analysts say that the technology is pretty much dead for eReading unless they can introduce color and faster speeds -- soon. Barnes & Noble has abandoned the technology, and Sony (with its large media library, aka movies) is probably not far behind. That leaves Amazon alone. Surveys have shown that younger users (aka the MTV generation) overwhelmingly prefer color LCDs and apparently don't experience the eye fatigue that older users do. And for better or worse, this generation drives the market for new technology. If analysts are correct, eInk will be relegated to small devices like clocks, thermometers, scales, etc. I personally have an eInk weather forecaster (Brookstone) and an eInk watch (Phosphor), and love them.

These analysts are frequently wildly wrong. I remember one guy who loudly predicted the dire failure of the original iMac and iBook because they'd only appeal to women. Even if that were true, that's bloody half the population. Not a bad market.

E-paper isn't going away. This is not a youth driven market. Book sales are dominated by a more mature audience and the kids who spend a lot of time watching MTV aren't big readers. It's the kids who couldn't be bothered with MTV who read a lot. They can tell the difference.

There are several technologies in development promising to combine the qualities of e-ink and full color. Mirasol is the most promising and looked very good in demos I've seen. They say there will be products this Xmas but that remains to be seen. You can bet both Amazon and B&N are preparing devices on the technology if it genuinely ready for prime time.

boazbz wrote:Last week these were sold at $79 with free shipping ( see http://deals.woot.com/deals/details/2c2a6e33-f49e-4446-bb47-912de0768bac/refurbished-nook-wi-fi-ereader-by-barnes-and-noble )
Better wait for a better deal.

That's the Wifi only version, which is frequently sold for $79 by B&N itself. And they also frequnetly sell this Wifi+3G version for $99 (and free s/h).

W00T = rot9(N00K)

I'm 99% sold on this because I greatly prefer the epub format, but I have one question-- can I listen to music while I'm reading, or are those two functions only available separately?

sdc100 wrote:Read the blogs. Yes, it's being sold but updates have apparently stopped for months, and no further improvements are expected. Just like the Zune. Third party and hacker support have also reached a standstill from what I've read.

Perhaps I should have clarified and said that it's the platform (and technology) that B&N no longer supports, and not the device itself.

You make it sound like there was need for frequent updates. This is a very specific function device and after the last major update there wasn't much call for anything further to be added. People may have their little pet feature lists but after getting the page change speed fixed it was pretty much done.

The current model isn't likely to see any major updates but I very strongly doubt B&N is abandoning this type of display until a genuine color substitute is shipping.

Have you seen the latest Kindle revision? The B&W display there shows that a lot more can be done without color once you have the contrast and response time up to snuff. A new color tech like Mirasol has to hit in a big way at a comparable price before B&W e-ink is going away.

joefa88 wrote:I'm an average reader who until recently didn't think to look much into e-readers, but now, with the new Kindle+ads for $114 and this nook, I'm a seriously considering it. Should I spend the extra 15 bucks for the kindle? it seems many of you like the nook, I'm just worried it would get phased out or is lacking features compared to the kindle. Any input??

Yes, you should spring for the Kindle.
It is way faster and easier to navigate than the Nook. I just ordered one of the Kindle + Ads today and it is a PRE-Order... it ships on May 03.
If I had one gripe with the Kindle it is the unusual Square Nav button that is not automatically intuitive.
The Colour screen on the Nook looks way cool but it is really slow and difficult to navigate. I felt like it was always lagging behind like I was moving at the speed of light and it was moving at the speed of sound.

sdc100 wrote:Many thanks for the info. Although I was already reading ebooks on my Palm Pilot (remember those? ... it was great having my medical library in my palm, literally), this new generation of eBook readers is all new to me. I just looked at the Sigil website and it looks pretty scary, but I'm willing to give it a try.

You're welcome. When you're learning how to use any new software, just make sure you make a new copy to alter and keep the original for "just in case." The thing I really like about Sigil is the ability to easily toggle between page view and code view.

I've also been using this to make medical protocols portable -- I'm a paramedic, and I keep my protocols on my 'Droid phone and my Nook, and of course in my head.

chaley0803 wrote:Anyone know if a rooted NOOK COLOR can have apps installed on it? Angry Birds!

The Nook Color can be 'upgraded' to use Android 3.0 and yes, that one play Angy birds and many other titles, however you have to pony up another 49.00 and get it at Barnes and Noble

LOGICALPSYCHO wrote:Sorry but I don't think there is any valid reason for deleting books I purchased, off my e-reader.
They screwed up on licensing is not a valid reason in my eyes.

Either way if it doesn't bother you that cool.

One more thing to keep in mind in the nook vs. kindle fight.
Memory.... the nook id expandable by 16 more gigs with a sd card. The new kindle iirc is 3 gigs with no sd slot.

That is my big reservation when it comes to getting a Kindle. I'll probably have to since I'm getting into e-book conversion as a sideline.

The first thing I did when I got my Nook was get a 16 GB microSD card from Fry's for $20 AR and install it. Why? Because I could. I've used less than 10% of my storage so far but I really like having the capacity and never getting rid of anything. It's compensation for having to get rid of most of my library after moving to a much smaller place.

momentarydogma wrote:I'm 99% sold on this because I greatly prefer the epub format, but I have one question-- can I listen to music while I'm reading, or are those two functions only available separately?

I can do that on my Nook Color. I often stream a station from Pandora while reading. Not sure about the B/W version, but if it has Android apps, I don't see why not.

aetherchild wrote:Some things I *don't* like and clarifications:

- I wish I could subscribe to RSS feeds other than having the option to pay for a very limited selection of them through BN. Rooting the device offers this option; I haven't done it.

The previously mentioned Calibre software will accept any RSS feeds you like and convert them to your device of choice. With varying degrees of success. However, you can edit the 'recipe' (as they call it) so it converts your feed the way you like it. On the other hand, the recipes are nearly straight Python, so editing might not be as useful an option for some, as for others.

cheeselog wrote:Why wouldn't it support TXT and DOC? Seems like weird formats to exclude.

I thought that was weird too... also, this 3g on this nook is dumb and highly unnecessary...

holding out for $50 decent ereaders=P

liu208 wrote:Is nobody bothered by the puny screen size of 3.5"?

The 3.5" screen only refers to the color, touchscreen navigation panel at the bottom. The reading area dimensions are not given on the Woot site, but is stated to have a 6" diagonal measurement, which is the same as the Kindle.

Can you read books in, say, Cyrillic on this?

I got one of these for $90 on Black Friday and I was VERY happy with the purchase. If you want an eReader than this is the way to go!

bchu wrote:Priced nicely, but I'm a loyal Kindle fan! With Kindle 3G, you can browse the web (for free!). So, I can email my family when I'm in the middle of nowhere in China. LOVE my Kindle and constantly think about how wonderful it is and smile.

the last time I looked none of the book readers with 3G will allow you to surf the web using 3G. The 3G connection is "free" but its use is so you can buy books... not so you can surf the web at Amazon's expense.

I don't have neither but have been looking at these products for some friends who are book readers but not technical.

If you read alot of books... then an e-reader is great. You can bring many books with you as you travel locally or while on vacation.. via the Nook or Kindle. Also... its cheaper for the electronic version than the printed version. The Kindle has the longest running time that I've seen around which is an advantage (you don't have to always plug your kindle in to recharge.) But you can't borrow ebooks from public libraries.

If you buy most of your books from Amazon then get a Kindle. If you buy most of your books from B&N (either locally or online) then get a Nook. If you borrow a lot of books from the public library rather than buying them then go with the Nook since Amazon doesn't support the format used by public libraries.

However take into consideration that should Amazon or B&N go belly-up you won't be able to download your books from their system anymore. While these readers hold many books, so people have huge collections so they only load a portion of their library into their e-reader. Also should your unit go bad and you get a replacement you have a backup via the vendor's system so you can download the books to your replacement unit. While I kind of doubt Amazon will go belly up (though never say never...) I believe B&N has already had to restructure. Of course the Nook has access to public libraries which can have large collections of books to borrow. For some libraries (for a fee) you can have an account even though you don't actually live locally (or even in the state).

Had to get on this comment thread...
I have both an original nook 3G and an original iPad (just wifi).
I got the nook a while ago for reading books. Love the eink display. In airplane mode I can read on and off for about a week. I've only bought a couple books throguh BN themselves, everything else I've either borrowed from the library or side loaded from other sources. I chose the nook over the kindle because it supports epubs, which is more universal.
As far as libraries - their selection and wait list is different from system to system but you can dl the book at home and easily load it onto the nook.
The nookcis primarily an ereader. You will be disappointed in all the other features. It is not a tablet. After getting used to Apple's touch screens I kind if hate the nook touch screen, it is not very responsive.

I've read a few books on the iPad and it's not so bad. Not as say on the eyes as the nook but no headaches or eyestrain. PDFs are a million times better. I used calibre to convert PDFs to ePub for the nook but now do all that on the iPad. Depending on how the PDF was created, it might or might not be readable on the nook.
Because navigation is easier on the iPad and it has more functionality, I use it way more often and for all my nonfiction reading. I do most if my fiction reading on the nook still. It's a great ereader for going cover to cover but sucks if you have to hop around from place to place. The dictionary is annoyin as well.

The page refresh rate is quick, the contrast is pleasing and the battery life is decent. It can hold a ton of books, youvcan add them from a few sources and the eink display is crisp. Like I said, a great ereader if you dint need to jump around in the books.

Just wanted to add my two cents since I'm an MLIS student. Constantly reading both fiction and nonfiction from many, many sources.

There is a lot of loose talk going on that might make people think this is something it is not.

This is a Black and White Nook 3g +wifi not a Nook Color! Unfortunate that the names are similar, but it seems that several people have already mistaken that fact.

This is based on a heavily modified android 1.5 and does not have the android market for apps.

So if you are thinking of running honeycomb or some other Android (gingerbread, froyo, etc.) think again you are not able to flash this Nook!

alee7 wrote:the last time I looked none of the book readers with 3G will allow you to surf the web using 3G. The 3G connection is "free" but its use is so you can buy books... not so you can surf the web at Amazon's expense.

Much as I dislike the kindle you are completely wrong.

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reader-3G-Wifi-Graphite/dp/B002FQJT3Q/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1302677237&sr=8-4

New WebKit-Based Browser – Free 3G web browsing (experimental)

Video of it in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AczgiDTPfY

mevande wrote:The Nook Color can be 'upgraded' to use Android 3.0 and yes, that one play Angy birds and many other titles, however you have to pony up another 49.00 and get it at Barnes and Noble

Nook Color is $249. So an extra 149

stevesds wrote:Before everyone buys up the "public libraries can give me free books" idea.

Go to Overdrive.com and look up your local library's collection of Ebooks. I was THOROUGHLY disappointed in my two. They still abide by the idea that they can only check-out a certain number of copies of each book as if they were physical books! Every book I was remotely interested in was only available for "adding to my waitlist"...zzzzzz

Please know that this is not likely a regulation that the library came up with, but one that the publishers are enforcing. If you want more books available digitally from your library and more copies, let them know and help them push publishers to open up lending options!

epobirs wrote:These analysts are frequently wildly wrong. I remember one guy who loudly predicted the dire failure of the original iMac and iBook because they'd only appeal to women. Even if that were true, that's bloody half the population. Not a bad market.

E-paper isn't going away. This is not a youth driven market. Book sales are dominated by a more mature audience and the kids who spend a lot of time watching MTV aren't big readers. It's the kids who couldn't be bothered with MTV who read a lot. They can tell the difference.

There are several technologies in development promising to combine the qualities of e-ink and full color. Mirasol is the most promising and looked very good in demos I've seen. They say there will be products this Xmas but that remains to be seen. You can bet both Amazon and B&N are preparing devices on the technology if it genuinely ready for prime time.

Yes, analysts are frequently wrong but rarely have aI heard it with such unanimity and from such broad sources, i.e. Wall Street Journal, various blogs, CNN, ABC News, NBC, etc. Indeed, I have not heard any dissenting opinions from a major analyst, opining that eInk can survive for eReading in it present grayscale form. The iPad's immense popularity is a major driving force.

Yes, book sales is dominated by a more mature audience, but technology is not. eReading is a novelty, and older audiences still prefer paper media. Older audiences also prefer CDs, but CD sales have dropped dramatically as MP3s dominate sales. And witness the newspaper crisis. Even the venerable NY Times is suffering from a massive loss in sales and readership. Another example is the legendary Encyclopedia Britannica. It's teetering on the brink of bankruptcy as users turn to online resources. How many people still spend hundreds of dollars on a set of paper encyclopedia? CNN had a survey showing that of the people likely to read digital media, the vast majority preferred color LCD over eInk (I think it was 2-to-1).

As for color eInk, the Etch-a-Sketch reflective technology can never achieve the contrast and speed required for multimedia, and still remain eInk. And multimedia is where the industry is going. Witness any newspaper's website, including the NY Times, which was one of the last major papers to go color.

Again, given that Amazon will likely be the remaining supporter of eInk eReading, it's unlikely that the industry will pour much money into research and development. LCD technology, on the other hand, has applications beyond eReading, i.e. television. And of course, OLED is quickly gaining steam.

Oh, man, I just bought a Nook WiFi a month ago! Picked up a refurb from Amazon for $110 shipped, plus I did have a gift card for $20, so I got a refurb WiFi for barely any less than this 3G/WiFi one! Sweet deal on a great reader, I love this thing!

Read any book free on your NOOK or NOOK Color for up to an hour per day when connected to the free in-store Wi-Fi®. Also you can get free stuff at the store for having a NOOK with you, like an item at the snack bar.