Technolust

[billroper]

While I was at Staples with Julie this afternoon, I spent a bit of time playing with the Nook Color. (This was a challenge with Julie waiting for me.) I don't really need an e-book reader, but I would like a portable web browsing device that's handier than a laptop and bigger than my iPod Touch. I looked at a couple of web pages that I frequent on the device and it seemed to work pretty well.

Is there any reason not to get a Nook Color? Is there some other device that I should be looking at instead? (Because buyer's remorse is just really annoying...)

Thanks!

Comments

[archangelbeth]

Play with the iPad before you splurge on a Nook, I'd suggest. It's got all the ebook reader apps, it's handier than a laptop, and bigger than an iTouch. (I was telling myself that I didn't need it, between a Macbook Air and an iPhone... My spouse got it for me as an anniversary gift, after letting me talk myself out of it for some time! I love it -- it fits into a different niche than either phone or laptop.)

I'm not saying buy the iPad for definite, but if you're looking at a web-browser with a secondary use as an e-reader (and a lot of other things for me!), it's worth checking out, to make sure you don't play with the thing later and have Nookremorse.

Um... also, hi! Lurking fan here. *blush*

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

ISTM that the iPad would be the splurge, not the Nook at $250. If all you really need is a reader and a web browser, the Nook seems like more than enough, and ditto any Android device, for hundreds less. Also for me, the iPad is just too darned big to carry around; I don't typically carry a large bag.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

Well, you can pick up full Android tablets from China for about the same price, and install Nook for Android on them. That said, the Nook is a pretty nice piece of equipment in and of itself, and it is possible to root it and use it as a full Android tablet.

But then again, unless you have some specific need, it's likely that the Nook as is will do what you need.

Personally I bought a 7" tablet, installed Nook for Android on it, but then found that the Nook software (at least on my tablet) wasn't nearly the best reader out there. I tried a few and am currently using Cool Reader.

All THAT said, this afternoon I actually decided to switch back to my old Sony eInk reader for reading. It doesn't do anything but read, but it does that really well. Primarily what I like about it is that it runs for a couple of weeks on a charge. With the color LCD device I had to plug it in every day.

I do REALLY like having the android device for other things though. Todo list management, calendar, contact list all synced to my Google account, plus all the free crosswords I can possibly do every day, and a bunch of other games and apps.

[billroper]

My problem with the Chinese Android tablets is trying to figure out which ones are going to be good and which ones are going to be actively not good. :)

Thanks for the advice!

[starmalachite.livejournal.com]

I looked at the Nook myself just last week, but found that the only thing it can do that my smartphone can't is display on a larger screen. (I've been using it & its predecessor as an e-reader for several years now.) And since I quit carrying a purse many years ago, fitting in my pocket far outweighs the tiny inconvenience of a smaller screen, even with my lousy eyesight. So if you don't have a smartphone already, you may want to upgrade there instead.

[billroper]

I've already got an iPod Touch for the cases where I want extreme portability. I haven't gotten a smartphone, because it would be annoyingly expensive on a monthly basis. Among other things, my current carrier would force me off my family plan which already has more minutes than I can use.

[smoooom.livejournal.com]

Well, the iTouch is nice I had one for 18 months, but I found it hard to read on. Getting just a reader always seems a little silly to me. (But that's me.) Find some one who's selling their iPAd cheap. We upgraded last fall when Vicky was in the hospital amd I have never regretted it. All the book-readers you could need all in one. Plus all the features of the touch!

(Yes I am biased)

[billroper]

I don't see a lot of iPads going for less than a new Nook Color -- or even a price similar to a Nook Color! Also, the iPad won't run Flash applications, while the Nook is supposed to.

[tarkrai.livejournal.com]

Which begs the question- how much do you do that *requires* Flash? Pulling out the iTouch on a regular basis will give you the answer on really how crippling (or not) it may be.

[jeff-duntemann.livejournal.com]

Go with the Nook. That eliminates just about the last excuse I have for not buying one: No one else in my extended family has.

[tarkrai.livejournal.com]

I pushed off the iPad desire for about a year; and then finally fell and bought one with my last bonus.

Bad Things: As an e-book reader, it's excellent... unless you are outdoors. Then the screen glare is REALLY distracting- to the point that I cannot use it. Either you have a reflection of your face you're trying to see through, or a reflection of the sky, or a reflection of.. well, you get the point.

But, that's the only bad point.

Good points:

I set up the calendar app to sync only with Google; and maintain online shared calendars with my wife. We can both dynamically update, and see them on phone, computer, or iPad with no problems.

If reading e-books on both the iTouch and iPad (which I do; because the iTouch is definitely more portable, and the iPad is nicer to sit with at home), I can read the same book on both. Each sync with the computer updates the side I haven't been reading, copies over bookmarks, etc.

The screen real-estate is excellent- I've started to dispense almost completely with keeping paper lyrics; and doing it all on the iPad. The OnSong app allows me to share lyrics via Bluetooth with other iPhones and iTouches, as well as sharing via email. It's just a bit smaller than a piece of paper, but I can make the lyrics bigger. And if the song is bigger than the screen, it will scroll as I play. NO MORE HEAVY STACKS OF BOOKS! :)

Magazines work really well. Have not yet had the chance to try comics; but what little I've seen so far looks real promising.

The iPad has freed me from the computer desk at home- I can browse the web and do email from the couch (and regularly do).

In the near future I intend to start using it as an effects box for my guitar (yes, you can do that). Not to mention that with the Garageband app, you have in your hand an 8 track studio. Get the right attachment kit for this (which is really just a midi interface) and with the other kit you have you have a portable recording studio that fits in a *single* *bag*. Except for the microphone stand. Check with Mike Whitaker for real-use cases.

And when I travel- it has replaced (and is 90% lighter) than my laptop.

There are a lot of kids apps for it; and the girls can't really harm it, short of throwing it across the room.

Did I balk at the price? You betcha. A bit more than a month into my ownership (six weeks, now); it's rapidly becoming an essential online tool for me.

For you, Bill; I think a question you need to consider would be this: Android and iOS are *not* cross compatible. At all. (Android is Java based, iOS is Objective C). If you ever think, "Hm, I wonder if I could get (this cool thing that runs on Android) to run on my iPod Touch?" you're lost. It generally won't work- and you can end up wasting a fair amount of time just looking for similar apps from developers that don't write for both platforms.

So, have I fleshed out this particular camel's nose enough? :)

[cacieroomom.livejournal.com]

I love my e-ink Nook, which won't work for you. BUT. Barnes and Noble's tech support was wonderful when I dropped Bob's on our stone floor. (oops)

[(Anonymous)]

I've played a bit with the Nook Color myself, and think that right this minute, it's the best balance of features and low price point for what I want. (What I want - this'll sound familiar - is an e-book reader and competent color web browser that I can carry when I travel, so I don't have to lug a laptop.)

But I'm going to wait a while, mainly because the relevant technologies appear to be in fairly rapid development stages. My biggest gripes (such as they are) with the Nook are screen glare and limited availability of apps. I'm curious to see what will come out using Qualcomm's new Mirasol (http://www.qualcomm.com/products_services/consumer_electronics/displays/mirasol/index.html) screen technology - I saw a demo at CES in January, and it's really nice-looking. I also want to see what develops with the rumors of an Amazon Android tablet. Finally, Android 3.0, which is the first version optimized for tablet-sized devices, is just now starting to show up on devices you can actually buy.

In general, the Android Tablet Forum (http://www.androidtablets.net/) is a good place to keep up on the latest news and reviews.

[pheltzer.livejournal.com]

Barnes & Nobles has announced an intention to announce a new Nook at the end of the month. Not much in the way of details, it was slipped in on one of their SEC filings. So if you decide to go Nook, you may want to wait just to see what they're offering.

[bigblued.livejournal.com]

Phoenix has been looking at the Nook Color on and of for a couple months now. One of the things we did learn is that it's not too hard to hack and convert to a full android device.