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Company: Barnes and Noble |
Is it an E Reader, or is it a specialized tablet? Barnes and Noble's Color Nook is something of a hybrid couched somewhere between E Reading functionality and the portable multimedia Web experience of a tablet. No matter how you view it, the way you related to it depends on what you expect an E Reader to do and just how much extra functionality you require.
Being cautious not to bill it as a tablet PC – or worse an Ipad killer — Barnes and Noble have prudently chosen to present it as a color E reader packed with added functionality. When taken from this perspective, the Nook becomes a lot more compelling in that its functions extend beyond what the typical gray scale E reader can do while doing most of what tablet PCs do anyway, allow you to read content without the cumbersome scale of a notebook computer.
If you have desired an E Reader that preservers the formatting of print magazines, children's books and the like in vivid color, the Nook more than delivers the proverbial goods. The seven inch, 16 million colors, 1024 x 600 IPS display screen is detailed, sharp and, well vivid. Clearly they have put a lot into this aspect of the device, and it shows.
The eyes certainly have it here, and the visuals do not stop with simply providing color. There is something incredibly sophisticated about the clean lines and shape of the device that prove form can follow function and be visually arresting in the process. Designed by Yves Behar, whose resume includes the OLPC XO laptop, the Leaf Light for Herman Miller, and Jambox, he has transformed a mobile computing device into a work of sculptural art.
If anyone has understood that how a device looks impacts how you relate to it, then no one knows this better than Apple. They have absorbed the lessons well regarding the importance of appearance. It also explains their popularity in a market dominated by stiff competition and others offering as much if not more functionality at a lesser price points. It is the indefinable "X" factor that gives them an edge. Call it charisma, personality, charm, call it what you will it has an influence.
Barnes and Noble have taken a similar approach to the new Nook. Once you begin using the device, you start to feel the "wow" factor. The allure, the excitement and the overall elegance of the device add a functionality making this a device you want to use simply because it looks good while you are using it.
At a mere 0.48-inches thick, the Nook Color is nearly a pound. Although made of plastic and glass, it feels substantial, but not so heavy that it would problematic holding it or carrying it with you. While it cannot boost the feather weight of some E readers, its size and scale do not make it cumbersome. However, it does demand a bit of care. What that means is that this is not the type of device you are ever going to leave the house without first finding a good carrying case.
Feature wise, all of the bases are covered, and then some. An enclosed dictionary, Web browser, music player, multimedia player, support for EPub files, everything you need to read is here, along with the extras. Running with 512 MB of RAM, 8 GB of flash storage (it does feature an SD card slot to add more storage) and using the Android platform, performance is response. The virtual keyboard and touch screen are what you would expect. Just remember to download the upgrade online, an easy process, and things will move along efficiently.
The menu system, the general layout, most of it is pretty intuitive. However, if you are looking to run Android Applications, or hoping for a lot of extras, you will have to wait. Currently there are no applications available, but that is slated to change once Barnes and Noble launch applications designed to work with the Nook. However, if you are looking to read, share books, contact your Facebook and Twitter friends, for the most part what you need is here, including WiFi, but no 3G, which for me has never been a problem. As long as a device can connect to the Web wired or wirelessly via WiFi, the 3G connectivity may be more about preference and ease than necessity.
Another nice extra with the Nook is that when you visit a Barnes and Noble store, the device instantly taps into their WiFi seamlessly. Browsing the bookstore online at the store was easy enough, and they do allow you one hour to read any book online for sale prior to purchasing.
From navigation to purchase, there is very little to find flaw with from the way everything is laid out to how you operate the various features.
There are trade offs with the Nook that you need to keep in mind.
First, you are using a back lighted screen. One issue, and one reason for the rise of E Readers in the first place, has been the issue of eye strain reading a computer screen that is backlit. Being that the Nook is indeed backlit, I thought that would be a huge drawback. For me, simply turning down the brightness made a world of difference and I was able to read normally. Ironically, I was able to read on the Nook without reading glasses. The process did not induce eye strain for me, and that may have a lot to do with the non-glare added to the screen.
If the backlighting issue is not a problem, the next will be battery life. From my experiences, you can read for about 8 hours before recharging is needed. So if you spend a day reading, expect to plug it in the next day. Having the WiFi on also puts on a battery hit, so turning it off when not needed is strongly suggested.
Touch screens are just that—touch screens. No matter how clean you are, finger prints are inevitable. And this device, just like any tablet PC, is going to draw finger prints. Just make sure you have a cloth ready to remove excessive finger prints.
At a price point of $249, the Nook is not nearly as pricy as some tablet PCs, but is higher than grayscale E readers, with most in the $130 to $145 zone. Then again, when you factor color, added function and touch screen, the value versus price points starts to make sense.
There is no question, the color Nook is compelling. From its aesthetics to the vibrant detailed color screen, this device is not lacking on the desirability scale. Reading is a pleasant experience, and the added functionality of music, the Web and a solid store backing it all make for a substantial experience. The big question here is do all of these things matter, and do they make reading that much better?
The answer is yes. While a stripped down E reader is great, and if you are just reading, adequate, when you have the added functionality of color, Web, notetaking and Epub support, the Nook becomes a powerful E reader with enough potency to possible do double duty as a basic tablet.
At this stage, tablet PC development has not become so powerful as to replace laptops, or even netbooks. Tablets are not intended as productivity tools in the same way a laptop or even a notebook. They are conceived as convenience devices that allow you to go online, do a few things and that is it. But, if you have a tablet that has a focus as an ereader, and hopefully a full market of applications up soon, the Nook becomes more and more desirable as something of a multi purpose tool with a dedicated use, which is more or less the way Barnes and Noble intend.
From a striking design to a great reading experience, there is a lot of machine here and some incredible potential. For now, if you are looking for color, a major bookseller, and you are willing to make a few compromises, the Color Nook makes for a solid positive experience. Should you be lucky enough to get one, be prepared for envious looks.
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