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Barnes & Noble Nook Review
If you happen to be one of the biggest booksellers in the world and are suddenly faced with e-book competition, what do you do to get your share of that market? Well, if you are Barnes & Noble, you create your own e-book reader and call it the Barnes & Noble Nook.
Before we get started assessing this affordable e-reader, let's understand that there are two models available. As to functions, they are both the same. The one major difference between them is that one is Wi-Fi capable only, and the other model is both Wi-Fi and 3G capable. The latter model cost a bit more, but that is the only difference between the two.
As soon as you pick up the Barnes & Noble Nook, you can feel that is solidly built. It has a nice feel to it and the plastic case appears to be very sturdy.
Users will notice right off that the device has two screens. The larger one, on top, is the reading screen. Measured diagonally, this 6-inch screen provides outstanding sharpness for easy reading. The panel itself seems immune to glaring or reflections, which is a blessing compared to some other devices. Users will find reading the screen easy in virtually all lighting conditions, including outdoors.
As is the case with most E-ink screens, the Nook's background is somewhat muted to mimic the look of real paper. The device has 16-level grey scale and allows users to size the font at 6 different sizes.
The lower screen is used for a variety of functions including housing the keyboard. This is where users do most of their navigation work with the device. This smaller (144-by-480-pixel) touch-screen provides vivid color display menu options. On each side of the panel are the page-tuning buttons which are very easy to get to and activate.
Within the smaller touch-screen are icons such as My Library, Shop, Settings, and Reading Now. Pressing the icon changes the view and allows users to navigate the many functions that are available with the Nook.
When it comes to content, well, the Barnes & Noble e-Book Store has over a million titles now. This includes some 500,000 or so copyright-free books that are currently in the ePub format that is available through online giant Google Books. In addition to their extensive e-book catalog, Barnes & Noble are contracting with publications such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, to name just two.
A truly unique feature that you find with the Nook is the ability to lend one of your books to another Nook user. The other person can use your book for two weeks and when they are finished (or the time expires), the book is placed back into your Nook library.
Also, when you visit the online Barnes & Noble store you can use your Nook to browse through all of the books that are in the online store.
When it comes to e-book format support, the Nook is ready to handle just about anything. The device supports PDF, ePub, and FictionWise. As of this writing, it does not support either MS Word files or HTML files.
The Nook is no slouch when it comes to memory either. The device ships with 2 GB of internal memory, which is enough for 1,500 titles or so. The device also comes with a micro-SD slot that can be used to significantly increase the memory. For example, 16 GB card can easily hold another 17,000 e-books.
With wireless OFF, users can read the device up to ten days before a new charge is needed. The device comes with a replaceable battery which the Kindle does not.
The Nook also offers users basic web browsing capabilities, along with a few games: chess and Sudoku. Users can also personalize their screensavers by adding their own pictures. The system supports JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP formats.
It should be noted that 3G service is not available everywhere. If you are not sure if you have it in your area or not it is best to check before buying the more expensive Nook. As mentioned above, both models come standard with Wi-Fi capability.
The Nook offers free Wi-Fi connect at all AT&T hot spots.
Now for some great news: price. The basic Wi-Fi enabled Nook can be found online for $149. The Wi-Fi, 3G model can be found for $199. Considering all the features that the Nook has to offer, this is a very affordable e-reader. When one also takes into account the vast amount of content that the Nook is currently able to download, the price seems even better. It would also seem reasonable to presume that as time goes by the amount of content that the Nook will be able to download will only increase, especially as Google books expands.