Nook Color apps = tablet?

[juniper]

An acquaintance who is very fond of her Nook Color has been waiting for the apps to arrive, which she said would make the unit like a tablet, maybe even an inexpensive substitute for the iPad.

Well, the apps store is open but I can't tell how much they turn the Nook into a usable tablet. Too soon to know?

Nook Color apps arrive (http://blog.laptopmag.com/nook-color-app-store-finally-arrives-along-with-e-mail-flash-and-other-enhancements-in-new-update)

I'm still debating on what to buy for travel purposes. One day I decide to pony up for an iPad, the next day I think "netbook for half the iPad price) and now is a Nook a possibility? I imagine I'll be getting an eReader at some point so if a Nook will suffice then I'll just get that.

[maestrowork]

Ooooh, 125 apps! Wow! :) One Hundred twenty five!

Seriously, it depends on what you want to do with it. If you just want to read eBooks and maybe run some apps, play some games once in a while, then a Nook could be enough and it is much cheaper than an iPad.

If you just want to write, surf the web and run your Office software, then get a netbook.


I love my iPad so I'm biased.

[kuwisdelu]

The Nook Color is probably the best budget tablet around, but as pointed out, it's functionality is pretty limited currently. How useful it may be as a general purpose tablet really depends on how B&N decides to curate their app store and how many developers they can attract.

[GothamGal]

If you crack it, meaning if you get rid of the code, it's an android tablet. I work with someone who got one for his gf. He got Android on there and it was an android tablet. Could install android programs on it no problems.
Also, if you reset the device (it's a hard reset), it resets to factory state and no one is the wiser...
However, think about what you'd be doing on the ipad. Then think about what you want to do on the nook.

[cameron_chapman]

I rooted my Nook Color right after I got it, and I have to say I like it way more than the iPads I've tried. Partly because I find the iPad too big for me to use comfortably (I have child-size hands...). The NC is a great size, fits in my handbag (in a case), and is easy to read on (and battery life is around 8+ hours even with wifi on). With it rooted, I have full access to the entire Android Market. At some point I'm going to upgrade it to Honeycomb (the tablet-specific Android version), but for now I'm just running whatever it came with.

I definitely think it's a much better value than an iPad, especially considering it's half the price of even the cheapest iPad.

[kuwisdelu]

What I still find ironic is that when I suggested a Nook Color to my friend who was looking into getting an iPad as a PDF reader, he wasn't sure about it due to being limited to B&N apps. I said he could always rooted. He replied, "Sure, but why would I want to be bothered to have to do that when I can just get an iPad?" The punchline is that he runs Linux as his main OS and is something of an emacs guru.

[maestrowork]

If you know how to root the NC and make it into an Android tablet, that's great. I still think it's too small.

[cameron_chapman]

If you know how to root the NC and make it into an Android tablet, that's great. I still think it's too small.

See, that's where it's going to come down to user preference and intended use, 'cause I always feel like the iPad is too big. But again, I have freakishly small hands... :Shrug:

[cbenoi1]

Guys,

the display technology differs between an eReader and a tablette PC. eReaders use the E-Ink technology while portable computers use the must faster - but power drain prone - LCD.

Until there is some kind of merge between those technologies - and I know Apple is working on this -, don't expect your eReader to run Microsoft Office any time soon.

-cb

[kuwisdelu]

See, that's where it's going to come down to user preference and intended use, 'cause I always feel like the iPad is too big. But again, I have freakishly small hands... :Shrug:

Are they small enough that you can two-handed type like on a regular keyboard?

I think I'd like an 11" or 12" iPad.

Guys,

the display technology differs between an eReader and a tablette PC. eReaders use the E-Ink technology while portable computers use the must faster - but power drain prone - LCD.

Until there is some kind of merge between those technologies - and I know Apple is working on this -, don't expect your eReader to run Microsoft Office any time soon.

-cb

The difference between an ereader and a tablet these days is its capabilities and how it's marketed. The Nook Color is an ereader that uses an LCD display.

[cbenoi1]

The difference between an ereader and a tablet these days is its capabilities and how it's marketed. The Nook Color is an ereader that uses an LCD display.
Bring a laptop along for recharing its batteries... :rolleyes:

-cb

[kuwisdelu]

Bring a laptop along for recharing its batteries... :rolleyes:

-cb

Huh? The iPad's lasts over 10 hours on battery. I'd assume the Nook Color is similar. That's quite a bit longer than most laptops (which aren't the preferred method of charging tablets anyway).

Yeah, eInk ereaders can last for weeks, but I don't often go on month-long vacations without any access to power sources. eInk does have an advantage as far as battery life goes, but as long as you can get a full day out of a tablet, I think it's a fairly trivial one.

[maestrowork]

The iPad's battery lasts for about 8-10 hours with continuous use, so I really don't see it as a problem... I mean, who would use the iPad for 10 hours straight? The "long battery life" thing about eReaders sounds great on paper, but in reality, it's just a convenient thing (so you can forget about charging it for days or weeks). Eventually, though, you'd still have to charge and and sync it.

[GothamGal]

Barnes and Noble is probably releasing a new nook at the end of this month (May 24th). May be worth the wait.
I've read hints about Honeycomb as well as new screen size...
Here's one link about it. (hthttp://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetreviews/new-nook-to-be-announced-on-may-24/24332)

[maestrowork]

Why won't BN just release as an Android tablet with an eBook reader? I think that would be more attractive to more people.

[kuwisdelu]

Why won't BN just release as an Android tablet with an eBook reader? I think that would be more attractive to more people.

My guess is that their specs aren't competitive with the other tablets, which isn't surprising given the price at which they're selling it. On that basis, it's a lot easier to compete as an "eReader, plus" than a "tablet, with unimpressive specs." Obviously, Apple has shown that specs alone don't make a good tablet, but if you're competing against other Honeycomb tablets, there's not much else you can do to differentiate yourself without going a completely different route, which is what B&N seems to be doing.

[maestrowork]

The problem is, as an e-Reader, it's too expensive (considering the Kindle is only $140). As a cheap 7" Android tablet, it's more attractive. As far as specs go, I don't think it's that bad, compared to the sub-$300 tablets I've seen at the stores.

[kuwisdelu]

I think the marketing angle still stands. It's easier to differentiate themselves this way than becoming just another Android tablet. Not that I'm saying it's the right or better choice for anyone, but it makes sense to me.

[maestrowork]

I suppose, since it's Barnes & Noble that is selling it. Still, they could expand their market beyond e-Book readers.

[GothamGal]

I want to say that they want to remain true to their commitment to books.
I dunno, I've noticed a LOT of bad customer service since thanksgiving. They used to have fewer phone people that had a lot of product knowledge. Now they have a ton of phone people with less product knowledge.
I love my nook, and would love to upgrade to a color, but with the changes (and the lack of customer service) I am having a hard time.
Also, between you and I, someone MIGHT work part time at the nook desk...
::whistle::

[cameron_chapman]

My guess is that their specs aren't competitive with the other tablets, which isn't surprising given the price at which they're selling it. On that basis, it's a lot easier to compete as an "eReader, plus" than a "tablet, with unimpressive specs." Obviously, Apple has shown that specs alone don't make a good tablet, but if you're competing against other Honeycomb tablets, there's not much else you can do to differentiate yourself without going a completely different route, which is what B&N seems to be doing.

Actually, the Nook Color has specs that are very good for a tablet, especially in its price range, and it's not all that less powerful than the original iPad (800Mhz processor compared to a 1Ghz processor, though you can overclock the NC's processor for faster speeds).

[kuwisdelu]

Actually, the Nook Color has specs that are very good for a tablet, especially in its price range, and it's not all that less powerful than the original iPad (800Mhz processor compared to a 1Ghz processor, though you can overclock the NC's processor for faster speeds).

I didn't say they were bad. Just "unimpressive."

[Medievalist]

The new device referenced in the B and N filing after the market closed last night has me intrigued; it sounds like it is going to be multi-format friendly, and might even take away some of the ereader market going to the iPad.

I'm very curious to see what Apple's iBooks store does in the next 18 months in terms of will they /won't they allow non-iPad purchasing.

Remember what a difference opening up the iTunes store made for sales, and again, what removing the DRM did.

I'm even a little hopeful . . .

[Tirjasdyn]

Rumor came out yesterday that Amazon's next kindle is an android tablet.....should be an interesting year all around!

[Synovia]

Guys,

the display technology differs between an eReader and a tablette PC. eReaders use the E-Ink technology while portable computers use the must faster - but power drain prone - LCD.

Until there is some kind of merge between those technologies - and I know Apple is working on this -, don't expect your eReader to run Microsoft Office any time soon.

-cb
The Nook Color doesn't use e-Ink. Its an LCD. Just like the iPad.


Plus, you can surf web pages on the Kindle (although they're a bit slow, but thats more of a processor issue than screen issue.) I see no reason a kindle couldn't run an old version of Office.


I really hope the next Kindle ISNT another android tablet. The best part of the kindle is the screen. Putting an LCD on it would ruin it.

[maestrowork]

Rumor came out yesterday that Amazon's next kindle is an android tablet.....should be an interesting year all around!

What's with everyone abandoning eInk? That was what gave the Kindle an advantage to begin with: no eye strains.

While I love my iPad (which is LCD), I am not liking this trend. I'd hate to see the death of eInk because everyone tries to be a tablet...

[Sheryl Nantus]

What's with everyone abandoning eInk? That was what gave the Kindle an advantage to begin with: no eye strains.

Why I love my iPad (which is LCD), I am not liking this trend. I'd hate to see the death of eInk because everyone tries to be a tablet...

I'm in no rush to replace my Nook Classic with a tablet. I have a laptop and a desktop computer. Why I'd want to add more color screens to my stressed eyes is beyond me.

There's a certain humor to the rush to have cell phones act like tablets act like laptops act like cell phones, ya know?

:D

[maestrowork]

I think the success of the iPad and how the Nook Color is cutting into Kindle's market share is making them sweat, and they think they need to go after that market or will become obsolete. Which would be a shame because even though I love my iPad, I still think there's a niche market for eInk single-purpose Readers. Not everyone wants a frigging tablet. But I understand the profit margin (as Amazon continues to lower the price of Kindle) can be an issue.

[JSSchley]

I love my Sony, which is full touch and all eInk.

I think eInk readers are still the way to go for people who want a reading device. The problem is, many people who are looking at devices want a toy. The NC is more of a toy and becoming more of one by the minute.

It's fun to play Angry Birds on it, though...

[kuwisdelu]

Depends what you mean by "toy."

Ultimately eInk readers are also just toys, in that they're meant for consumption of media, i.e., entertainment.

[maestrowork]

Plus, you can surf web pages on the Kindle (although they're a bit slow, but thats more of a processor issue than screen issue.) I see no reason a kindle couldn't run an old version of Office.


Pretty much text only. eInk doesn't really do full graphics, etc. well. For one thing, it doesn't have adequate refresh rates.

[maestrowork]

I'm increasingly annoyed by people who think tablets are toys. Obviously, they haven't used one to do something productive, such as writing a novel, yet.

[kuwisdelu]

I'm increasingly annoyed by people who think tablets are toys. Obviously, they haven't used one to do something productive, such as writing a novel, yet.

What confuses me is when people who don't think smartphones are "toys" call tablets "toys."

By their definitions, most home computers are also toys.

[maestrowork]

And I'm sure the grandmas and grandpas I saw the other day just rushed out to get their new "toys" -- the iPad. You know, grannies just love toys... they're not practical at all....

[JSSchley]

I'm increasingly annoyed by people who think tablets are toys. Obviously, they haven't used one to do something productive, such as writing a novel, yet.

And when I do something productive like write a novel at full speed on a tablet, I'll certainly let you know if I've changed my opinion. In the meantime, I sell the Nook Color. And we are taught to pitch it as a toy, and to emphasize all the games and web surfing you can do.

That said, I want a smartphone. Why? Because it's a fun toy. I'm not saying it can't be used as a tool. But that's not the primary purpose of most tablets and many smartphones, and it's certainly not the primary purpose of the NC. (In fact, its "tool" features right now are unbelievably slim and clunky to use.)

I think it's perfectly fair to call all these gadgets toys. I wouldn't draw lines between netbooks, tablets, eInk readers, etc. I would start drawing lines at a fully-featured laptop or desktop computer, but even those have their "toy" components. I certainly use my desktop as a toy a hell of a lot more than I use it as a tool.

People have to know what they want. If you want something that will do all sorts of entertainment things like movies and finger games and applications, then you want something more tablet-y. If you want a book, you want eInk. My point is that a new consumer base is now feeling that if they can read and have YouTube, that's what they want--and that's what B&N and Amazon are catering to.

[maestrowork]

I use my iPad more as a tool than a toy, so I guess our perspectives are different.

Here's what I use it for, mostly, on a daily basis:

- check email
- go online
- trade stocks
- get information
- write my novel
- online banking
- create shopping lists and to-do lists
- manage my calendar
- track my diet and exercises
- track my budget and spending
- write music
- read
- get on AW
- edit my manuscript
- listen to music
- watch videos

I rarely play games on it, with the exception of the occasional Angry Birds, Word with Friends and The World of Goo. But rarely.

I think to call a tablet like iPad a toy (while calling the desktop computer a tool) is fundamentally based on the lack of understand what the iPad could do. To me, it has just the right functionality to do real work as the desktop, albeit differently. So it's not fair to call a desktop a tool and a tablet a toy -- that totally depends on how you use it. There's a lot of stuff that the iPad could do as a desktop computer can, and maybe even better with special apps (my stock trading apps are phenomenal, easy to use -- I don't use my desktop anymore for that purpose).

[kuwisdelu]

I think it's perfectly fair to call all these gadgets toys. I wouldn't draw lines between netbooks, tablets, eInk readers, etc. I would start drawing lines at a fully-featured laptop or desktop computer, but even those have their "toy" components. I certainly use my desktop as a toy a hell of a lot more than I use it as a tool.

My point exactly. If we call tablets toys, we have to agree to call home computers are toys, too. Because by that definition, that's what 95% of them are.

[maestrowork]

My point exactly. If we call tablets toys, we have to agree to call home computers are toys, too. Because by that definition, that's what 95% of them are.

Right. Let's examine what you do with your desktop:

- you write
- you do spread sheet
- you balance your checkbook
- you surf the web
- you check email
- you play games
....

Guess what, you can do all that with a tablet, too. So, I don't understand why one is a toy and other isn't? Is it because one is bolted on one's desk at the office and the other isn't?

[kuwisdelu]

The only reason my friend got an iPad was to read and mark up PDF's for research notes. I'm not sure if that makes it a toy or not. He just got tired of printing off journal articles and wasting paper. He doesn't plan on putting any games or media on it.

[AmericaMadeMe]

Hmmm.....is a Nook Color half as good as an iPad? Well, with the state of change in Android, it's hard to tell. Will a Nook Color, or even a current 7" Samsung Galaxy Tab, even run Android 3.0? When will Android reach the same level of polish and development as iOS? Not a clue.

[maestrowork]

I just tried the Nook Color as a tablet (email, Angry Birds, etc.) and it's fine... if I never used an iPad before. I guess for $250 it's a good bargain. It's a fine Android tablet for that price. Still a bit too small for me -- it's not big enough for writing, for example (or web surfing, really... just a tad too limited). But $250 is VERY attractive. And the Android apps are growing... (I just hate to get into another OS battle -- both iOS and Android are fine)

Still, I prefer the iPad and the hugh number of iPad/iPhone apps. I am a bit spoiled.

[Tirjasdyn]

What's with everyone abandoning eInk? That was what gave the Kindle an advantage to begin with: no eye strains.

Why I love my iPad (which is LCD), I am not liking this trend. I'd hate to see the death of eInk because everyone tries to be a tablet...

The rumor is it LCD and tablet e-ink. There are several e-ink tablets out in the wild but only two available in the US. One of those doesn't work so well in that capacity and the other doesn't save anything you do on it. I really hope they keep eink as well.

Who knows if its true..it's just rumor and Amazon hasn't made any announcement other than, something new later this year.