Barnes & Noble Raises the Ante With Nookcolor

[Reid Kistler]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://chicagopressrelease.com/technology/barnes-noble-unveils-color-nook-e-reader-ap' target='_blank'>http://chicagopressrelease.com/tech...ook-e-reader-ap</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Barnes &amp; Noble Inc. is introducing a new Nook e-reader with a color touch screen for $249 as competition in the fast-growing industry heats up ahead of the holidays. As the first full-color touch electronic reader, the <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nookcolor/index.asp?cds2Pid=35607" target="_blank">Nookcolor</a> stands apart from black-and-white competitors... [and] can be used to read books, magazines, newspapers and an expanded array of children's titles. It also takes hints from Apple Inc.'s iPad with more games, Web browsing, music streaming and its own application store. Like earlier versions, it runs on Google Inc.'s Android operating system."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1288460305.usr19541.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>Barnes &amp; Noble appears to be sticking with the "e-reader" designation, even though the new Nookcolor appears to blur the lines between e-reader and tablet with its <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nookcolor/features/index.asp?cds2Pid=35607" target="_blank">feature set, which includes</a>: 7-inch color touchscreen, microUSB port, microSD card slot, Wi-Fi, and ability to play audio and video files - with sound piped through a built-in mono speaker or via a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack. In addition to promising "over 2 million" book titles (and over a million free titles!), the Nookcolor includes several games, the ability to access Pandora internet radio, and works with the same "LendMe" app that the original Nook offers. Barnes &amp; Noble is also attempting to leverage their brick &amp; mortar stores by offering Nook owners free Wi-Fi, special discounts, and the ability to read free books (up to an hour per day...) when visiting one of their locations. The Nookcolor can be ordered now, with deliveries expected beginning November 19. Is this a brilliant hurry-up-and-order-one / go-stand-in-line device, or an awkward jumble of e-reader and tablet?</p>

[Sven Johannsen]

Not sure how this is the 'first full-color touch electronic reader'. I guess if you claim it's a reader that does other stuff, that makes it unique from things that claim they are other things, and also serve as a reader. Of course I'm talking iPad, but also Windows Tablets have had reader functionality for a long time. Of course we couldn't use LCDs for readers because of the massive eyestrain that accompanies readng a book on one, which apparently isn't a problem if you spend 8-9 hours a day in front of an LCD reading e-mails and documents.

Guess now that a book company has made a backlit reader it is OK. Guess it is just a matter of time now before we get a color, backlight Kindle that also access Amazon's music and video store directly. Hope this trend doesn't kill the e-ink variety of readers. They still have the batterry life going for them. I can take my Nook, or Kindle or Sony reader on a week business trip and leave the charger home. Not something I can say for my iPad, and probably won't be the case for this new thing.

[Jason Dunn]

I think this is a bad move for the product and may very well spell the end of it; an e-reader should be a series of technologies that enhance the e-reading experience...the second that a technology - like, say, a colour LCD screen - impacts one of the core benefits of the device (battery life), it should be taken off the table. We'll get colour e-ink screens eventually, but only when the technology is mature and doesn't have compromises associated with it.

[crimsonsky]

I agree with Jason on this one. I think BN is moving away from the primary purpose of an eReader - reading. Having just purchased a Kindle and still marveling at the sheer readability of it's e-ink, I really think enhancing the reading experience is all what an eBook reader should be doing. I think the Kindle has really nailed it as far as it can be done with the current technology (although I think a touch screen ala Sony Reader would be fantastic, but the price would at this point in time have to rise, although not as much as Sony charges).

[ptyork]

I don't know. This is a $250 Android (or at least kind of) tablet with a display that is as good as the iPad. Everyone scoffed at the iPad's battery life vs. an e-reader, but it hasn't affected sales at all. And most are using iPads as a reader. Once B&N's app store opens and apps start getting ported from the standard Android builds, this becomes quite a versatile device. For $50, a MAJOR step up from the $200 tablet crap you're finding in Best Buy these days. And half the cost (and size/weight) of the iPad.

Time and reviews will tell, but to me, this complements the $150 regular Nook quite well. "Reading" is (sadly?) becoming less about sitting down for hours engrossed in a single book and more about reading shorter stories, interacting with blogs, Facebooking, and "experiencing" rich media. The NOOKcolor is about "new" media where the NOOK is about the old. And for now, it looks to be the best budget new-media tablet in the market (compare it to the ridiculously priced, DOA Galaxy Tab). Doubtless others will soon eclipse it with better hardware, but I applaud B&N for making this move.

I'm not pre-ordering, but I may well be jumping on one for Christmas if the reviews are decent.

[Eriq Cook]

#fail. I think this is a bad idea. e-ink and battery life is what real e-readers are all about. This is basically just another touchscreen tablet with limited functionality. I'd rather buy an iPad, Blackberry PlayBook or a Windows 7 tablet.

[ptyork]

#fail. I think this is a bad idea. e-ink and battery life is what real e-readers are all about. This is basically just another touchscreen tablet with limited functionality. I'd rather buy an iPad, Blackberry PlayBook or a Windows 7 tablet.

Great!!! I'll take a Nook, a NOOKcolor, AND an iPhone 3Gs (or a refurb 16GB Zune HD, if you want to avoid monthly fees). I'll have devices for all three types of media consumption. And I'll have money left over compared to any one of the devices you'd "rather buy."

I think everyone is overlooking the ridiculously low price point, here. $250. Period. No contract. That's darn near close to impulse buy territory.

Plus, don't forget it'll be rooted within 5 minutes of release. I'm seeing a cult favorite Hack-droid tablet here. Great screen. Decent battery. Small size. Goofy carabiner hook. Yep. I smell a cult classic akin to the Linksys WRT54G.

My #1 worry is the touchscreen. If that doesn't suck, I'm on this like white on rice.

[Sven Johannsen]

I may have sounded negative about this thing, but actually it does seem somewhat appealing, if you are already a nook owner. I say that because it would complement the e-reader device on some items that really cry out for the color, and low light visibility, while still being small enough to fall into what I consider 'book portable'. Yea my iPad is nice, but it really is a bit big for just carrying around 'in case'. I have Kindles and am pleased by the breadth of the ecosystem support. I can read Kindle books on darn near any platform. My wife went with a Nook, and I'm trying to get her to believe she needs one of these to complement it. ;)

[Jason Dunn]

I think everyone is overlooking the ridiculously low price point, here. $250. Period. No contract. That's darn near close to impulse buy territory.

That's a good point; many of the other Android tablets are either much more expensive, or cheaper but *awful*. What I'm not convinced of though is how good of a touch screen/display B&N can put on this thing for $250. Guess we'll see...

[Jon Childs]

I just got a nook in Sept and I really like it. But if this thing gets rooted and I can run a regular(ish) Android on it I will be asking Santa for one. I do most of my reading at night so I could definitely use something that is backlit.