Barnes & Noble 'Nook' e-book reader gets reviewed

by Julian Prokaza
on Mon 07 Dec 2009 11 Comments

The first batch of Barnes & Noble’s eagerly awaited ebook reader, the ‘ Nook’, has shipped in the US and some early reviews have now popped up online.

The Nook is an Android-based tablet device with two screens — a 6” monochrome e-ink display that’s used for reading, and a wide, 3” colour screen below it. This latter screen is capacitive and its faster refresh rate (e-ink takes a second or two to change its image) means that it can be used for input via an on-screen keyboard and for navigation through the Nook’s library. Onboard Wi-Fi and 3G complete the mix and the whole thing sells for $259 (around £155).

The four reviews we’ve found so far are all broadly positive, but the overall opinion is that while the Nook hardware is very impressive, the software could do with a little more cooking.

There’s some disagreement about how easy the Nook is to use — SlashGear thinks the dual-screen set-up is “perhaps the most intuitive way of navigating the ebook experience that we’ve tried”, while Engadget calls it “nothing we'd describe as intuitive”. Everyone seems to agree that the Nook suffers from a number of v1.00 software issues though, and the hope is that the imminent firmware update will address most of them.

Gizmodo heaps the most praise on the Nook and discounts all other ebook readers — except the Amazon Kindle — as being second rate. SlashGear is almost as effusive, but qualifies its recommendation with the need for some software fixes. The Technologizer, on the other hand, advises caution and suggests waiting to see what the imminent Sony Reader Daily Edition (and the Apple tablet, natch) has to offer.

Engadget blows the only real raspberry, and concludes its review with “…we felt let down in a big way, and can only imagine how magnified that feeling would be if we'd gone and shelled out nearly $300 for the device.” It does wrap things up with “With the right software revisions…” get-out comment, though.

It’s worth reading the full reviews for the big picture — and lots of hands-on photos — but here are a couple of hands-on videos to whet your appetite. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, there’s no news on whether or not the Barnes & Noble Nook will be available in the UK. Given the US bookseller’s non-existent UK presence, we wouldn’t count on it… 

 

 

[ Engadget, Gizmodo, SlashGear, The Technologizer]

Originally published on www.mobilecomputermag.co.uk, now incorporated into Broadband Genie

Like this? Please share it!

Like Broadband Genie?




Comments

  • neutral

    by Andy at 15:30 on 7 Dec 2009Report abuse

    I wanted to purchase a gift certificate for the NOOK and was told at B & N that it was not possible to do so. Crazy?

  • neutral

    by Alok at 17:42 on 8 Dec 2009Report abuse

    Looks like an unfinished, untested device. I don't to be a beta tester and would rather go with the Sony Daily Edition

  • neutral

    by Luke at 14:22 on 12 Jan 2010Report abuse

    I have a friend going to the USA soon and I wonder if he brought one back I'd be able to use it in the UK? I assume the 3G wouldn't work but the wireless should be fine, and there would be no problem downloading books?

  • unhappy

    by Marilyne at 11:04 on 12 Jun 2010Report abuse

    In answer to Luke's query. My son and family who live in the States very kindly bought me a Nook for my birthday. Having problems registering it with B&N I contacted their technical support and was told emphatically that I could NOT download ebooks in the UK! Until I can get to USA (and spend hours looking for books to download to bring home) I am now the proud owner of a VERY expensive paper weight!

  • happy

    by Niazk at 15:54 on 19 Jul 2010Report abuse

    With respect to Marilyne, this device can be used in the UK quite easily & is far from being a paper weight (probably too light for that function, anyway).
    Googling reveals ways of accessing B&N from outside the US but why not just turn off the wi-fi and download ebooks from your PC to the Nook? Waterstones seem to do some fairly cheap ebook offerings, almost comparable with US prices.
    @Luke:
    You need to register the Nook whilst you are in the US. In order to download books via wi-fi or 3G you have to have a US IP address. In order to pay for the books you need a credit card registered to a US address.
    @Alok:
    It is a very effective bit of equipment, and at its current price (about £100) it beats everything else out there in terms of value for money. Definitely not a beta.

  • neutral

    by lovexx1 at 09:15 on 23 Jul 2010Report abuse

    When is this coming to the UK

  • neutral

    by anthony at 19:19 on 10 Aug 2010 | registered | 1 postReport abuse

    i so want a nook , so perhaps barns&noble need to start shipping over here , and let us uk readers enjoy the nook too! as well as look to open some stores in the uk

  • neutral

    by Arianne at 09:11 on 27 Aug 2010Report abuse

    For those wanting to purchase a Nook for use in the UK I'd wait until the next version comes out with open wi-fi access. The Barnes and Noble rep I talked to when I was in America last week said that it only works with AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots and the 3G only works with AT&T networks. HOWEVER he did suggest that you should be able to swap out the mini-SIM (similar to the size that comes in an iPad) for one compatible with UK 3G networks but that would, of course, void the warranty. He said there would be no problem using a nook in the UK because it's open source BUT you'd have to download all your books online.

    I've compared the nook to the Kindle and I FAR prefer the nook. I'm going to wait (patiently) for a UK release though.

  • neutral

    by sysrev at 12:53 on 28 Aug 2010Report abuse

    Barnes & Noble are in financial trouble and have put themselves up for sale. This may affect support for the Nook. Does anyone know if the supplied mains adapter is suitable for the UK?

  • happy

    by anthony at 13:28 on 28 Aug 2010Report abuse

    ref arianne
    hi please could you email me the barns and noble email , i just cannot find it on line or on there web page there service department email address is no good, my e mails get sent back to me!!. iveblueyes [at] msn.com thanks ant

  • neutral

    by Chrissie at 12:53 on 22 Jul 2011Report abuse

    I was given a NOOK wifi in the US a few months ago and, foolishly, only downloaded one book whilst in the US.
    I am now back in the UK and have been unable to download further ebooks - from any of the popular sites.
    I am told Barnes & Noble advise the NOOK is for US use only but their rep gave me list of ePUB and pdf book sites to use in the UK.
    I am more than useless with such things in general, but even I could go through a list of simple logical instructions.
    Is there anyone out there able to help, please

Add your comment now

Post a reply to this thread

 

 

Please describe your emotions in making this comment:


Powered by reCAPTCHA

Unless you are a verified user, comments will be moderated before they appear. Comments submitted entirely in capital letters, containing advertising or excessive swearing will be rejected; please try to be polite. The best comments are relevant, factual and balanced; think about all aspects of the package, such as speed, connection quality and customer service. We reserve the right to edit comments.