A new e-reader comes to town: Nook

by Brad Larson  |  November 5, 2009

Tech Specs:

Developer: Barnes & Noble
Release date: November 30, 2009
Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.9 x 0.5 inches
Weight: 317 grams (11.2 ounces)
Operating System: Android
Display: E Ink; size: 6 inch, 600 x 800 pixels;
Input: color touch screen
Storage capacity: internal storage – 2GB; MicroSD expansion up to 16GB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, AT&T 3G
Power: replaceable, rechargeable battery
Audio: MP3 player, built-in mono speakers, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Supported files: ePub, PDF, MP3, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP
Ports: micro USB

After dealing with the ePub issue (for the article “Is ePub the next step for e-Books” click here), it’s time to learn some more about the newest e-reader from Barnes & Noble, which will hit the stores at the end of this month. The connection between Nook and ePub is that the former is an ePub compatible device, which has succeeded to stir some pretty ardent discussions right away after its announcement on October, 20.

At a glance, one of the biggest novelties brought about by Nook is the Android platform on which it is developed. Going deeper, we’ll see that the storage capacity surpasses by far that of Kindle, being able to hold up to 17,500 books with an extra MicroSD card. So far not bad, but let’s see what’s going on at the surface.

In terms of size the Nook is just a little bit smaller and with 28 grams heavier than the Kindle (Original and 2). The device has a smooth, elegant, white design, and the first thing that we notice is the lack of buttons. So, where are the buttons? Here comes another novelty: the e-reader benefits from a colorful touch screen which we’ll let us choose a font size, make notes, bookmark and highlight what’s important. The 6 inch E Ink display is said to offer comfortable reading by not having a backlight or glare, and by offering a similar experience with that of reading a book.

Helped by the ePub format, Nook brings in a new concept: lending books. It seems that the free Barnes & Noble eReader software will let us lend and borrow books for a maximum period of 14 days. If you ask me, a slow reader, the period of time is kind of short, but it’s enough if we have a deadline. Because the “try before you buy” concept has become such a popular marketing strategy, Nook applies it to e-books too. So, we’ll have the possibility to “taste” a book before buying it.

Apart from the above mentioned features, Nook comes with Wi-Fi and AT&T 3G connectivity, a mini USB port and with access to over 1 million e-books, e-magazines and e-newspapers. Regarding the price, Nook’s price tag resembles its main competitors Kindle and Sony Reader: $259 (pre-ordered). For every bestseller and new release we’ll have to pay $9.99, which, if you ask me, it’s still too much compared with the price and costs of a paper book. And talking about price tags, Nook comes with a variety of covers and designer covers from $30 to $130.

Considered a threat for Sony Reader and especially for Kindle, Nook and ePub may be the right combination which will boost the sales of e-readers in U.S.A and hopefully around the world.

Related articles:

Is ePub the next step for e-Books?
This Christmas’s final confrontation: Kindle vs Nook vs Sony Reader

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