Launched in October of 2009, the Barnes and Noble Nook, one of the latest ebook readers out there today, was seen as a possible contender to unseat the Amazon Kindle from its dominance in the ereader industry. But what could reading enthusiasts see in it that sets it apart from the current crop This Nook review attemps to discover a few of the most notable features of this ebook reader.
Size and Display
Let’s take a close look at its most basic features first. The Nook’s surface dimensions are fairly standard. It is 7.7 inches long, 4.9 inches wide, 0.5-inch thick, and has a weight of 11.2 ounces. It’s roughly the same size as the 2nd generation Kindle – only thicker and a bit more heavy. The device also comes with a 6-inch display that uses e-ink technology with 16 shades of gray, and a number of choices for font type and size.
But what undoubtedly gives it a wow factor that’s not found on most ebook readers today is its 3.5-inch capacitive color touchscreen. Located just below the e-ink screen, the LCD monitor replaces the standard keyboard and buttons used for choosing ebooks and navigating within the ereader and the text itself.
Other Value-Added Features
The Nook is pre-loaded with 2GB of internal memory and a micro-SD expansion slot so it’s easy to add more memory as may be needed. The ebook device also comes with a replaceable lithium ion battery pack, 3G connection using the AT&T network, WiFi connectivity, MP3 player, speakers, and built-in dictionary.
But along with the above features, the Nook is also credited to be the only ereader that has book lending and store browsing options. As the term implies, book lending refers to being able to lend out an ebook in your library to another ereader user for a maximum duration of 14 days. The in-store browsing feature, on the other hand, means having the option to look over full ebooks at no cost in brick-and-mortar Barnes & Noble shops.
Where the Nook Could Improve
This Nook review wouldn’t be thorough enough if we fail to bring up some of the concerns given by current Nook owners. One is the absence of web browsing capability despite its WiFi connectivity. Another important concern is the Nook’s shorter battery life in comparison to other ereaders. Barnes & Noble says it could be used for about 7 to 10 days with the WiFi turned off, but for actual users, 4 to 5 days is more like it.
Considering the Nook’s superior features and Barnes & Noble’s value-added services, the Nook could have a huge effect on the ereader market. But as this Nook review points out, you’ll still find quite a few modifications that have to be made, for the device to really kick off in a big way.
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