A Review of Barnes and Noble Nook

Launched last October 2009, the Barnes and Noble Nook, one of the latest handheld ereaders in the market today, was seen as a possible contender to dethrone the Amazon Kindle from its dominance in the ereader industry. What has it got that makes it a significant challenger This Nook review attemps to discover a few of the most notable features of this ebook reader.

Size, Display Specifications

First off, the basic specs. On the surface, the Nook appears to bear the standard ebook size. The device is 7.7 inches in length, 4.9 inches wide, 0.5-inch deep, and weighs 11.2 ounces. It’s about the same size as the 2nd generation Kindle ? only thicker and a bit heavier. The device also comes with a 6-inch e-ink screen with 16 shades of gray, and a number of options for font type and size.

But perhaps what gives it a cool edge that’s not found on most ebook readers today is its 3.5-inch capacitive color touchscreen. Located just under the e-ink screen, the LCD screen replaces the typical keyboard and buttons used for making ebook selections and navigating within the ereader and the text itself.

More Noteworthy 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 the need arises. The ebook device also comes with a replaceable lithium ion battery, 3G connection through the AT&T network, WiFi connectivity, MP3 player, speakers, and a dictionary so you can effortlessly look up unfamiliar words.

But along with the above features, the Nook is also credited for being the sole 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 chance to browse full ebooks free of charge in brick-and-mortar Barnes & Noble outlets.

Where the Nook Could Improve

This Nook review won’t be thorough enough if we fail to mention some of the concerns given by current Nook owners. One is the absence of web browsing capacity despite its WiFi connectivity. Another serious issue is the Nook’s seemingly insufficient battery life as compared to other ereaders. Barnes & Noble says it could last about 7 to 10 days with the WiFi deactivated, but for actual users, 4 to 5 days is more like it.

Considering the Nook’s advanced features and Barnes & Noble’s innovative services, the Nook could have a big impact on the ereader market. But as this Nook review points out, there still are a number of changes that have to be made, for the device to really kick off in a big way.

Is the Barnes and Noble Nook the right ereader for you? Visit us to look over our indepth Nook review and find out how it compares to other portable ebook readers availabletoday!


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