I appreciate the responses a lot!! I understand that this device is not going to compete with the Nook color or even with the more high end readers, but considering that I would never have bought a reader at all, I just am not willing to put in the extra money to get a high end one. I hope this device will do what I need it to do: provide me an easier way to keep up with the reading I *need* to do as well as using free/waiting time for pleasure reading. I hate stuffing my purse to the gills before leaving home.
Ideally, I can also use it as a planner and save myself some more purse room
I like something to perform a couple different services to justify the hassle of making sure it is loaded, charged, and carrying it around.
I looked at the tablets and they just did way more than I would need it to do on the go. I don't like having multiple devices for basically the same function, and for me I have a small laptop for anything a tablet would do. Unfortunately my phone does not handle much more than phone calls and contact lists, so it's worthwhile for me to try out a eReader that also can do some wifi and organizing for me.
If it turns out that I am really into this technology (I don't expect this to happen but stranger things have), then at least I can learn the ropes on a device that only cost me a couple bucks (over what my mom paid for it) and I'll know exactly what else I want it to do come upgrade time....plus there will likely be better offerings out there at that time. A dedicated eReader just holds no interest for me at all.
The manager at Borders said that he'd just upgraded the firmware on the Cruz, so hopefully that isn't something I'll need to do right away. I'm not going to do anything to void the warranty, so I will just have to see what is out there for me to use.....and to fight off my techie hubby who likes to hack things
I kinda thought there were nook and kindle apps for every device....that seemed to be what ppl were saying on various reading boards. Am I mistaken? I've only used my pre-installed Borders app so far, but it went very smoothly and easily to download from the free selection (only 116 books) that Borders offers their new eReader customers. Wifi worked perfectly and quickly. I did read the newest firmware update fixed a wifi glitch, so I wonder if that was the previous problem.
The screen sometimes did not register my tap...seems I have to tap it harder than I expect...but when I used a fingernail it did great, so I think I may just get a stylus for it and hope that solves that issue.
I have access to a huge number of apps....hubby installed the app to the App Store which was available in the Cruz Marketplace and there are more than 1000 apps in there...definitely a lot more than I can sort through. Hubby also said a lot of apps are available out on the web and you don't have to go through the store. Those should work on my device, right?
I've found some planner apps that I think will work, but haven't downloaded any yet as I am just trying to learn one thing at a time. I do know that there is a Cruz tablet coming out next month that is supposed to use the same operating system I have, so how could it only be written for cell phones?
Definitely a lot of this technology is over my head at the moment, but I appreciate any help you can offer. I understand why someone would suggest that I go spend a 100 + more dollars on a different device, but that isn't going to happen at this point. I've spent all I am willing to spend right now esp since I have no idea that it will make my life any easier at all, and if it doesn't I'll be glad at least it was cheap
I believe you when you say there are much better options out there for more money, but that isn't going to happen. I am interested in learning about better options (that aren't only eReaders) for the same money, but I couldn't find them during my research.