@Debora - Regarding the cost of 3G: I might be totally offbase... it happens... but from what I remember a "basic" AT&T service plan for the iPhone runs around $90/mo for something in the neighborhood of 400 mins & 5GB of data. Once you add in all the taxes & surcharges, it's around $110-115/mo. With a minimum of 24 month contract + the cost of the phone, you're looking at around $2800-$3000 over the contract period! In truth I can afford the tab. I just can't willingly
justify it. I mean $2800 buys
A LOT of books! LOL! And that's basically a rolling cost to be paid indefinitely. Now please don't take offense. I'm not judging anyone who owns an iPhone. I'm just saying for
my lifestyle, I can't justify such an expense when there are other toys like running, cycling, and motorcycling equipment to be purchased. Ha! If I were a big phone user, maybe I'd reconsider.
@snipenekkid - Thanks for the feedback. I'm also not an Apple fanboy. I've actually NEVER owned a single Apple product. Gasp!
It's nice to hear an opinion from a "neutral" party. I agree it's extremely expensive, but at least the Touch is a one-time expenditure. I'd even gladly pay $1000 for an unlocked iPhone *IF* AT&T allowed a voice only option with WiFi for data. Alas, they require 3G for data as do all carriers for their smartphones.
Your positive experience with the iPod Touch is very promising though. I think I'm definitely leaning in that direction over the NookColor. I could probably adjust to the smaller screen given the hi-res Retina display you mentioned. As an e-reader, I'm sure it's just fine. Just would require frequent page turning as Deborah mentioned earlier. I'm just a bit worried about that Safari browser. It really seemed to have some basic HTML/Java Script compatibility issues. But maybe the demo unit I tested at MicroCenter was just totally hosed? I don't know...
Regarding your fed-up attitude towards tinkering/hacking/rooting/jail-breaking electronics only to have problems down the road, I TOTALLY understand. I'm nearing that point myself. Luckily over the years, Apple has slowly implemented basic functionality people used to jailbreak in order to attain. Now, only the most hardcore users find it necessary to hack their iDevices. As for the Nook, it's not quite there yet but it's very close. At this point, rooting is still desirable but B&N is adding features at a surprising rate! I believe Android 2.2 is expected within the quarter? B&N seems to be supporting their device better than many phone manufacturers like Samsung and Motorola.
Crazy and sad really. A major plus for the NookColor is that its stock browser is already quite usable. And obviously its e-reader functionality is solid (except maybe .PDFs... I hear that functionality is terribily flawed).
At this point, I think I could live with either unit in a non-rooted/non-jailbroken condition, at least for a while. Decisions... decisions... decisions....
@HansTWN - Thx for the recommendation. I'll have to research that. But from a cursory glance, the Streak gets less than steller reviews. It runs an old version of Android and is 2x the cost of a NC but offers nothing more in terms of hardware except for a more pocketable form factor (which i must admit IS attractive). I really do need to explore the Steak in more detail. Thx again for the recommendation!
If anyone else has any insights/recommendations, I'd appreciate it. I don't know, maybe I'm just being ridiculous comparing these two devices?