MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Classic Nook in Canada

geertm · 03-22-2011, 01:22 PM

I've been shopping for an eReader for about 3 or 4 weeks now and still don't have all the answers... and still don't have an eReader...

Here's what know.
1. The Kindle uses proprietary formats that cannot be shared or copied between devices. This is the #1 reason i have taken the Kindle off my list.

You can share Kindle books, but only by sharing the same Kindle account.

2. The Nook is more open-format. You can read any PDF or Word file created by anybody; plus a bunch of other formats.

3. Kindle (Amazon) has the cheapest books; then the Kobo; then Barnes and Noble. I checked 10 books from all 3 vendors. Example: Amazon: $8.49, Kobo: $10.13; Nook (Barns and Noble) $12.99.

Kobo is Canadian, at the moment there is no agency model in Canada. In the US the 6 agency publishers are setting fixed prices that the e-book stores are not allowed to discount. So books from the 6 agency publishers (most popular books) will have the same price at Amazon and B&N.
For most other books there is usually not much of a difference in price between B&N and Amazon.

4. The Nook has upgradable memory, excellent color screen, can access the internet and use aps from Android (Google). But i heard the apps have been disabled (not sure about t his).

The Nook Color has no Google market (current Google market rules would not allow this anyway). B&N has said that in Q1 2011 (so hopefully this week or next week) there will be an update to Android 2.2 which wille add flash support. And also that an B&N appstore will become available. This will be a specific B&N appstore.
You can root the Nook Color to install the Google Market.

5. When i try to buy the Nook (from Canada) B&N web site says "can't deliver to that address".

B&N only ships the Nook to US addresses. You will have to use an US mail forwarding address (from sites like Borderlinx or USunlocked).
Here's what I don't know:

6. Do any of these eBook stores not sell certain eBooks outside the US too? If so... Why?

Most B&N e-books are only sold to the US. Because some books are sold to Canada, the simple workaround for Canadian users is to register your B&N account with a US shipping and billing address, any valid address will work.
(Users outside the US/Canada also need an US VPN to get an US IP-address, but Canadian IP-addresses are allowed because some books are sold there).

7. Why are eBooks just as expensive (or more expensive) than paper books? This is bull&#$t. With all the waste of material, packaging, transportation, stocking, and disposal that is eliminated, you'd think these companies would share the savings a bit... they are saving billions and pocketing those billions. Can you say "Music Industry"?

Please research the agency model. The 6 big agency publishers are setting fix prices that books stores are not allowed to discount.
But those stores are allowed to discount the paperback/hardback version of the same book.

8. When will they finally combine the function of the smart phone, the diverse use of the Tablet, and the size of the eReaders so we can all walk around with Star Trek Tri-Corders!?? And why is it taking these dinosaurs soooo long to get it right??? Star Trek has been out since the 1960's !

And oh yeah... they would have to add a little 'notch' in this device that holds the bluetooth ear piece so i don't have to buy a new one every 2 months!

(My money is on RIM to develop this first... they seem to be a company that focuses on quality product - and apparently are one of the few...)

03-22-2011, 01:22 PM	#35
geertm Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 2000000 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Netherlands Device: Kobo Aura One	I've been shopping for an eReader for about 3 or 4 weeks now and still don't have all the answers... and still don't have an eReader... Here's what know. 1. The Kindle uses proprietary formats that cannot be shared or copied between devices. This is the #1 reason i have taken the Kindle off my list. You can share Kindle books, but only by sharing the same Kindle account. 2. The Nook is more open-format. You can read any PDF or Word file created by anybody; plus a bunch of other formats. 3. Kindle (Amazon) has the cheapest books; then the Kobo; then Barnes and Noble. I checked 10 books from all 3 vendors. Example: Amazon: $8.49, Kobo: $10.13; Nook (Barns and Noble) $12.99. Kobo is Canadian, at the moment there is no agency model in Canada. In the US the 6 agency publishers are setting fixed prices that the e-book stores are not allowed to discount. So books from the 6 agency publishers (most popular books) will have the same price at Amazon and B&N. For most other books there is usually not much of a difference in price between B&N and Amazon. 4. The Nook has upgradable memory, excellent color screen, can access the internet and use aps from Android (Google). But i heard the apps have been disabled (not sure about t his). The Nook Color has no Google market (current Google market rules would not allow this anyway). B&N has said that in Q1 2011 (so hopefully this week or next week) there will be an update to Android 2.2 which wille add flash support. And also that an B&N appstore will become available. This will be a specific B&N appstore. You can root the Nook Color to install the Google Market. 5. When i try to buy the Nook (from Canada) B&N web site says "can't deliver to that address". B&N only ships the Nook to US addresses. You will have to use an US mail forwarding address (from sites like Borderlinx or USunlocked). Here's what I don't know: 6. Do any of these eBook stores not sell certain eBooks outside the US too? If so... Why? Most B&N e-books are only sold to the US. Because some books are sold to Canada, the simple workaround for Canadian users is to register your B&N account with a US shipping and billing address, any valid address will work. (Users outside the US/Canada also need an US VPN to get an US IP-address, but Canadian IP-addresses are allowed because some books are sold there). 7. Why are eBooks just as expensive (or more expensive) than paper books? This is bull&#$t. With all the waste of material, packaging, transportation, stocking, and disposal that is eliminated, you'd think these companies would share the savings a bit... they are saving billions and pocketing those billions. Can you say "Music Industry"? Please research the agency model. The 6 big agency publishers are setting fix prices that books stores are not allowed to discount. But those stores are allowed to discount the paperback/hardback version of the same book. 8. When will they finally combine the function of the smart phone, the diverse use of the Tablet, and the size of the eReaders so we can all walk around with Star Trek Tri-Corders!?? And why is it taking these dinosaurs soooo long to get it right??? Star Trek has been out since the 1960's ! And oh yeah... they would have to add a little 'notch' in this device that holds the bluetooth ear piece so i don't have to buy a new one every 2 months! (My money is on RIM to develop this first... they seem to be a company that focuses on quality product - and apparently are one of the few...)