[rkw]

I was roaming WallyWorld at 6am getting some of my shopping done. I happened across the Nook HD+ at just $149 for the 16gb version. I dunno but for the features it seems like a nice option. I would be using it as pretty much a consumption only device. Movies, reading, web browsing that sort of thing.

I usually carry my phone and Asus Infinity with my everywhere so I can work as needed. I sometimes stick my KF in the bag but usually forget wired earphones. This makes me end up using the phone or Infinity for background noise entertainment while doing whatever I'm about at that microsecond in time.

The lack of BT in the KF was a turn-off from day one but I got such a great deal when it was new I felt I had to keep it. I still find it plays videos very well and love it's display for that purpose. It's integration with Amazon Prime Video is superb as well. Still the BT thing and lack of memory card slot continue to disappoint. I just never seem to have accepted those absent elements.

I am aware of a few limitations on the Nook HD+. The OS will likely never be updated to JB. It is a bit of a long in the tooth CPU. Otherwise I don't see much missing from my needs checklist.

I like the microSD card slot, it has BT, the battery life if at least as good as my KF1 and the weight is fine. Sure it's a bit larger and I love the build quality of my KF1....that beastie is solid in my hand. It is just the NP looks, to me, to be a bit of a steal at the current price. Oh, I know the whole line is being DC'd so that is cool.

On the plus side I might consider rooting then flashing with a new 3rd party firmware. This is something I have not done previously for warranty reasons. Though I recently rooted my Infinity just to install a proper HOSTS file given we now can root w/o unlocking the bootloader which voids the warranty.

So my question is....any newer devices on the horizon with a feature set near to the NP that are in the same price class?