Nook HD/HD+ Update Adds Google Play

Fbone · 05-03-2013, 01:28 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/b-n-add-google...042712028.html

Quote:

Barnes & Noble is teaming up with Google to vastly increase the number of apps available on its Nook HD tablets.

The bookstore chain says it will add Google's Play app store to its 7-inch Nook HD and 9-inch HD+ products in the U.S. and U.K. via a software update Friday. The move expands the number of apps available from the roughly 10,000 the Nook already offered in its own store — such as Angry Birds and Netflix — to 700,000-plus apps and games offered on Google Play. And it comes after a weak holiday sales season for the Nook, which is struggling to gain market share in the rapidly expanding tablet market.

Asawi · 05-03-2013, 02:13 AM

I saw this about an hour ago and I'm so excited and a little upset that I'm at work and can't try it out right now!
Well done Barnes and Noble!!

Edit: The software update can be downloaded from the device support page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/NOOK-Support/379003184

Apache · 05-03-2013, 05:48 AM

I am at work and tried to download it from my Nook HD+. It tells me "No Download Available". I guess I will wait until I get home and download it manually to my computer.
Apache

Sregener · 05-03-2013, 06:14 AM

That's a game-changer, for sure. I've looked the Nook HD, but ruled it out without Google Play. Any word on whether there will be any restrictions on downloading, say, the Kindle App?

kikar · 05-03-2013, 06:24 AM

This is great news. I can't wait to update mine. I remember taking a survey for B&N not too long ago and in the comment section I wrote that if they were in the business to sell ebooks then they should drop their DRM and use the more common ADE DRM to entice readers of other devices to use their store, or at least give the option from their website to download the standard ePub version as Kobo does. Most importantly, if they wanted to sell more tablets they needed to have them Google certified and add the Play store.
I wonder how many others that took the survey requested the Play store as well.

kikar · 05-03-2013, 06:32 AM

I just read an article that stated the deal includes adding other Google Inc. services such as the Chrome browser, Gmail, YouTube, Google maps, and Google Play music.

Kumabjorn · 05-03-2013, 06:37 AM

The Associated Press (@AP) tweeted at 10:32 AM on Fri, May 03, 2013:
Barnes & Noble teams up with Google to increase number of apps available on Nook HD tablet, @Maetron reports: http://t.co/AFGQHoLuNa -JM
(https://twitter.com/AP/status/330238324960796673)

Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download

Asawi · 05-03-2013, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kikar

I just read an article that stated the deal includes adding other Google Inc. services such as the Chrome browser, Gmail, YouTube, Google maps, and Google Play music.

Yep! I'm at home now and have updated the HD+. It looks like all Google services are included.
So far all the apps I have tried to install have done so beautifully and eveything is working great!.
Well done Barnes and Noble!

peitsao · 05-03-2013, 07:05 AM

I am so happy with this update! This device just surpassed Kindle Fire's capabilities.

fjtorres · 05-03-2013, 07:19 AM

Six months too late.
I would've bought one last Xmas if it had PLAY.
Still, better late than never.

About time they realized that, as they say; "It's the apps!"

kikar · 05-03-2013, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sregener

That's a game-changer, for sure. I've looked the Nook HD, but ruled it out without Google Play. Any word on whether there will be any restrictions on downloading, say, the Kindle App?

I just updated and downloaded apps from the Play Store. No restrictions I was able to download and install the Kindle and Kobo apps, plus various others I have gotten through Google.

fjtorres · 05-03-2013, 07:51 AM

CNET has a review:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7...o-its-tablets/

Quote:

I got an early preview of the software update on a Nook HD+ and what's a little bit surprising is that Barnes & Noble hasn't held anything back from the Google Play store -- it's as you would expect it to appear on any open Android device, complete with apps, music, movies, games, and yes, even e-books.

Quote:

If you're wondering whether you can add the Kindle app to the Nook, the answer is yes. Kobo, too. But more importantly, Nook owners can also grab the HBO Go app that has been missing from the Nook Store. Or any number of games and apps that also aren't there.

Barnes & Noble reps said that the Nook Store would continue to coexist side-by-side with the Google Play store and users will be able to import their bookmarks from the Nook's old browser to the new Chrome browser. With the Nook HD and HD+ you can also create separate profiles for different users, and parents will have the option of giving their kids access to the Google Play Store -- or not.

To distinguish apps that you've bought in the Nook Store, a small "n" will appear as part of its icon in the navigational carousel at the top of the screen. Content bought in the Google Play store, such as movies, music, and e-books -- will be accessible through Google's "players," not Barnes & Noble's.

Note the split personality. No biggie, but still...

Video:
http://cnettv.cnet.com/barnes-noble-...-50146078.html

(There's a lead-in ad. When I watched, the ad was... Microsoft Surface Pro.)

Pictures, too:
http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-19736_7-10016715.html

NickyWithNook · 05-03-2013, 08:09 AM

This makes getting/making an SD card to boot from into android unnecessary. Awesome. This was a great choice for them, as they were on the route to irrelevance.

jersysman · 05-03-2013, 08:14 AM

This is great news for B&N. I pray that this will help them in a small way (or large depending) get back on their feet. We need strong companies to keep the competition rolling. This is very good news for us consumers.

usuallee · 05-03-2013, 08:45 AM

Okay this is it. I have not taken the plunge on a tablet yet because I have not been impressed enough with any of them. I now want one of these devices. Father's day is coming up...

Thanks Fbone for posting this news. Well done B&N.

05-03-2013, 02:13 AM	#2
Asawi Gadgetoholic Posts: 1,467 Karma: 3865860 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Libra2, Tolino Vision 6	I saw this about an hour ago and I'm so excited and a little upset that I'm at work and can't try it out right now! Well done Barnes and Noble!! Edit: The software update can be downloaded from the device support page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/NOOK-Support/379003184 Last edited by Asawi; 05-03-2013 at 02:17 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
So where is Google Play?	TonyToews	Kobo Tablets	0	08-18-2012 11:50 PM
kobo, google play update, calibre update	tracym	Kobo Tablets	16	06-25-2012 03:24 PM
Vox usage post 'Google Play Update'...	Reader Paradice	Kobo Tablets	0	06-20-2012 02:52 PM
Google eBookstore adds Canada	FJames	Kobo Reader	5	11-04-2011 06:29 PM
Google Adds OCR for PDF Files	kjk	News	0	06-22-2010 02:27 PM

05-03-2013, 05:48 AM	#3
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,253 Karma: 90000484 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	I am at work and tried to download it from my Nook HD+. It tells me "No Download Available". I guess I will wait until I get home and download it manually to my computer. Apache

05-03-2013, 06:14 AM	#4
Sregener Addict Posts: 239 Karma: 1664052 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Kindle 4NT	That's a game-changer, for sure. I've looked the Nook HD, but ruled it out without Google Play. Any word on whether there will be any restrictions on downloading, say, the Kindle App?

05-03-2013, 06:24 AM	#5
kikar Zealot Posts: 138 Karma: 258574 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Knoxville, TN Device: Too many eReaders, One annoyed wife.	This is great news. I can't wait to update mine. I remember taking a survey for B&N not too long ago and in the comment section I wrote that if they were in the business to sell ebooks then they should drop their DRM and use the more common ADE DRM to entice readers of other devices to use their store, or at least give the option from their website to download the standard ePub version as Kobo does. Most importantly, if they wanted to sell more tablets they needed to have them Google certified and add the Play store. I wonder how many others that took the survey requested the Play store as well.

05-03-2013, 06:32 AM	#6
kikar Zealot Posts: 138 Karma: 258574 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Knoxville, TN Device: Too many eReaders, One annoyed wife.	I just read an article that stated the deal includes adding other Google Inc. services such as the Chrome browser, Gmail, YouTube, Google maps, and Google Play music.

05-03-2013, 06:37 AM	#7
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	The Associated Press (@AP) tweeted at 10:32 AM on Fri, May 03, 2013: Barnes & Noble teams up with Google to increase number of apps available on Nook HD tablet, @Maetron reports: http://t.co/AFGQHoLuNa -JM (https://twitter.com/AP/status/330238324960796673) Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download

05-03-2013, 07:05 AM	#9
peitsao Addict Posts: 211 Karma: 32760 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Allegheny Mountains Device: Kobo mini, PW3,NookST	I am so happy with this update! This device just surpassed Kindle Fire's capabilities.

05-03-2013, 07:19 AM	#10
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	Six months too late. I would've bought one last Xmas if it had PLAY. Still, better late than never. About time they realized that, as they say; "It's the apps!"

05-03-2013, 08:09 AM	#13
NickyWithNook Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 3942770 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: American living in Australia Device: Kobo Libra Colour, Kindle Fire, Kindle Pwhite (Don't use Nook anymore)	This makes getting/making an SD card to boot from into android unnecessary. Awesome. This was a great choice for them, as they were on the route to irrelevance.

05-03-2013, 08:14 AM	#14
jersysman Wizard Posts: 1,747 Karma: 3761220 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Device: T1 Red, Kindle Fire, Kindle PW, PW2, Nook HD+, Kobo Mini, Aura HD	This is great news for B&N. I pray that this will help them in a small way (or large depending) get back on their feet. We need strong companies to keep the competition rolling. This is very good news for us consumers.

05-03-2013, 08:45 AM	#15
usuallee Media Junkie Posts: 278 Karma: 2039392 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Device: Kobo Libra H20, Kindle PW	Okay this is it. I have not taken the plunge on a tablet yet because I have not been impressed enough with any of them. I now want one of these devices. Father's day is coming up... Thanks Fbone for posting this news. Well done B&N.

Advert

Advert