My NC gripe list

[jblaine]

Pasted from my blog http://www.kickflop.net/blog/2011/01/19/nook-color/

I would be happy to hear if anyone has any solutions to the following, although some are just gripes about crappy quality control, user interface design, and poor software development.

As of software revision 1.1, here’s what I am finding to be lacking in the Nook Color or areas that could easily be improved:

• ePub files cannot be viewed in landscape orientation (!)
• None of the “Library” application’s screens can be viewed in landscape orientation (looking at a book shelf, navigating folders under My Files, etc)
• No Flash (Youtube works)
• O’Reilly “Head First” PDF files are missing all images when viewed (images are shown when viewed on a PC with any typical PDF viewer)
• Double-tap in the browser zooms. Double-tap in the PDF viewer does nothing, and could. Dumb.
• “Back” button is in a different location in just about every application that has one
• Browsing “Library > My Files > Pictures” I cannot long-press on an image to set it as my wallpaper (only option is “Open”). Dumb.
• Browsing “Library > My Files > [anything]” if you change the view mode via the upper right menu, you lose your place and are taken back to the top of “media” which contains “My Files”. Dumb.
• There is no real overall consistency. Every application or function appears to have been written by a different group of developers.
• Some files I’ve placed in “media > My Files > Books” result in “Failed to obtain item details” when long-pressed while trying to add them to a shelf or home screen. Awesome.
• “Sideloaded” books (not purchased from B&N) cannot be pinned to the main desktop. This makes the desktop almost entirely useless for me.
• ADDED 1/28/2011: The 1.1.0 update from B&N fixes none of these items.
• ADDED 1/28/2011: Viewing in landscape mode, selecting the quick settings (lower right) changes everything to portrait mode while you change your settings. When you’re finished, everything goes back to landscape mode.
• ADDED 1/28/2011: Pinch-zooming in the browser was added in 1.1.0. It is buggy and inconsistent.
• ADDED 1/28/2011: Moving a web page in order to bring up the +/- zoom buttons, then clicking + (zoom in) almost never does anything at all the first time.

Everything else works well for me so far.

I agree. It is obvious that each app seems to have been developed by a different group of programmers with little or no coordination between the groups. That is just bad management any way in which you approach it! I suggest that B&N hire a really good development manager.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by jblaine

Pasted from my blog http://www.kickflop.net/blog/2011/01/19/nook-color/

I would be happy to hear if anyone has any solutions to the following, although some are just gripes about crappy quality control, user interface design, and poor software development.

As of software revision 1.1, here’s what I am finding to be lacking in the Nook Color or areas that could easily be improved:

• ePub files cannot be viewed in landscape orientation (!)
  
  Odd I agree, but won't be a matter of contention for almost all readers since reading novels in landscape mode is rather undesirable. But for anything technical, I agree, Odd ommision especially when it's available in the app.
• None of the “Library” application’s screens can be viewed in landscape orientation (looking at a book shelf, navigating folders under My Files, etc)
  
  Hmm you seemed to be fixiated on Landscape, but not truely sure what the advantage of Landscape mode would be on viewing my Library since you can already have multiple views. Would be a senseless strain on the processor to add that since it would serve no function.
• No Flash (Youtube works)
  This is Android 2.1 (Eclair) no Android devices running 2.1 runs Flash. 2.2 (Froyo, is expected to be in the first MAJOR update.
• O’Reilly “Head First” PDF files are missing all images when viewed (images are shown when viewed on a PC with any typical PDF viewer)
  [Double-tap in the browser zooms. Double-tap in the PDF viewer does nothing, and could. Dumb.
  Odd I agree but fixed in latest update
• “Back” button is in a different location in just about every application that has one
  that is a roll of the eyes gripe, sort of sounds like you are looking for something to gripe about, but I would like to see a static back icon, that I agree, but nothing where I would get all worked up over, especially since I use the "swipe finger" back method. *see tips and tricks*
• Browsing “Library > My Files > Pictures” I cannot long-press on an image to set it as my wallpaper (only option is “Open”). Dumb.
  Actually not entirely true. Long press your home screen and you can change your wall paper using your photos there. Also when you access your pictures through "Extras" you DO GET AN OPTION TO SET AS wallpaper, how long did you actually test run this device?
• Browsing “Library > My Files > [anything]” if you change the view mode via the upper right menu, you lose your place and are taken back to the top of “media” which contains “My Files”. Dumb.
  actually you dont' your place gets put in Outline form
• There is no real overall consistency. Every application or function appears to have been written by a different group of developers.
• Some files I’ve placed in “media > My Files > Books” result in “Failed to obtain item details” when long-pressed while trying to add them to a shelf or home screen. Awesome.
  user erro? missed a step maybe?
• “Sideloaded” books (not purchased from B&N) cannot be pinned to the main desktop. This makes the desktop almost entirely useless for me.
  True, my guess is to add something of desirablitly to encourage book purchases through BN, sort of like giving them special treatment. Who knows if enough people gripe about it, it may be added on in future updates. But to me it's a would be cool, but honestly don't truley care one way or another.
• ADDED 1/28/2011: The 1.1.0 update from B&N fixes none of these items.
  hmmm pinch to zoom
• ADDED 1/28/2011: Viewing in landscape mode, selecting the quick settings (lower right) changes everything to portrait mode while you change your settings. When you’re finished, everything goes back to landscape mode.
  samething on my Droid X as well, don't think it's a nook color specific
• ADDED 1/28/2011: Pinch-zooming in the browser was added in 1.1.0. It is buggy and inconsistent.
  I wouldn't say buggy or inconsistant, but I would agree it's not as smooth as it could be, certainly not as smooth as my Droid or even as smooth as the pinch and zoom in PDF and magazines in the nook color itself, but it works and does the job.
• ADDED 1/28/2011: Moving a web page in order to bring up the +/- zoom buttons, then clicking + (zoom in) almost never does anything at all the first time.
  Don't need to do that anymore, with the pinch and zoom option.

Everything else works well for me so far.

It sounds like the landscape gripe is really more for readers of technical books. Otherwise it's rather uselss when reading regular novels.

Originally Posted by boswd

It sounds like the landscape gripe is really more for readers of technical books. Otherwise it's rather uselss when reading regular novels.

Actually, you should speak for yourself only rather than projecting your opinions on everyone else. Landscape is important enough that nearly every eBook reader has it as a standard feature. I personally prefer it as it makes holding the reader for a long duration more comfortable. The Sony PRS-950 has a terrific 2-column, landcape ePub mode.

As for the rest of your comments, it is obvious you love your NC, but you should understand that many of us see its shortcomings even though we choose to keep ours. I personally kept mine because there or no true alternatives to the NC. Most tablets are either overpriced, tied to a cellular account (yuk!!!!), or simply cheap crap made in China. When a really good tablet appears on the market in 7" and runs a decent OS and costs around $250 (no data plan required), then my NC will go away.

You kept mentioning pinch to zoom. Have you even tried it? It doesn't work well at all. It is a POS as implemented in update 1.1.

[gtriever]

Some of these perceived shortcomings (and I'm not going to specifically start pointing them out) could obviously be improved by the B&N engineers/developers, others are improved by rooting, and still others are generic to the Android platform.

Let's not forget that it's a nascent first generation device, and we early adopters always put up with bugs. Perfect? No, but nevertheless a darned fine device.

[merlin5353]

Originally Posted by gtriever

Let's not forget that it's a nascent first generation device, and we early adopters always put up with bugs. Perfect? No, but nevertheless a darned fine device.

Yep, I agree. I look at the 'bugs' as challenges to work through. I'm looking forward to the coming developments from BN. I'm still holding off rooting. Kinda entertained by the little NC bastard!

[Girl Read Write]

Quite a long list, there. Sure, the NC isn't perfect, but nothing is. I didn't buy it expecting it to be flawless. I don't think I expect perfection from anything. But when I can find a workaround or a solution or something to implement in order to make my experience using an item better, I take advantage of that.

[Avenarius]

Originally Posted by jblaine

“Sideloaded” books (not purchased from B&N) cannot be pinned to the main desktop. This makes the desktop almost entirely useless for me.

This, and the poor pdf viewer are the two main gripes for me. It's obvious they wanted to limit the device to epubs and magazines purchased from B&N, but given that you can read epubs on the original Nook, I don't really see the purpose of the NC. Did they really spend millions developing this thing just to sell magazine subscriptions?

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Avenarius

This, and the poor pdf viewer are the two main gripes for me. It's obvious they wanted to limit the device to epubs and magazines purchased from B&N, but given that you can read epubs on the original Nook, I don't really see the purpose of the NC. Did they really spend millions developing this thing just to sell magazine subscriptions?

I think you might be misunderstanding his comment. You can't put your ePub books you bought outside of Barnes and Noble and have them appear on one of the three homepages or the scrolling library underneath.

but

as with the nook eink you still can purchase epub books from other soursec and sideload them to your nook color. If a Jpeg is embedded the book cover will show up as well. You can integrate them with your other books in your overall general library and in your "My Shelves" library etc.

[Arcanite]

I'd like to add to that list of missing features the inability to connect to ad-hoc wifi networks, which is annoying if you would like to use the NC while on the move (by sharing the cellphone internet connection through wifi).

Right, I should buy an android phone with an ability for infrastructure mode tethering, but I cannot and won't just because B&N has choosen not to support ad-hoc networks. They are, however, aware of the problem and might implement a fix in future patches, but wouldn't count on that in near future. Annoying.

[jblaine]

Bummer, I didn't see any of these replies past the first one until now (so much for "Instant email notification" on my thread).

I said: None of the “Library” application’s screens can be viewed in landscape orientation (looking at a book shelf, navigating folders under My Files, etc)
boswd said: Hmm you seemed to be fixiated on Landscape, but not truely sure what the advantage of Landscape mode would be on viewing my Library since you can already have multiple views. Would be a senseless strain on the processor to add that since it would serve no function.

I'm not "fixated" on landscape mode. I am fixated on whatever orientation I am currently in. If I have the device in landscape mode, it should display everything in landscape mode, not random stuff in portrait mode. If I want to view the quick settings to change my brightness, I should not (without question, seriously) have to turn my device to read the menu text, make the change, then turn back to continue reading. I don't know you, but I'm a little shocked you can't see the importance of that from a user experience perspective.

I said: “Back” button is in a different location in just about every application that has one
boswd said: that is a roll of the eyes gripe, sort of sounds like you are looking for something to gripe about

Categorize it as whatever level of gripe you want. It's poor user interface design.

I said: Browsing “Library > My Files > Pictures” I cannot long-press on an image to set it as my wallpaper (only option is “Open”). Dumb.
boswd said: Actually not entirely true. Long press your home screen and you can change your wall paper using your photos there. Also when you access your pictures through "Extras" you DO GET AN OPTION TO SET AS wallpaper, how long did you actually test run this device?

Actually, entirely true. Read what I wrote, exactly, and try it. I didn't say "there is no way to set my wallpaper".

I said: ADDED 1/28/2011: The 1.1.0 update from B&N fixes none of these items.
boswd said: hmmm pinch to zoom

It's a garbage implementation. Quite buggy and random.

[orb9220]

Yep many of the gripes are mine also. And just given up on waiting for B&N. They chose not let me know what they are fixing or features they are working on with no real roadmap to for us to make a informed decision. This has been going on since the classic. And they are repeating the same mistakes releasing the Color.

I try to be fair and give some leeway. But come on already B&N using a different pdf reader then what they give us for our pdf books? No last read position, bookmarks, highlighting,annotating? Those are Basic functions of pdf readers.

But no longer will I tolerate it myself. From now on All Books & Magazines purchased will be stripped of their DRM and my Nook Color is now and will stay rooted.

And having multiple choices for pdf,Book,Comics, reader apps and using a great browser like Dolphin HD for web and many other helpful and customizing apps to get my Nook to do exactly what I want it to.
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