Will there be a new eInk nook?

[apastuszak]

What are the chances we'll get a new eInk nook with the eInk pearl display?

Or is B&N all about the nook Color now?

[RAH]

Just total speculation on my part, but I think if they were going to bring out a new e-ink model, they might do a color e-ink version. The only big advantage I have seen to the pearl screen is that apparently it uses less power (just based on the what I have read of the Kindle's battery figures). I mean, the Nook's screen looks about as good to me as the latest Kindle, and certainly not worth bringing out a new hardware version just to get perhaps a subtle improvement.

Obviously, depends on how far along the color e-ink is, how much it costs, how much power it uses, etc. If it is still a work in progress, and if the pearl screen uses a lot less power than the current Nook model, then perhaps they might bring out a new B&W version, but I kind of doubt it.

I DO think that they will continue to market and improve the e-ink version. I do not expect them to abandon it and just do the backlit color one.

[pl001]

The reasons I can see to bring out a new one would be:

Lighter weight
Better battery life (at least double)
Fix the bugs

Otherwise I think it compares OK to the competition. Not a class leader overall, but good enough that I don't feel any need to upgrade. And there are still valid reasons, depending on what you need, to make it a top pick.

I would like to say B&N is too busy with the Color to concentrate on e-ink much longer, but then again they have yet to deliver Android 2.2 or their marketplace. So who knows what they are up to or what they are even capable of delivering.

[boswd]

I think they may watch to see how this whole tablet market plays out. E ink tech has been extremely slow to advance and I have a feeling if something doesn't pick up within the next 6 months, eink may be relugated to a "niche" market. The best advancement eink has had in the past 6-7 years has been a little sharper contrast ratio and labeling it Pearl Screen, like it's some sort of game changer or market shifter.

eink has really been dragging their feet when it come to advancement and if they don't hurry it could be too late.
I use my nook color for my primary reading and as much as I love my eink nook, the whole eink is starting to feel like yesterday's tech. I hope I'm wrong but eink as whole has to start making some moves.

[Joykins]

Fixing bugs doesn't take a hardware upgrade

[pl001]

Originally Posted by Joykins

Fixing bugs doesn't take a hardware upgrade

You wouldn't think so, but 5 firmware updates later...

[Joykins]

What are the remaining bugs bothering you? I do notice some application crashes, usually when I want to change books, but closing and reopening the application seems to fix it.

As for e-ink--I think e-ink will retain a market for people who read a lot of text and are in danger of eyestrain (i.e. me). My husband reads much less and he loves his nook color.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by pl001

You wouldn't think so, but 5 firmware updates later...

so what bugs are you talking about? no bugs on my nook.

[pl001]

Originally Posted by boswd

so what bugs are you talking about? no bugs on my nook.

Well, off the top of my head...

It automatically "selects" chapter headings on some books. Which links back to the table of contents. Very annoying when unintentionally selecting. This started with 1.5.

Syncing with other devices is apparently random.

Text is lighter when you wake it up, then gets dark after turning the page. Also text is lighter on some pages on some books.

Frequently fails to load book information when shopping, fix is to turn wireless off and back on or power cycle.

Lost ability to go to furthest read page with 1.5 update.

None of these are dealbreakers for me, but after 5 updates I expect better.

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by pl001

Lost ability to go to furthest read page with 1.5 update.

I don't have any of the other problems you mentioned but this drives me batsh*t crazy.

The choices should be

* go to last page read on this device
and
* go to last page read saved on bn.com.

Not just

* go to last page read saved on bn.com.

[jhempel24]

Originally Posted by pl001

Well, off the top of my head...

It automatically "selects" chapter headings on some books. Which links back to the table of contents. Very annoying when unintentionally selecting. This started with 1.5.

Syncing with other devices is apparently random.

Text is lighter when you wake it up, then gets dark after turning the page. Also text is lighter on some pages on some books.

Frequently fails to load book information when shopping, fix is to turn wireless off and back on or power cycle.

Lost ability to go to furthest read page with 1.5 update.

None of these are dealbreakers for me, but after 5 updates I expect better.

I'm going to have to say that I've never experienced any of these ever. The only thing I can't attest to is furthest read page (which bookmarks work fine for me), and the syncing as I don't do that.

But the text lighter is either so negligible that I don't notice it, or it doesn't happen....also never had information not load in wireless.

The chapter heading thing only happens in my books when there is a link in the ePub. If you are talking about it automatically selecting it when there IS a link there, I wouldn't call that a bug, I bet it's designed like that. I have a "cursor" on the first link like when there is a footnote linked or something. But I like that as it draws attention to it.

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by jhempel24

I'm going to have to say that I've never experienced any of these ever. The only thing I can't attest to is furthest read page (which bookmarks work fine for me), and the syncing as I don't do that.

By replacing "last page read" with "last page read saved on bn.com", the upgrade eliminated the ability to flip back and check something and then immediately return to your place without placing a bookmark. Now I place a bookmark to do that (although I didn't used to), but I think that's a workaround rather than a feature, KWIM?

[boswd]

Originally Posted by pl001

Well, off the top of my head...

It automatically "selects" chapter headings on some books. Which links back to the table of contents. Very annoying when unintentionally selecting. This started with 1.5.

Syncing with other devices is apparently random.

Text is lighter when you wake it up, then gets dark after turning the page. Also text is lighter on some pages on some books.

Frequently fails to load book information when shopping, fix is to turn wireless off and back on or power cycle.

Lost ability to go to furthest read page with 1.5 update.

None of these are dealbreakers for me, but after 5 updates I expect better.

don't have any these issues, sounds like the update did not download properly. I think there is a way to uninstall and then redownload.

that's what I would do.

[RAH]

Originally Posted by Joykins

the upgrade eliminated the ability to flip back and check something and then immediately return to your place without placing a bookmark. Now I place a bookmark to do that (although I didn't used to), but I think that's a workaround rather than a feature, KWIM?

Yes, that's a good way to put it - a workaround (which I also have learned to use) and not a feature - although some software companies might think it's a feature.

[apastuszak]

Originally Posted by RAH

Just total speculation on my part, but I think if they were going to bring out a new e-ink model, they might do a color e-ink version. The only big advantage I have seen to the pearl screen is that apparently it uses less power (just based on the what I have read of the Kindle's battery figures). I mean, the Nook's screen looks about as good to me as the latest Kindle, and certainly not worth bringing out a new hardware version just to get perhaps a subtle improvement.

I have both in my house. The eInk Pearl gets you more than battery life. The contrast is way better and the screen is faster. Put both screens side by side and the pearl just looks better.

Sony's new reader also has an eInk Pearl display. I think they need a Pearl reader, or the nook is going to look like a second class citizen in Best Buy when people compare it to the Sony or Kindle.