Visited the Pandigital Novel at the BB&B

davidspitzer · 08-06-2010, 04:16 PM

I was getting some lunch today, when I noticed the strip mall I was in had a Bed Bath and Beyond. I said to myself “hey I should go look they have that Pandigitial Novel on sale there.

I walked in and the display was up near the front and my first reaction upon seeing was...

…You know when you see something horrible and you unconsciously draw one side of your mouth up while making a sucking sound with your breath.

That was my initial reaction

I got to wondering; Bed Bath and Beyond, it seems like a marketing mismatch of epic proportions. I looked around the store at all the pots, pans, cooking gadgets and towels and thought to myself "is an ebook reader really on the shopping list for the demographic of the store? The price also does not speak to the impulse buyer (at least not to me). I guess this device would fall under the "Beyond" category of the store.

Here is my take
Cons:

Too expensive – Not withstanding special coupons and rebates (which was $20 in that store) $169.99 seemed ludicrous stacked up next to the New Kindle or the Nook. If it was $79 I would say “ok I get it” but when you can have a brand new Kindle 3 with wifi and 3G for 30 bucks more or a wifi only for 30 bucks less I am not sure I can get behind that price point

Cheap Looking and Cheap feeling – It just felt cheaply made - enough said

Little Heavy – The Kindle 3 is a full 3 ounces lighter – the nook is about an ounce heavier

Screen – looked blurry to me, it is 800x600 but it had a washed out look to me

Content – I have mentioned it before but finding your own content and syncing is not as elegant to me as the kindle or nook approach

Support – Who knows but they have had a couple of major quality issues already

Pros:
Its color
Android App store
Backlit for reading in bed

The gadget lover in me said – “ooh look shiny shiny” but the pragmatist in me said meh…

SameOldStory · 08-06-2010, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidspitzer

I got to wondering; Bed Bath and Beyond, it seems like a marketing mismatch of epic proportions. I looked around the store at all the pots, pans, cooking gadgets and towels and thought to myself "is an ebook reader really on the shopping list for the demographic of the store? The price also does not speak to the impulse buyer (at least not to me).

I think that you spend too much time on MR. You may know what's out there, and what the arguments are for different products. But do most people?

"is an ebook reader really on the shopping list for the demographic of the store?"

I'm quite willing to bet that romance type novels, in total volume, outsell most other fiction.

Add that together with the iPad being mentioned EVERYWHERE, and I'll bet that many will see the Pandigital Novel as a bargain.

cfrizz · 08-06-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

I think that you spend too much time on MR. You may know what's out there, and what the arguments are for different products. But do most people?

"is an ebook reader really on the shopping list for the demographic of the store?"

I'm quite willing to bet that romance type novels, in total volume, outsell most other fiction.

Add that together with the iPad being mentioned EVERYWHERE, and I'll bet that many will see the Pandigital Novel as a bargain.

Right on the money SOS!

I have been doing alot of reading in bed lately, & a backlit reader would really come in handy for the 98% of the ROMANCE books on my reader.

JSWolf · 08-06-2010, 08:55 PM

cfrizz, do you partake in the libraries free romance eBooks? I'm thinking of getting a library card for NOBEL next week sometime. I already have Minuteman Library Network, Boston Public Library, & Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing.

Noah98 · 08-06-2010, 08:58 PM

Well, I went through 5 Pandigital Novels before I gave up. When it is hacked and is working properly, it is a nice, cheap ipad alternative.

While I realize that the firmware continues to improve and is a work in progress, the hardware design is still flawed. The biggest problem that I had was with defects in the LCD (dead pixels, dust under the screen, dark spots).

As far as reading goes, I suppose it is fine if you really need a backlight, but in my opinion the eink readers are far superior.

davidspitzer · 08-06-2010, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

I think that you spend too much time on MR. You may know what's out there, and what the arguments are for different products. But do most people?

"is an ebook reader really on the shopping list for the demographic of the store?"

I'm quite willing to bet that romance type novels, in total volume, outsell most other fiction.

Add that together with the iPad being mentioned EVERYWHERE, and I'll bet that many will see the Pandigital Novel as a bargain.

I added backlit to the pros. Ironic that you say I spend too much time on MB and you have twice as many posts hmmmm

davidspitzer · 08-06-2010, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

I think that you spend too much time on MR. You may know what's out there, and what the arguments are for different products. But do most people?

"is an ebook reader really on the shopping list for the demographic of the store?"

I'm quite willing to bet that romance type novels, in total volume, outsell most other fiction.

Add that together with the iPad being mentioned EVERYWHERE, and I'll bet that many will see the Pandigital Novel as a bargain.

I just thought of a new slogan based on your assessment...

Pandigital! The ideal reader for the uninformed consumer!

(available at Bed Bath and Beyond and coming soon to QVC)

vaughnmr · 08-06-2010, 10:07 PM

In a way, this is not a good thing. Unsuspecting customers, first time seeing an ereader (ever wonder why it appears in a store like that?) will be compelled to buy one, and will be totally pissed if it's not up to par.

cfrizz · 08-06-2010, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

cfrizz, do you partake in the libraries free romance eBooks? I'm thinking of getting a library card for NOBEL next week sometime. I already have Minuteman Library Network, Boston Public Library, & Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing.

I have a card for the BPL, but their selection of books is pitiful.

Donnageddon · 08-06-2010, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidspitzer

I just thought of a new slogan based on your assessment...

Pandigital! The ideal reader for the uninformed consumer!

(available at Bed Bath and Beyond and coming soon to QVC)

Yeah, it's not just any reader that gets to be sold at Target!

gastan · 08-07-2010, 11:29 AM

It seems you had your mind made up before you even entered the store. "…You know when you see something horrible and you unconsciously draw one side of your mouth up while making a sucking sound with your breath.

That was my initial reaction" Not exactly an open-minded approach, huh?

I had a detailed rebuttal to each of your cons but lost everything when MR asked me log in again when I tried to submit it. Long story short is that I disagree with just about all of your points. The Novel, for what it is -- a capable and versatile (when hacked), cheap ($115 from BB&B), first gen MID/reader -- can fill the void until the Liquavista's/Mirasol's/Pixel Qi's come to market ... whenever that is.

You can't buy a Kia and expect a Bentley experience.

SensualPoet · 08-07-2010, 12:06 PM

As an Android tablet can anyone confirm that this device, positively has sanctioned access to the Android Market? My impression is that no tablet does. Google is so far reserving its app market for mobile phones only.

gastan · 08-07-2010, 02:25 PM

AFAIK there is no "sanctioned" access to Google Market. There is a hack that allows market access. Haven't used it myself so I don't know how well or not well it works.

SameOldStory · 08-07-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidspitzer

I added backlit to the pros. Ironic that you say I spend too much time on MB and you have twice as many posts hmmmm

Amazing.

"I think that you spend too much time on MR. You may know what's out there, ...."

That was intended as a complement to you, and your knowledge. Any MR member will have a better than average understanding when compared to those outside the ereader community.

In other words, I was saying that You may understand the difference where the general public may not.

"I just thought of a new slogan based on your assessment...

Pandigital! The ideal reader for the uninformed consumer!"

"My" assessment is that, yes, women buy more books than men. Women buy more books than men

And until they closed the BB&B near me, I too, enjoyed shopping there.

"(available at Bed Bath and Beyond and coming soon to QVC)"

Such unmitigated elitism. That those who do not see things as you do are beneath you. To be looked upon with scorn. Uninformed clods. Untermensch.

"Ironic that you say I spend too much time on MB and you have twice as many posts hmmmm"

Was that supposed to be a zinger?

There are many with more posts than I.

Try this: davidspitzer - a popular character with Karma: 1577. A member for 4 years.

SameOldStory - an old (uninformed) crudgemudgen. A member for 4 months.

To be clear - I was not slamming you, or your post. I was trying to provide a different perspective.

davidspitzer · 08-07-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

Amazing.

"I think that you spend too much time on MR. You may know what's out there, ...."

That was intended as a complement to you, and your knowledge. Any MR member will have a better than average understanding when compared to those outside the ereader community.

In other words, I was saying that You may understand the difference where the general public may not.

"I just thought of a new slogan based on your assessment...

Pandigital! The ideal reader for the uninformed consumer!"

"My" assessment is that, yes, women buy more books than men. Women buy more books than men

And until they closed the BB&B near me, I too, enjoyed shopping there.

"(available at Bed Bath and Beyond and coming soon to QVC)"

Such unmitigated elitism. That those who do not see things as you do are beneath you. To be looked upon with scorn. Uninformed clods. Untermensch.

"Ironic that you say I spend too much time on MB and you have twice as many posts hmmmm"

Was that supposed to be a zinger?

There are many with more posts than I.

Try this: davidspitzer - a popular character with Karma: 1577. A member for 4 years.

SameOldStory - an old (uninformed) crudgemudgen. A member for 4 months.

To be clear - I was not slamming you, or your post. I was trying to provide a different perspective.

i was not trying to "zing" you just an observation, but based on your response I would say your just a bitter jerk who needs to get a sense a humor. One of the main purposes of this site is to look at the ereaders and comment on their form and function if that hurts your feelings you should move on

08-06-2010, 04:16 PM	#1
davidspitzer So Many Words to Read! Posts: 411 Karma: 125665 Join Date: Aug 2006 Device: Kindle	Visited the Pandigital Novel at the BB&B I was getting some lunch today, when I noticed the strip mall I was in had a Bed Bath and Beyond. I said to myself “hey I should go look they have that Pandigitial Novel on sale there. I walked in and the display was up near the front and my first reaction upon seeing was... …You know when you see something horrible and you unconsciously draw one side of your mouth up while making a sucking sound with your breath. That was my initial reaction I got to wondering; Bed Bath and Beyond, it seems like a marketing mismatch of epic proportions. I looked around the store at all the pots, pans, cooking gadgets and towels and thought to myself "is an ebook reader really on the shopping list for the demographic of the store? The price also does not speak to the impulse buyer (at least not to me). I guess this device would fall under the "Beyond" category of the store. Here is my take Cons: Too expensive – Not withstanding special coupons and rebates (which was $20 in that store) $169.99 seemed ludicrous stacked up next to the New Kindle or the Nook. If it was $79 I would say “ok I get it” but when you can have a brand new Kindle 3 with wifi and 3G for 30 bucks more or a wifi only for 30 bucks less I am not sure I can get behind that price point Cheap Looking and Cheap feeling – It just felt cheaply made - enough said Little Heavy – The Kindle 3 is a full 3 ounces lighter – the nook is about an ounce heavier Screen – looked blurry to me, it is 800x600 but it had a washed out look to me Content – I have mentioned it before but finding your own content and syncing is not as elegant to me as the kindle or nook approach Support – Who knows but they have had a couple of major quality issues already Pros: Its color Android App store Backlit for reading in bed The gadget lover in me said – “ooh look shiny shiny” but the pragmatist in me said meh… Last edited by davidspitzer; 08-06-2010 at 09:50 PM.

08-07-2010, 11:29 AM	#11
gastan Addict Posts: 221 Karma: 801624 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: US Pacific Northwest Device: LePan II, Kobo Aura	It seems you had your mind made up before you even entered the store. "…You know when you see something horrible and you unconsciously draw one side of your mouth up while making a sucking sound with your breath. That was my initial reaction" Not exactly an open-minded approach, huh? I had a detailed rebuttal to each of your cons but lost everything when MR asked me log in again when I tried to submit it. Long story short is that I disagree with just about all of your points. The Novel, for what it is -- a capable and versatile (when hacked), cheap ($115 from BB&B), first gen MID/reader -- can fill the void until the Liquavista's/Mirasol's/Pixel Qi's come to market ... whenever that is. You can't buy a Kia and expect a Bentley experience. Last edited by gastan; 08-07-2010 at 05:43 PM.

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08-06-2010, 08:55 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,698 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	cfrizz, do you partake in the libraries free romance eBooks? I'm thinking of getting a library card for NOBEL next week sometime. I already have Minuteman Library Network, Boston Public Library, & Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing.

08-06-2010, 08:58 PM	#5
Noah98 Eccentric Posts: 510 Karma: 342150 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Florida Device: The nook, ipad 3, Kindle Fire HD (8.9), Kindle Paperwhite	Well, I went through 5 Pandigital Novels before I gave up. When it is hacked and is working properly, it is a nice, cheap ipad alternative. While I realize that the firmware continues to improve and is a work in progress, the hardware design is still flawed. The biggest problem that I had was with defects in the LCD (dead pixels, dust under the screen, dark spots). As far as reading goes, I suppose it is fine if you really need a backlight, but in my opinion the eink readers are far superior.

08-06-2010, 10:07 PM	#8
vaughnmr Ebook Reader Posts: 605 Karma: 3205128 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Device: Kindle 3, HTC Evo, HTC View	In a way, this is not a good thing. Unsuspecting customers, first time seeing an ereader (ever wonder why it appears in a store like that?) will be compelled to buy one, and will be totally pissed if it's not up to par.

08-07-2010, 12:06 PM	#12
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	As an Android tablet can anyone confirm that this device, positively has sanctioned access to the Android Market? My impression is that no tablet does. Google is so far reserving its app market for mobile phones only.

08-07-2010, 02:25 PM	#13
gastan Addict Posts: 221 Karma: 801624 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: US Pacific Northwest Device: LePan II, Kobo Aura	AFAIK there is no "sanctioned" access to Google Market. There is a hack that allows market access. Haven't used it myself so I don't know how well or not well it works.

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