Barnes and Noble Nook press conference in NYC (report) - Page 2

hakim · 10-21-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studio2054

Any word on whether the Nook allows annotation of PDFs? I suspect that (like the Kindle DX) it doesn't.

Here it says there will be an option to "synchronize notes/annotations between devices". So, I guess, it does allow annotating.

Just wondering: will there be an option to turn off the lcd screen while reading books?

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-21-2009, 08:30 AM

I give them kudos just for supporting multiple and legacy devices (it is a rather odd statement about "upcoming" support for Windows Mobile, when WM runs eReader already... unless they are planning on adopting the new eReader to read ePub files or something). I just bought "Busted Flush" from their store a week ago, which is 100% more e-books than I've bought from Amazon...

Quote:

Originally Posted by hakim

Just wondering: will there be an option to turn off the lcd screen while reading books?

I understand from Paul Biba at TeleRead (who was at the conference) that the screen goes black after a time, so as not to be distracting.

bhartman36 · 10-21-2009, 09:40 AM

Pretty slick-looking device, but as brecklundin said, it seems to have a fairly unpolished UI. The "Now Reading" button takes you back to the point where you were reading in the last book you opened, for example, but it's not clear to me that it keeps your place in all the books you're reading. And the demo just had the woman hitting the "Lend" button to lend a book. Left out was how you actually pick someone to lend to. Do you enter in an e-mail address? If you have to enter text to do it, how is that accomplished? The touchscreen display seems to be simply for viewing your collection, rather than as a place for a virtual keyboard.

That brings me to another thing: It might look slick to have book covers in your navigation, but how well is that going to work on a large collection?

I'd be interested to see a head-to-head matchup between the Nook, the Kindle, and the Sony Reader.

wallcraft · 10-21-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhartman36

The touchscreen display seems to be simply for viewing your collection, rather than as a place for a virtual keyboard.

It has a virtual keyboard see the last photo at Engadget for example.

bhartman36 · 10-21-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallcraft

It has a virtual keyboard see the last photo at Engadget for example.

Thanks.

Is that some special mode the keyboard is in? It seems as if there are grayed-out keys.

Daithi · 10-21-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhartman36

That brings me to another thing: It might look slick to have book covers in your navigation, but how well is that going to work on a large collection?

This is something I've been wondering about too. I noticed on one of the screen shots of the Nook that there is a "My Library" icon, so this implies there is a different means to navigate to books besides the scroll of covers in the LCD screen. The Nook also support a 16GB SD card which means I could load 15,000+ books onto the Nook.

My big question: Does the Nook support folders, tags, or some other mechanism to navigate through a huge collection of ebooks?

GJN · 10-21-2009, 10:11 AM

So one more proprietary DRM system to contend with. Ugh! I now have DRM'd books in several different formats for each of which I need a different device or piece of software. How long will it be till there's one common standard to which all publishers (or friendly hackers) will provide conversion software?

DawnFalcon · 10-21-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superlucky

Ugh. Will we ever see a format that we can buy anywhere and use on any dedicated reading device?

Which current devices, apart from the Kindle, can't handle non-DRM'ed epub?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hakim

Just wondering: will there be an option to turn off the lcd screen while reading books?

The earlier article indicated that the LCD screen would power down during ordinary reading, while the touch functions would remain active. Which sounds like a good way of doing it, and ofc the touchscreen is small so the power drain won't be huge...

Crowl · 10-21-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJN

So one more proprietary DRM system to contend with. Ugh! I now have DRM'd books in several different formats for each of which I need a different device or piece of software. How long will it be till there's one common standard to which all publishers (or friendly hackers) will provide conversion software?

At least they have seen some sense and are also going to support adobe drm too, which wasn't the case when the device was first mentioned.

SpinozaQ · 10-21-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

They intend to make the nook available for sale through 700 Barnes and Noble outlets and 600 college bookstores in lagte November, at a retail price of $259. This counters the rumor that Barnes and Noble would offer the device through Best Buy.

Apparently every one is confused on this one.... The device being offered through Best Buy will be Irex's DR800 http://www.irexreader.com/ Which looks like a re-made Iliad. It has an 8" screen and a wacom tablet. Irex has apparently signed on with B&N to offer their e-book library through the device, and they've paired with Verizon for anywhere internet access. The press release was covered on crunchgear, and other sites.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/09/23...-800sg-launch/

I'm kind of sad that barns and noble went off and created their own device to sell in store. I think they should have done a shared branding with iRex and sold the DR800 in store. Maybe the DR800 will support lending and store features like the Nook though...

In addition to those two readers, Plastic Logic is supposed to sell the "Que" early next year. AT&T wireless, B&N book store.

So in conclusion... There will be _THREE_ e-ink readers released and running B&N's store within the span of 6 months!!

DaleDe · 10-21-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpinozaQ

So in conclusion... There will be _THREE_ e-ink readers released and running B&N's store within the span of 6 months!!

Maybe more, if Jinke can get the license to include this format. They are working on it.

Dale

Kali Yuga · 10-21-2009, 12:10 PM

Well, good to see a little clarification on the lending thing. Hopefully their competitors will follow suit. To me, even though it will be only allowed at the discretion of the publisher, this is the best innovation of the Nook.

I'm also wondering if B&N is going to add text-to-speech. I noticed by the way that in their "comparison to Kindle," they neglected to mention how the Kindle has TTS, Nook does not.

wallcraft · 10-21-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

I'm also wondering if B&N is going to add text-to-speech.

From B&N on Nook: Android SDK possible—plus other goodies from news conf with B&N online-biz prez at teleread:

Quote:

–Lack of text to speech: “We don’t think the technology works well today.”

Superlucky · 10-21-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DawnFalcon

Which current devices, apart from the Kindle, can't handle non-DRM'ed epub?

The devices can all handle non-DRM'd epub, but the stores don't all sell non-DRM'd epub. I want to be able to shop at B&N, Amazon and the Sony store. Right now I can't do that. I'm stuck with the Sony store or places like Books on Board (which always seem to have higher prices).

ProDigit · 10-21-2009, 01:04 PM

I was interested in the specs; here's what I found:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/features/techspecs/

In the box:
* nook
* Micro-USB 2.0 cable
* Quick Start Guide
* AC adapter
* Rechargeable battery (installed)

Size:
Height: 7.7 inches
Width: 4.9 inches
Depth: 0.5 inches
Weight: 11.2 ounces (317 grams)

Wireless:
# Free wireless from Barnes & Noble via AT&T, the nation's fastest 3G network. *
# Wi-Fi ( 802.11 b/g).

Player:
* MP3 player
* Built-in mono speaker
* Universal 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack

Storage:
* 2GB (approximately 1500 eBooks)
* Expandable microSD slot (buy an extra 16 GB memory card and store up to 17,500).

Battrery:
* Installed Rechargable battery.
* Charging via USB to computer system or power adapter.
* Charging time: 3.5 hours from wall outlet.
* Upto 10 days battery life, wifi and 3G off (compare 14 days for Sony PRS-505)

Supported filetypes:
* EPUB and eReader Formats
* PDFs load easily and look great.
* PDFs, MP3s and graphics load to your nook from your computer or micro SD card.

Screen types:
* 3.5 inch color touchscreen LCD as input area
* 6 inch visplex e-ink screen as reading area

Colors:
* 16 grey types (compared to 8 for the Sony PRS-505,and 4 for the kindle 1)

#Barnes and nobles 500.000 free ebooks (Gutenberg?)

#Android OS

#Replaceable Li-Polymer battery

Accesoires:
#Leather pouches (2 types)
#Plastic cases
#$15External battery powered LED Light (powered by 2 x CR2032 Batteries, Provides 20 hours of light)
#$30 rechargeable battery
#$15 Matte screen filter kit (I would not recommend buying this)
#$15 AC adaptor kit, & USB cable
#$?? lightweight ?Poly Propylene? pouch (to be announced)
#Micro SD cards ranging from 2 to 16 GB.

Seeing all on one page is much better.

What I find is lacking is open file support like:
.doc
.html
Compressed HTML
.TXT!!!
.Gif
.BMP
.tiff
.ogg
.wma

(some filetypes are more necessary than others)

10-21-2009, 01:04 PM	#30
ProDigit Karmaniac Posts: 2,553 Karma: 11499146 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami FL Device: PRS-505, Jetbook, + Mini, +Color, Astak Ez Reader Pro, PPW1, Aura H2O	I was interested in the specs; here's what I found: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/features/techspecs/ In the box: * nook * Micro-USB 2.0 cable * Quick Start Guide * AC adapter * Rechargeable battery (installed) Size: Height: 7.7 inches Width: 4.9 inches Depth: 0.5 inches Weight: 11.2 ounces (317 grams) Wireless: # Free wireless from Barnes & Noble via AT&T, the nation's fastest 3G network. * # Wi-Fi ( 802.11 b/g). Player: * MP3 player * Built-in mono speaker * Universal 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack Storage: * 2GB (approximately 1500 eBooks) * Expandable microSD slot (buy an extra 16 GB memory card and store up to 17,500). Battrery: * Installed Rechargable battery. * Charging via USB to computer system or power adapter. * Charging time: 3.5 hours from wall outlet. * Upto 10 days battery life, wifi and 3G off (compare 14 days for Sony PRS-505) Supported filetypes: * EPUB and eReader Formats * PDFs load easily and look great. * PDFs, MP3s and graphics load to your nook from your computer or micro SD card. Screen types: * 3.5 inch color touchscreen LCD as input area * 6 inch visplex e-ink screen as reading area Colors: * 16 grey types (compared to 8 for the Sony PRS-505,and 4 for the kindle 1) #Barnes and nobles 500.000 free ebooks (Gutenberg?) #Android OS #Replaceable Li-Polymer battery Accesoires: #Leather pouches (2 types) #Plastic cases #$15External battery powered LED Light (powered by 2 x CR2032 Batteries, Provides 20 hours of light) #$30 rechargeable battery #$15 Matte screen filter kit (I would not recommend buying this) #$15 AC adaptor kit, & USB cable #$?? lightweight ?Poly Propylene? pouch (to be announced) #Micro SD cards ranging from 2 to 16 GB. Seeing all on one page is much better. What I find is lacking is open file support like: .doc .html Compressed HTML .TXT!!! .Gif .BMP .tiff .ogg .wma (some filetypes are more necessary than others) Last edited by ProDigit; 10-21-2009 at 01:23 PM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Roughly 80 free McGill/Queens University Press ebooks at Barnes & Noble	bgalbrecht	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	1	04-27-2010 09:02 PM
Sell Barnes & Noble Nook	phoenixfire1965	Flea Market	1	04-19-2010 03:59 PM
Nook from Barnes & Noble	eblazer	Introduce Yourself	6	12-17-2009 03:07 PM
Nook is a hit, reports Barnes and Noble	sforce	News	34	11-13-2009 03:18 PM
Report: Sprint working with Barnes & Noble on Kindle competitor	DaleDe	News	22	04-13-2009 08:47 AM

10-21-2009, 09:40 AM	#18
bhartman36 Wizard Posts: 1,323 Karma: 1515835 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey, USA Device: Kobo Libra Colour, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2021)	Pretty slick-looking device, but as brecklundin said, it seems to have a fairly unpolished UI. The "Now Reading" button takes you back to the point where you were reading in the last book you opened, for example, but it's not clear to me that it keeps your place in all the books you're reading. And the demo just had the woman hitting the "Lend" button to lend a book. Left out was how you actually pick someone to lend to. Do you enter in an e-mail address? If you have to enter text to do it, how is that accomplished? The touchscreen display seems to be simply for viewing your collection, rather than as a place for a virtual keyboard. That brings me to another thing: It might look slick to have book covers in your navigation, but how well is that going to work on a large collection? I'd be interested to see a head-to-head matchup between the Nook, the Kindle, and the Sony Reader.

10-21-2009, 10:11 AM	#22
GJN Guilty Bystander Posts: 104 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Device: MacBook Pro, Kindle, iPad, and other gadgets	So one more proprietary DRM system to contend with. Ugh! I now have DRM'd books in several different formats for each of which I need a different device or piece of software. How long will it be till there's one common standard to which all publishers (or friendly hackers) will provide conversion software?

10-21-2009, 12:10 PM	#27
Kali Yuga Professional Contrarian Posts: 2,045 Karma: 3289631 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 4 No Touchie	Well, good to see a little clarification on the lending thing. Hopefully their competitors will follow suit. To me, even though it will be only allowed at the discretion of the publisher, this is the best innovation of the Nook. I'm also wondering if B&N is going to add text-to-speech. I noticed by the way that in their "comparison to Kindle," they neglected to mention how the Kindle has TTS, Nook does not.