Nook Color is Here!

[Reeses]

I don't think of it as a tablet though...Just a color ereader. So, unless it's an Ipad, there's no place on the market for anything that may be similar or...? I really want color and haven't heard many good things on the other color readers out there.

The hook thing there, is funny indeed, but then it got me thinking. I can attach something on there and put it on my wrist. Yeah, I know, weird, but that would be a good thing for me as I use public transportation...I had someone almost knock my reader out of my hands last week, and it was sheer luck I caught it in time. He didn't even apologize...you can secure it on a clasp in your purse or schoolbag...deter people from just grabbing the thing if your bag is not closed properly (unless it's in a case). I'm just saying, I can find some use for that loop.

I understand that the battery cannot be replaced, but how long will it be until you need to change it? Perhaps by that time, we can have Mirasol ...
Just trying to be positive

[Rebo]

I think the battery can be a concern to some who travel especially when the battery is not user replaceable. I don't mind charging it everyday but I am hoping that it can last for a simple trip, which is 5 hour reading during the flight and 2 hour WiFI surfing during the wait in the airport.

Based on the specification of the battery rating of 8 hours reading with WiFi off, I think I need to either tether the Nook Color with an outlet or carrying an external battery when I am on a trip. If the 8 hours is rated based on best case assumption with low LCD intensity and a full discharge, then the unit will need recharging a lot more often. I think this is the problem of all LCD tablets except iPad has somewhat migitated it to a certain extent. The iPad battery can last up to 10 hours video play back with WiFi on but its size is a deal breaker for me. The Galaxy Tab WiFi version is $250 more expensive, offers more functionality but probably has the the same battery life. I loved my Classic Nook but in this go around, since I really want a multi-function color tablet NOW, it seems there is little choice for me but accept the less than stellar performance that goes with all LCD tablets.

[AdrianM]

Originally Posted by boswd

I do not believe for one minute that you have never seen any outlets in any airport terminals or on Trains. I call BIG TIME BS ON THAT.

Taxi Cabs? Now you just reaching just to purposely be difficult. So I guess I 'll never take a taxi and my Droid with me or my laptop and only bring my World Peace saving all Great Kindle.



Wow dude, what is your deal with Barnes and Noble, did they like fire you or something?

Ohhh get the iPad but then contradict your rant about battery life.. Unbeleivable.

seriously your animosty towards Barnes and Noble is just bizzare

Of course I've seen a few recharging outlets in airports. Not in any that I use to get to and around Russia though.

The whole point of my spiel was that, yeah, it's possible to get by but it's a pain. How big a pain is relative and dependant but it's a pain that just doesn't exist with other eReaders.

I've no gripe with B&N. I think they make crap eReaders though. But I did buy one so I know from first hand experience, unlike you who continually places the Nook above all else no matter what. And dude, it's your animosity towards the Kindle that is really funny.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by AdrianM

Of course I've seen a few recharging outlets in airports. Not in any that I use to get to and around Russia though.

The whole point of my spiel was that, yeah, it's possible to get by but it's a pain. How big a pain is relative and dependant but it's a pain that just doesn't exist with other eReaders.

I've no gripe with B&N. I think they make crap eReaders though. But I did buy one so I know from first hand experience, unlike you who continually places the Nook above all else no matter what. And dude, it's your animosity towards the Kindle that is really funny.

I have no animosity for the kindle, its just you Kindlebots who act like thing was handed down from God himself. I do truely believe out of the three big names Sony, Nook and Kindle the Kindle is THE most archiac. Outdated navigation with only the Ooooohh soooo awesome Pearl screen it has going for it. you have locked in Bookstore, 1980's style of navigation.

The only reason it sells so much is because Amazon has a top notch marketing department. They marketed above and beyond of what BN and Sony did. So yeah you go and buy a product because they run cool commericials. whatever.

In fact I would buy a wi fi Kobo over the Kindle, at least with that I check out books from the library without having to do anything illegal.

[Traecer Prime]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Many people suffer from the "headaches" and "eyestrain" from reading on lcd screens.....the fact that you don't is great for you, but you can't really deny that it does indeed exist for others.

+1

Never got headaches or eyestrain until the last year or so. And having recently bought a Sony Reader, I definitely feel a difference.

[aagstn]

Originally Posted by boswd

In fact I would buy a wi fi Kobo over the Kindle, at least with that I check out books from the library without having to do anything illegal.

I would buy almost any other device on the market over the kindle. No ePub support is just unthinkable. Mobipocket was fine in 2000, but that ship has sailed and I also refuse to be locked into one store for DRM content. Also, stripping DRM and converting every book I buy to an inferior format is not an option I will even consider.

I think the Kindle 3 is a fine device and the Pearl screen is a minor improvement in eink, but unless they open it up I have zero interest.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by Reeses

I understand that the battery cannot be replaced...

Another non-user-rerplaceable battery!?! Oh, come on! I'm sorry, but there is no reason for any portable consumer electronic device to have a non-user-replaceable battery. And unless I can get it serviced at every local Starbucks (which I figure are more likely to survive, long term, than B&N), I want nothing to do with that. (Walks away, shaking head in amazement...)

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by aagstn

I would buy almost any other device on the market over the kindle. No ePub support is just unthinkable.

That how I feel too. I don't think about it, as I happily read ebooks on my kindle.

BOb

[Rebo]

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

Another non-user-rerplaceable battery!?! Oh, come on! I'm sorry, but there is no reason for any portable consumer electronic device to have a non-user-replaceable battery. And unless I can get it serviced at every local Starbucks (which I figure are more likely to survive, long term, than B&N), I want nothing to do with that. (Walks away, shaking head in amazement...)

I am curious what is the design philosophy of manufacturers such as Amazon, Apple and now B/N to adopt non-user replaceable battery. Is this to enable a cheaper or lighter design or they are betting on the user to just toss the gadget out when the battery dies? It should be noted that gadgets are being obsolete at an alarming rate. The darling gadget last year becomes a dinosaur today.

When this question of non-user replacement battery came up on the kindle and iPad, based on the advice of some expert members and the teardown of the 2 devices, the user can still unscrew the back cover, remove the battery and replace it. Compared to a back cover that is designed to be removable, a screwed down back cover is not as user friendly or convenient.

I don't think the local Starbucks can help anyone service any device. Starbucks had a rough year too and they have been closing excessive stores. All Brick and Mortar stores such as B&N, Borders and Best Buy are doing very poorly due to internet competition. B&N and Borders stores are closing and will all close since people llike having a good time just hanging out there like a library, preview books at leisure for free and then order it from the internet. B&N, Borders and all physical local bookstores will cease to exist in their present form someday; if their ebook model is successful, they'll just morph into another internet company. Yes, we might still have Starbucks or Pinkberry to hangout and enjoy our ebooks from our e-device ordered online from e-companies Amazon, buy.com and B&N.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

That how I feel too. I don't think about it, as I happily read ebooks on my kindle.

BOb

I sold my Nook with the up-to-date OS about a month ago (for $50--I would have felt guilty taking more for a Nook in like-new condition) because it was useless to me for a number of reasons I've explained in detail in other posts. The Sony-600 I've kept because it does PDF documents better than the Kindle (which was also the only area in which the regular Nook exceeds the Kindle). But the Kindles are my main readers. I can't speak of the new Sonys that just came out, but IMO the Kindles are far superior to the older generation. The Nook isn't even in the running.

That said, if I find this new NOOKcolor device handles and edits Word documents in an acceptable manner, I may consider buying one. I could use a good inexpensive device for writing.

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by aagstn

I would buy almost any other device on the market over the kindle. No ePub support is just unthinkable.

There are almost no books available in ePub that aren't also available in the Kindles native format.

[Traecer Prime]

Originally Posted by Rebo

I am curious what is the design philosophy of manufacturers such as Amazon, Apple and now B/N to adopt non-user replaceable battery. Is this to enable a cheaper or lighter design or they are betting on the user to just toss the gadget out when the battery dies? It should be noted that gadgets are being obsolete at an alarming rate. The darling gadget last year becomes a dinosaur today.

In general, it's a cost issue, and often also a design issue. It's almost always cheaper to put in a non-removable battery, as you don't have to worry about the engineering issues associated with the battery cradle/contacts (hard-wiring it in is easier and thus cheaper). Sometimes it's also a design issue, as not only can a non-removable setup be less bulky, but it eliminates the need for battery doors and such (plus again, it's easier and cheaper to mold a single solid piece of metal or plastic than to mold 2 pieces and make sure they fit together properly and can withstand the strain of repeated (un)latchings). Every bit of bulk that can be removed from a device is extra space for something else (MicroSD card slot, headphone jack) or a bit of weight saved.

Mind you, I really don't like the idea of non-removable batteries. And I've heard the costs saved usually don't amount to much per device ($1/device?). But if you're making 1 million devices, and manage to save $1/device...that adds up. I do think many manufacturers use the design or cost aspect to justify non-removable batteries, but in some situations it does make sense outside of "planned obsolescence."

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

There are almost no books available in ePub that aren't also available in the Kindles native format.

I don't quite agree with you. There are probably almost no American books available in epub that aren't available for the kindle, but I've noticed that Canadian content (and other foreign content, I'm sure) are sometimes not available for the Kindle but are available on other sites, such as the Kobo site.

[Reeses]

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

Another non-user-rerplaceable battery!?! Oh, come on! I'm sorry, but there is no reason for any portable consumer electronic device to have a non-user-replaceable battery. And unless I can get it serviced at every local Starbucks (which I figure are more likely to survive, long term, than B&N), I want nothing to do with that. (Walks away, shaking head in amazement...)

It was an actual question...This is something I never really thought about as it wouldn't be the only device I own with a non-replaceable battery...

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Reeses

It was an actual question...This is something I never really thought about as it wouldn't be the only device I own with a non-replaceable battery...

It's actually rather easy to replace the battery on a K2, and there are third parties who sell the replacement batteries. There's a video on YouTube on how to do it. I've posted the link to MR in the past (not the first person to have done so), but can't remember to which thread.

I don't know if the K3 battery can be replaced so easily. I suspect it can't, as I see no way to get into the device, and I don't want to experiment and possible ruin it.

Battery life is so long these days, and reader prices becoming so affordable, that I would let that stop me from purchasing a reader if that was my only consideration.