Touch Nook Simple Touch: First Impressions

[Mr. Goodbar]

Originally Posted by tamzilla

I just got my new Nook and the sideloaded SD card files show up in the library along with the Barnes and Noble books. They are not separated any longer. Most of the covers on the sideloaded books show up as well.

This is correct. When you insert an SD card the same directory structure is created on the card as in the Nook. Books placed in the "books" directory on the sd card show up in the books section of the library just like the books purchased direct from B&N.

Originally Posted by SCION

I chickened out guys. Not being able to sync bookmarks, notes, and highlights did it for me. If they include this in an update, I'll bite. Man, I need an eink device.

Are you wanting to sync with your NC? If the STR doesn't then I doubt any other eInk readers will. The only ePub app I know of that autosyncs bookmarks, notes, and highlights is iBooks and it isn't available on eInk readers. Sony readers sort of sync between each other but not as well or easily as Kindles, but they won't sync with other devices unless the Sony for Android app supports syncing, and that app is pretty lackluster. I hope I'm wrong as I've searched high and low for a way to autosync with tablets and eInk but to no avail.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by tamzilla

I just got my new Nook and the sideloaded SD card files show up in the library along with the Barnes and Noble books. They are not separated any longer. Most of the covers on the sideloaded books show up as well.

That's good news. Thanks! Has anyone sideloaded books with DRM like from the Kobo or Sony store? Do they show covers or a generic book icon?

[SCION]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Are you wanting to sync with your NC? If the STR doesn't then I doubt any other eInk readers will. The only ePub app I know of that autosyncs bookmarks, notes, and highlights is iBooks and it isn't available on eInk readers. Sony readers sort of sync between each other but not as well or easily as Kindles, but they won't sync with other devices unless the Sony for Android app supports syncing, and that app is pretty lackluster. I hope I'm wrong as I've searched high and low for a way to autosync with tablets and eInk but to no avail.

Yes, I was hoping to sync the Touch and the NOOK Android app. It dawned on me earlier that I'd only be able to sync last page read.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Are you wanting to sync with your NC? If the STR doesn't then I doubt any other eInk readers will. The only ePub app I know of that autosyncs bookmarks, notes, and highlights is iBooks and it isn't available on eInk readers. Sony readers sort of sync between each other but not as well or easily as Kindles, but they won't sync with other devices unless the Sony for Android app supports syncing, and that app is pretty lackluster. I hope I'm wrong as I've searched high and low for a way to autosync with tablets and eInk but to no avail.

Don't the various Kindles and Kindle for blahblahblah sync? (I thought they do, but don't know.)

Aren't the various actual Kindles eink readers? (I am pretty sure that they are.)

[SCION]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

Don't the various Kindles and Kindle for blahblahblah sync? (I thought they do, but don't know.)

Aren't the various actual Kindles eink readers? (I am pretty sure that they are.)

This was my assumption (that booksmarks, notes, and highlights are synced). I know folks are always talking about how great Whispersync is and they couldn't give it up. When B&N came out with their sync thing, I just knew it was comparable to Whispersync.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

Don't the various Kindles and Kindle for blahblahblah sync? (I thought they do, but don't know.)

Aren't the various actual Kindles eink readers? (I am pretty sure that they are.)

The Kindle does indeed fully sync across devices, but I believe the previous poster was talking about ePub devices specifically.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by SCION

I chickened out guys. Not being able to sync bookmarks, notes, and highlights did it for me. If they include this in an update, I'll bite. Man, I need an eink device.

Sorry it didn't work out for you. Maybe they will improve the sync features in an upcoming firmware update or perhaps when they roll-out the MyNook website. Hard to predict the schedule on that! I think Kobo only syncs bookmarks and not notes/highlights. According to the Sony website, the Sony for Android app will "Sync your reading position, bookmarks, and highlights to Reader Daily Edition". Since the prices have dropped on the 950 recently, maybe it's a more appealing option to you now. Otherwise, if you really need an eink device, then maybe you should just go with the Nook STR for now. Syncing last page read is better than nothing. I'll be waiting a long time for that Sony for iPhone app! You can always sell it if it doesn't work out. I suppose you could go back to the Kindle and sync with the Kindle app on your NC. Or, maybe you should just go with whatever option is cheapest at the moment. The Sony 350 has been on sale for $109 at Borders. There have been good Nook Classic refurb sales lately. Perhaps there are some good deals on the last-generation Kobo too.

[SCION]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

Sorry it didn't work out for you. Maybe they will improve the sync features in an upcoming firmware update or perhaps when they roll-out the MyNook website. Hard to predict the schedule on that! I think Kobo only syncs bookmarks and not notes/highlights. According to the Sony website, the Sony for Android app will "Sync your reading position, bookmarks, and highlights to Reader Daily Edition". Since the prices have dropped on the 950 recently, maybe it's a more appealing option to you now. Otherwise, if you really need an eink device, then maybe you should just go with the Nook STR for now. Syncing last page read is better than nothing. I'll be waiting a long time for that Sony for iPhone app! You can always sell it if it doesn't work out. I suppose you could go back to the Kindle and sync with the Kindle app on your NC. Or, maybe you should just go with whatever option is cheapest at the moment. The Sony 350 has been on sale for $109 at Borders. There have been good Nook Classic refurb sales lately. Perhaps there are some good deals on the last-generation Kobo too.

The suggestions are appreciated!

[negris123]

Originally Posted by Mr. Goodbar

This is correct. When you insert an SD card the same directory structure is created on the card as in the Nook. Books placed in the "books" directory on the sd card show up in the books section of the library just like the books purchased direct from B&N.

Do they show up when you sort by "Books", not just when you sort by "All"?
If you select "All" they will probably show up, but I think the issue was if you sort by "Books" only sideloaded books in the internal memory (not the SD card) will show up, at least that is what the user's manual says. Not a big deal, just trying to clarify.

[tamzilla]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

That's good news. Thanks! Has anyone sideloaded books with DRM like from the Kobo or Sony store? Do they show covers or a generic book icon?

It appears that the epub books I downloaded from the Library and books from Kobo and Sony all show their covers. PDFs don't appear to display their covers and some epubs I downloaded from Feedbooks and Manybooks also don't display their covers. The books that don't display their proper covers show a generic cover which does show the correct title and author.

[Mr. Goodbar]

Originally Posted by negris123

Do they show up when you sort by "Books", not just when you sort by "All"?
If you select "All" they will probably show up, but I think the issue was if you sort by "Books" only sideloaded books in the internal memory (not the SD card) will show up, at least that is what the user's manual says. Not a big deal, just trying to clarify.

They do show under "books" and not just all. I think the key is to place them in the books subdirectory on the sd card and then they will show in the books category in the library.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Some other eInk readers experienced screen problems after a few minutes in direct sunlight, but I cannot remember if this was the older eInk or newer Pearl screens. Some of the Sonys had a problem with the screens fading in sunlight after a few minutes, but they corrected themselves after being taken out of the sunlight. I think a firmware update solved the problem, but it was a while ago and my memory is not to be trusted beyond 15 minutes!

Those were Vizplex screens made by LG. There were defective screens. Vizplex & Pearl are not supposed to fade in sunlight. A firmware update is would not be able to help the defective screens. And it was not only Sony who got the defective screens, but others as well such as Amazon.

Originally Posted by j.p.s

Don't the various Kindles and Kindle for blahblahblah sync? (I thought they do, but don't know.)

Aren't the various actual Kindles eink readers? (I am pretty sure that they are.)

We are talking about ePubs not AZW books. Good luck putting an ePub on a Kindle!

But on the Kindle subject, yes they sync current page, highlighting, bookmarks, etc. between devices but only for purchased books. They won't sync non-DRMed sideloaded books. There is a kluge workaround that sometimes works for current page only, but it is inconsistent with certain devices.

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by jswinden

We are talking about ePubs not AZW books. Good luck putting an ePub on a Kindle!

And to follow on to that, I think Whispersync only works with purchased books, so it's not like she can just convert her epubs to mobis and viola! sync.