Looked at the New Nook

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There is no way I'd go to B&N, look at the nook and then post about it in say the Amazon forum. That's just wrong. Please ask a mod to move this.

I don't see any issue. The OP is explaining the features of another touchscreen device. That will allow current Sony users (of potential futures one) from this forum, to decide and take a wise decision.

[Pomtroll]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There is no way I'd go to B&N, look at the nook and then post about it in say the Amazon forum. That's just wrong. Please ask a mod to move this.

Okay we know that you wouldn't. Pretend you didn't see this. and then try to have a nice day.

[MaxLV]

Originally Posted by Scarpad

So if I Download a book from Borders/Kobo , how do I get it onto my Sony?

Same way I do.

Purchase the ebooks on the Kobo or Borders bookstore in Internet Explorer, use ADE to download to my computer, use Calibre to add to my ebooks library and transfer the new ebooks to my 650.

[Poppaea]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

This belongs in the nook forum

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There is no way I'd go to B&N, look at the nook and then post about it in say the Amazon forum. That's just wrong. Please ask a mod to move this.

JSWolf, I'd be utterly grateful for you not to try to make everyone bend to your rules. This is a very good place to post this thread as we have been discussing the "threat" the new readers are for the Sonys and now getting some reviews from Sony owners is a good thing for us.

Most of us are interested in a comparison of the two devices. If you are not, just try to keep quiet for heaven's sake and move on.

@Pomtroll

If it were not for the money, would you buy one? I'd like to know as it is lacking features the Sonys have and I'd like to know if those features aren't important to you, like the PDF-handling for example.

[Pomtroll]

Originally Posted by Poppaea

@Pomtroll

If it were not for the money, would you buy one? I'd like to know as it is lacking features the Sonys have and I'd like to know if those features aren't important to you, like the PDF-handling for example.

I think I'm satisfied with my Sony. I do like the contrast better on the Nook Touch, but it isn't enough to encourage me to buy one. I think for those of us in the USA who can't get a Sony 650 it would be a nice alternative. BUT there are things it can't do that Sony does. It does have the wifi for shopping though so if that is important then a person may want to go with it (only at B&N). It doesn't do web surfing though.

As for PDF other people who have gotten their Nook Touches say the PDF is not really any better than some other devices. In fact some say they can't bring up pictures & some graphs. From what I'm reading more need to get them & play around before we know how well anything actually works.

I'm still looking forward to what Sony will be coming out with (if they do). I do hope they make a better contrast screen. If B&N can do it so can Sony. If the contrast were better I don't think fonts will be as important. As for font sizes we all know they dropped the ball there.

I did play with it again on Friday night & learned how to take notes with it & bookmark. I had an easier time walking away from it this time. The fascination had worn off some. So no I don't think I'll be getting one. I'd rather wait to see what Sony comes out with next.

[elemenoP]

Pomtroll, thanks for the review and thanks for posting it here! I too am curious how it compares to the Sony. One of these days I will get to B&N and hopefully I will remember to bring my 650 with me, and I won't be afraid to whip it out and do a side by side comparison myself! I am really curious about the contrast. They all use the same screen so I wonder how they could make the contrast look better. Darker font maybe?

eP

[Ripplinger]

Originally Posted by elemenoP

I am really curious about the contrast. They all use the same screen so I wonder how they could make the contrast look better. Darker font maybe?eP

Same thing I'm curious about. I didn't think there was any way to make the e-ink screen background lighter at all, we're just able to make the text darker, which creates an illusion of a lighter background.

[dordale]

I too did a brief comparison with my 650 to the nook when I last visited B&N. I'm satisfied with my 650 and don't see any need to upgrade to the nook Touch at this point. Admittedly, I haven't had a lot of time to play with the nook, but I do think the Sony's interface is better than the nook's. (Although the new nook is much better than the classic!)

A few things--I find Sony's dictionary implementation much superior to the nook's. With Sony, you double click on a word and get a brief definition at the bottom of the screen--then you can expand that to full screen if you want. You can then scroll back and forth through the dictionary and look up words by entering the word. With the new nook, you can look up a word, but after getting the definition on the screen, there's no way to scroll through the dictionary and I couldn't find a way to look up a word by simply entering it on the screen.

From what I've read here, the new nooks don't support multi-layered Tables of Contents. I have several books that have these, so that would also be a problem for me.

I also don't like the fact that B&N has tied up so much of the new nook's internal memory for use with B&N product--from what I've read, only 250k of the internal memory is available for side loaded books--what's up with that?!

And finally, why not support landscape viewing? I don't understand B&N's decision not to implement this at all. Sony's landscape mode has a little to be desired, but at least it's there.

All in all though--I was impressed with the new nook--and if I choosing between it and a Sony 650 at $229, it'd probably go with the nook--I could buy quite a few books with the $90 price savings!

dordale

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by dordale

I
And finally, why not support landscape viewing? I don't understand B&N's decision not to implement this at all. Sony's landscape mode has a little to be desired, but at least it's there.

Agree. In my opinion, landscape is one of the basic reading features that most eink readers should have. It is important for poetry and programming books. Besides, there is no need for complex or expensive hardware, it can be implemented via software only.

After checking with wife again (she wanted one) I see no reason why existing Sony or Kindle users should upgrade or replace their current readers.

For new buyers and those who only read novels or pure text books, it's a really inexpensive and nice touchscreen reader though. I'm sure those who were on a tight budget and looking for a touchscreen reader in USA, will consider the new Nook.

[Pomtroll]

I would only recommend the Nook Touch for someone wanting a basic reader, touchscreen , 6" screen & not able to get the Sony 650. I've gone back & looked at it several times now, but since I have the Sony & also have the Nook Classic, I see no reason to get the Touch.

My 350 background up next to the Nook Touch background definitely looked darker. The difference was not enough to make me buy a Nook though.

[Leyor]

Thanks for posting this here, there's alot of us that are interested in comparisons.
Especially on a device with new features.

There shouldn't be a sony or nook subculture, we're all users of ebook readers and we want to discuss our device.

This post belongs exactly here.

[adbosch]

The ghosting of the new Nook that is reported (full refresh only once every 6 pages) makes it a no go to me.

[delphin]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

Same thing I'm curious about. I didn't think there was any way to make the e-ink screen background lighter at all, we're just able to make the text darker, which creates an illusion of a lighter background.

Sad to say, but the eInk screens on the new Kindles and Nooks just blow away my 650.

I hate to revive the rumors that Sony has used sub-standard Vizplex only screens on some 650s, but this seems to be the case, since side by side there is just no comparison.

My mom's 650 has always been noticably better than mine, but it's still not as good as those I have seen on recent Kindles and Nooks.

After comparing more than a dozen readers belonging to my friends and family members, basically, the BEST screen I have seen on a 650 was barely as good as the WORST screen I have seen on a Kindle, and the two new Touch Nooks I have seen were on a par with the best of the Kindles.

I didn't have a chance to play with the Nooks much, so I can't comment on any ghosting issues (I didn't see any), but I can say that the screen contrast on the new eInk Touch Nook is excellent.

Someone should look into the matter, and if Sony has used older subpar Vizplex screens, then consumers should have the option of receiving a refund or replacement.

[Papi]

The differences between Pearl screens is indeed intriguing. I noticed my 350 has better contrast than my 650, but I thought this was somehow related to the 350 higher resolution. My 950 seemed a bit worse than the 650 too. But if there visible differences between the 650 and the Nook Touch for example, that could mean either EInk technology makes it hard to have constant quality over their production, or that they somehow managed to better their production system or they have different quality batches at different prices.
Whatever the cause is, and if it's true I don't like it that a product supposed to be the same is in fact different.

[elemenoP]

well it doesn't account for variances among Sony screens, but if Vizplex has improved the screen, then of course the newest device should get it. Those who have seen more than one Sony screen, are the oldest screens the worst? I had no idea that there was any variation at all.

Now I am hesitant to look at the new Nook! What if I... want it?

eP