Simple Touch: buy now or wait for update?

inkyness · 03-30-2012, 11:51 PM

I'd like to buy an e-ink Nook at some point, and I'm just wondering if I should wait to see what's released this spring. Is there likely to be an update to the Simple Touch? I know updates in the past have been done in June 2010 and 2011 - would it be worth waiting until then to see?

There was that New York Times article I saw posted here that said there would be a new Nook this spring, but many people seemed to feel that it would have a color screen. So I'm not sure.

Dopedangel · 03-31-2012, 12:33 AM

To me the current Nook Touch is perfect. And I have not heard about any great advancement in eink screen tech so am not sure what they will update in Nook Touch.
A higher resolution screen and faster processor are the two things that I can think of but they will be superficial not really needed

Asawi · 03-31-2012, 05:02 AM

The way they have been selling out the Simple Touch it makes me think there is a replacement coming. I really don't see how it could be a greatly improved model though! If you like the STR (I do! I like it a lot!) I don't think there is much reason to wait. Except of course to look out for more great deals (like the one earlier this week) on the current model. Personally I wouldn't buy it for $99 at this time, but that's me being frugal...

A refurbished one for $79... now that would consider...

Fbone · 03-31-2012, 05:25 AM

Currently $64.99 on ebay. Refurbished, limited quantities.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Barnes-Noble...item4602753c5b

Dr. Drib · 03-31-2012, 04:07 PM

For God's sake, just get a workable file management solution. Let me delete books from this wonderful Reader and also give me a way to categorize my ebooks so collections [shelves] they don't disappear.

Yes, yes, I know: Don't put anything on the memory card.

This Reader is a joy to hold and to read from, but the above issues sure are irritating.

Don

bgalbrecht · 03-31-2012, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

For God's sake, just get a workable file management solution. Let me delete books from this wonderful Reader and also give me a way to categorize my ebooks so collections [shelves] they don't disappear.

And let me add the currently open book to shelves instead of making me go through all of my books in alphabetical order.

Even better, let me load a file to my Nook that will let me load all of my books into shelves with a single import.

inkyness · 04-01-2012, 05:58 PM

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll wait - it's probably only a couple months, and even if the hardware/software improvements are minor, they would still be nice to have.

Do you think June is a good guess for the release date? Or could it be sooner?

RAH · 04-02-2012, 08:48 AM

It seems to me that the improvements that have been suggested in this thread have mostly been software improvements (shelves, etc). If they were to add these abilities to a new version of the Touch, the improvements would probably also be included in a software upgrade to the current one.

The only hardware-related improvements I think we might hope for is even better battery life, more reliable charging (many folks like me have had trouble with rapid battery draining), and landscape view (that may just be a software fix).

Obviously a color e-ink display could be coming down the pike, but I don't think it will happen any time soon.

Edit: Just read about a new version of the epub standard coming out - epub3. However, even this should be able to be added to existing devices with a software upgrade, I should think.

DiannaInVA · 04-02-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAH

It seems to me that the improvements that have been suggested in this thread have mostly been software improvements (shelves, etc).

I agree. I love the nook touch hardware but have issues with the software. I can't imagine there is too much needed to make the hardware better. I hope they are spending most of their time improving the software.

Rob Lister · 04-02-2012, 08:55 PM

if the made a nookXL, i'd buy it. a nook with a screen somewhat to a lot larger.

and i agree with the others; the nook is about as perfect a piece of hardware as youcan get. the software could use a little tweeking.

GreenMonkey · 04-05-2012, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAH

It seems to me that the improvements that have been suggested in this thread have mostly been software improvements (shelves, etc). If they were to add these abilities to a new version of the Touch, the improvements would probably also be included in a software upgrade to the current one.

The only hardware-related improvements I think we might hope for is even better battery life, more reliable charging (many folks like me have had trouble with rapid battery draining), and landscape view (that may just be a software fix).

Obviously a color e-ink display could be coming down the pike, but I don't think it will happen any time soon.

Edit: Just read about a new version of the epub standard coming out - epub3. However, even this should be able to be added to existing devices with a software upgrade, I should think.

Agreed. I bet the battery drain issue is a manufacturing defect. I replaced my first NST because the page-turn buttons would stick and turn 30 pages before stopping with another press. Intermittently the touch screen would stop working also and require a reboot to work again. My new unit is perfect (no issues).

I don't think you could improve the e-ink Nook hardware, and e-ink devices aren't selling that well lately anyway compared to tablets. It already gets 1-2 months of battery life (compared to a week or so with the orig. nook), it only page-flashes every 5-6 pages or so, nice infared touch tech, etc. Seems to me the NST was the correct answer to all of the issues from the original Nook.

RAH · 04-08-2012, 09:35 AM

There's another thread on this forum about a new Touch coming out with a built-in front lighting feature - i.e. read in dim conditions. That would be a good improvement and might be worth waiting for. Of course, the current Touches are getting really cheap, so it depends on what you want.

inkyness · 04-08-2012, 01:20 PM

I'd definitely enjoy the lighting feature if it ends up being included.

Also, at least in my past experience with technology companies, just because a software feature could be included in an older model doesn't mean it will be.

VicLavigne · 04-08-2012, 10:46 PM

There's always something better coming out if you just wait a few more months. But if you're always waiting on the next best thing to come out, then you are..... always waiting. The Nook STR is a good reader. Unless personal budget is really tight, there shouldn't be any real reason to wait if you want a Nook.

Vic

inkyness · 04-09-2012, 12:09 PM

That might be true for technology in general, but if you know that you want a specific ereader or computer model, they're generally only updated once a year. Personally I don't think it's dumb to strategically delay your purchase until just after a new one is released, especially if it's only a month or two away.

03-30-2012, 11:51 PM	#1
inkyness Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 501252 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Nook Simple Touch	Simple Touch: buy now or wait for update? I'd like to buy an e-ink Nook at some point, and I'm just wondering if I should wait to see what's released this spring. Is there likely to be an update to the Simple Touch? I know updates in the past have been done in June 2010 and 2011 - would it be worth waiting until then to see? There was that New York Times article I saw posted here that said there would be a new Nook this spring, but many people seemed to feel that it would have a color screen. So I'm not sure.

04-02-2012, 08:48 AM	#8
RAH Guru Posts: 615 Karma: 575652 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hampton, NH Device: Kobo Aura H20; Kobo ClaraBW	It seems to me that the improvements that have been suggested in this thread have mostly been software improvements (shelves, etc). If they were to add these abilities to a new version of the Touch, the improvements would probably also be included in a software upgrade to the current one. The only hardware-related improvements I think we might hope for is even better battery life, more reliable charging (many folks like me have had trouble with rapid battery draining), and landscape view (that may just be a software fix). Obviously a color e-ink display could be coming down the pike, but I don't think it will happen any time soon. Edit: Just read about a new version of the epub standard coming out - epub3. However, even this should be able to be added to existing devices with a software upgrade, I should think. Last edited by RAH; 04-02-2012 at 09:49 AM.

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03-31-2012, 12:33 AM	#2
Dopedangel Wizard Posts: 1,798 Karma: 30548723 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Singapore Device: Boyue	To me the current Nook Touch is perfect. And I have not heard about any great advancement in eink screen tech so am not sure what they will update in Nook Touch. A higher resolution screen and faster processor are the two things that I can think of but they will be superficial not really needed

03-31-2012, 05:02 AM	#3
Asawi Gadgetoholic Posts: 1,467 Karma: 3865860 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Libra2, Tolino Vision 6	The way they have been selling out the Simple Touch it makes me think there is a replacement coming. I really don't see how it could be a greatly improved model though! If you like the STR (I do! I like it a lot!) I don't think there is much reason to wait. Except of course to look out for more great deals (like the one earlier this week) on the current model. Personally I wouldn't buy it for $99 at this time, but that's me being frugal... A refurbished one for $79... now that would consider...

03-31-2012, 05:25 AM	#4
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,318 Karma: 103930826 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	Currently $64.99 on ebay. Refurbished, limited quantities. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Barnes-Noble...item4602753c5b

03-31-2012, 04:07 PM	#5
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,613 Karma: 60184181 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	For God's sake, just get a workable file management solution. Let me delete books from this wonderful Reader and also give me a way to categorize my ebooks so collections [shelves] they don't disappear. Yes, yes, I know: Don't put anything on the memory card. This Reader is a joy to hold and to read from, but the above issues sure are irritating. Don

04-01-2012, 05:58 PM	#7
inkyness Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 501252 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Nook Simple Touch	Thanks for the replies. I think I'll wait - it's probably only a couple months, and even if the hardware/software improvements are minor, they would still be nice to have. Do you think June is a good guess for the release date? Or could it be sooner?

04-02-2012, 08:55 PM	#10
Rob Lister Fanatic Posts: 532 Karma: 3293888 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Virginia Device: Nook Simple Touch	if the made a nookXL, i'd buy it. a nook with a screen somewhat to a lot larger. and i agree with the others; the nook is about as perfect a piece of hardware as youcan get. the software could use a little tweeking.

04-08-2012, 09:35 AM	#12
RAH Guru Posts: 615 Karma: 575652 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hampton, NH Device: Kobo Aura H20; Kobo ClaraBW	There's another thread on this forum about a new Touch coming out with a built-in front lighting feature - i.e. read in dim conditions. That would be a good improvement and might be worth waiting for. Of course, the current Touches are getting really cheap, so it depends on what you want.

04-08-2012, 01:20 PM	#13
inkyness Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 501252 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Nook Simple Touch	I'd definitely enjoy the lighting feature if it ends up being included. Also, at least in my past experience with technology companies, just because a software feature could be included in an older model doesn't mean it will be.

04-08-2012, 10:46 PM	#14
VicLavigne e-reading since 2008 Posts: 197 Karma: 112730 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hinesville Georgia Device: Nook STR, Sony PRS-T1	There's always something better coming out if you just wait a few more months. But if you're always waiting on the next best thing to come out, then you are..... always waiting. The Nook STR is a good reader. Unless personal budget is really tight, there shouldn't be any real reason to wait if you want a Nook. Vic

04-09-2012, 12:09 PM	#15
inkyness Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 501252 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Nook Simple Touch	That might be true for technology in general, but if you know that you want a specific ereader or computer model, they're generally only updated once a year. Personally I don't think it's dumb to strategically delay your purchase until just after a new one is released, especially if it's only a month or two away.