10-20-2009, 07:53 PM | #1 |
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B&N Reader Nook not available internationally, options?
It looks like the big disappointment coming out of the Nook launch is no international release or support. Since I think the Nook most closely matches the ebook reader I've been looking for but I don't live in the US, anybody care to discuss options?
1. Just order one anyway but lose out on discounted ebooks from B&N 2. Order one and find a way to circumvent region restrictions 3. Order one and use other companies stores, particularly Google Digital Editions looks promising 4. Lobby B&N to start selling internationally, ipetitions.com here I come Any other ideas? P.S. Doesn't it seem like a particular letdown that one day after the Kindle International Edition was launched they decided not to release Nook internationally? [To Admin: I know this shouldn't go in news, but doesn't seem to be a Nook forum yet] |
10-20-2009, 08:10 PM | #2 |
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Setting up international rights & data agreements is not easy. B&N only launched their store a few months ago.
Kindle or a locally available option are your only choices. Or just wait an utterly unknown amount of time until B&N goes international. |
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10-20-2009, 10:11 PM | #3 | |
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10-20-2009, 11:07 PM | #4 |
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"The digital books in Barnes & Noble’s e-bookstore are available in either epub or Adobe Pdf format. Customers who want to buy books in those formats from other digital bookstores may do so and transfer them onto the Nook, but those who want to buy e-books directly from the device will be connected to Barnes & Noble’s own bookstore."
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/1...s-e-reader/?hp I can always find a way to get a Nook overseas but I will most likely miss out on discounted ebooks offered from B&N. Looking at bestsellers Lost Symbol sells for about $10 on Amazon and B&N (Kindle Intl +$2), but the site you mentioned, BooksOnBoard is selling it for nearly $25. Seems like if you want affordable ebooks Amazon and B&N are the safest bets (an observation, I'm not an expert.) Assuming you can transfer B&N books via the USB cable has anyone successfully bought B&N ebooks from overseas using a US credit card? Do they have a proxy block as well? The only related comment I found was this "Barnes & Noble has said that it is looking at an international roll out however failed to mention a time frame when Pocket-lint asked." Pocket-lint being the name of this site: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/2808...ble-nook-ebook Last edited by fuzzy_dunlop; 10-21-2009 at 02:21 AM. |
10-21-2009, 03:24 AM | #5 |
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Agreed 100%. Amazon has a huge advantage: they know how to do business outside the US. They have a teams they can depend on in many other parts of the globe, and that helps to foster relationships with local publishers and 3G providers. B & N, on the other hand, has never left the US (or am I wrong?), so it is going to take a lot more effort (and money) to make a similar move like Amazon recently did.
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10-21-2009, 03:55 AM | #6 |
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Well I'm not sure about Amazon having a big edge in the international space, the Amazon Japan page has a one paragraph explanation of the Kindle that then directs you to the Amazon.com site in English, they literally could not do any less to help sell it. They also have zero Japanese language materials available (i.e. no local publishers) and the device itself won't display Japanese characters or text files unless you use the Unicode hack. It's a very un-international international device.
To launch the device internationally you need relationships with publishers (shouldn't be a problem for B&N) and local 3g which is probably negotiated/handled by AT&T rather than B&N themselves. So I hope things aren't that grim. |
10-21-2009, 06:51 AM | #7 |
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Well, the lack of the international support is a big disappointment for me as well. The nook seems like the best device available up to date. It's a pity that there isn't even support for international characters - we live in the Unicode world for crying out loud.
As for the 3G support - really, I'm very gratefull that they want to solve everything for me but why don't they just give me the device with an empty SIM card slot? I assure you, I can really figure out myself what kind of service I need. And on the related note - no Web browser in the Android device? So who needs WiFi support then? |
10-21-2009, 08:05 AM | #8 | |
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10-21-2009, 08:32 AM | #9 |
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I too am really annoyed by this. I don't really need the 3G crap as I don't tend to buy things "on the road". I could just use the Wi-Fi at home.work when I need it. This is the first reader I have thought of getting to replace my aging PRS-500. I may have to get a family member to pick me one up on their next trip across the border or something. Seeing as it has epub support I don't even need to purchase my books from B&N. I am rather shocked that they aren't offering it at least to Canada if not elsewhere when Amazon is now offering the Kindle internationally.
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10-21-2009, 09:07 AM | #10 |
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I've read that in-store customers will be able to use WiFi, outside 3G. Does anybody know if WiFi would also work outside the stores? Or users are allow to use only BN Store's WiFi and not other networks? Want to use it in Europe...
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10-21-2009, 09:26 AM | #11 | ||
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Maybe I already have about a hundred books (already bought/free) that I want to read on it. Maybe I don't want to use their store anyway. Quote:
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10-21-2009, 09:57 AM | #12 | |
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10-21-2009, 10:37 AM | #13 | ||
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Q. Can I use my nook while traveling abroad? X Yes, when you travel abroad, you can read any files that are already on your nook. You can connect to Wi-Fi hotspots that do not use proxy security settings, such those commonly used in hotels, and download eBooks and subscriptions already in your online digital library. You cannot, however, purchase additional eBooks and subscriptions. Quote:
To me wifi in eBook reader would be great just for browsing the net when you don't have your laptop with you. With the screen size it would be more convenient than using the smartphone. |
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10-21-2009, 10:49 AM | #14 |
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B&N is pretty serious about regional restrictions. I just tried to buy a few ebooks from B&N using a US card from overseas...didn't work. Although I could make the purchase, it would not let me download and then immediately canceled the order. So my guess is that they record your IP address at the time you click order.
Granted I tried this with free books (different rules for public domain?) but several people on the B&N site message board are complaining that they can't buy books overseas despite using a US card/address. Looks like its the petition or bust. Btw, apparently wi-fi will only be available at B&N stores initially, but the hope is later they will open it up for use everywhere, this was reported on Gizmodo. |
10-21-2009, 10:52 AM | #15 |
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Do you think it can display other languages correctly, e.g. Thai?
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b&n, barnes and noble, international, nook, overseas |
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