Classic Red Flag -- No Reviews

[pbennett]

Originally Posted by supermighty

For me the big selling point was the wifi and Android platform. While the kindle also uses linux as an OS I feel that Android is a better supported and will offer many more possibilities than the kindle.

Just curious - why is the wifi a big selling point? You can't really 'use' it. The only thing the Nook can do when connected via its cellular connection or WiFi is get books from the B&N Store. So, since the cellular service is available pretty much nationwide and there's no charge for it (like w/ the Kindle), what advantage does the wifi actually provide? With the Kindle at least you have a web browser - something which places like feedbooks takes great advantage of [ie: http://www.feedbooks.com/help/kindle#guide] so that you can have an ebook with their entire content that is able to update itself via a built-in link and every public-domain book they offer is a link to the downloadable book. Clicking on it with the Kindle launches the browser - but instantly just becomes a download to device question.

I'm extremely interested in what becomes of the nook and am eager to see real reviews (and would LOVE it if B&N actually posted the manual for it online so we could really see what you could/couldn't do), but at least right now from what's really known about it, I'm pretty unimpressed. It seems like it has more disadvantages than advantages [some of which are only assumed].

[Meemo]

Originally Posted by Kolenka

That said, there are those (myself included) who got the Kindle and left because we saw that Amazon wasn't likely to really relent on the idea of competing with the rest of the market on the same turf. Their format is their's alone, and their device only plays nice with purchased content from their store. That is unless you like running around stripping DRM off everything.

And yet...the vast majority of the content on my Kindle didn't come from Amazon. Well, that might have changed with all the free books I've gotten from Amazon in the last couple of months....
And I wouldn't begin to know how to strip DRM.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by pbennett

Just curious - why is the wifi a big selling point? You can't really 'use' it. The only thing the Nook can do when connected via its cellular connection or WiFi is get books from the B&N Store.

I think that has been incorrectly reported in many places. What was said is that you "can" use the WiFi at a B&N store to freely read ebooks over the WiFi... but it (the free reading) only will work in the B&N store.

You can still use the WiFi when you are not in the store. I am pretty sure this is confirmed in the FAQ at the B&N nook site...

BOb

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Eugene

Unless I'm mistaken, isn't the nook under a review embargo?

Who knows. But the initial pre-orders are supposed to be in customers hands by Dec 9th... so we will get some real world reports pretty soon.

Of course, if you order one today they are saying Jan 15th will be the shipping date. I expect you could get one on ebay for $1000 or so.

BOb

[Connallmac]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I think that has been incorrectly reported in many places. What was said is that you "can" use the WiFi at a B&N store to freely read ebooks over the WiFi... but it (the free reading) only will work in the B&N store.

You can still use the WiFi when you are not in the store. I am pretty sure this is confirmed in the FAQ at the B&N nook site...

BOb

But as of now there is now web browser on it, so even if you can connect with the WiFi in your home or a hotel or a McDonalds what can you do with it? Will you still be able to browse B&N and that's it?

[binkman71]

Supposedly you can use the B&N store over the WiFi connection in your home or at a hotspot, if you don't have a good cellular signal. In most cases, the WiFi would be faster than the cell connection as well. So I believe it is there to be that little extra option, aside from the already mentioned store reading service.

K.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Connallmac

But as of now there is now web browser on it, so even if you can connect with the WiFi in your home or a hotel or a McDonalds what can you do with it? Will you still be able to browse B&N and that's it?

You are totally correct. Not having a browser means about all you can do with the WiFi is to buy ebooks with it from B&N. But, that's all you can do with the 3G on the nook too.

But, to be correct we can't say the WiFi only works at a B&N store.

BOb

[Connallmac]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

You are totally correct. Not having a browser means about all you can do with the WiFi is to buy ebooks with it from B&N. But, that's all you can do with the 3G on the nook too.

But, to be correct we can't say the WiFi only works at a B&N store.

BOb

And some folks claim the Kindle is "locked into Amazon"?

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Connallmac

And some folks claim the Kindle is "locked into Amazon"?

Touché

BOb

[Kolenka]

Originally Posted by Connallmac

And some folks claim the Kindle is "locked into Amazon"?

At least the nook will read ePub/PDF easily enough, including stuff encrypted using ADE-style DRM (which is becoming a larger segment of sellers). Unless more DRM-free content becomes available for newer titles, having more than one place I can buy content is important. With B&N working with Adobe to get their password-style scheme into the ADE SDK, I can at least take B&N content to other devices down the road.

While the Kindle can get at DRM-free content (older or more independent titles) just like other readers, newer titles are different. If I buy from other sellers, it won't work on Amazon, if I buy from Amazon, I can't take it to other devices. The best shot at a unified model (short of getting rid of all DRM) is Adobe right now.

Originally Posted by Meemo

And yet...the vast majority of the content on my Kindle didn't come from Amazon. Well, that might have changed with all the free books I've gotten from Amazon in the last couple of months....
And I wouldn't begin to know how to strip DRM.

And that depends on the type of eBooks you are trying to get a hold of. Newer releases don't really fall into this category.

Yes, it does work if you have a source of content that comes in a format that can be easily converted to DRM-free mobipocket. The tools available today to do this are in better shape than when the Kindle launched. I was looking at what was a painful conversion process (and keeping multiple copies of everything), and competitors beginning to consolidate under the ePub banner. The fact that I can't buy new releases from anyone but Amazon that works on the Kindle is the big deal here (unless you use tools that didn't exist at the time to get the PID for the Kindle). And the limitations of the Mobipocket format was a bit of a downer to me as well.

[jmaloney]

Originally Posted by pbennett

what advantage does the wifi actually provide?

One big advantage of WiFi over 3G is that it's faster.

[Connallmac]

Originally Posted by Kolenka

At least the nook will read ePub/PDF easily enough, including stuff encrypted using ADE-style DRM (which is becoming a larger segment of sellers). Unless more DRM-free content becomes available for newer titles, having more than one place I can buy content is important. With B&N working with Adobe to get their password-style scheme into the ADE SDK, I can at least take B&N content to other devices down the road.
While the Kindle can get at DRM-free content (older or more independent titles) just like other readers, newer titles are different. If I buy from other sellers, it won't work on Amazon, if I buy from Amazon, I can't take it to other devices. The best shot at a unified model (short of getting rid of all DRM) is Adobe right now.



And that depends on the type of eBooks you are trying to get a hold of. Newer releases don't really fall into this category.

Yes, it does work if you have a source of content that comes in a format that can be easily converted to DRM-free mobipocket. The tools available today to do this are in better shape than when the Kindle launched. I was looking at what was a painful conversion process (and keeping multiple copies of everything), and competitors beginning to consolidate under the ePub banner. The fact that I can't buy new releases from anyone but Amazon that works on the Kindle is the big deal here (unless you use tools that didn't exist at the time to get the PID for the Kindle). And the limitations of the Mobipocket format was a bit of a downer to me as well.

Funny, but about 30 to 40% of the content on my KDX is from sources other than Amazon. Both from other vendors like Smashwords and Drivethrurpg.com and direct from publishers like Chaosium. How many of them have I had to convert or de-DRM? None.

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

They're sold out through the Christmas selling season--why would they need to send out review copies?

Publicity.

Lots of people read Pogue and Mossberg.

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by binkman71

Of course, one of the biggest things the press fails to acknolwedge is that even if the new device (nook) become very popular, the odds of everyone who already owns the leading product (Kindle) jumping ship to the new device is somewhat slim.

This. Plus many Kindle readers have already invested in the ecosystem and would have to be dragged out kicking and screaming.

[supermighty]

Originally Posted by pbennett

Just curious - why is the wifi a big selling point? You can't really 'use' it. The only thing the Nook can do when connected via its cellular connection or WiFi is get books from the B&N Store.

From the BN nook support forum: In addition, you can access the B&N eBook store over Wi-Fi, including your home network, providing you have rights to access the network.

But regardless of that there is great potential for this device. Even if the WiFi is locked down, and I can't see that being the case, then hackers and nerds will develop custom roms that offer more features including WiFi and some sort of browser. Even without a browser I believe there will shortly be a way to install your own android apps (custom made for the nook of course) to do all sorts of neat things.

These reason for my optimism are not for the faint of heart. Not for the every day consumer. But for me they are great selling points. I don't expect everyone to share my enthusiasm, but they will enjoy it in their own right.

Originally Posted by jmaloney

One big advantage of WiFi over 3G is that it's faster.

The WiFi radio consumes less power than the 3G as it's range is shorter. This makes for longer device life. What's bad about that.