Classic Should I buy a Nook?

[rdfry]

the 3g service on the nook functions the same as the kindle in that it uses a gsm 3g capable radio. it is however only for downloading and searching for B&N content. The 3g on the kindle allows for web browsing and downloading content from Amazon. There is a work around to allow you to use your own sim card that has a service plan that you are paying for but you must root your nook to be able to do this. The major advantage to the Nook is that you can read epub books from the library thus you can read alot of good books for free.With our economy as bad as it is you can't beat free.The Nook works just fine not using wifi or 3g. side loading books is as simple as copying files on your computer.I'm amazed at how lazy people are.

[elsuave]

Originally Posted by rdfry

The Nook works just fine not using wifi or 3g. side loading books is as simple as copying files on your computer.I'm amazed at how lazy people are.

I'm sure that applies to a lot of people, but there's a significant market for people who aren't technologically adept but want the convenience of an e-reader. In those cases, not having to go through the added steps of going online for a book, connecting the device to the computer, navigating the included software -- or worse, dragging and dropping files when you're not sure where you saved them -- etc., makes a big difference. Being always connected to the bookstore so that all you have to do is navigate a friendly interface on the device, click Purchase, and start reading right away: that's a big issue for quite a few people.

The scenario probably doesn't resonate for most people on these forums (who are likely more comfortable with technology), but the device is targeted to a much wider audience.

[Lastblade]

Never underestimate the stupidity of the mass.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by elsuave

I'm sure that applies to a lot of people, but there's a significant market for people who aren't technologically adept but want the convenience of an e-reader. In those cases, not having to go through the added steps of going online for a book, connecting the device to the computer, navigating the included software -- or worse, dragging and dropping files when you're not sure where you saved them -- etc., makes a big difference. Being always connected to the bookstore so that all you have to do is navigate a friendly interface on the device, click Purchase, and start reading right away: that's a big issue for quite a few people.

The scenario probably doesn't resonate for most people on these forums (who are likely more comfortable with technology), but the device is targeted to a much wider audience.

this is a great point. My sister and I bought one for my father and the downloading books wirelessly is a God send for him. He still can not drag and drop songs for his Sansa clip Mp3 p[layer.

He has no problem buying books on line or off the nook itself.

I think the wirelessly downloading is greater feature than people think. On all levels of tech savvy or not. I have no problems sideloading books, but wirelessly no matter where you are at? I don't think people really know how great this is.

[malligator]

Originally Posted by elsuave

I'm sure that applies to a lot of people, but there's a significant market for people who aren't technologically adept but want the convenience of an e-reader. In those cases, not having to go through the added steps of going online for a book, connecting the device to the computer, navigating the included software -- or worse, dragging and dropping files when you're not sure where you saved them -- etc., makes a big difference. Being always connected to the bookstore so that all you have to do is navigate a friendly interface on the device, click Purchase, and start reading right away: that's a big issue for quite a few people.

The scenario probably doesn't resonate for most people on these forums (who are likely more comfortable with technology), but the device is targeted to a much wider audience.

I don't know how large of a segment I'm in. I am very comfortable with computers. I just honestly don't want to deal with sideloading and all that with an eReader. I prefer the simplicity. I don't want to do font and screensaver hacks (although I don't fault anyone who does, of course). I just want to read and when I need another book I want to shop for one. I don't want to deal with WEP and WPA passkeys. I don't want to have to remember SSID's. Again, I don't think an eReader having those capabilities is a bad thing. I'm all for options. I just want everything to be transparent when I'm dealing with my eReader so I love the 3G.

[envy]

Originally Posted by ThomasMc

I'm still waiting for mine to arrive, but I have used one in the store. The secret is A: a very light touch, and B: your finger has to already be moving sideways when you touch the screen, and still be moving when your finger leaves the screen. Like you are brushing a little lint off the screen. You don't have to swipe very far, you just have to be moving your finger sideways when you do. I've also read somewhere on this forum that you can swipe that bar in between the two screens, just as you would the bottom screen. (Fewer fingerprints on the LCD screen to clean up.) Oh, and I think it only works if the bottom screen isn't lit up at the time.

I want to thank you for you help. after you said that I did some more research and i now swipe from the screen making a slight check mark motion. it works perfectly similarly the way you said.

[ThomasMc]

Originally Posted by envy

i now swipe from the screen making a slight check mark motion.

I've had mine 6 days now, and have fallen into the habit of swiping with my thumb, which is in the right position as I hold the Nook. I either swipe from the frame down and left onto the LCD (right hand), or from the LCD to off on the frame (left hand). It's gotten so I don't even think about it anymore, and always seems to work.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by ThomasMc

I've had mine 6 days now, and have fallen into the habit of swiping with my thumb, which is in the right position as I hold the Nook. I either swipe from the frame down and left onto the LCD (right hand), or from the LCD to off on the frame (left hand). It's gotten so I don't even think about it anymore, and always seems to work.

I started a thread a while back on that for our tech. sharing

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...t=finger+swipe

I was hoping the mods would make it a sticky.

We need more sticky's

[clai]

How to get a Nook in Canada? Simple: eBay. Or, if you are in Toronto, a 3 hours drive would get you to a B&N Store and you can buy one there...

[wallyg8r]

I just ordered a nook from Canada using a Canadian shipping address and credit card. I received confirmation that it has shipped. They included the unit serial number so maybe it's legit. I'll post an update when I know for sure.

[wallyg8r]

Got it today!!!!!!!!!

[cynvision]

Swiping to page turn took a bit of practice for me. The most consistent way my Nook accepted swipe was if I swiped right to left from off the deactivated screen to the middle.

And what I'm getting from the Nook vs. Kindle discussion is that Kindle made the point of telling people their content would load effortlessly and be there for them. It was a huge selling point of the videos. And they called it "whispernet" I think to keep on the QT that it was going to be spare bandwidth, cell based delivery. I think the Nook going with a 'come to the store' model is showing that WiFi is faster and cheaper for them. (plus they get to sell coffee while you sit in the cafe) The 3G/4G bandwidth is just getting into a spotlight this week with this net neutrality thing, I think Amazon and B&N are enjoying speed of delivery which may evaporate in the future if they have to pay for a ton of G3 device delivery. It's probably part of why book prices remain high, insurance.

As I haven't found a worthy subscription to a daily or monthly mag on the Nook I can't say that it's as effortless getting that sort of automatic delivery on a Nook. Shopping and loading works; in a parking lot at my workplace and from a home wifi bridged to a clubhouse's router. Long WiFi security keys get a little tedious with the touch keyboard but as long as you don't make the Nook forget the location it has been able to figure out where I am and what entry to use.

But there were times in June and July that the 'check for B&N content' was flaky. And the latest software update was one instance of my having to ask the Nook counter guy in the B&N store why it wasn't updating as advertised. The Nook needed me to press that button. While in the store.

I can't say which is the better creature for sure. I haven't used a Kindle. But a coworker switched from Kindle to Nook on the sleekness factor of the Nook's bottom screen vs. the bubble keys. I spent a lot of time on the fence due to the differing store content between the two, and I feel a bit like I backed the wrong one for periodic content. But I'm techy enough to work with Calibre to side load my own. Plus the battery is replaceable (but ask yourself, in 3 years will I really be using this exact model much or will I have something newer?) so if longer-life batteries come out, I'm set. And you can put a sim card in, (or, if B&N gets on your last nerve) root the thing to some flavor of Android. Or like some say, there'll be Android more apps on the Nook than just chess and soduku. The web browser is okay but not loveable. For sure you should cultivate a set of mobile versions of your favorites.

And all that woolly thinking had me buying the Nook. And I've bought or gotten for free a few more books this year than I would have normally. Some I never would have tried if they weren't free. I'm sort of past the whole 'books have to be paper' thing after four months. Plus I don't have to drag boxes of paperbacks around when I move.