I'll answer questions about the nook color!

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by THE TERMINATOR

Is it comparable to the ipad?

No; the iPad is overpriced and the Nook Color isn't.

[eGeezer]

Plus, we are waiting to see how dumbed-down the NC is in comparison to the iPad. I don't expect it to be comparable to the iPad.

The iPad is actually quite versatile, even given the many buit-in limitations. How versatile will the NC be? Will it be a very versatile ereader, or will it be a useful-but-even-more-restricted-iPad?

Either of those is acceptable to me. But if it is just an LCD nook classic without much more to offer than a larger screen, then if I were to choose, it would be the nook classic.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by eGeezer

Plus, we are waiting to see how dumbed-down the NC is in comparison to the iPad. I don't expect it to be comparable to the iPad.

The iPad is actually quite versatile, even given the many buit-in limitations. How versatile will the NC be? Will it be a very versatile ereader, or will it be a useful-but-even-more-restricted-iPad?

Either of those is acceptable to me. But if it is just an LCD nook classic without much more to offer than a larger screen, then if I were to choose, it would be the nook classic.

The only thing dumbed down about it is lack of official app store access. Once it's hacked, apps will be available and then the two devices will be fairly comparable.

[peaceridge]

My local B&N said they would have demos and actual devices for sale next week. They allowed me to place a hold on one until I could see it demo'd. I can't wait!

[boswd]

Originally Posted by eGeezer

Plus, we are waiting to see how dumbed-down the NC is in comparison to the iPad. I don't expect it to be comparable to the iPad.

The iPad is actually quite versatile, even given the many buit-in limitations. How versatile will the NC be? Will it be a very versatile ereader, or will it be a useful-but-even-more-restricted-iPad?

Either of those is acceptable to me. But if it is just an LCD nook classic without much more to offer than a larger screen, then if I were to choose, it would be the nook classic.

I thinks a very versatile ereader, I think the lack of an Android market was purposley done so it wouldn't be just another tablet thrown into the ring but one that concentrates on the reading aspect of tablets and enhancing the experience in ways that just can't do with e ink as of yet.

[geertm]

Originally Posted by boswd

I thinks a very versatile ereader, I think the lack of an Android market was purposley done so it wouldn't be just another tablet thrown into the ring but one that concentrates on the reading aspect of tablets and enhancing the experience in ways that just can't do with e ink as of yet.

As has already been said by some people on the Nook boards, at the moment Google only allows access to the Android market to devices that have certain hardware (mobile phone) specifications like GPS and a camera (I have read somewhere that 3G is not a requirement anymore).
So at the moment most of the cheaper tablets and the Nook Color are not even allowed access to the Android market.

[eGeezer]

I have been investigating the ATT Captivate Android smart phone, and while I find nothing that states outright "the app Marketplace can only be accessed via 3g", I find a few references to the inability to access the Marketplace via Wifi. I am, then, unclear regarding the 3g requirement. But I do have a problem REQUIRING one to use up their data plan to buy and update apps.

Therefore, if the Marketplace can only be accessed via 3G, that pretty much leaves the (unhacked) nookColor behind for the time being.

[Prince Hal]

Originally Posted by boswd

I thinks a very versatile ereader, I think the lack of an Android market was purposley done so it wouldn't be just another tablet thrown into the ring but one that concentrates on the reading aspect of tablets and enhancing the experience in ways that just can't do with e ink as of yet.

Agreed. This is an eBook reader first and foremost, with a few additions. B&N can now take control of what goes on there and keep it at the top of the eReader charts, rather than being an iPad, Galaxy Tab wannabe.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by eGeezer

I have been investigating the ATT Captivate Android smart phone, and while I find nothing that states outright "the app Marketplace can only be accessed via 3g", I find a few references to the inability to access the Marketplace via Wifi. I am, then, unclear regarding the 3g requirement. But I do have a problem REQUIRING one to use up their data plan to buy and update apps.

Therefore, if the Marketplace can only be accessed via 3G, that pretty much leaves the (unhacked) nookColor behind for the time being.

You can access the market place via wi fi on the samsungs android phones in fact everything downloada and installs faster

[eGeezer]

Originally Posted by boswd

You can access the market place via wi fi on the samsungs android phones in fact everything downloada and installs faster

Thanks for the clarification. Kinda silly that I had to get that answer in an ereader forum and couldn't find any specific reference in any Captivate forums. Of course, I haven't actually joined any Captivate forums in order to ask the specific question.

Thanks again.

Edit: I went ahead and joined one of the Captivate forums (required in order to search) and find that yes, indeed, the app Marketplace is available via wifi. It is Android updates that cannot be done over wifi.

So. The absence of 3G is NOT the contributing factor to no Marketplace access. Prince Hal and boswd probably have it right in B&N's decision is to keep the NC primarily an ereader and not just another Tab wannabe.

[lionel47]

Originally Posted by eGeezer

Prince Hal and boswd probably have it right in B&N's decision is to keep the NC primarily an ereader and not just another Tab wannabe.

I think that's smart of B&N. Do one thing really well. People will hack it anyway.

[bthoven]

Originally Posted by iandix

okay

if I droped a nookcolour from 10 floors up... how far will it bounce?

Just let me know first before you drop it. I'm sure I'll be there to cushion it in my hand/arm.

[marijean]

Will the new barnes and noble ColorNook be able to read text books. i am very anxious to get something that does this.
i am a medical student and have mountains of books to go through and carry around.

but the other 2 options for ebook readers don't have what i want, or have way too much.
the kindle is in black and white and my text books are all in color.
the Ipad is also another choice, but the Ipad as a million functions that i don't need. i just want a reader that can read text books in color

[ypocaramel]

imo 7" isn't really the ideal form factor for textbooks, I'm guessing for med you'll have a ton of diagrams and charts and whatever and you'll be constantly zooming in and out, which is really a pain when studying seriously. Heck the kno dedicated textbook reader is 14" or dual 14" :O 7-inch screens are ok if it's mostly text or cliff notes, but in my experience if there's a ton of diagrams and charts it gets hectic fast.

Also, see if the textbooks are actually available on that platform, I wouldn't know.

Also, if you're a med student there might be useful medicial database and apps on iOS or Android. Most important thing is to go where the content is.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by eGeezer

So. The absence of 3G is NOT the contributing factor to no Marketplace access.

But lack of GPS and camera are.
Plus B&N also probably want to control what apps go on the device. Can't imagine they would be too impressed if people started installing the Kindle app and buying books from Amazon