Nook ST bites the dust ... but ...

[MartyTX]

No big surprise and quite possibly already posted elsewhere on MobileRead, but the Nook ST will no longer be produced. I checked the B&N website, and all references to the Nook ST have been expunged.

Goodbye old friend ... ReadHere

However, I have to admit that I gave up on my Nook ST about a month ago. It still works as "good as ever" ... and that's a dubious compliment. However, my iPad Mini and "Marvelous Marvin" are an unbeatable combination. Reading is more enjoyable, and that's what it's all about.

I no longer have to go through my list of "thou shalt not ..." to prevent all the troublesome quirks that can befall a Nook ST (too many to enumerate).

So, reading goes on ...

[eschwartz]

They did fire the engineering staff (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=233564) so I'm not surprised...

I am surprised, however., that this is the first I heard of this article, a whole week later. I can't find any previous mention in the News subforum.

for this interesting piece of news! +1 karma boost

[charmian]

I guess they have ceded the under $100 market in the US entirely to Amazon then. It's uncertain whether there will be a new Glowlight in fall 2014, but I hope they don't give it up because it would leave the US market with a lack of e-ink reader competition (tablet competition is fairly healthy).

BTW, B&N claims that they did not, in fact, fire the engineering staff.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by charmian

I guess they have ceded the under $100 market in the US entirely to Amazon then. It's uncertain whether there will be a new Glowlight in fall 2014, but I hope they don't give it up because it would leave the US market with a lack of e-ink reader competition (tablet competition is fairly healthy).

BTW, B&N claims that they did not, in fact, fire the engineering staff.

They confirmed they laid ppl off. Then they said they they didn't fire the hardware engineers.

News forum was based off this link, which says:
http://www.businessinsider.com/barne...g-staff-2014-2

Update: After posting this, Barnes & Noble told us that it did not eliminate its entire hardware department, but it declined to provide specifics.

[Dopedangel]

To me the Nook St hardware was the best engineered eink device by ergonomics available. It being rootable and able to run android made its built in software irrelevant to me. I am sad to see it die would have loved to see Android 4.4 KitKat device with similar ergonomics that would be the perfect device.
The latest version in white with no sd has made me look for some other manufacturer for my next device. But so far no one has come out with anything worth while. Maybe I should buy and keep Nook ST glowlight as a backup before it is unavailable in the wild.

[xg4bx]

I picked up a ST for $40 for the wife and a STG for myself for $60 last month when Best Buy had a sale on them. Some of the best money I ever spent, I love the thing.

[Prestidigitweeze]

My girlfriend's going to be very sad about this development. She loves her Nook ST beyond words or even fonts (and she really does like fonts).

Then again, half the reason she feels that way is because she loves to say "my Nook," which I can appreciate. We need more e-readers with cozy-sounding names.

[hrosvit]

I'm sad to see it go, too. I read primarily on my iPad, because it's convenient to carry one device that can meet several needs. But I picked up an ST last year for $50, NIB on eBay, primarily for sunlight use. I absolutely love it. It fits in my back pocket, weighs almost nothing, is great in bright locations, and won't kill me if it gets sandy or wet or otherwise damaged, since it was so cheap. Wouldn't want to read on my iPad around the pool. I shove the ST in my pocket, toss it in my bag, throw it in the back seat, etc. It's not treated gently.

I side load everything onto it, so it doesn't depend on a connection with B&N (although 90% of my book purchases are made at B&N since my two sisters and mother are also on my Nook account, and only load content directly from B&N). Hopefully, it will last for a while. Maybe I should pick up another one now, on a fire sale somewhere.

[arturg]

I keep reading about concerns that Amazon will be the only provider in the US. Did I misunderstand something or do people just ignore Kobo? Their readers are great and in my opinion superior to Nooks and you can get books from numerous stores.

[John F]

Originally Posted by arturg

I keep reading about concerns that Amazon will be the only provider in the US. Did I misunderstand something or do people just ignore Kobo? Their readers are great and in my opinion superior to Nooks and you can get books from numerous stores.

I don't know about ignore, but it is very hard to actually "see" a Kobo in person. In my part of the state, CT, I don't think you can actually view a new model Kobo in person before purchasing it.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by John F

I don't know about ignore, but it is very hard to actually "see" a Kobo in person. In my part of the state, CT, I don't think you can actually view a new model Kobo in person before purchasing it.

This. I am very interested in Kobo, and would love to try one out. Unfortunately, there is nowhere within 50 miles of me where I can look at one, and I'm not going to order one direct from Kobo because if I don't like it, I won't be able to return it. Or am I wrong, and Kobo will accept a return if I decide that it's not for me? That's the best thing about Amazon, and the reason why I bought my first Kindle. I don't know that I would ever have bought one if I hadn't had the option to return it if I didn't like it.

Shari

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by arturg

I keep reading about concerns that Amazon will be the only provider in the US. Did I misunderstand something or do people just ignore Kobo? Their readers are great and in my opinion superior to Nooks and you can get books from numerous stores.

Pretty much.
Because when it comes to mainstream buyers, Nook pretty much ignores the US.
No advertising.
Limited, obscure distribution channels; mostly online but sometimes not even then. (For a while you couldn't even buy off their website.)
Their parent company doesn't even feature them on their US portal.

Their most prominent channel is Best Buy but it is an on and off channel (on, this month) that seems to lose access to the most desirable models during the higher sales seasons, especially the critical holiday season.

People who buy Kobo are those who already know Kobo and are willing and able to go searching for it. (Pretty much the same as Sony.)

Treat the market as an afterthought and the market will treat you the same.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Pretty much.
Because when it comes to mainstream buyers, Nook pretty much ignores the US.
No advertising.

You meant to say Kobo, did you not?

Wasn't Kobo more visible to Americans in the days before Borders closed -- when people in the States could actually demo, buy and even exchange them if necessary?

Powell's still carries Kobo e-readers, so perhaps Oregonians are especially acquainted with the brand currently. I'm hoping that Powell's decides to carry the Aura and runs another Kobo-reader-with-cover sale next Christmas.

[arturg]

I purchased my Kobo Glo mainly based on reviews and specs and my father did the same with his Nook ST. I bet it's up to the seller whether you can return it or not but then again I don't know your situation. I thought the border to Canada is open...

[arturg]

Don't you have Best Buys in the states?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/glo-e-reader/2797891.p?id=1219077479424&skuId=2797891&st=catego ryid$pcmcat193100050014&cp=1&lp=7

"We can ship BestBuy.com orders to:​
The 50 US states
US Virgin Islands
Guam
APO/FPO military addresses"

Return and Exchange Policy:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-top...at260800050014