Sony or Nook?

georgiagal · 12-18-2010, 09:42 AM

I have just purchased my first Ereader -- the Nook. My son has a Kindle so we have been comparing features. Downloading from the library is a huge option for me so the Kindle is out of the running.

After using the Nook, I'm happy with the experience in general. However the dictionary is a problem -- it's just cumbersome, especially after seeing how convenient the Kindle has made their dictionary.

However... with epub downloads on the Nook, the dictionary is not an option. From what I can tell, only with NookBooks can the dictionary be used.

Is this the same with the Sony 650 or 950? The touch screen option on the Sony is very appealing to me -- navigating to a word with the Nook completely disrupts the reading process.

I am planning to look at the Nook Color also but the battery life is a concern.

Any advice?

boxcorner · 12-18-2010, 10:08 AM

With the Sony PRS-650 you just need to double-tap on a word, to look it up. It works fine with all the ePub books that I have downloaded.

You might find this comparison table helpful:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...e-book_readers

It is somewhat out-of-date, though.

Latinandgreek · 12-18-2010, 10:26 AM

The dictionary works with (most?) PDFs as well. Here's a video that illustrates this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sYTLtYPh90

rhadin · 12-18-2010, 10:38 AM

The dictionary on my 950 works easily with ePub books. All you need to do is double-tap. And it works with ePub books purchased from places other than the Sony bookstore, for example, with books from Baen and Smashwords.

Care · 12-18-2010, 07:25 PM

I can look up words from my sideloaded books on my Nook. the newer Sonys are easier though since all you have to do is double tap.

SeaBookGuy · 12-18-2010, 07:27 PM

Is this the same with the Sony 650 or 950? The touch screen option on the Sony is very appealing to me -- navigating to a word with the Nook completely disrupts the reading process.

Could you clarify what you mean by "navigating to a word" exactly?

I find the 650 impressive in how it handles tapping to get in and out of footnotes (I read mostly non-fiction).

boswd · 12-18-2010, 09:07 PM

Double post

boswd · 12-18-2010, 09:08 PM

Dictionary on the nook color is amazing. Easily the best of all ereaders and on par with the iPad. Touch a word and you get the options look up, google search and wikipedia. Screen is unobtrusive sleak fast and responsive.
Best in show in my opinion

jocampo · 12-21-2010, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgiagal

I have just purchased my first Ereader -- the Nook. My son has a Kindle so we have been comparing features. Downloading from the library is a huge option for me so the Kindle is out of the running.

After using the Nook, I'm happy with the experience in general. However the dictionary is a problem -- it's just cumbersome, especially after seeing how convenient the Kindle has made their dictionary.

However... with epub downloads on the Nook, the dictionary is not an option. From what I can tell, only with NookBooks can the dictionary be used.

Is this the same with the Sony 650 or 950? The touch screen option on the Sony is very appealing to me -- navigating to a word with the Nook completely disrupts the reading process.

I am planning to look at the Nook Color also but the battery life is a concern.

Any advice?

I would be careful when comparing a Nook Color vs a Sony. NC is more a hybrid tablet which is being sold as an ereader. The battery gives you 8hrs of continue use and it is heavier than Nook 1st gen and Sony. The Sony can give you days or weeks of battery life. NC is also LCD screen so reading with eink is also different and more pleasant. However, I must say that the NC dictionary is really good but I believe you have the same function with the Sony touchscreen.

A side note
We do have notes with Kindle and I think that with Sony as well, but the way Nook Color handles notes is really nice; small icons simulating "post it" notes appear at one side on the page where you created the note, making it easier to open and navigate for later use.r

I suggest visit a B&N store and play with Nook Color before buying.

Seabound · 12-21-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgiagal

However... with epub downloads on the Nook, the dictionary is not an option. From what I can tell, only with NookBooks can the dictionary be used.

I'm a little confused. Aren't NookBooks epub format? I've bought a lot of eBooks from B&N, and they're all epub.

.

boswd · 12-21-2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seabound

I'm a little confused. Aren't NookBooks epub format? I've bought a lot of eBooks from B&N, and they're all epub.

.

yes they are but with their own DRM attached and codex for it's internal nook features.

Seabound · 12-21-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boswd

yes they are but with their own DRM attached and codex for it's internal nook features.

Ah, so the Nook dictionary look-up does not work with non-DRM'ed eBooks, is what I'm getting from this. That's silly, B&N, tsk.

.

boswd · 12-21-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seabound

Ah, so the Nook dictionary look-up does not work with non-DRM'ed eBooks, is what I'm getting from this. That's silly, B&N, tsk.

.

No, actually that's not true at all, at least not with the Nook color. I have it in front of me right now and the dictionary is working with one of my ePub books, and includes the wiki and google options as well.

maybe someone with a nook eink can test this out

but Yeah with the nook color the dictionary and the google and wiki features works on all the books BN and non BN books.

dordale · 12-21-2010, 03:13 PM

I have an orginal nook and I'm able to use the dictionary with sideloaded non-drmed ePubs without a problem.

That being said--as I posted before, I have an original nook and a Sony 650--the dictionary on the 650 is far, far superior to the nook's. In fact, in July I decided to upgrade to a nook from a Sony 505. One of the main reasons behind that was to have a dictionary available on my device. After using the nook, I realized that the dictionary access was so cumbersome I ended up rarely using it.

Then, Sony released it's new line of readers. Even though my nook was fairly new, I bit the bullet and upgraded to the Sony. And I don't have any regrets. The dictionary on the Sony is simply awesome. Love being able to just double tap a word to get a quick definition--and if I want more detail I can easily bring the dictionary up full screen. I love the fact that I can scroll backwards and forwards through the words in the dictionary on the Sony as well. On the nook if you don't spell a word exactly right, an annoying message will pop up--something like "Word not found".

All in all, both are great readers, but I much prefer the Sony interface to the original nook. Especially where the dictionary is concerned.

dordale

12-18-2010, 09:42 AM	#1
georgiagal Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: noon sony	Sony or Nook? I have just purchased my first Ereader -- the Nook. My son has a Kindle so we have been comparing features. Downloading from the library is a huge option for me so the Kindle is out of the running. After using the Nook, I'm happy with the experience in general. However the dictionary is a problem -- it's just cumbersome, especially after seeing how convenient the Kindle has made their dictionary. However... with epub downloads on the Nook, the dictionary is not an option. From what I can tell, only with NookBooks can the dictionary be used. Is this the same with the Sony 650 or 950? The touch screen option on the Sony is very appealing to me -- navigating to a word with the Nook completely disrupts the reading process. I am planning to look at the Nook Color also but the battery life is a concern. Any advice?

12-18-2010, 10:08 AM	#2
boxcorner »(°±°)« Posts: 826 Karma: 775629 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: divisive reader	With the Sony PRS-650 you just need to double-tap on a word, to look it up. It works fine with all the ePub books that I have downloaded. You might find this comparison table helpful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...e-book_readers It is somewhat out-of-date, though. Last edited by boxcorner; 12-18-2010 at 10:27 AM.

12-18-2010, 09:07 PM	#7
boswd Banned Posts: 2,391 Karma: 1001781 Join Date: May 2010 Device: The Nook, Nook color and Droid X	Double post Last edited by boswd; 12-18-2010 at 09:10 PM.

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12-18-2010, 10:26 AM	#3
Latinandgreek Warrior Princess Posts: 5,038 Karma: 9724231 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD	The dictionary works with (most?) PDFs as well. Here's a video that illustrates this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sYTLtYPh90

12-18-2010, 10:38 AM	#4
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	The dictionary on my 950 works easily with ePub books. All you need to do is double-tap. And it works with ePub books purchased from places other than the Sony bookstore, for example, with books from Baen and Smashwords.

12-18-2010, 07:25 PM	#5
Care Aes Sedai Posts: 659 Karma: 46166 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Aura and Kobo Mini, had a Nook, NOOKcolor, Nook STR.	I can look up words from my sideloaded books on my Nook. the newer Sonys are easier though since all you have to do is double tap.

12-18-2010, 07:27 PM	#6
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,029 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	Is this the same with the Sony 650 or 950? The touch screen option on the Sony is very appealing to me -- navigating to a word with the Nook completely disrupts the reading process. Could you clarify what you mean by "navigating to a word" exactly? I find the 650 impressive in how it handles tapping to get in and out of footnotes (I read mostly non-fiction).

12-18-2010, 09:08 PM	#8
boswd Banned Posts: 2,391 Karma: 1001781 Join Date: May 2010 Device: The Nook, Nook color and Droid X	Dictionary on the nook color is amazing. Easily the best of all ereaders and on par with the iPad. Touch a word and you get the options look up, google search and wikipedia. Screen is unobtrusive sleak fast and responsive. Best in show in my opinion

12-21-2010, 03:13 PM	#14
dordale Wizard Posts: 1,731 Karma: 3472866 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony PRS-650 & 350; Kindle Voyage; Kobo Aura HD, Aura One, and Forma	I have an orginal nook and I'm able to use the dictionary with sideloaded non-drmed ePubs without a problem. That being said--as I posted before, I have an original nook and a Sony 650--the dictionary on the 650 is far, far superior to the nook's. In fact, in July I decided to upgrade to a nook from a Sony 505. One of the main reasons behind that was to have a dictionary available on my device. After using the nook, I realized that the dictionary access was so cumbersome I ended up rarely using it. Then, Sony released it's new line of readers. Even though my nook was fairly new, I bit the bullet and upgraded to the Sony. And I don't have any regrets. The dictionary on the Sony is simply awesome. Love being able to just double tap a word to get a quick definition--and if I want more detail I can easily bring the dictionary up full screen. I love the fact that I can scroll backwards and forwards through the words in the dictionary on the Sony as well. On the nook if you don't spell a word exactly right, an annoying message will pop up--something like "Word not found". All in all, both are great readers, but I much prefer the Sony interface to the original nook. Especially where the dictionary is concerned. dordale

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