NOOK Color / Reviews

Barnes and Noble has done a lot right with the Nook Color—it's solidly made with a metal frame yet isn't uncomfortably heavy, the user interface is smooth and intuitive, the color screen is gorgeous—but that doesn't change the fact that it would be much more versatile with support for 3rd-party Android apps.
If you are looking for something like the iPad that can be used for ereading as well as a multitude of other things, you are not going to get that with the Nook Color off the shelf. Its focus is centered on reading. B&N will be launching an app store for it in Q1 2011, but it remains to be seen what types of apps will be available.
There will certainly be those that choose to hack the Nook to allow it to install all kinds of 3rd-party apps, but that comes at the risk of voiding the Nook's warranty, and even then it's not the best option for Android apps because of the limited amount of hardware buttons, no camera, microphone, etc.
As it stands, the Nook Color is an ereader first and an Android tablet second. Don't expect to get the latter and you'll be happy with what you get more likely than not. And if you do want to use the Nook Color as an Android tablet it does take some technical work to set up, but isn't too difficult to work out.

Read original review at The eBook Reader.

Less

So is this an ereader? A tablet? It’s an ereader with several bonuses thrown in. In the very near future, we will find out how much B&N wants to open this device up.  But even if they leave it somewhat locked down, it is still a fantastic device.  It looks and feels excellent.  Having the ability to read different formats and everything from books to magazines turns out to be a bigger deal than originally thought.  You can surf the web and navigate through the bookstore easier than on any reading device out.  All of this for $250!  So what most people can draw from this is that you won’t find another reader/tablet for this price, with this quality, and this ease of use.  It’s a tremendous value that might get a few of us to start opening up a good book a little more.

Read original review at Nothing But Tablets.

Less

Caught between two worlds, the Nook Color is an undeniably interesting, if somewhat conflicted device. It's not quite a tablet, but it's more than a simple ebook reader. It can do things that an e-ink reader simply can't—even if it doesn't always excel at them—but it's nearly as cheap at $250. At half the price of the Tab or iPad, if you're looking for a super portable tablet thing that's primarily for reading, it's hard not to give the seriously capable Nook a long look, even if you might wanna wait 'til the B&N app store opens and it gets its first major update early next year for maximum goodness.

Read original review at Gizmodo.

Less

So, is the Nook Color worth your hard-earned cash? Well, we'll say this -- if you're a hardcore reader with an appetite that extends beyond books to magazines and newspapers, the Color is the first viable option we've seen that can support your habit. Not only does Barnes & Noble have an astoundingly good selection of e-book titles, the company seems to be aggressively pursuing the periodical business, which is a big deal. This is the first device we've seen that effectively and consistently presents a color magazine option. It's not the fanciest or most sophisticated presentation, but the idea of having your favorite glossy delivered direct to a device like this every month (in a truly readable format) is a major innovation. But besides all the reading you'll be doing with the Color, you're also buying into a potentially much bigger proposition -- namely, the idea that come Q1, this thing will be a viable Android tablet with an app store of its own. Granted, it doesn't have 3G on-board, and the OS could use some serious TLC and polish, but if B&N delivers on its desire to create a marketplace for Nook Color apps, you could be spending $249 not just for a great reading experience, but for something far bigger. For the price, you're getting a lot of product here -- now it's just a question of whether or not Barnes & Noble knows how to take advantage of that product.

Read original review at Engadget.

Less

With the original Nook and Kindle selling for just under $200 each (less than $150 each if you forgo 3G) and the Apple iPad starting at $500, the $250 Nook Color occupies a place right in the middle. As long as you don't expect full tablet functionality, and you keep your Barnes & Noble-approved AC adapter handy, the Nook Color makes a perfectly amiable reading companion if you want to see your books in full color.

Read original review at PC Magazine.

Less

Whether or not consumers will truly consider the Nook Color a "reader's tablet," it's a very good eReader with benefits. At $249, it's $150 less than the least expensive Galaxy Tab (which requires a separate data fee and two-year contract at that price) and $250 less than the least expensive iPad. And for this you get a first-class color screen, a robust content ecosystem, and reader-friendly features, but not as much freedom as a full-fledged tablet. On the flip side, the Nook Color costs $100 more than the Wi-Fi only Nook and $110 more than the Kindle Wi-Fi, both of which are easier to hold and view during longer reading sessions.
Overall, the Nook Color is an excellent choice for consumers who want color, web browsing, and a focus on reading. We can't wait for more magazines and apps to arrive on this platform. Bottom line: we think you'll be satisfied with this tweener.

Read original review at Laptop Magazine.

Less

A lot of people wondered whether this would be classified as an Android tablet, and though the device does run on Android 2.1 (Barnes & Noble claims it will be upgradeable to Android 2.2 next year) and offers additional functionality--such as Web browsing, audio and video playback, and some basic games--Barnes & Noble has deliberately left off the Android Marketplace place found on Android smartphones and such tablets as the Samsung Galaxy Tab. As a result, those interested in getting a full-fledged Android tablet for a good price will probably feel some disappointment with the Nook Color, because it clearly hasn't reached its full potential.

Read original review at CNET.

Less

The NookColor is an e-reader. It isn’t a tablet. Once you understand that and once you understand the market for the former and not the latter, the NookColor begins to make more sense. It is an e-reader for people who want small size, a bright color screen, and an usable interface for buying, downloading, and reading books. It won’t run Angry Birds and it won’t let you do your taxes. This is not a back door into the world of tablets.
However, because many of the features we discussed will soon be available on the iPad and other mobile devices, the $249 you’d spend for a NookColor may be better spent on a more capable Android or iOS device. But if you’re looking for a color e-reader for reading a few black and white books as well as some color enhanced e-books and kid’s titles, this incarnation of the Nook is hard to beat.

Read original review at TechCrunch.

Less