Barnes and Noble recently came out with their newest eReader, the Nook Color. This eReader features a completely new operating system, with it being based on the Android OS. Being in color means that the new Nook can also take full advantage of markets that the Amazon Kindle cannot cater to. Children's books and full color magazines are two areas where the Nook should dominate the market.
The Nook is almost a hybrid between an eReader and a tablet. It has a fully functional web browser, music player and even has various games that are uploaded onto it or can be downloaded through the Barnes and Noble store. The Nook has a seven inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display, making it far superior in that category to the Kindle.
In terms of performance, the Nook Color has a TI OMAP CPU that goes to speeds up to 800 MHz as well as 512 MB of RAM and 8 GB of flash memory for storage. There is also WiFi for accessing the internet and downloading movies, but there is no 3G service and that is a slight disappointment. The battery life is decent, given the colored screen and other features, and it ranges up to two days with moderate usage. Constant usage gives you a battery life of between ten to twelve hours.
Overall, the Nook is certainly a competitor for the Kindle, however its colored screen also results in it catering to a completely different audience. Those who want more than just black and white text from their eReader will certainly be enticed by the Nook Color. Its ability to display children's books and magazines is another intriguing aspect. The only drawback to the Nook Color is its $250 price tag, which makes it $100 more expensive than the Kindle.
Need to Know: NOOK Color
1. Color screen. (The Good)
2. Sleek and lightweight design. (The Good)
3. Hefty price tag. (The Bad)
4. Low battery life, compared to Kindle. (The Bad)
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Nathan, The eBook ReaderBarnes 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 3r...
- Allen Schmidt, Nothing But TabletsSo 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.&nb...
- Matt Buchanan, GizmodoCaught 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...
- Joshua Topolsky , EngadgetSo, 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 astound...
- Dan Costa & David Pierce, PC MagazineWith 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...
Prices (Where to Buy)
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Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- NOOK Color Quick Start Guide (PDF)
- NOOK Color Manual (PDF)
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