Nook v. Kindle [Archive]

BlueDevilBaby

10-21-2009, 03:21 PM

OZZIE4DUKE

10-21-2009, 04:15 PM

Thinking of getting the Nook. Anybody looked at it and have some thoughts. Of course, B&N website says it has a few better features than Kindle. One concern I have is B&N not being around for ages like I am sure Amazon will be. I suppose someone could pick up the Nook business.
CNBC interviewed someone (the president of B&N?) today and they discussed their new reader. It sounds like it has all the features of the iPod Touch, including WiFi and 3G connectivity.

Matches

10-21-2009, 05:08 PM

I don't know much about the Nook but I love my Kindle. They just dropped in price, too.

Jarhead

10-22-2009, 01:07 PM

Don't have one yet, but I am leaning toward the Sony eBook. Haven't seen the Nook yet, but the Sony (http://ebookstore.sony.com/reader/) reader looked more natural to me than the Kindle. I believe all three have access to the same book sources.

johnb

10-22-2009, 01:24 PM

And then there are the planned entries from microsoft and apple.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9139710/Analysis_Nook_could_pre_empt_the_rumored_Apple_tab let_?taxonomyId=15&pageNumber=1

Jarhead

10-22-2009, 02:13 PM

And then there are the planned entries from microsoft and apple.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9139710/Analysis_Nook_could_pre_empt_the_rumored_Apple_tab let_?taxonomyId=15&pageNumber=1

Frankly, all of these extra bells and whistles that are being added lessen the appeal of the ebook concept to me. I want something that is easy to read, and I don't need color or touch for that. Maybe they want to sell e-comic books.

Deslok

10-22-2009, 06:14 PM

Indoor66

10-22-2009, 06:20 PM

I agree, as I just wanted to read books on it, and I love the kindle for that(and for the fact that overseas, I can get any book I want on it, which was pretty impossible before). Don't have any comparisons to make with other system, but am a very happy kindle owner.

I have viewed one owned by an acquaintance. Will anyone share the cost of the service and the cost of books downloaded?

Deslok

10-22-2009, 09:01 PM

I have viewed one owned by an acquaintance. Will anyone share the cost of the service and the cost of books downloaded?

There is no "service," you pay the up front cost of the device and then on a per book basis(to be technical, with Amazon's Kindle, the price of the whispernet access to Sprint's network is covered in the cost of the book). Most major new releases tend to be $9.99 or so. There are also a large number of general paperback type releases that are more like $6 or $7(akin to the books you'd find for $6.99 or whatever at a bookstore). The really nice thing is that most of what you'd consider the classics are free. Also, at least with Amazon, each month a number of books are offered free(often the first of a series, trying to get you hooked into something). As a result, since this summer when I got the device, I've read about 20 books on it, but only paid for about 5.

Indoor66

10-22-2009, 09:08 PM

There is no "service," you pay the up front cost of the device and then on a per book basis(to be technical, with Amazon's Kindle, the price of the whispernet access to Sprint's network is covered in the cost of the book). Most major new releases tend to be $9.99 or so. There are also a large number of general paperback type releases that are more like $6 or $7(akin to the books you'd find for $6.99 or whatever at a bookstore). The really nice thing is that most of what you'd consider the classics are free. Also, at least with Amazon, each month a number of books are offered free(often the first of a series, trying to get you hooked into something). As a result, since this summer when I got the device, I've read about 20 books on it, but only paid for about 5.

Thanks. That is helpful.

UrinalCake

10-23-2009, 09:36 AM

I own a Kindle and am not familiar with the Nook, but I would suggest that the availability of books would be a major deciding factor. Amazon has a bit of a head start in that department, but I still often run across books that I want that are not available on the Kindle. Will be interesting to see if Nook has better "coverage."

Also I would recommend the regular Kindle over the larger DX model. The regular one is about at the limit of how much weight I want to hold up when I'm reading in bed, so I would expect the DX to be really cumbersome and require you to lay it in your lap or have a stand.

rsvman

10-23-2009, 02:11 PM

I have the original Kindle and I love it.

By the Nook info I saw yesterday, it looks like the number of available titles is HIGHER on Nook than it is on Kindle. I wonder if the PRICES will be comparable. The device itself is about 20 bucks cheaper (Nook, that is) than a second-generation Kindle.

I buy and read mostly classics, and they cost me anywhere from 99 cents to about $4.99. Most new books are $9.99.

I'm considering getting the Nook for my teenage son for Christmas. It just looks a little less clunky than the Kindle (Kindle is fine for me, though).

BlueDevilBaby

10-23-2009, 02:29 PM

I decided to go with the Nook. We'll see. . .

Indoor66

10-23-2009, 03:01 PM

I decided to go with the Nook. We'll see. . .

I think I may have to put a Nook on my Christmas list.

BlueDevilBaby

10-23-2009, 03:34 PM

I think I may have to put a Nook on my Christmas list.

Good thinking. I ordered one for my parents as well as Christmas gift - I thought they would like it for since they have been taking at least one long trip each year.

SoCalDukeFan

10-23-2009, 03:37 PM

I like to go to my local library and check out books.

Why/how are these readers better than a book?

Thanks

BlueDevilBaby

10-23-2009, 03:46 PM

I like to go to my local library and check out books.

Why/how are these readers better than a book?

Thanks

I like the feel of a book as well but on trips I don't want to have to take multiple books with me, some books are too thick to carry around everywhere, etc. I hear you though. I am interested to see if I like the ereader.

Indoor66

10-23-2009, 04:46 PM

Every time I see the tread title I think I am going into contracts class, or something - and that was a heck of a long time ago. :D

BlueDevilBaby

10-23-2009, 04:54 PM

Every time I see the tread title I think I am going into contracts class, or something - and that was a heck of a long time ago. :D

Perhaps I wrote it subconsciously that way since I am a lawyer.:rolleyes:

Indoor66

10-23-2009, 05:03 PM

Perhaps I wrote it subconsciously that way since I am a lawyer.:rolleyes:

At least you didn't name it In Re Dorrence Estate with all the soupy consequences! :o

Deslok

10-23-2009, 09:51 PM

I like to go to my local library and check out books.

Why/how are these readers better than a book?

Thanks

As has been noted for travel it can make a huge difference. The last 2 summers(I'm a teacher so I have a long time off in the summer), I've done round the world plane ticket vacations. If I wanted to bring enough books with me to last the trip, I'd be packing around 15 books. 2 years ago when I did the trip, that meant numerous stops at bookstores, selling/donating books wherever I could(I also simply cannot throw books out, no matter how bad the book is, I just can't do it, I have to leave it somewhere where someone else can read it) and repeating the process. With the Kindle this past summer, that's all I needed to bring along. I could load 10 books on it, and if I wanted more, just hook it up to a computer(while overseas) and download another book, or turn the wireless on and download directly to the Kindle if I was in the US. And outside the US, it rather difficult finding a large selection of English books, not so with the Kindle.

If most of the time you stay within your local area and use your library, then it probably isn't worth it. But for traveling/living overseas, its soooo worth it.

UrinalCake

10-26-2009, 11:59 AM

Also nice for titles that are unavailable in large print, if that's something you need. You can just change the font size on an electronic reader.

Exiled_Devil

10-26-2009, 11:01 PM

And then there are the planned entries from microsoft and apple.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9139710/Analysis_Nook_could_pre_empt_the_rumored_Apple_tab let_?taxonomyId=15&pageNumber=1

The Microsoft product is not anything like an ebook. Heck, the Apple product is still a rumor and obsession of fanboys more than areal product. These artciles comparing them to the kindle and nook are silly, IMO.

FYI, here is a video (http://gizmodo.com/5369493/leaked-courier-video-shows-how-well-actually-use-it) about the Courier (MS new tablet) It is more about actually doing work than viewing media.

As a long time tablet PC user, the Courier has me super-excited.

DevilAlumna

10-26-2009, 11:14 PM

NPR's All Tech Considered just did a deeper dive on e-readers - here's a good entry point: http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2009/10/is_the_page_finally_turning_fo.html

Amazon also announced they will be making a Kindle app for Windows 7, available soon.

BlueDevilBaby

12-09-2009, 05:43 PM

All I have to say is the Nook is way cool.:)