Debut

Introducing the "Nook" from Barnes & Noble

Adding much needed competition to the eReader market, Barnes & Noble recently introduced their practically button-less, dual-screen eBook reader called, Nook. Though its hardware is more attractive than the current eReader marketplace champ, Amazon’s Kindle, the Nook offers little improvements and even lags slightly behind in terms of software for user experience. The Nook is best summed up as a less refined runner-up to the Kindle.

First, let’s discuss the perks that the Nook offers. It’s an undeniably attractive-looking device, much better looking than the Kindle. It’s a bit smaller and slightly heavier than the Kindle in terms of size and weight. The Nook also has a much less cluttered look and feel since it no longer has the broad, hideous QWERTY keyboard that covers the lower portion of the Kindle. In its place is a small color LCD screen (3.5 x 1 inches) which allows the user to scroll through the device’s menus and controls. A virtual keyboard pops up whenever you need to type. The color in this small screen definitely makes the Nook stand out from the Kindle since users have the added bonus of enjoying the original cover art for the book they’re reading.

Amazon's favorite... the "Kindle"

For the main reading screen, the Nook uses the exact same E Ink technology as the Kindle and there is virtually no difference here between the two eReaders. The main screen (6 inch) mimics the same pale gray, matte surface that eBook users are familiar with on the Kindle. It’s the same Etch-a-Sketch-like technology that reflects light off the screen so that it’s a much more comfortable reading experience. It’s the same visual experience as if you were reading the book in paper form. The Nook boasts about a week of battery life with ordinary use.

Users can also play music while reading since there’s a built-in MP3 player and headphone jack.

Additionally, the device introduces a new feature that allows you to pick between 5 different font sizes and 2-3 different font faces. There’s even an option to enjoy eBook-lending for some titles between friends. You’re able to send your favorite titles to your friends so they can download and read it on their Nook. While someone else has borrowed the book you can’t read it, but it will return to your library after 2 weeks.

The cons of the Nook concern its slowness compared to the Kindle. Occasionally the screens take a few seconds to respond to user touches so that you are either forced to wait impatiently, or you end up on a screen that you don’t want since you tap multiply times. The E Ink screen on the Nook takes half a second-longer to refresh than the Kindle’s – though this might not seem very long, it does put a noticeable damper on the reading experience after a while since there’s frequent page-turning involved. Software updates from the B&N engineers are necessary in order to resolve these interface glitches.

The Nook (and Kindle) are pricey investments, but are well worth it if you’re accustomed to purchasing dozens of new hardcovers a year. For those who buy used paperbacks or frequent the library however, these eReaders might not be as worthwhile.

Order the Nook here for $259. Or stick with the tried-and-true Kindle from Amazon for also $259.

Check out this video review from Wired for more details on the Nook: