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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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9

Barnes & Noble Unveils 'Nook' E-Reader

Unlike Kindle, users can loan books to others for 2 weeks

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(Newser) – Barnes & Noble unveiled its new e-reader today: the Nook. Like the Kindle, it's a wireless device that allows for instant downloads of purchases. Some details, via CNET, the Wall Street Journal, the LA Times, and PC World.

  • It costs $259, same as the Kindle, and will be out in November.
  • Unlike Kindle users, Nook readers can loan e-books to others for up to 14 days. They can be read on other Nooks, cell phones, or computers.
  • The Nook doesn't have the Kindle's text-to-speech feature, though it can play back MP3 audio.

  • It has a 6-inch reading screen and a smaller color touch screen for navigation and searches.
  • It has 2GB of memory, for about 1,500 books, but it can be expanded with a memory card of up to 16GB.
  • It has 10 days of battery life, shorter than the Kindle's 14, though its battery is removable and replaceable.
  • It weighs 11.2 ounces, 1 more than the Kindle.

William J. Lynch, president of Barnes & Noble.com, holds the Nook.
William J. Lynch, president of Barnes & Noble.com, holds the Nook.   (jim Sulley/newscast)
The Nook is unveiled today.
The Nook is unveiled today.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The new Barnes & Nobel e-reader, called the Nook, costs $259.
The new Barnes & Nobel e-reader, called the Nook, costs $259.   (Barnes & Noble)
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9 comments
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paul123
Oct 20, 09 6:26 PM CDT
So, the only real advantage is you can share books with other users. Without actually seeing one for myself, I think the advantage is still the Kindle's. Reply
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shonangreg
Oct 20, 09 7:56 PM CDT
The big advantage shown here is the color touchscreen at the bottom. The whole interface can be made more intuitive with that. And I'm guessing this will support the emerging standard ePub book format. The Kindle is still resisting supporting ePub. If you have ePub capability on your reader, you can get your books from almost anywhere, not just amazon's own bookstore. Google books, Gutenberg, etc. all distribute free books (and paid) in this format. .......................... The two week loan feature is nice too for recent, protected books. However, if you have unprotected ePub books on your device, whatever it is, then you can just swap memory cards for a moment and make a permanent copy. ............................. Amazon is "protecting" itself right out of the market. Expect them to turn around on the ePub issue soon too.
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shonangreg
Oct 20, 09 8:16 PM CDT
Confirmed ---- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/features/techspecs/ ---------------- B&N's nook supports ePub and pdf. It looks like a nice ebook reader, actually. The hardware is about as good as the kindle. The OS is android and therefore more flexible than the Kindle's. And with standard ePub format support, you can't really go wrong in getting a nook. You're not going to lose your investment if you decide to change devices in the future. Score B&N.
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paul123
Oct 20, 09 9:02 PM CDT
thanks greg! I just bought a kindle last week, so I'm a little biased. Appreciate the info.
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drlarrymitchell
Oct 20, 09 6:26 PM CDT
Price this thing around $50, and then we'll talk. Maybe. Reply
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+4

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