Nook

Review
June 17, 2011
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Barnes & Noble ‘All-New NOOK’ review

By on June 17, 2011 at 12:30 PM.

Barnes & Noble ‘All-New NOOK’ review

Barnes & Noble took the wraps off of its latest eReader, the “All-New NOOK,” just last month. Its grayscale screen strays from the NOOK Color, and while the device still runs Android, it looks and feels much more like a traditional eReader. However, the new NOOK has a brand new E Ink Pearl display that not only works as a touchscreen, but refreshes less often than other eReaders and transitions faster. I’ve been using the new NOOK for the past week extensively, staying up late at night reading and pulling the NOOK out on the subway for quick page turns between stops. At $139, the NOOK is competitively priced with the Wi-Fi Kindle, but is it good enough to be your next (or first) eReader? My full review is after the break.

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mobile
June 10, 2011
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All new Barnes & Noble NOOK has web browser after all

By on June 10, 2011 at 3:09 PM.

All new Barnes & Noble NOOK has web browser after all

Barnes & Noble hasn’t acknowledged it yet, but the new NOOK actually does have a built-in web browser. It’s no surprise — the NOOK is powered by Android, so it should have some sort of browsing experience built-in — though it doesn’t work that well. We tested it with our review unit briefly by simply entering in a URL into the unit’s search function. Sites such as CNN and The New York Times failed to load at all, while others like Twitter’s mobile site booted just fine. The experience is far from perfect right now, but perhaps this means Barnes & Noble will patch the eReader with more robust support in the future. Hit the jump for a video of the browser in action, filmed by The eBook Reader. We’ll have our review of the all new NOOK up soon, so stay tuned! More →

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mobile
June 2, 2011
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Barnes & Noble shipping new NOOK now

By on June 2, 2011 at 12:00 AM.

Barnes & Noble shipping new NOOK now

On Wednesday Barnes & Noble announced that it is now shipping its brand new NOOK eReader to customers who pre-ordered the device, and that new customers will still get their devices by Father’s Day. The updated NOOK offers a 6-inch touchscreen display with new E Ink Pearl technology, access to 2 million books, and a single hardware button that should provide for a much more intuitive experience. We found the new E Ink display to be “leaps and bounds” better than the original during our hands-on with the eReader, so we’re definitely excited to see it make its debut this weekend. The NOOK will be in-stock at Barnes & Noble locations for $139.99. Hit the jump for the full press release. More →

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eBooks
May 24, 2011
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Hands on with the all-new Barnes & Noble NOOK

By on May 24, 2011 at 12:01 PM.

Hands on with the all-new Barnes & Noble NOOK

We just spent some time with Barnes & Noble’s just-announced eReader, the all-new NOOK, and we have to say… we’re impressed. From the size, to the design, to the gorgeous new E Ink Pearl display, this device is leaps and bounds better than the previous-generation NOOK. What’s more, we think it will definitely push Barnes & Noble even further in the growing eReader space, and it should have the team over at Amazon working overtime on its next Kindle design. The exterior of all-new NOOK is composed entirely of soft-touch rubber that feels amazing compared to the hard plastic found on other readers. The new E Ink display is fantastic, and we definitely appreciated the work Barnes & Noble put into improving the seizure-inducing page transitions that plague all eReaders. They’re still there, but they’re much improved compared to older readers. The addition of a 6-inch touchscreen makes interacting with the device much more enjoyable than non-touch eBook readers, and it also helps make the size of the device perfect for carrying in a small bag or even a coat pocket. Barnes & Noble’s is taking pre-orders for its all-new NOOK starting now, and the device will begin shipping on or around June 10th for $139. In the meantime, definitely check out our hands-on gallery below!

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Breaking
May 24, 2011
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Barnes & Noble announces the all new NOOK

By on May 24, 2011 at 10:15 AM.

Barnes & Noble announces the all new NOOK

Barnes & Noble on Tuesday unveiled its all new NOOK eBook reader, and to say it’s an improvement over the previous-generation model is an understatement. This new version replaces the older greyscale model, not the still-young NOOK color, and it features a major improvement we probably all saw coming… a touchscreen. The eReader sports an on-screen keyboard and it also allows readers to look up words or take notes with simple taps on the beautiful E Ink display. The new NOOK features just one button compared to the Kindle’s 38, which obviously simplifies the user experience significantly. More importantly, the new NOOK can last up to two months on a single charge — double the battery life of Amazon’s Kindle. Other nifty features include a new proprietary dissolve transition that takes readers from one page to the next, and social media integration that allows users to share recommendations via Twitter, Facebook and more. Of course the new eReader also features Wi-Fi connectivity and owners can enjoy free hotspot access at all Barnes & Noble stores as well as every AT&T hotspot across the country. The new NOOK will retail for $139.99 when it becomes available on June 10th from Barnes & Noble, Best Buy and more. Pre-orders are available immediately.

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Live Coverage
May 24, 2011
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Live from Barnes & Noble’s NOOK event!

By on May 24, 2011 at 9:31 AM.

Live from Barnes & Noble’s NOOK event!

While Microsoft is busy showing off the latest and greatest its Windows Phone platform has to offer, Barnes & Noble is across town getting ready to take the wraps off its brand new NOOK eReader. Tablets like the Apple iPad 2 and BlackBerry PlayBook are taking center stage right now, but these jacks of all trades have a long way to go before they can even come close to matching the reading experience afforded by dedicated eReaders. Avid readers and casual readers alike can appreciate the remarkable battery life and unique features that only a dedicated eBook reader can afford, and good luck trying to soak up the sun while reading a book on your iPad — right now, only an E Ink display can remain perfectly visible and glare-free while combating the sun’s rays. So what new features does Barnes and Noble have in store for its latest NOOK eReader? Hit the break for our live coverage of the unveiling, which will begin just before 10:00 a.m. EST, and don’t forget to refresh the page often for all the latest updates! More →

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mobile
May 17, 2011
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Barnes & Noble making ‘special announcement’ during May 24th press event

By on May 17, 2011 at 8:17 PM.

Barnes & Noble making ‘special announcement’ during May 24th press event


We just received an invite from Barnes & Noble for a press event that’s being held in New York City on Tuesday, May 24th. We suspect this will be the bookstore’s third major eReader announcement, which is in line with a recent SEC filing that suggested such a launch was imminent. It’s unclear what features the new eReader will offer, although we suspect it could be powered by the Android Honeycomb operating system, which was specifically designed for use in tablets. We’ll be reporting live from the event on Tuesday morning.

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mobile
May 13, 2011
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Barnes & Noble updates NOOK for Android app with magazines, newspapers

By on May 13, 2011 at 11:11 PM.

Barnes & Noble updates NOOK for Android app with magazines, newspapers

Barnes & Noble announced on Friday that it has updated NOOK for Android eReader application with access to newspapers and magazines. Users with 7-inch 800 x 480 resolution tablets running Android OS 2.1 and higher — that includes the Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Tab 10.1, XOOM, G-Slate, and others — can now view more than 120 magazines including popular periodicals such as Esquire, Maxim, Rolling Stone, and Popular Science, as well as national newspapers such as USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and The Chicago Tribune. Users can choose to access the content with a free 14-day trial, a subscription, or by purchasing issues individually. The update is free and should be available in the Android Market now. Hit the jump for the full release. More →

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mobile
May 5, 2011
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Barnes & Noble planning new eReader for May 24th launch

By on May 5, 2011 at 11:33 PM.

Barnes & Noble planning new eReader for May 24th launch

According to a recent filing with the SEC, Barnes and Noble is planning to launch a new eReader later this month. During a meeting with analysts and investors, the big-box and online bookstore said “it expects to make an announcement on May 24, 2011 regarding the launch of a new eReader device.” It’s unclear if the new eReader will carry the NOOK moniker, but if Barnes & Noble is reworking the Nook Color – already powered by Android – we suspect it will have more powerful hardware and perhaps Android 3.0, which is designed for tablets. Late last year, Barnes & Noble went on the record saying that since the introduction of its NOOK eReaders, it began selling more digital books than physical books. With an even more robust device, B&N may be able to break into the tablet market, too. More →

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mobile
April 25, 2011
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Barnes & Noble NOOK Color updated with Android 2.2, NOOK Apps

By on April 25, 2011 at 5:32 PM.

Barnes & Noble NOOK Color updated with Android 2.2, NOOK Apps

On Monday, Barnes & Noble announced that it will be updating the NOOK Color eReader with Android 2.2 (Froyo) and a number of other enhancements. The software patch — which will deliver Adobe Flash Player support – adds a NOOK Friends beta social network for sharing books, 15 new NOOK Kids Read and Play books, NOOK Email, NOOK Books Enhanced with embedded video and audio, and NOOK Newsstand for quick access to magazines and newspapers. A new NOOK Apps store will provide access to more than 125 applications, many of which are free or are priced below the $2.99 price point. The update, officially known as NOOK Color v1.2, is available now for free. NOOK Color owners can visit http://www.nookcolor.com/update to apply it now, or you can wait for an over-the-air update to roll out over the coming weeks. Hit the jump for the full press release. More →

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Services
April 6, 2011
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NOOK subscribers get access to The New York Times’ digital content, too

By on April 6, 2011 at 1:21 AM.

NOOK subscribers get access to The New York Times’ digital content, too

Late last month, Amazon announced that customers subscribed to The New York Times via its eReader would qualify for a free digital subscription to the paper’s website. Not to be outdone, Barnes & Noble today announced that users subscribed to The Times via the NOOK Newsstand will also have full access to the  publication’s web content, too. The famed paper made waves on March 17th when it announced that it was moving to a pay wall model for its website. Users are allowed to read twenty NYT articles each month before they bump into the new toll booth and are required to pay for access. While the publication noted that those subscribed to its traditional home delivery service would be given full-access to all online content, it was not made clear how those digesting the Times via eReaders would be affected. The full press release is after the break. More →

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Legal
March 21, 2011
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Microsoft sues Barnes & Noble, Foxconn over Android eReader

By on March 21, 2011 at 4:14 PM.

Microsoft sues Barnes & Noble, Foxconn over Android eReader

Redmond software giant Microsoft has announced it will file suit against Barnes & Noble, Foxconn, and Inventec for patent infringement. The three, seemingly unrelated companies collaborate to manufacture the Barnes & Noble branded, Android-based eReader. “The Android platform infringes a number of Microsoft’s patents, and companies manufacturing and shipping Android devices must respect our intellectual property rights,” said Horacio Gutierrez, Microsoft’s Deputy General Counsel. Microsoft has setup a patent licensing program for Android vendors to mitigate instances of infringement upon the patents in question — Taiwanese company HTC subscribes to said program. “We have tried for over a year to reach licensing agreements with Barnes & Noble, Foxconn and Inventec” Gutierrez added. “Their refusals to take licenses leave us no choice but to bring legal action to defend our innovations.” The full press release is after the break. More →

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Software
March 19, 2011
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eBook sales jump 115% in January

By on March 19, 2011 at 10:15 AM.

eBook sales jump 115% in January

The Association of American Publishers said Thursday that eBook sales for the month of January were up 115% from the same period last year. No surprise there, given that you can read them on most any mobile device these days, not just eReaders. Net sales of eBooks were $69.9 million during the month, up from $32.4 million in January 2010. On the other side of the coin, sales of paperback books were down 30% year-over-year, and sales of adult hardcover books dropped to $49.1 million in January 2011 from $55.4 million during January 2010. It doesn’t look like overpriced textbooks are going anywhere, as the higher education sector wasn’t hit as hard. Higher education sales were $382 million this January, down from $387.6 million reported in the same month in 2010. More →

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