May 24, 2013

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Pandigital Novel eReader

May 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Pandigital Novel eReader

Pandigital Novel eReader

If you’re looking for a color eBook reader that can do a little more than a standard eReader, yet still comes in at an affordable price, then the Pandigital Novel could be the gadget for you. With Wi-Fi connectivity and the ability to download apps, this model enters the realm of budget tablet computers. But is it worth buying in a world where the likes of the Amazon Kindle Fire cost just a little bit extra?

Pandigital Novel Key Specs

Average Price: $160

Release Year: 2011

Battery Life: Not advertised

Screen Size: 7 inch

Screen Type: color touchscreen

Weight: 19 oz

Storage Size: 1GB (expandable by 32GB with SD card slot)

Internet: Wi-Fi

Main eBook Format: ePubPandigital Novel eBook readerPros Of The Pandigital Novel 

Color Screen: The Pandigital Novel makes use of a color touchscreen, which many people choose for the fact that they can view images in high quality, and access the features and menus through intuitive touches. When you need to make notes, simply use the virtual keyboard to do so. The only drawback of the color screen (and this applies to all color eReaders) is the fact that they’re notoriously difficult to read in sunlight. 

Book Store: The great thing about the Pandigital Novel is the fact that you can access the Barnes & Noble store directly from the device. This gives you access to a huge selection of books, including a number of free classic titles, making it easy to get hold of what you want to. You can extend the eBook functionality even further by downloading the Kindle apps and buying apps from the Kindle Store.

Multimedia: This isn’t just for reading eBooks: the Pandigital Novel can also handle a variety of different media types on the go. There’s a video player and photo viewer on the device, and you’ll be able to listen to your music and audiobook collections, too. 

Features: Unlike some of the cheapest color eBook reading devices out there (such as the Skytex Primer or Ematic eGlide), the Pandigital Novel does have a range of extra features including email, web browsing and more. However, it isn’t a fully-fledged tablet computer (see below). Its main function is still as an eBook reader.Pandigital Novel eBook reader

As far as reading functions go, you have everything you’d expect from an eBook reader: the ability to make notes, highlight passages, search through the book, look up words in the dictionary, change the font size and create your own bookmarks.

Internet Access: Some of the budget color eReaders are unable to connect to the internet. Thankfully, this isn’t the case with the Pandigital Novel. You can connect up to Wi-Fi networks in order to take advantage of onboard eBook shopping or the built in web browser. This is a useful feature to have in an eBook reading tablet at this price point. 

Cons Of The Pandigital Novel 

Price: At around $150, the Pandigital Novel is more expensive than some other color eReaders, such as the Ematic eGlide and the Skytex Primer. That said, it is a lot cheaper than the Nook Color ($250) and a little cheaper than the Amazon Kindle Fire ($199), but it doesn’t have the benefit of a powerful processor to keep things running so smoothly.

Storage Space: Although 2GB onboard storage space is enough for a standard eBook reader, it’s not much for a color reader that can also play other multimedia files. Its rivals offer 4GB or more, which is more acceptable. Thankfully there’s a useful SD memory card slot for expanding the memory should you need to. Memory cards are inexpensive, so this offers some flexibility. 

User Experience: Unfortunately, the Pandigital Novel can be a little slow to boot up and run apps due to a low end processor when compared to other tablets on the market. The user interface isn’t as polished as on some other devices, either, and the touchscreen isn’t as responsive as devices such as the Nook Color. 

Pandigital Novel eReader

Pandigital Novel eReader

Apps: It’s fantastic that this device has the ability to download apps, as it’s one of the cheapest Android tablets available. That said, it uses a very old version of Android, meaning that the newest apps won’t all be available to you. The good news is, however, that users will be able to find apps for most of the things you’d expect an internet tablet to do: browsing the web, watching videos and, importantly, reading eBooks. 

Size & Weight: The Pandigital Novel looks a little chunky compared to its main competitors such as the Kindle Fire, and is a little heavier too. The good news is that it still feels comfortable in your hands and is light enough to read for long periods of time. The size of the screen is a benefit when comparing the Novel to some basic eBook readers, as most come with 6 inches instead of 7. 

Is The Pandigital Novel Worth Buying? 

The Pandigital Novel currently sits in between super-budget color multimedia devices, such as the Ematic eGlide and Skytex Primer, and more impressive yet not fully-functional tablets such as the Kindle Fire and Nook Color. The price is affordable, given the fact that you have Wi-Fi access and can download a limited range of Android apps. However, it could be worth spending the extra $50 and having access to the more powerful features that you get from the Amazon Kindle Fire.

Pandigital Novel eBook reader

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Kobo Touch Edition

May 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The Kobo Touch Edition isn’t quite as popular or as well known as eReaders like the Nook Touch or Kindle, but it is a viable option in the world of budget eBook readers. Keep reading to find out more about the pros and cons of choosing this particular device. 

Kobo Touch Edition Key Specs 

Average Price: $129

Release Year: 2011

Battery Life: One Months (Wi-Fi off)

Screen Size: 6 inch

Screen Type: e-Ink touchscreen

Weight: 7.05 oz

Storage Size: 2GB (expandable by 32GB)

Internet: Wi-Fi

Main eBook Format: ePub 

Pros Of The Kobo Touch Edition 

Price: There are two major rivals to the Kobo Touch Edition: The Nook Touch and Kindle Touch. Both of these come in at $139 (though the Kindle is cheaper if you opt for the ad-supported version). The Kobo Touch is slightly cheaper, at $129, yet still comes with a sleek touchscreen and a variety of eReader functions. 

Touchscreen: Touchscreen eBook readers are by now becoming the norm. Having a touchscreen on the Kobo Reader means it’s far faster to look up words in the dictionary (simply click on the word rather than scrolling through the page with the directional pad) and to access the menu items you want to use. 

Memory Expansion: 2GB of internal memory is less than the Amazon Kindle Touch, but can still store around 1,000 books – more than enough for most users! The good news is that, unlike the Kindle, the Kobo Touch Edition does come with an SD memory card expansion slot to expand your memory up to 32GB (for 30,000 eBooks). It’s unlikely any of us will have enough eBooks to fill the expanded memory, but it’s always useful to have the expansion option available should you ever need it. 

Web Access And Browser: The Kobo Touch Edition comes with Wi-Fi connectivity built in, as you’d expect when its main rivals are the Kindle and Nook. You can simply use this to shop for new books from the device, or you can take advantage of the included browser. Like most e-Ink reader web browsers, it’s not perfect but it’s a great feature to have on hand. 

Design: Like any good eReader, the Kobo Touch Edition is designed to be compact and portable. It is lightweight, making it comfortable to hold as you read. The real thing that sets the Kobo apart from other eReaders, however, is the quilted back design. It comes in a number of different colors to suit your personality, and looks stylish and fun. The design also means that you’ll have a good grip on the device. 

Battery: With the Wi-Fi turned off, the battery on the Kobo Touch Edition will last around one month, which is more than enough time for most users not to have to worry about charging all the time. Note that this is less than the two months boasted by the Kindle Touch/ Keyboard and the Nook Touch, but is still considered an excellent battery life. 

Some Unique Features: Just like the Kindle Touch and Nook Touch, the Kobo Touch Edition comes with some of its own unique features. For example, the Reading Life function allows you to keep track of everything you’ve read, providing you with detailed stats and rewards when you meet certain requirements. Just with the Kindle and Nook, you can also share what you’re reading with Facebook and Twitter. 

Apps For Other Devices: Like the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook, the Kobo has a variety of apps available to download for Android, iPhone/ iPad and your computer. This means that you’ll have your books available on you no matter which one of those devices you may be using. 

Page Turns: Like the latest generations of Nook and Kindle, the manufacturers of the Kobo reader have gone to some effort to reduce the black screen flash that occurs when you turn the page on an e-Ink screen. This means that you won’t notice the screen going black every single page turn, which is nice (though most users don’t usually notice the page turns once they get used to using their eReader). Note that you can either swipe or tap the screen to turn the page, which is very intuitive and easy to do. 

Cons Of The Kobo Touch Edition 

Less Intuitive: When you compare the Kobo Touch Edition to its main Kindle and Nook rivals, you’ll find that the touch functions are less intuitive than the competition. The user interface isn’t quite as well designed and laid out, though you can still find your way around pretty easily. 

Fewer Features: The Kobo Touch Edition has fewer features than the Kindle equivalent. Like the Nook, it doesn’t come with the ability to play MP3 files, nor does it have a text-to-speech function. That said, you can read PDF files and the device does support library lending formats. 

Newspapers and Magazines: The Nook is famous for the way it can display magazines, and the Kindle also has an excellent selection of titles available in its store. The Kobo, on the other hand, has far fewer titles to choose from. 

Is The Kobo Touch Edition Worth Buying? 

In short, the Kobo Touch Edition is an excellent upgrade to its line of eReaders. There are a number of features on the device that help it stand up against rivals such as the Kindle Touch and Nook Touch, and the design certainly stands out. Although Kobo don’t offer as many books in their own store, the eReader is open enough to allow you to read content from other sources. All in all, the Kobo Touch Edition comes in at a good price and is a solid eReader.

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Skytex Primer Color eReader

April 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Skytex Primer Color eReader

Skytex Primer Color eReader

As eBook readers become more and more popular, there are now many different options available to suit all kinds of user. The Skytex Primer has been designed for those who don’t just want an eReader: they want a device that can also handle their photos, videos and music files. With a color screen and a low price point, the Skytex Primer has proved popular in the budget category of eReaders. Keep reading to find out whether it does everything you need it to do. 

Skytex Primer Key Specs 

Average Price: $130

Release Year: 2010

Battery Life: 10 hours

Screen Size: 7 inch

Screen Type: color touchscreen

Storage Size: 2GB (expandable by 16GB with SD card slot)

Internet: None

Main eBook Format: ePubSKYTEX Primer 7

Pros Of The Skytex Primer 

Price: The Skytex Primer is now widely available for less than $100, making it one of the most affordable options in the world of color eBook readers. True, it’s more expensive than the cheapest ad-supported Kindle, though it suits a different niche market given its extra features and LCD screen. 

Memory: 2GB of onboard storage is enough to store thousands of eBooks as standard. However, if you want to fill your Skytex Primer with other multimedia files (like it was designed for) then you may want to take advantage of the included SD memory card slot to expand it by another 16GB. This is an excellent addition which means the device has the ability to grow as your collection does. 

Design: It’s important for any eBook reader to be small and lightweight, making it easy to hold just like a real book. The good news is that the Skytex Primer meets these specifications. It doesn’t look quite as stylish as some of the top readers out there, especially given the fact that it uses physical buttons instead of a touchscreen, though it’s laid out well enough to make it easy to use. 

Screen: Although this isn’t a touchscreen eReader, as you might expect from a color LCD screen, the screen is still impressive and makes for a good reading experience. The backlight is adjustable to suit the brightness of the room you’re in, and the display is crisp. The fact that it’s lit up means that it’s easy to read at night, though it does mean you’ll experience glare when you try to read in bright sunlight. 

Extra Features: Like many other color screen eReaders on the market, the Skytex Primer does come with a few extra features. One feature that’s especially popular is the ability to record voice memos. Many buyers use this for taking notes on the books they’re reading, or simply for recording new ideas as they pop into their heads. 

SKYTEX Primer 7Aside from the voice recorder you’ll also find an FM radio, video player and photo viewer. This helps to take it into the category of a tablet computer, but you won’t find internet features or downloadable apps. 

Multimedia: The Skytex Primer was not just designed for reading eBooks; it’s also made to be a flexible multimedia player. It has the capability to read a wide range of different files. Simply transfer videos, photos and music files from your PC or Mac via USB, and take them with you on the go with this device. 

Cons Of The Skytex Primer 

Battery Life: The battery life on the Skytex Primer may not be long at first, and the battery can initially take a very long time to charge. This is because the manufacturer recommends you charge it and let the battery drain for around five charges before it reaches full capacity. Once you’ve done this, you should find that the battery lasts longer, although most users find that it doesn’t live up to the advertised 10 hours. 

No Wi-Fi: Unlike other eReaders, the Skytex Primer doesn’t come with Wi-Fi connectivity included. This means you can’t buy books directly from the device, or access the web via a web browser. However, at this price point you really wouldn’t expect such functionality. 

File Management: Most eBook readers will allow you to easily manage your files on the device itself, whether this means deleting certain books or organizing them into your own chosen categories. Unfortunately, you can only order books by author on the Skytex Primer, unless you change folder names on your computer. 

When it comes to deleting books, you can only do so from your computer. This isn’t too inconvenient, but may annoy some users. It also means that you cannot use the Skytex Primer eBook reader unless you do have a home computer. 

Instructions: Unfortunately, the instruction manual for the Skytex Primer leaves a lot to be desired. It doesn’t go into much depth at all. Thankfully, however, the reader is easy enough to use without having to constantly refer back to the instructions. 

Is The Skytex Primer Worth Buying? 

There are a number of limitations to the Skytex Primer, notably the fact that it can’t connect to the internet, and the battery runs out very quickly. That said, if you’re looking for a simple multimedia device, this is an excellent budget choice. It has all the reading functions you need, and is far cheaper than most other options on the market today.

SKYTEX Primer 7

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Sony Reader Wi-Fi

October 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Sony Reader Wi-Fi

Sony Reader Wi-Fi

Sony was one of the first companies to take eBook reading into the mainstream. They’ve been in the market for five years now, and have had a number of successful models. Unfortunately for them, however, high prices and the lack of an internet connection meant that they lost a lot of their market to Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Sony are back and ready to face the competition with a new improved Sony Reader Wi-Fi, but have they done enough to impress customers?

Sony Reader Wi-Fi Key Specs 

Average Price: $149

Release Year: 2011

Battery Life: One Months (Wi-Fi off)

Screen Size: 6 inch

Screen Type: e-Ink touchscreen

Weight: 5.9 oz

Storage Size: 2GB (expandable by 32GB)

Internet: Wi-Fi

Main eBook Format: ePub Reader Wi-Fi

Pros Of The Sony Reader Wi-Fi

Design: Sony have given their last line of eBook readers a revamp with the Sony Reader Wi-Fi, but it’s still clear to see that this is very much a Sony product. The good news is that this reader is lighter than ever before (due to the fact that it now uses a plastic, not metal, casing) and is lighter than any of the other major 6″ eReaders out there today. It also comes in a choice of black, pink or white for those who like the option of a slightly personalized eReader. 

Touchscreen Technology: Sony was the first to come out with a touchscreen eReader all those years ago, and have worked to ensure the best reading experience. The Sony Reader Wi-Fi uses the same touchscreen technology as you’ll find in the Barnes & Noble Nook, and the Kobo Touch Edition, which is very responsive and makes it a breeze to get around your device.

The Sony Reader Wi-Fi does differ from these devices, however, in that it also features some physical buttons for those who want them. Although you can turn the page with a swipe of the finger, you can also control the page turns using the buttons at the bottom of the screen. There’s even a stylus option for those who’d rather operate the device and make notes that way instead. 

Internet: Fans of the Sony Reader will be pleased to see that they’ve included Wi-Fi on this device. This brings it into line with its main rivals: the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook. Included Wi-Fi means that you can now access the Sony bookstore and download titles whenever you’re connected up to a Wi-Fi hotspot. 

The good news is that there’s also an experimental web browser included. Although no eReader browser can be used for complex browsing functions, it’s useful for checking the odd email or looking something up on Wikipedia, and performs better than the Kindle browser. 

MicroSD Card Slot: With 2GB onboard memory, there’s plenty of storage space for your books. You’ll fit around 1200 titles onto the included memory, though you can take advantage of the MicroSD card slot to add up to an extra 32GB. You don’t need a computer to manage all your files, either: manage your book and music library right on the device itself. 

Library Features: Thanks to the fact that the Sony Reader Wi-Fi uses ePub eBooks, you can easily borrow books from your local library. The reader comes with a dedicated icon to make accessing this feature easy, though you have to be a member of a local library who offers this service.

If you can’t take advantage of library downloads then the good news is that you can access a number of free eBooks through the Google Books section of the Sony book store, right from the device.

Reader Wi-FiBattery Life: The battery on the Sony Reader Wi-Fi is designed to last for 14,000 page turns, which equates to around one month before you’ll need to charge it. Keep the Wi-Fi turned on and you will run it out a lot faster, however. One month is definitely the standard for quality eBook readers, though doesn’t quite match up to the Kindle Touch and Nook Touch. 

Audio: Unlike the Nook, the Sony Reader Wi-Fi lets you play your MP3 and AAC audio files directly on the device. You’ll need to purchase headphones separately, though. 

Cons Of The Sony Reader Wi-Fi 

Cost: Sony is almost famous for pricing their eBook readers very high. The good news, however, is that the price has come down for the Sony Reader Wi-Fi. It’s also more equal to its main rivals in terms of specs and extra features. It is only $10 more than the Nook and Kindle Touch (without special offers), which isn’t too bad but could still affect sales. 

No iPhone App: The best readers, such as the Kindle, Nook and Kobo, all have a whole host of apps that allow people to sync their book collections between smartphones, tablets and computers. This also makes books of various formats accessible to all, even if they don’t own the specific device. Although the Sony Reader has an Android, PC and Mac app available, there’s no iOS app. This is a big deal for many users, as the iPad and iPhone are both extremely popular devices. 

Is The Sony Reader Wi-Fi Worth Buying? 

The question is, will the Sony Reader Wi-Fi help Sony regain some of its lost market share? They’ve done a lot to make sure this happens, from reducing the price significantly, to adding a Wi-Fi internet connection and using an excellent quality touchscreen. Unfortunately, however, it’s still a little more expensive than we’d like, but aside from the cost this is a serious contender in the high-end eReader market.

Reader Wi-Fi

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Nook Touch eBook Reader

October 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Nook Touch eBook Reader

Nook Touch eBook Reader

The original Barnes & Noble Nook was a huge seller in the world of eBook readers. Now there are two new models to choose from: the new Nook Color, and the Nook Touch. The latter is branded as “the simple eReader” by Barnes & Noble, where the focus is solely on the reading experience. But is this the right device for you?

Nook Touch Key Specs 

Average Price: $139

Release Year: 2011

Battery Life: Two Months (Wi-Fi off)

Screen Size: 6 inch

Screen Type: e-Ink touchscreen

Weight: 7.48 oz

Storage Size: 2GB (expandable by 32GB)

Internet: Wi-Fi

Main eBook Format: ePubNook Touch eBook Reader

Pros Of The Nook Touch 

Design: The Nook Touch is noticeably shorter and wider than other eReaders like the Kindle, but it weighs pretty much the same as the Kindle Touch. It’s compact, and sits well in your hand for reading. Because Barnes & Noble used soft-touch paint for this reader, it looks rubberized and sleek.

Touch Screen: As the name suggests, the Nook Touch features a touchscreen. The technology makes use of infrared sensors built into the border around the screen (the same technology employed by the Kobo Touch and Sony Reader Wi-Fi). As a result, it’s extremely responsive to even the slightest touch (which is a good thing). Using a touchscreen eReader is generally intuitive, and far easier than using a directional pad to make your way through menus. 

Page Turns: The page turns are relatively fast on the Nook Touch. No current e-Ink reader has instant page turns, but the “flash” effect on the screen (it turns black for a second each time you turn the page) has certainly been reduced since the previous Nook models. E-Ink screens are never going to work as fast as LCD eReader devices, such as the Nook Color, but users probably won’t notice much delay on the Nook Touch. 

Battery Life: The battery life on the Nook Touch really is excellent. As long as you don’t keep the Wi-Fi turned on, you won’t have to recharge the device for up to two months. This is double the battery life of the standard Kindle, but equal to the Kindle Touch and Kindle Keyboard. It’s excellent news for people who don’t want to worry about charging when they read, and means you can probably take it away on vacation without ever needing to recharge the device. 

Extra Features: There are a number of extra features built into the Nook Touch, on top of standard reading features such as the dictionary, a variety of font sizes and so on. 

Barnes & Noble had put an emphasis on the social side of reading, with features that will let you share what you’re reading with friends, or post highlighted book passages onto Facebook and Twitter (like with the Amazon Kindle). You can even ask friends to borrow books you’ve seen on their lists, though note that some publishers don’t allow their eBooks to be lent out. Nook Touch eBook Reader

User Interface: The Nook Touch has been well designed, and is easy to use without the need for an instruction manual. It doesn’t work in quite the same way as the Nook Color, but the touchscreen means that it’s easy to get to where you want to go.

Book Format: The Barnes & Noble Nook Touch uses the standard ePub book format. This is useful thanks to the fact that a number of other reading devices and bookstores also use this format. This is one benefit over the Amazon Kindle, which reads its own AZW books and the Mobi format – not ePub. The Nook Touch can also read PDF files (standard on most eReaders) but not Word documents. The book format also means it’s easy to loan books from the library, though this is something that Kindle have also just started to implement. 

Cons Of The Nook Touch 

Lack Of Features: There are a few features missing from the Nook Touch, notably a web browser. Its main rival – the Kindle Touch – does come with a browser, albeit a very basic one. Some other features that you’ll find on the Kindle Touch and not on the Nook Touch include the ability to play MP3 files. 

Price: Although the Nook is more affordable than it has been in the past, it’s still beaten by the Amazon Kindle Touch in terms of price. The latter offers a discount if you buy the model with special offers (ads) shown on the screensavers and home menu. Barnes & Noble have previously voiced their opinion on the use of ads on their readers, saying it’s not something they’re planning to do in future. Kindle also has the standard option, without the touchscreen, which is cheaper again. 

When you compare the price of the two devices without the ad discount, the Kindle Touch and Nook Touch are largely identical in terms of price and the features they offer. Both are touchscreen eReaders, both have access to excellent bookstores, but the Kindle Touch provides a web browser and the option for a (more expensive) 3G version if you want it. 

No 3G Option: As previously mentioned, the Kindle Touch offers the choice between Wi-Fi and 3G, whereas the Nook Touch only comes with Wi-Fi. This is not a problem for most users, as you can do all your buying and downloading when you’re near a Wi-Fi hotspot. 

Is The Nook Touch Worth Buying? 

When the Nook Touch was first released, it was king of the touchscreen eReader world. With the release of the Kindle Touch, things have changed a little. In truth, the reading experience is very similar on both: they both have intuitive menu systems, and both have a high quality e-Ink display. It all comes down to which store and book format you prefer. And, if you want 3G internet access, you’ll have to go with the Kindle.

Nook Touch eBook Reader

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Nook Color eBook Reader/ Tablet

October 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The original Nook made use of a large e-Ink display on top of a color LCD panel. Although it was an extremely popular device, the split screen wasn’t perfect for everyone. Enter the Nook Color: this is the color alternative to the Nook Touch, for those who prefer a few extra features of a tablet computer, and a better platform for viewing images. But does it stand up to its competition? 

Nook Color Key Specs 

Average Price: $250

Release Year: 2010

Battery Life: 8 hours reading

Screen Size: 7 inch

Screen Type: color touchscreen

Weight: 15.8 oz

Storage Size: 8GB (expandable by 32GB with SD card slot)

Internet: Wi-Fi

Main eBook Format: ePub 

Pros Of The Nook Color

7 Inch Color Touchscreen: The 7 inch screen on the Nook Color is larger than you’ll find on many other eBook readers. What this means is bigger screen real estate that makes it easier to get lost in a book – which is exactly what you want from an eBook reading device. 

Aside from the size, the touchscreen performs very well. It’s very responsive thanks to the technology employed (the same technology used by the Sony Reader and Kobo Touch Edition), and getting to where you want to go is fast and intuitive. A touchscreen is useful on an eBook reader – it makes it easy to highlight memorable passages, select a word to look up in the dictionary, or press menu items without having to slowly scroll through the page. 

The fact that it’s an LCD backlit screen means you can read it in the dark, and view images in all their glory. Many users are much happier with the full color screen than they were with the split panel of the original Nook reader, though of course it doesn’t look great in the sunlight like e-Ink will. 

Interface: Barnes & Noble have done well with the interface on all their Nook devices, and the Nook Color is no different. Although it doesn’t use physical buttons, it does have just one: a home button. This makes it easy to get to the home menu when you need to. Once you’re there, you’ll find it easy to use without the need for a big instruction manual. 

Internet & Web Browser: The Nook Color comes with Wi-Fi as standard, meaning you can connect to the internet whenever you’re around a Wi-Fi hotspot. This is great for buying books from the Barnes & Noble Store right from the device, but it’s even more useful for those who want the ability to connect to the internet from a portable device. Because of the LCD screen, the web browser is better than what you’ll find on the e-Ink Kindle, but the Kindle Fire does offer an excellent browsing experience. 

Android Tablet Features: Android is the operating system you’ll find on the Nook Color: a favorite in the tablet computer world. What this means is that you get access to a very wide range of functions, from the ability to browse the web, to playing your multimedia files, checking emails, streaming music and reading documents/ PDFs. 

Although you cannot access the full Android Market app store, Barnes & Noble have included their own store with a range of apps available to download. Although you don’t get thousands of apps, there are still plenty of features here that make the Nook Color an excellent value tablet computer. 

Memory: 8GB memory isn’t massive for a tablet computer, though it is bigger than what you’ll find on most rivals to this device. It means you can store a large number of books, though it’ll fill up a little more quickly if you use it for movies and lots of music files. The good news is that, unlike many of the top tablets such as the iPad 2, the Nook Color does feature a memory card slot, allowing you to expand the storage capacity if you need to in future. 

Cons Of The Nook Color

Price: Because the Nook Color is a cross between a tablet and an eBook reader, it makes sense that it should cost more than the e-Ink Nook Touch and other eBook readers. Coming in at around $250, it’s certainly a bigger expense than the cheapest $79 Kindle, and also the $199 Kindle Fire. That said, it still offers far more functions than an e-Ink reader (mentioned in this review), and costs far less than a full-blown tablet computer. 

Weight: The Nook Color weighs more than the Nook Touch and the Kindle, making it slightly less comfortable to hold. However, the size and weight will still suit most users, and it’s a lot lighter than tablets like the iPad 2. 

Glare: The good news is that Barnes & Noble have added an extra layer to the screen on the Nook Color to help prevent the issue of glare in bright lights. The bad news is that no technology can ever completely get rid of glare on an LCD eBook reader. This means it’s not comfortable to read in sunlight, unlike the Nook Touch. 

Battery: Another problem with the LCD screen on the Nook Color is the fact that the battery life is greatly reduced. Compared to the two months battery life of the Nook Touch and other readers, eight hours on the Nook Color really is nothing. You’ll have to be willing to charge your device often if you opt for a tablet-eReader. Eight hours is around average for any such device. 

Is The Nook Color Worth Buying? 

The Barnes & Noble Nook Color really has taken their original Nook to the next level. Still an excellent quality eReader, it comes with the features you may have loved about the original Nook: an excellent bookstore, books in standard ePub format, and good reading functions. 

However, it also crosses into the world of tablet computers with its many available apps and email functions. Yes, it costs a lot more than its eReader rivals, but for a tablet computer with this functionality it’s still extremely affordable. The question is, will they be able to compete with the even lower-priced Amazon Kindle Fire? Only time will tell.

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