Nook Cases

A little early to get too serious, yet, but I'll need a case. Would love a simple Neoprene case, but all I see are slip covers (I want one that opens like a book and keeps the Nook protected).

MobileRead has a nice thread with links to the limited non-Barnes and Noble cases out there. But the only one that intrigued me is a specialty use one for when we go to the beach (we live less than a mile away). The WaterGuard Waterproof Case claims to be, well,waterproof. It's cheap enough to buy as a second case.

At Barnes and Noble, I really like the look of the Bleecker Cover in Asphalt. This post on MobileRead indicates it is pretty nice. I'll see if the local store has one to look at next time I'm in the area.

Nook Communities and Forums

Here is a nice little Nook Community that I stumbled across...

nookTalk Community

Focussed on Nook which is nice. MobileRead also has a Nook Forum, but it is a little more influenced by die hard Kindle or Sony users telling us why those are better platforms.

A Nook review from a non-professional tech write

A nice review by a non-tech writer.

His bottom line:

So overall: do I love the Nook? No, but there's some serious like going on here. It has it's flaws - slower response times, less document format choices, a slightly awkward menu system, and a horrific method for adding a memory card. But it's a solid device, and with the Android OS running it the incredible potential for constant updates and, just as importantly...application programs, makes it a great buy.

Dr3amc@tch3r: Got Nook?

Book comparisons

I shot a bunch of links to book reviews that are interesting to me that I looked to see the prices on Inkmesh. Most, but not all were available as E-Books. A few were not available on Nook - Kindle only.

Here are the links to the posts in one place for easy reference.

http://robsreader.blogspot.com/2010/01/franklin-delano-roosevelt-reviewed-by.html
http://robsreader.blogspot.com/2010/01/another-book-ive-been-considering.html
http://robsreader.blogspot.com/2010/01/googled-by-ken-auletta-available-on.html
http://robsreader.blogspot.com/2010/01/books-to-read-on-my-e-reader-leading.html

Review: Nook Update 1.1.0 - John's posterous

Interesting little review with the improvements of 1.1.0 clearly discussed.
Review: Nook Update 1.1.0 - John's posterous

Where do I stand?

After a couple of day scouring for Nook reviews, it's time to step back and see where I stand.

First of all, I am more convinced than ever it is time for me to move to E-Books. There is a large selection and some good deals there (like the free book I just downloaded!).

And I am also sure I want to stick to the Kindle or the Nook -- I believe one or the other will be the basis for E-Readers for a while. Since I've been leaning towards the Nook, I'll present the pros and cons of the Nook (vice the Kindle).

Pros:

• Compatible with more E-Book formats (I think this will become more important as E-Books settle on a format)
• Can use books I can download from my library (I live across the street from the library, so downloading books at $9.99 is about $9.99 more than I currently spend on most books).
• Screen reported to be slightly better than Kindle (not sure why as I think they use the same screen)
• Android-based (I expect we'll see Barnes and Noble and others take advantage of this over the next year)
• Better capability that might come in useful (wi-fi, removable microSD card, etc).
• I generally like the look better than Kindle.
• Quick release of software upgrade indicates Barnes and Noble is working the known issues (see below)

Cons

• Obviously released with Beta software. Update to 1.1 seems to have helped a lot, but really is unforgivable.
• Less battery life (note I plug most of my gadgets in every night so not as much an issue with me).
• Amazon clearly has lower priced books -- although this may change.
• PDF viewing (which I plan to use) reported to be poorer than Kindle's
• Slow page turning (?) - did 1.1 fix this? The one I played with at Barnes and Noble seemed fine.
• TAX - I live in California,  I pay about $25 more for Nook because of sales tax.

Bottom line -- I think I am going to continue to wait it out for a Nook. Why? Two reasons:

First, the book availability seems better on the Nook (from other sources than Barnes and Noble).

Second, I think Barnes and Noble is going to clean up the software and work hard to make the Nook overtake the Kindle, which will result in lower prices and better usability on the Nook.

But, I'll keep looking. I'd really like to start seeing more recent reviews and hands-on experiences with the Nook, especially the post-software update and from people who have used it extensively through the Holidays.

Nook Review: Barnes & Noble eReader Is A MESS

The Huffington Post's review isn't saying anything new...but is another in the negative column...

Nook Review: Barnes & Noble eReader Is A MESS

Barnes & Noble Nook Review: Pretty Damn Good - Nook review - Gizmodo

A balanced Gizmodo review of the Nook

Barnes & Noble Nook Review: Pretty Damn Good - Nook review - Gizmodo

Inkmesh Blog � Amazon, B&N and Sony Ebook Price Comparison

An Inkmesh Blog entry showing that Amazon Kindle's EBook prices are generally the lowest (right now).

Inkmesh Blog � Amazon, B&N and Sony Ebook Price Comparison

Barnes & Noble Nook e-book reader arrives with wrinkles - USATODAY.com

USA Today's early December review of the Nook is mixed.

Barnes & Noble Nook e-book reader arrives with wrinkles - USATODAY.com

State of the Art - Barnes and Noble’s Nook Reader Fails to Live Up to Promises - NYTimes.com

David Pogue, who I really haven't read or followed, really trashes the nook....

State of the Art - Barnes and Noble’s Nook Reader Fails to Live Up to Promises - NYTimes.com

A Review of the Nook E-Reader - WSJ.com

Walt Mossberg thinks the Nook was rushed to market, too. I am more concerned with his small test of the Amazon vs. B&N books. I read a lot of historic biographies! Of course, the Nook can do E-Pubs from Sony and others...

A Review of the Nook E-Reader - WSJ.com

The Barnes & Noble nook; or how I managed to completely waste my Saturday on a piece of over-hyped hardware�|�Gear Diary

Gear Diary dumped on the Nook -- seriously upset. Mostly over the slow speed and the packaging...
The Barnes & Noble nook; or how I managed to completely waste my Saturday on a piece of over-hyped hardware�|�Gear Diary

Barnes & Noble nook eBook Reader Review — The Gadgeteer

Julie at the Gadgeteer has a nice review with good pictures. She really shows the differences between the Kindle and the Nook and shows how PDFs look (something I plan to do).
Barnes & Noble nook eBook Reader Review — The Gadgeteer

Video of B&N nook 1.1 update and gallery of in-store retail experiences | The Mobile Gadgeteer | ZDNet.com

Another write up from Matthew Miller with a video of the new software.

Video of B&N nook 1.1 update and gallery of in-store retail experiences | The Mobile Gadgeteer
| ZDNet.com

Hands-on: B&N nook updated to version 1.1.0 | The Mobile Gadgeteer | ZDNet.com

Another one from Matthew Miller at the Mobile Gadgeteer talking about the 1st firmware upgrade (version 1.1.0) -- it seems to answer my #1 concern -- page turning speed. The one I played with at the store the other day seemed to turn pages quickly.

Hands-on: B&N nook updated to version 1.1.0 | The Mobile Gadgeteer
| ZDNet.com

Hands-on: B&N Nook is the king of connectivity and content | The Mobile Gadgeteer | ZDNet.com

I've been spending time looking for good reviews of the Nook -- most are comparisons to the Kindle. This is the first of a slew of links. Matthew Miller at The Mobile Gadgeteer likes it because of its screen and the ability to use a lot of eBook formats (both of these are reasons I like it, too).

Hands-on: B&N Nook is the king of connectivity and content | The Mobile Gadgeteer
| ZDNet.com

Buying the nook...

So I just ordered a Barnes and Noble Nook. It was kind of spur of the moment, but also after a little research. However, given that there is more than a month until it ships, I'll probably do more research on it, the Kindle and other E-Readers before it ships. After I get it (or another E-Reader), I intend to discuss finding E-Books and using the E-Reader. Please help by commenting! Enjoy!