Newest e-reader "Nook" Kindle-killer?

Posted by Helena Humphrey on October 23, 2009 at 11:05 AM

American book retailing giant, Barnes & Noble, has released its very own brand of e-reader, dubbed the "Nook". Whilst currently only available in the US, running on Google's Android operating system and using AT&T for web access, launching the reader internationally should be technically possible.The new device will certainly put up a fight against competitors Sony and Amazon. Analysts have called it a potential "Kindle Killer".

The device, measuring 7.7 x 4.9 x .5 inches (19.6 x 12.4 x 1.3 centimetres) uses a 16-level e-ink display for text from Vizplex, like the Kindle. But here's the thing -unlike the majority of other e-readers on the market, it has a separate 3.5 inch (8.9 cm) colour touch screen permitting the user to scroll through their virtual library or pull up a soft pad keyboard in order to search through the text. The 2GB of onboard memory has the potential to be increased as the device sports a Micro SD expansion slot for adding up to 16GB of additional memory. The Nook also boasts 3G wireless - but then again, so does the Kindle. The device has WiFi capability. But. And there is a big but - no Web browser. So essentially The Nook only uses the net to download books and periodicals from the book retailer's online store for the moment. Analysts expect a Wifi-only Web browser to appear on this device before long- but if Barnes & Noble doesn't do it - then someone else will soon.

A press release full of promise stated that: "Barnes & Noble expects to offer digital subscriptions to every major US daily" and already offers subscriptions to more than 20 newspapers - including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. Digital subscriptions will also be available on the device.

Running on the Android 1.5 operating system, like Spring Design's recently launched e-reader "Alex", the device will support Android apps, but those requiring internet access will only work with Wi-Fi. The Nook also supports PDF and e.pub, the International Digital Publishing Forum's open e-reading format.

Interestingly, Barnes & Noble' device allows users to lend ebooks to friends for a limited time frame of up to 14 days. Like a virtual book, when an ebook is on loan it will not be available for the owner to read. The LendMe technology works not only in conjunction with the Nook but also with any iPhone, iPod touch, BlackBerry, PC or Mac for the many e-readerless out there. Some writers fear this will cause a decline in the number of people actually purchasing their work.

A pre-order Nook is currently carries a price tag of $259 - somewhat more expensive than a a refurbished first generation Kindle, ringing in at $149 - but a whole lot less than the Kindle DX at $489.

Source: Guardian