Database Users

[Q] Did you have to replace your NookColor due to quality problems ?

I'm more and more concerned about the quality of the NookColor due to countless complaints about the display and charging issues.
I have NC on order and it makes me nerves since I'm not located in US
Did you have to replace your NookColor ?
PLEASE PEOPLE VOTE, even if you have nothing to say to get large sample of users to see if this is real problem
THANKS
107 votes now and about 30% failure rate is very bad Looks like it is not unusual to return the device several times. Shame on the manufacturer to have this kind of quality control!

Yes, I had to replace my NC (Christmas gift) within the first 2 days. However, it was due to a sound issue - also discussed on several websites - and it couldn't have been an easier process. My local B&N said that of the hundreds of NCs they'd sold, mine was only the 2nd exchanged. I think that's a pretty safe ratio. My new one has had no quality issues at all. Given that I've had to replace PCs, smartphones and other electronics for quality issues, this doesn't seem too out of the norm.

I've had to replace mine as well. First due to sound issues. Now the piece of plastic around the "N" button isn't completely flush with the screen. I'm not taking it back for that reason because the rest of the hardware is fine. I do, however, have to get a new NC cable since the one i have now won't charge my NC. If it's not one thing, it's another.

Had to replace mine too, xmas gift, due to screen quality. There was a lot of light leaking along the bottom edge and a dead pixel. Super fast and easy, even transfered the extended warranty right over to the new serial. New NC is perfect so far.
Those with sound issues what were your symptoms?

Mine's been great. I certainly wouldn't discourage anyone from buying.... I'm not discounting the issues people have had (multiple returns is certainly eyebrow-raising), but I'm sure for every problem you hear about on the forums, there are many with no problems that you just don't hear about.

Mine has been great, aside from one dead pixel. Can't even notice it for the most part, especially since adding one of the anti-glare screen covers.
Sent from my LogicPD Zoom2 using XDA App

I just replaced mine today for sound issues!! Every time it would hibernate I would lose all sounds and the only way to get them back was to reboot.

Not an issue in sight. No screen problems. No sound issues. My biggest complaint is no bluetooth.
Sent from my NC 1.0.1 AN2.12.18

Thanks for all replies folks!
I feel better now
It will be interesting to see more votes in couple days.

No problems at all here 3 weeks in. I visit the B&N forums somewhat frequently and never heard of the sound problem before reading this thread.
My biggest problem is reboots after rooting.

First one dust under screen, dead pixel dead center.
Second one dead pixel lower right corner.
If you look at various sites, you will realize that there really is a quality problem that seems to be more centralized to screen issues/plastic noise.
Also realize that most of the issues are not major hardware failures but simple flaws.
Another thing to notice is that people are willing to exchange multiple times in efforts to find a keeper because the unit is just that good.

3rd one is on it's way! 1st & 2nd one had display issues...!!! Stupid me bought it online & as a bonus, it can't be exchanged in local B&N shops...

Yep ... 5 times. 6th (current) one is great, first 5 all had dead pixels.
I suppose it does say something about how awesome I find the device (once rooted), for me to go through that much trouble driving around getting it replaced ...

Got mine on release day and have had -0- problems ... got a second one a week b4 Christmas and it also was 'perfect' .. no performance or plastic problems ... live in a 'low demand' area I think and perhaps B&N is 'reprocessing' some of the returns that then get shipped to high demand area? Or maybe it's just luck of the draw ... anyway am really pleased with the two I have ...

3 weeks of hard use and no problems, but not rooted. yet.....

My front Bezel starting becoming unstuck at day 12 of the 14 day return period. It was showing the stretching glue on the left side that creaked. I noticed it warping and looked at it in landscape mode from the top.. Surprise!
-CC

Ok, I am B&N is sending my 3rd replacement. (Not Rooted!)
1st one would not boot/reset after plugging it in to recharge.
2nd one reboots and reloads on its own. Called tech. support and had me do a factory reset but the next day did the same thing but came up with an install failure.
My cousin bought one on release date and had no problems with her's.

My first one(Tursday) came OOB with a borked USB port on the NC. I managed to get the cable inserted twice on Thursday(almost took it back the first time that I plugged it in but the cable finally went in as I was about to give up). The next morning no amount fiddling would get the connector to insert properly.
Had a horrible time exchanging it. The idiot at the register kept trying to tell me that it was "fine" and that was how it was "supposed to be" until I made him hook up the power adapter, point out no LED, took it over to the demo unit and demonstrated there, got them to get their charger out try it in the obviously defective one and couldn't insert that cable either. Finally they gave in and deigned to exchange it. After all of that I had decided to check the exchanges connector right then and there, and lo and behold it was just like the demo unit and obvious VERY clearly inserting unlike the defective unit.
B&N have crappy QA, cs, and sales. No wonder they're in trouble... I think that if anything crops up w/this one before my 14d are up its going back permanently. I probably should've bought it from the Worst Buy literally across the street or Walmart for better cs alone.

Who is manufacturing the NC for B&N ?

lifeisfun said:
Who is manufacturing the NC for B&N ?
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IIRC correctly , the hardware is by Inventec (Taiwan). As far as problems, none... nada... zero... zilch with mine, nor have I had problems with either of the "classic" Nook ereaders that we have.

Dust particles behind the screen glass..

I picked up the Acer at BB last Friday and love it! I rooted it, increased the battery life, enabled Exchange, got Sync SMS and its the way I like it to be right now. I have been spending some quality time with it haha. I know it has its downsides but I was going to keep it regardless.
Today I notticed dust particles behind the screen glass and there is nothing that bugs me more about a device.. in fact I haven't had this happen since my Razr and I can't believe Acer would not seal the screen properly! This happens only after a week of use, I can only imagine how bad it would be after few months :-(
It looks like I should exchange it at least..
Anyways, does anyone have the same thing happening?

Not yet after almost 10 hours of use in the last 3 days. I have had the Acer sleeve on it since minute 1 though, maybe it will keep some of the dust out. Shoot some compressed air through the openings, maybe that will help.

That or search for a teardown video and blow the dust out that way.

Same problem here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1059266

silencer51 said:
Same problem here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1059266
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I am exchanging mine for sure though I don't think it would make a difference as I believe more and more Acer half assed this otherwise great device

I find it hard to believe that dust would just appear under the screen, or rather, between the screen and the glass without some kind of interference from the user. Either leaving the SD cover open (maybe you removed the tape over the nonexistent sim slot), storing the tablet in an dusty place (and I mean, it's gotta be REALLY dusty) or blowing, without consideration, dust around the device. While the ports may not be 'sealed' they aren't that open to the environment.
Baring all that, the chances are that what you're seeing is actually debris from the manufacturing process which was already in the tablet and, through regular use, some of which made their way into that very tight spot. As hard as it is to believe that, its just as possible.
While both possibilities are valid, the chances are, neither of them will warrant an exchange.
Post back if they take it.

I'm anal when it comes to proper handling of my gadgets and I haven't removed the tape or left the cover open. I can't even be sure its dust I just know there are some things under the glass that weren't there yesterday. You make a valid point that it could be something that was already there. BB will either exchange it or I will return it and buy another one
Its only been a week since I bought it.
Sent from my HD2 using XDA Premium App

Well just got my a500
tested it straight out of the box and sure enough I have one tiny dust spec under the screen.
Otherwise no other issues.
I can also say looking at this screen against my transofrmer (that has mucho light bleed and also a dust spec and is creaky) that the screen is definitely not as nice. It is cooler in color though ironically with better blacks. Also the viewing angles while acceptable are not as nice.
Well Now I have a dilemma. I got a 32gb Acer for 30$ more than a 16gb Transformer.
Transgormer has nicer screen but suffers light bleed a dust spec and is a bit creaky.
IT is a bit lighter with over all nicer screen. IT also has the keyboard dock potential for future.
Second option is I keep the iconia which has more storage usb prot feels better in the hand and better built, but also has dust spec under screen.
I am not sure what to do. Afraid to exchange the iconia as given the track record on all these tablets, I run the risk of getting some light bleed or dead pixels etc.
SO do I just suck it up ignore the little pixel sized dust spec and live on?
Do I gamble and exchange? DO I return both wait till availability on transformer is better and perhaps with time they work through the build quality issues?
Or just use nothing, wait a month and get the galaxy tabb.
One thing for certain is galaxy tab will have nice or nicest screen will be thinnest and lightest and by being samsung will likely have more accessories like cases etc for it.
IT will likely cot a bit more (not too big an issue) and might not have much expandibility which may or may not be much of an issue as there will likey be accessory to dock to allow usb host etc.

To keep or not to keep... that's the question!

I now have both NST and NST with Glowlight. I want to just keep one of them and sell the other one. Now, as an absolute newcomer here, I'd like to know your thoughts about which one to keep is better for me for future. In terms of hacks and rooting? are all hacks that are for NST available for NST with Glowlight? Will the Glowlight screen break FOR SURE? <- so many negative comments! If it breaks I'd rather keep the simple NST!
P.S. I am a very very careful person when it comes to electronic devices I own.

idoit said:
I now have both NST and NST with Glowlight. I want to just keep one of them and sell the other one. Now, as an absolute newcomer here, I'd like to know your thoughts about which one to keep is better for me for future. In terms of hacks and rooting? are all hacks that are for NST available for NST with Glowlight? Will the Glowlight screen break FOR SURE? <- so many negative comments! If it breaks I'd rather keep the simple NST!
P.S. I am a very very careful person when it comes to electronic devices I own.
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How much the NST cost you? < £30? NSTG <£50 or £70? The light layer on NSTG glow is fragile. If you damage it you might as well not bother using the glow bit and it becomes another NST.
NSTG as a book reader is much more useful to me as I have to have lights quite high to make NST readable. My Glow however does stay at home, I use my phone for reading on the go.
Personally I am stocking up on NSTs. I don't believe B&N are going to be in business that much longer. Their books are more expensive than amazon who already is the market leader. They are not going to make enough money long term.
NST are the cheapest android device with exceptional battery life. I have so many uses in mind other than reading books and of for referring to Aard (One reason I did not think of other day to have large sdcard in NST).
Some examples being:
Droidmote client. Multitouch mouse for any android system that does not have touchscreen e.g. Ouya/Rikomagic sticks. Also supports Windows/linux.
Front end for home automation/Media remote.
Tailing (Displaying) my kernel messages from my linux box.
rs232 / ssh client when working on Network devices which I do a lot. Trying to get hold of a very low power rs232 adapter that hopefully NST can power directly.

Crispy3000 said:
How much the NST cost you? < £30? NSTG <£50 or £70? The light layer on NSTG glow is fragile. If you damage it you might as well not bother using the glow bit and it becomes another NST.
NSTG as a book reader is much more useful to me as I have to have lights quite high to make NST readable. My Glow however does stay at home, I use my phone for reading on the go.
Personally I am stocking up on NSTs. I don't believe B&N are going to be in business that much longer. Their books are more expensive than amazon who already is the market leader. They are not going to make enough money long term.
NST are the cheapest android device with exceptional battery life. I have so many uses in mind other than reading books and of for referring to Aard (One reason I did not think of other day to have large sdcard in NST).
Some examples being:
Droidmote client. Multitouch mouse for any android system that does not have touchscreen e.g. Ouya/Rikomagic sticks. Also supports Windows/linux.
Front end for home automation/Media remote.
Tailing (Displaying) my kernel messages from my linux box.
rs232 / ssh client when working on Network devices which I do a lot. Trying to get hold of a very low power rs232 adapter that hopefully NST can power directly.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply Crispy.
I have never seen a product with so many negative reviews even on their own website!!! See for yourself: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-simple-touch-with-glowlight-barnes-noble/1108046469 That's horrible!
Only thing I am worried is after the cracks, even when the glowlight is off, it wouldn't be as readable as Nook ST without Glowlight!!! ?

Well, I got it for 65$ and I'm lowering my expectation on Glowlight, maximum 2 weeks of enjoying before it breaks!
Plus, looking at how quiescent the Developer's forum has become recently, I believe you're right... Nook (if not B&N as a whole) is having a slow death, unfortunately.
P.S. I wonder if there is anything, we as customers, can do on our NSTwG that can avoid the cracks? Like any custom made hacks, tips and modifications? I was reading somewhere and many of the knick white spots are the result of the gap between actual e-Ink and the light glass, not sure if that makes sense, as I have yet to receive mine in post!!!

idoit said:
Well, I got it for 65$ and I'm lowering my expectation on Glowlight, maximum 2 weeks of enjoying before it breaks!
Plus, looking at how quiescent the Developer's forum has become recently, I believe you're right... Nook (if not B&N as a whole) is having a slow death, unfortunately.
P.S. I wonder if there is anything, we as customers, can do on our NSTwG that can avoid the cracks? Like any custom made hacks, tips and modifications? I was reading somewhere and many of the knick white spots are the result of the gap between actual e-Ink and the light glass, not sure if that makes sense, as I have yet to receive mine in post!!!
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I dont think they are quite that fragile it would nof be cost effective to produce.
They glowlight works by light at top using natural properties of the glass to light the screen. So if u get any stress points ie pits on the glass u will get bright spots. As as u dont thump screen, twist/bend, drop keyz on it from great height then it will b fine. Buy on credit card if u wonder if y9ur seller will not honour warrenty.
Sorry for typos using android tab crappy keyboard

Glowlight bust

There's a huge hole in the layer that distributes the light on the front, rendering the device almost unusable. The screen is too dark to use without the light for the most part, so there's no point owning this device anymore.
Is there anything I can do? I can't really afford to replace this device and it's the only way I can read books, as I'm never able to get comfortable with a lighting source. Can I send it somewhere for repair?

Dollywitch said:
There's a huge hole in the layer that distributes the light on the front, rendering the device almost unusable. The screen is too dark to use without the light for the most part, so there's no point owning this device anymore.
Is there anything I can do? I can't really afford to replace this device and it's the only way I can read books, as I'm never able to get comfortable with a lighting source. Can I send it somewhere for repair?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy glowlight e-Ink for your Nook from eBay and replace it yourself, for instance look here: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Original-6-Inch-Display-For-Nook-Simple-Touch-With-GlowLight-Screen-Replacement-/231041616939?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35cb274c2b&_uhb=1
You can also just go and buy a second hand NSTwG but depending on your luck, same thing might or might not happen. I have my NSTwG and I care for it, so far no major thing has happened to it.
Best device for reading in my opinion is Kindle Keyboard with lighted case (I know you said you don't want external light but just sayin')

idoit said:
You can also just go and buy a second hand NSTwG but depending on your luck, same thing might or might not happen. I have my NSTwG and I care for it, so far no major thing has happened to it.
Best device for reading in my opinion is Kindle Keyboard with lighted case (I know you said you don't want external light but just sayin')
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Should I just get an external light for my Nook? What to get?

Dollywitch said:
Should I just get an external light for my Nook? What to get?
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As I said, I have not had Nook without Glowlight.
You can buy this lighted cover, but I don't have first hand experience with it:
http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Lighted-Leather-Zing-Screen/dp/B005E1KH08/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt
Getting NSTwG is risky, many people have reported it to break within months. Mine has been ok so far!!! I'm not very careful with it though, I treat it like I treat my K3, and I have found it to be a very good reliable reader. Now, again, in my opinion, the best eReader so far is simple rock solid Kindle Keyboard. I won't trade it with newer Kindles or Nooks for reading. I got Nook just to play with Android stuff, but still K3 remains my main eReader. The combination of NSTwG + K3 has worked best for me. I carry both of them with me wherever I go, one for casual or night reading (NSTwG), the other for serious reading (K3).
It's your decision... Good luck.

reviews? buy\not to buy?

From the recent posts I see there are multiple serious issues such as not getting sms and not being able to install apps through google play, no 3.5mm(?!). But, as these are solvable.. overall - is this phone worth buying? Is the e-ink display usable and compensates for the issuses?
Put your reviews here

Carmelious said:
From the recent posts I see there are multiple serious issues such as not getting sms and not being able to install apps through google play, no 3.5mm(?!). But, as these are solvable.. overall - is this phone worth buying? Is the e-ink display usable and compensates for the issues?
Put your reviews here
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Click to collapse
it's still early days for me with this phone. so, take my comment with a grain of salt. so far, it's not like the yota 2 (which i loved). i have not yet figured out how to get the e-ink screen to be its own self. it just appears to be there so one can mirror content over from the lcd. the other thing is that bc it is now a flat e-ink, you can screen protect it, but this takes away from the e-reader feel a little bit. i have read comments that the hisense a2 suffers from this. i recently ordered the a2 pro (so i will know soon enough).
one of the areas i like this phone for is that i don't have to carry around my other e-readers. if i am out and about, i can just flip over to the ereader and read. so you don't have to plan to take your ereader with you wherever you go. i am using this as a secondary phone. hope to have more of a solid review in the future.