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Hi All...
1st time poster on these boards. I have a tremendous amount of respect for all of you, especially the developers who've donated their time and efforts.
I just received my refurb Nook Color (which got the OTA last night to 1.4.2) and I have not done anything to it. Love it so far as a reader. Performance so far is OK but I'm used to my Droid Inc 2 which is very snappy.
I do plan to use CM7 on an SD card (8GB?). I HATE B&N's selection of Apps and hate even more that they're gauging by charging higher prices than the Android Market.
Here's the question: If you had the opportunity to swap the Nook Color for an 8GB Nook Tablet (without having to pay anything extra for the swap) and you were using CM7 (or whatever iteration is out at the time) on both, would you swap? Or would you keep the Color and pass on the Tablet? Why?
If using it as purely an eReader, jump on NT8G is a good decision.
If using it as "hacked" tablet, NT is still at alpha (or pre-alpha) stage for custom ROMs.
everything i've read and seen has pointed to the NookColor as a tablet/e-reader combo and the NookTablet as a simple e-reader with some tablet tendencies.
but as for your question, no...i would keep my NC...the development for it has yet to halt and there is so many things i can do to this device whereas the NT is so limited
Based on the replies...RIGHT NOW, it sounds like keeping the Nook Color is a better way to go rather than swapping it for the Tablet because so far more development has been done on the Nook Color than the Tablet. But from a hardware potential perspective, is the Tablet going to have great longevity and capabilities once the developers here and elsewhere are able to crack it like they have the Nook Color?
Hi fine folks on Xda....surely there are more opinions here. Not that I don't value and appreciate the two posts already on this thread but I sure would appreciate some more opinions, advice before I go forward and make this decision to swap my new NC for a 8GB NT.
I've read through so many of the threads on here and this is my understanding of the current status:
The 8GB Nook Tablet having an improved processor (and some say better screen) has a better overall hardware package than the aging Nook Color BUT the 8GB NT is not fully functional YET by sideloading CM7 while the NC is.
That it sounds like B&N is continually trying to (and suceeding) at limiting the use of the NT (esp the 8GB) for anything more than what they want you to and all within B&N's lame-ass walled city.
That the regular Nook Color is well vetted and thoroughly explored by the smart people here and elsewhere and thus far has greater capabilities as an Android Tablet.
That some of you are hard at work to crack the code here trying to figure out how to sideload the 8GB NT in order to make it as fully funtional an Adroid Tab as the NC. BUT because the NT (even the 8GB version) has better hardware, IF this puzzle gets figured out, it will ultimately be a more capable device than the NC, even if it's just a faster processor and the same amount of RAM.
That at this point, there is no known solution for the 8GB NT and as of now, it's basically just an e-reader.
As I'm new here.....I just don't know enough to know whether or not it's worth the gamble to pick up the 8GB NT because it has greater POTENTIAL to be a better android tab than the NC.
Incidentally, others on the Nook Tablet thread believe I should go with the Nook Tablet b/c of it's potential over the Color so it's interesting to see different opinions here than there.
Do you all more experienced folks believe that a solution is right around the corner?
Please weigh in. Thank you again.
Thanks to the OP for this thread. I am new to the development world and have yet to root/sideload/etc. anything. I have been researching a budget tablet to use and your thread was very helpful, if just a little sparse in info. so far.
I recently bought the 8GB Nook Tablet for $149 from Barnes & Nobles' ebay account. It just arrived yesterday, but I already have buyer remorse because of the research I've done so far. I'm beginning to think a Nook Color may have served my needs just as well (after rooting or using a ROM off a card), and would be cheaper.
Thanks to all those who contributed to this thread so far. OP, your rundown of NC vs 8GB NT was very helpful. It summarizes mostly what I've found so far on the subject.
For the same price, go for the Nook Tablet. It is better hardware and the reports that it is locked down are exaggerated. While it isn't completely unbrickable and as fully developed like the Nook Color it is already capable of being rooted or running bootable SD cards for CM7 (with CM9 in the works).
If you are getting the thing to tinker with, customize and learn how to hack then the Nook Color. Otherwise go for the Nook Tablet root it or throw a bootable CM7 SD card in it and have a faster better tablet.
JP
I have two Nook Colors, both running CM7 from SD card. Just got my son an 8GB tablet last weekend and also running CM7 (alpha final) on it. He seems to be happy with it so far. The only problem I have seen with it was running Pinball Arcade. I have this on my Color and most of the tables work well, but Funhouse (one of my favorite pinball machines) was a little slow and caused it to be hard to follow the ball motion. On the tablet, it was smooth, but both times I tried it the game crashed during play. Hopefully, CM7 development continues and this gets worked out. For the same price, I would probably take my chances on the Tablet. If it doesn't work out, I'm sure you could sell it and get most of your money back out of it.
I'm now the proud owner of a Nook HD. It's my second android device (phone is a GS3) and my fourth device for which I have sought guidance in this incredible forum. After perusing the Nook section of this site, I felt like I needed to reflect on why I chose this device.
1. I need to read more...again. I used to read all of the time. I'm a high school English teacher, so I have a passion for reading. However, like so many of my teenage students, I am easily distracted. I thought that I would read on my iPad, but that didn't happen since there are so many great games out for tablets. As a father of a 3-year old, my time and energy has seemed to be more prone to go to a mindless video game for a few minutes of gameplay rather than delve deep into a classic from one of my favorite authors. So, I'm hoping my Nook HD is the answer I need for this. Since it is smaller, maybe I'll have it along with my more often so I can read more often. Also, since B&N doesn't seem to have any intention of competing with iOS on the scale of game offerings, I won't be tempted to play N.O.V.A. or Modern Combat over reading Eliot.
2. 7" seems to really be the perfect size for a reading tablet. Sorry HD+ owners, you're not going to like this point. If that HD+ is your first tablet, I hope you will at least heed or remember my thoughts here. My iPad (or any 10" screen) is too big to read on enjoyably. I've had an iPad for almost 2 years and I have spent many hours reading on it. It's an amazing device for things like producing writing, annotating essays, playing games, or watching movies, but the size of the blessed thing is just not ideal for reading*. Think about it, why are most paperbacks around 6-8" tall? I think it's because you naturally read faster and more easily when your eyes don't have to travel too far up an down the pages. A 7" tablet has the same effect. After reading on my HD for a while today, I can honestly say that the reading experience seems easier and more natural. Plus, being able to hold it with one hand makes it more convenient as well.
*I also looked at a couple magazines on my Nook HD and I will say the 10" screens are more suited for that. Looking at Entertainment Weekly caused some eyestrain. I suppose that's one reason B&N invented Article View.
So, that's my spiel. Feel free to concur or show obloquy as desired.
I got the HD because:
1) It had faster benchmarks than the Nexus 7
2) It had a better resolution and an overall better screen than the Nexus 7
3) It was rootable
4) I originally paid $180, but then returned it and got it for $149 at Staples
5) Nexus 7 16GB was not available anywhere.
Overall, I am very happy with the little tablet. I got my wife the HD+ at Staples for $199. She's not so happy with it, so I'll have two tablets and she'll end up getting the iPad Mini when the retina version comes out since her first gen iPad is getting outdated. Both the HD and HD+ were rooted but updated to 2.0.5, but Play still works. I was able to sideload Chrome since Play shows it incompatible. I also have them both booting to CM10 which has been pretty stable so far.
I agree about the 7" size. I have a 10" android tablet for playing games and surfing the web. I got the HD for reading. I rooted it to put other reading apps on it and so it can be more of an all-around device when necessary.
I get the HD+ for the size and resolution. I use the size for reading manga, smaller would just make it not very readable. Also I already have a Note II which is 5.5inches. So getting HD is kinda redundant. Also I found that using the HD+ connecting to my notebook using iDisplay to show my pictures when I'm working on them is quite useful.
Obviously 7inch and 9inch are aim at different type of consumers.
someone0 said:
I get the HD+ for the size and resolution. I use the size for reading manga, smaller would just make it not very readable. Also I already have a Note II which is 5.5inches. So getting HD is kinda redundant. Also I found that using the HD+ connecting to my notebook using iDisplay to show my pictures when I'm working on them is quite useful.
Obviously 7inch and 9inch are aim at different type of consumers.
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Those are good points. Like I said in my op, magazines are a bit small on the HD, so I'm sure the HD+ is better for anything illustrated.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Great briefing now there is thread to point out to confused potential buyers
Sent from a hybrid phablet !
The HD+ gives a quite nice two-column reading experience in landscape. I would have stuck with something smaller if comic books and magazines were lower on my priority list, but my old Nook Color always felt a bit cramped for those. I've honestly been on a comic book and audio book jag ever since I got the HD+ and not reading much in the way of straight text.
nikufellow said:
Great briefing now there is thread to point out to confused potential buyers
Sent from a hybrid phablet !
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Good idea. Title changed to help that type of buyer searching.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Even if the title weren't change it just mean people would look at the remarks and can tell, that maybe there is something they want to do and HD isn't good at but HD+ does better. It's no confusing at all. Reasons to buy alone isn't very informative w/o reasons not to buy. Information is information, period.
I went from Sony Reader to Kindle 3 to Nook Tablet to Nook HD+.
Nook Tablet is perfect size for reading books and bringing along with me--I agree with you there.
I read lots of magazines in PDF format. That's the main reason I went with the bigger HD+. I've grown accustomed to the size now and like the bigger screen.
Hardback books are about the size of the HD+, and I have always liked Hardback covers over paperbacks. So my yin to your yang.
However I have yet to use this thing for anything but video and some light music.
migrax
Has anyone here tried the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 also?
I'm on the fence between a Kindle Fire HD 8.9 and a Nook HD+. I wasn't sure if I wanted a 7" or 9" at first but I think I need a 9" because I mostly will want to use it to look at PDF tech manuals and CAD schematic drawings when I'm on the go crawling around in areas where it is inconvenient to carry a laptop. Aside from that, its nice to have something to use on the plane or sitting around at the airport.
The main differences I see are:
Kindle: thinner (barely), has mimo wifi (don't know if its a real diff), camera (already have a phone camera), micro usb (don't have to buy proprietary connectors), ambient light sensor (might save some batt)
Nook: lighter (not by much), higher ppi (barely), external storage (although I'm not sure if I really need it)
Price is about the same if I look on ebay. Software is the same if I put on CM10, although I'm not sure if the kindle is as far along.
For me, seems like the biggest diff is the micro usb vs the external storage, and maybe the weight, hard to know how important 2.4oz is. I suspect that the external storage won't really be needed so if the weight isnt a big diff, I think I may lean towards the kindle.
I'd be interested in any other important differences people have noticed.
There is more difference between the Nook HD and Nexus 7 than some people think. The Nook HD provides the main essentials like good screen etc but has very limited sensors.
The nexus 7 is like a phone and has a full collection of sensors like an ambient light sensor, gyroscope, GPS, compass, proximity sensor, camera + more.
These sensors can be useful in some circumstances. Gyro is good for games and alot better than an accelerometer
sorrowuk said:
There is more difference between the Nook HD and Nexus 7 than some people think. The Nook HD provides the main essentials like good screen etc but has very limited sensors.
The nexus 7 is like a phone and has a full collection of sensors like an ambient light sensor, gyroscope, GPS, compass, proximity sensor, camera + more.
These sensors can be useful in some circumstances. Gyro is good for games and alot better than an accelerometer
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Yes, if you only have one tablet/smartphone device the choice is harder. However, I have a smartphone and a 10" android tablet. I wanted a light reader with added functionality. I fell in love with the nook HD screen as I am a screen-o-phile and can't go back to TN displays with poor color representation. The Nook HD has fantastic colors as well as a good resolution. Images just pop. I think it has over 90% adobe RGB gamut which is better than the nexus 7 (86% if I recall correctly) along with a better resolution.
Now resolution is not everything. The next gen ipad certainly has a ridiculous resolution that requires an overpowered GPU for most purposes ... that is all purposes except reading where every bit of resolution helps to discern text. Likewise, the extra bit of resolution on the Nook HD really makes it a good reader.
The Nook HD is also very light and has removable storage which is a HUGE plus for me. All the major tablet/phone manufacturers charge like 100-200 bucks more for pennies worth of Nand. 720p screens require at least 32gb to enjoy videos and media at that resolution IMO.
Overall, I am very happy with my purchase. B&N produced a quality product at a good price. They did shortchange in certain areas (no camera, no sensors), but I don't care about camera as almost all of them suck anyways in 7" tablets (especially the front ones) and the sensors are kind of a pain but I already have a smartphone so what do I care?
The Nook HD is a fantastic reader and secondary tablet. Hopefully with some more work on CM10/10.1, it will be a better primary one too.
Diogenes5 said:
720p screens require at least 32gb to enjoy videos and media at that resolution IMO.
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Can you clarify what you mean by this?
a 720p video file certainly isnt 32gb. maybe 1gb per movie depending on quality
It may take more memory to play it but the memory has nothing to do with the 32gb storage.
As for sensors, I dont care about the camera. GPS would be nice but the kindle doesnt have it either.
I don't see the use of a proximity sensor. The gyro is needed for some games. and the light sensor is somewhat important to output the right amount of brightness.
enricong said:
Can you clarify what you mean by this?
a 720p video file certainly isnt 32gb. maybe 1gb per movie depending on quality
It may take more memory to play it but the memory has nothing to do with the 32gb storage.
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A decently compressed feature-length 720p movie will range from 1.5-4GB depending on encoding, and a straight rip without decent compression might run 6-8GB or more. If you want to have more than one such movie on your tablet and maybe a couple of TV episodes as well as other media (magazines, PDFs, comics) it piles up fast. I don't even watch many videos on my tablet, and getting by on less than 32GB for what is essentially a media portal would be a pain.
Most 720p movies I've watched are in the 1-1.5 range. Beyond that I havent noticed alot of difference but maybe that's just me. Regardless, I don't see myself watching alot of movies on this and I wouldn't need to store more than one or two at a time. My primary purpose would be using it when it is inconvenient to carry my laptop like when I'm out in the field and need to pull up a pdf manual and/or cad drawings. This does not require much storage space.
It does sound like the trade is between the piece of mind of being able to upgrade storage and having a couple more sensors + the convenience of a microUSB.
i agree that 7" is a darn good size for reading and on hand holding, but i occasionally do things other than reading and 7" kinda limited me. i upgraded my galaxy tab 8.9 to this device. i do have a 10.1 galaxy note but do find that one too big for reading most of the times. it's not heavy, just awkward holding with one hand while laying down reading.
The 7" form factor is great, but even as much as I like expandable storage and getting every last possible pixel per inch, the Nook HD just doesn't stand up to the Nexus 7 in that market. The 32GB N7 is at least adequate in storage, and only $20 more than a 16GB Nook HD. The PPI difference is not that major, they're about the same weight with equally generic design, but the N7 has considerably more powerful innards, a full sensor array, and it's already a Nexus device: no hacking required. You'd have to really, really like the Nook HD display and see limited functionality as a positive thing--I could maybe see it if you were buying with young children in mind.
The HD+, on the other hand, has only one competitor within 30-40% of the asking price, and that one (the Kindle 8.9") is still asking more for less. Like the Nook Color when that device came out, the HD+ is the best screen for the money right now and also happens to have a distinctive design, not just because there's a hole in it but because it has a unified aesthetic other than "fat black bezel."
Taosaur said:
The 7" form factor is great, but even as much as I like expandable storage and getting every last possible pixel per inch, the Nook HD just doesn't stand up to the Nexus 7 in that market. The 32GB N7 is at least adequate in storage, and only $20 more than a 16GB Nook HD. The PPI difference is not that major, they're about the same weight with equally generic design, but the N7 has considerably more powerful innards, a full sensor array, and it's already a Nexus device: no hacking required. You'd have to really, really like the Nook HD display and see limited functionality as a positive thing--I could maybe see it if you were buying with young children in mind.
The HD+, on the other hand, has only one competitor within 30-40% of the asking price, and that one (the Kindle 8.9") is still asking more for less. Like the Nook Color when that device came out, the HD+ is the best screen for the money right now and also happens to have a distinctive design, not just because there's a hole in it but because it has a unified aesthetic other than "fat black bezel."
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Sent from my Barnes & Noble Nook HD using Tapatalk HD
This had way top many overgeneralizations for me to ignore. For one, the storage difference is significant. For the same price I can get a nook HD with a 64gb micro SD card as a 32gb nexus.
The PPI difference is still significant. I compared both devices directly and the nook HD had better color accuracy and sharper text. 900p is actually over 25% more pixels than 800p. It is a huge difference for reading and text-based media consumption.
Weight is also very important for me at this form factor and given my usage patterns. The nook HD is the lightest device in its class and feels even lighter than my phone. I feel weight definitely matters especially for a device meant to be held and used as a replacement novel unlike say an iPad which can reasonably be expected to be laid down or held upright by a case instead.
Powerful is relative. The tegra 3 GPU is seriously underwhelming to adreno and mali. I know, I own a transformer infinity. For most virtually every process the nook HD is just as smooth as the nexus 7 which is all that really matters, not epeen statements about power. Devices need only be powerful enough for their intended use.
Nexus devices are definitely nice but so is cynmogen mod. Nook HD definitely takes more work to enjoy. Sensors are also irrelevant if you use them. How man people do you know actually use the cameras on their tablet for example. How about GPS? Having the option is definitely nice but irrelevant in most cases to the vast majority of people.
Its ironic that you mention the hd+ as being better. I found using it underwhelming. After having owned the infinity, I know how hard it is for current gen tech to power full HD displays. The nook HD+ was very slow at loading PDFs in store and kind of clunky in terms of performance. Understandable as even my infinity lags with an over clocked tegra 3. A nook HD was however completely smooth for me.
To each his own, but I think the nook HD is a much better device for me than a nexus 7. Even if I didn't ave a larger tablet, I would have gotten a nook.
In my opinion tablets are all about screen first, practicality second, and smoothness second. The nook HD does a better job at being a media consumption device than the nexus 7 across many metrics.
That's it folks.
B&N is pulling the plug on its Nook line of products.
Still love my emmc CM10.1 Nook HD+... Hope it will still get some love from verygreen and other great devs!
Source:
businesswire.com/news/home/20130625005839/en/Barnes-Noble-Reports-Fiscal-2013-Year-End-Financial
(Sorry can't post links yet...)
Not exactly the end. "the company’s tablet line will be co-branded with yet to be announced third party manufacturers of consumer electronics products" means there's at least a possibility that Nooks will just go a sort of Nexus route, i.e. the new manufacturer covers the hardware and gets hardware profits but the device still has B&N branding. Of course, it could just be a normal tablet with the Nook app preinstalled, but we shall see.
My only question would be extended warranties what will they do if a unit needs replacement in the next two years?
Should be an even bigger price drop to sell off the stock. May snap up a few more if the HD+ goes to $100 or less.
Ardent_V said:
Not exactly the end. "the company’s tablet line will be co-branded with yet to be announced third party manufacturers of consumer electronics products" means there's at least a possibility that Nooks will just go a sort of Nexus route, i.e. the new manufacturer covers the hardware and gets hardware profits but the device still has B&N branding. Of course, it could just be a normal tablet with the Nook app preinstalled, but we shall see.
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This will most likely be with Microsoft and a Windows RT or Windows 8.x product. They put $300m USD into B&N in April 2012, and they are looking for a way to grow the ailing Surface RT business.
Although B&N says they are committed to supporting NOOK HD & NOOK HD+ owners, you see how quickly NOOKcolor & NOOK Tablet owners were left in the wind. Give it a year to wind down the Android business and expect a new, Windows based product sometime holiday season this year or early summer (reading season) next year.
It's not 100% clear if the Nook range will end or not. What is clear however, is that Nook will stop manufacturing Nook's. The two statements I have just made are not the same.
Nook will stop manufacturing their Nook tablets, and are looking for a partner to manufacturer new tablets. Since manufacturing takes a big bite of their operating costs, manufacturing will be withheld. So perhaps the HD and HD+ will continue to sell, but will no longer be manufactured by Nook, but by another manufacturer. They may replicate the Nook HD and HD+, or they may manufacture completely different Nooks for B&N.
Or perhaps, the new tablet range will no longer be called "Nook" by B&N? Only time will tell, but this isn't the end. I believe it's the start of something new.
My sources:
http://thenextweb.com/gadgets/2013/...tners-with-third-party-manufacturers-instead/
http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/0...ok-on-its-nook-tablet-manufacturing-business/
http://www.geekosystem.com/no-more-nooks/
At the VERY tail end of inventory depletion they MIGHT push the balance out at $100 for a 16GB HD+, but I doubt it. They will bleed stock at the current loss of margin, but not seeing them eat any more than they are now. The device is selling fairly well now.... which will also result in more loss for the next quarter at the current price. They would be nuts to drop more unless already accrued as a bigger loss, but not likely.
The next Nook related device would be a Microsoft product, so no more Android regardless.
Maybe if they supported developers and opened their system up and not lock in down in the beginning, then their profits wouldn't be so low. People don't want corporations making the choices of what you can/can't install on your device.
9v9 said:
Maybe if they supported developers and opened their system up and not lock in down in the beginning, then their profits wouldn't be so low. People don't want corporations making the choices of what you can/can't install on your device.
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As folks have mentioned, the model for this device was sell at near loss at current price and make it up with their locked in app store. It was a Catch 22, since your point and the market option was key in the device failure. That said, the build, display, general performance and battery life make it IMO the perfect tablet for comics, books, emulators, games and media. For the price and using CM 10.1, it is a no-brainer.
For emulators, it is better than than my two tablets with the Tegra 3 chipet and sleep mode battery drain is FAR better. The only tablet that is better in the sleep mode regard is the iPad. For Android, this is the best tablet I have owned for sleep mode drain and I had or tested about every main-stream tablet that exisits at one time or another. Most Android tablets are not too good for sleep mode drain- especially Tegra 3.
gharlane00 said:
Should be an even bigger price drop to sell off the stock. May snap up a few more if the HD+ goes to $100 or less.
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just depends on how well they are selling at the current prices. HD+ at $149 is an absolute steal. I just picked one up yesterday. Google has waited too long to announce the Nexus 7. This may prevent me from getting one.
It's a shame it hasn't been making them money as it really is a quality bit of kit for the price point.
I was for the Nexus 7 for a long time but when this got google apps the extra screen real estate was a big plus (I read mags/comics on it) for not much extra weight.
Hopefully they get a quality third party to continue the manufacturing.
I also think though that they need to advertise the device better. I knew nothing about the HD+ until google apps appeared on it and was across more mainstream tech news sites that I read.
tyepye said:
It's a shame it hasn't been making them money as it really is a quality bit of kit for the price point.
I was for the Nexus 7 for a long time but when this got google apps the extra screen real estate was a big plus (I read mags/comics on it) for not much extra weight.
Hopefully they get a quality third party to continue the manufacturing.
I also think though that they need to advertise the device better. I knew nothing about the HD+ until google apps appeared on it and was across more mainstream tech news sites that I read.
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I agree. The extra screen real estate is great. Also, I love that they used a wider (in portrait) screen than most (who are using 16:10). For tablets, it makes much more sense. I actually wish they would take it a step farther and go 4:3 like iPad. Currently, the only tablets I aware of that do this is the Archos tablets. Tablets really are best for use with a 4:3 ratio.
My only annoyance is the settings for density. Everything seems WAAAAYYY too small for my eyes on this puppy. I'm definitly going to be adjusting it once I get CM loaded up.
Poke_N_PDA said:
I agree. The extra screen real estate is great. Also, I love that they used a wider (in portrait) screen than most (who are using 16:10). For tablets, it makes much more sense. I actually wish they would take it a step farther and go 4:3 like iPad. Currently, the only tablets I aware of that do this is the Archos tablets. Tablets really are best for use with a 4:3 ratio.
My only annoyance is the settings for density. Everything seems WAAAAYYY too small for my eyes on this puppy. I'm definitly going to be adjusting it once I get CM loaded up.
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Dont have that problem myself. Everything seems crisp and clear.
Not dead yet?
http://arstechnica.com/business/2013/08/barnes-noble-not-giving-up-on-nook-tablets-after-all/
Nice!! I totally agree with what the new CEO said.
Another big reason is TI is out of the game. So I am wondering what will be the CPU of next Kindle? Snapdragon? BTW I love my NOOK HD+, perfect device for pdf, ebook and comics!!!
I bought a Nook HD + a week ago... for tablet use, not for reading books (I prefer paper in my hands), the Nook HD+ is a great device for my intended use... and the price was right! Found a Microsoft BT keyboard (mobile keyboard 6000) that works perfectly with the HD+. I give it 2 thumbsup!
Barnes & Noble has decimated their Nook development group.
Their latest endeavor, the white Nook Glow is a mish-mash of old and new software.
It appears that they've dropped the other two Eink models.
I do not ever expect to see any further updates or developments from B&N.
Eink has always played their cards close to their chest.
They have always presented their products as OEM, that is for manufacturers only.
To get the most out of devices with Eink displays application developers must also have a good understanding of Eink.
Just go to the Eink website, there is no useful information available.
A visit to Eink Developer Center shows just one kit for development of tiny readouts, not full displays.
I am not sure that I agree eInk is dead. I think it will have a niche market out there for a while. I am one of those people who really don't like reading on a back lit screen for any length of time. Perhaps it is due to my job where I stare at back lit LCD monitors all day long. In any case, I want to read on an eInk screen, not a back lit LCD. Until someone develops another tech to take to place of eInk, there will be people like me looking for eInk devices.
As for the eInk Nooks. They are dead. The future of eInk devices is high resolution 1024 x 768 capacitive touchscreen like the Kindle Paperwhite or the newly introduced Tolino Vision from Germany.
Hmm, that new Tolino looks interesting.
Still, I wouldn't say that 600 x 800 vs 768 x 1024 is the biggest deal for me.
The screen resolution is adequate for my eyes.
That it's the Carta display, whiter and faster would be some incentive.
A faster processor, more RAM and a more recent Android would be a win.
Of course I like eInk, I just think with prices being more than an LCD tablet it will remain a niche market.
It is my impression, from what I have read, the the extra resolution is somewhat necessary to make up for the extra layer needed for the capatitive touch screen. I agree that the 800 x 600 on a Nook with an IR touch screen is plenty good enough for these 50+ year old eyes.
No, E-Ink isn't dead. I have had a NST and I've been very satisfied with it as an e-reader. It's still easier on the eyes than even the best backlit display. My hope has been that someone might develop an E-Ink tablet not only for reading books but also for other text-intensive apps. Check out meetearl.com, for one interesting possibility. In the meantime, some folks have figured out that the Kobo line and the Tolino line are very similar in hardware. Long story short, I now have a Kobo Aura HD running Gingerbread from a microSD card. And it's not too bad at all. I don't use it for games or video, but it works well for the apps I've wanted to run on an E-Ink display. Gingerbread is old now, but significantly better than Eclair. The folks at Earl plan to use KitKat. It's still in development. No, E-Ink isn't dead yet!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I will have to admit that I bought a Nexus 7 tablet (1st gen, 32G) because my NST was less than completely adequate for some things. However, now, months later, I still find myself using the NST for almost all my reading. It is lighter, and easier on the eyes than the Nexus.
Dead? Maybe, but you can have mine when you pry my cold dead fingers off of it!
MildBill
All the black eInk Nooks have disappeared from the Barnes & Noble website.
You can only find them on places like eBay now.
I'm not sure about the brick-and-mortar stores, I'll have to check.
I am interested in how the Tolino will work out.
There is this video (in German): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SulHahVHxIE
It doesn't really look impressively better.
I spend 99% of my time doing straight reading and my NST works as least as well as that.
eInk devices are going to be primarily for those who (like myself) like dedicated devices. I want my camera to take pictures, I want my phone to make phone calls, I want my eReader to read, and I use a tablet for other media (video / web / music). I believe that there will always be a market for such devices, whether that market is sufficiently lucrative for products to be developed and sold is another question.
We have an NST and a new Kobo Aura HD. I did all my serious reading on my NST. It's still one of the best eReaders out there. If the NST ran a newer version of Android, I would have looked no further. But, I wanted to be able to read books and articles from a few other apps on an E-Ink eReader, apps which won't work on Android 2.1. When I learned that the Kobo eReaders are very similar to the Tolino line, and that someone found a way to run the Tolino Shine's ROM from a microSD card on a Kobo Aura HD, I became very interested. I went and did it. The Tolino ROM works fairly well on the Kobo. The Kobo reader has some good features, like Pocket integration. If you put the NST and the Kobo side by side, you can see the improved resolution on the Kobo. But I still prefer the way the NST formats and presents ePub eBooks. I hope I'm wrong, but it seems like B&N is bailing out of the eReader business. That would be sad indeed if it is true.
Sent from my Kobo Aura HD running Gingerbread
Renate NST said:
Barnes & Noble has decimated their Nook development group.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source?
http://www.geekwire.com/2014/layoffs-hit-barnes-nobles-nook-division/
http://www.businessinsider.com/barnes-and-noble-hardware-engineering-staff-2014-2
http://www.techspot.com/news/55625-...arnes-nobles-nook-engineering-department.html
http://www.techweekeurope.co.uk/news/end-in-sight-for-nook-following-job-cuts-138724
Renate NST said:
http://www.geekwire.com/2014/layoffs-hit-barnes-nobles-nook-division/
http://www.businessinsider.com/barnes-and-noble-hardware-engineering-staff-2014-2
http://www.techspot.com/news/55625-...arnes-nobles-nook-engineering-department.html
http://www.techweekeurope.co.uk/news/end-in-sight-for-nook-following-job-cuts-138724
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
New Sony Dpt-S1, 13" reader looks like intersting use of Eink technology. But screen refresh still looks better on Nst with fastmode/norefresh
and PocketBook Cad reader, strong specifications like for eink
13",1 Ghz dual core, android 4.0, 2gb ram...
The take-up probably would have been far quicker had ereaders been cheaper. I'm guessing the biggest cost of an ereader is the eink display itself? Is it really that much more complex in it's design than an lcd that prices seem to be high for most ereaders (i know the technology is different, i mean the manufacturing process costs)? Most people would opt for a tablet as you can get really good ones with beautiful screens (Nook HD for example) for less than the price of a new Kindle, Kobo etc and you can do SO much more than just reading. Yeh, ereaders are easier on the eyes, but i doubt most tablet owners care about that when you add all the other functions of a tablet.
I think ereaders will always continue to exist, and i think as more and more people start using their tablets for reading entire books as opposed to just websites, articles, magazines etc, they're going to look to something that's easier on the eyes and ereaders will always be an excellent option, especially if more less restrictive ones come out that allow you to sync other files as well very easily without having to root them and install apps like dropbox, airdroid etc yourself. Kobo's Pocket for example is a great addition, but far more options to the user would be better, such as choosing which article sync app you wanted, Pocket, Readability, InstaPaper etc. Sync apps should also be the norm such as options to choose between Dropbox, gdrive, etc as well as maybe a basic browser like Opera Mini (mini so you get basic text versions of sites rather than the full sites that ereaders struggle with and output ugly results.
What i'd really like to see is great tablets with all their power, but with the addition of an eink display attached to the back Yeh, it's going to be thicker and slightly heavier but i think it could work. Similar to to Yotaphone, but not as rubbish as the Yotaphone (i read really bad reviews), instead, the eink side would work the same as any other touch screen ereader. You can even have a cover that flips over to cover the backside so only the screen you're looking at is exposed so if you put it down you don't have to worry about scratches. The implementation could be so much easier as well, instead of trying to figure about how you get the image on the eink side (a problem Yota did not fix well), you could just mirror the tablet side exactly, so there's no additional complex software conversions to do, that way if you want to end your web browsing session on your tablet and read a book, just open your ereader app, flip your tablet and read on you eink side and flip pages the way you already do on an ereader via touch.
If i had the money and the know how i would be designing a Tablet/Ereader hybrid like that myself. Had this idea for a long time, but never understood why someone didn't do it (other than the cost). I'm sure there are reasons that others will point out maybe, but i'd much rather buy a Tablet/Ereader hydrid long before i buy the failed SmartPhone/ereader hybrid as the latter is pointless, reading on a small phone even if it is eink is still difficult and makes you strain your eyes.
I think the Nook Simple Touch is really the optimal format in many ways.
6" is a good size for reading reflowable text.
It's not that great for page formatted (i.e. PDF).
It's too bad that B&N cut so many corners.
Not all the delay can be blamed on the eInk itself.
The processor is slow and there isn't a lot of RAM.
It would have been nice if they had gotten the Jorjin chip with Bluetooth.
I can compare navigation speed on large documents using the same reader app (i.e. my new app) on my Nook and my old disused Kyocera Rise cell phone.
The Nook shows as pretty slow.
I agree, it is sad that B&N ruined the Nook e-inks.
Was never (and am still not) a fan of Amazon devices.
E-ink devices are still evolving.
My next e-ink device is getting closer to release. http://www.meetearl.com/
Being full Android KitKat device, it has the options I want and a few extra.
I am not really sure if e-ink is going in or out.
I see contradicting moves out there:
- Best Buy has eliminated all e-ink readers from their (brick and mortar) stores. I went to three of them this past week and only Kindle Paperwhite is present. Their explanation: tablets are replacing them.
- hower: one can see bigger e-ink readers being released, which also have more of their Android base exposed: Onyx Boox M96M Zeus, ICARUS eXceL 9.7". It seems that those producers of ereaders that still want to be in the market add features so that they bring the feature convergence on their side.
I personally love the e-ink displays and would very much like to have a modern phone/tablet using it. Keeping my fingers crossed !
I'm in the market for an eInk device to be used exclusively for non-ebook purposes. I need something with the battery life of an ereader as opposed to that of an LCD based tablet. My application does not require the flashy color, or the fast redraw of an LCD, it's simply going to be an interface for a control system of sorts. The UI will not require scrolling but be primarily page based, and no high frame rate video. The most advanced thing that might be displayed is the occasional slow update grayscale "video" (maybe a frame or two a second at the most but even that's not terribly likely). Touch is required and a lit screen would be a big plus (hence the list of devices I mentioned). I also require wifi connectivity, cellular is not important and would never be used.
I do like the idea of using a device that runs Android as it would give me a greater number of options for development. While I may stick with HTML5 and JS I also like the possibility of writing a true Android application. I'm not interested in Android Play or any of the other Gapps, though I suppose I could sideload them if I feel the need. I will most likely be running a very simple custom launcher so that the device operates more like a purpose built embedded platform rather than a general purpose Android tablet.
My question is what device would the experts here at XDA recommend I use? The Kindle has the benefit of the 800 pound gorilla that is Amazon but it doesn't run Android natively. Nook has the benefit of a decent sized company behind it, the fact that it runs Android, the downside is I'm not entirely clear on how long B&N will stand behind their eInk devices. Kobo is the little guy in the corner, I know next to nothing about the company, the build quality of the device, or the future of the eInk devices, but like the Nook it appears to run some version of Android.
In truth, it's not really all that important that the device I choose be offered forever. This is a personal project, nothing that's going to market. What's more important is hackability, Android, and at least the possibility for newer custom Android ROMs to be installed.
Thank you for your help.
--adam
P.S. If this is the incorrect forum for this I apologize.
I think a Nook and a native Android app will be fine for control purposes.
I'd avoid the whole HTML5 stuff.
It's easier to get lean, mean, responsive if you stay away from browsers.
There is already enough interchangeability among Android devices.
E-Ink options
True grayscale video of any quality would be a stretch as you'd likely be dealing with refresh flashing between frames at even 1fps. Every hack I've seen for improving refresh behavior involves switching to 1-bit color depth. Some solutions preserve the appearance of grayscale through halftoning like a newspaper photo at the expense of image resolution.
One thing's for certain about the Nook Touch series, you'll never get anything newer than android 2.1 on it. A number of closed binary drivers need to be replaced for truly custom firmwares and you'd be limited on RAM anyhow. You will not be able to expect B&N to stand behind the product line in the future. Note that the most recent 4gb NSTglowlight lacks an SD slot and is thus more difficult to root. That said, I'm very pleased with my Glowlight as a bare-bones Android device.
The Kobo Aura HD tablet would at least get you Android 2.3 and is rootable. I'm not certain how strong its developer community might be. One advantage over the Nook seems to be more even distribution of light across the display surface but I can't confirm from hands-on experience.
If you're comfortable with Linux, you might want to consider the Onyx Boox. There's at least a few scraps of information on the manufacturer's site about developing custom Qt apps for the Boox platform. Onyx has announced new tablets using Android but they don't seem to be available in the wild yet.
PocketBook out of Europe supposedly makes all sorts of e-ink Linux tablets, little, big, and waterproof; I'll be damned if I could tell you how to buy them though. Any evidence of purchasable shipped product I can find in English regards old models and dates from a couple of years ago.
Personally, I'm hoping the Earl GPS/walkie talkie Android tablet makes it out of vaporware.
dayofthedaleks said:
Note that the most recent 4gb NSTglowlight lacks an SD slot and is thus more difficult to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not so. Now that the development on USB booting has been done, it's trivial.
See: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=51742352&postcount=373
Renate NST said:
Not so. Now that the development on USB booting has been done, it's trivial.
See: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=51742352&postcount=373
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stand corrected!
dayofthedaleks said:
I stand corrected!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Consider the Onyx Boox T68. Similar specs to Kobo Aura HD, and it runs Android 4.04. A bit more expensive, but maybe what you're looking for.
Sent from my T68Lynx using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I echo the t68 comment. I got mine from Amazon a few weeks ago and it even shipped with prime shipping and was only $200. Totally worth it as an EReader. IDK of it would work for your purposes. But it comes with the play store and I haven't had any issues with it installing any app I've thrown at it.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Free mobile app