Nook Color = Disappointing

[VinceInMN]

My wife got me a Nook Color for Valentine's Day (aw... sweet, right?), and now I have a dilemma.  My dilemma is that it's a big disappointment and I'm trying to figure out if I should return it.  Keep in mind, I do have the latest update as of today and, while that did help a bit, it doesn't resolve my issue completely. 

First the good -

1.  Be able to add to my files library through the web browser.  Great!

2.  A decent web browser.  Awesome!

3.  A few more apps under Extras.  Good, finally!  (You can see where this is going, right?)

4.  I also happen to like that it's nearly the same size as the old Nook.  Just so you know, it's kind of nice that it's not as big as my wifes iPad.

Now the bad -

1.  Resizing and scrolling that is somewhat jerky.  It's tolerable and it may not be fixable, but there you have it.

2.  The PDF reader is barely passable.  It doesn't even attempt reflow.  Come on... my 3+ year old TyTn II cell phone does better than this.  It doesn't appear to save my current reading location either.  Ugh..

3.  And this is what's killing me - No app store. 

Now, I know why BN didn't put the stock app store in there.  They don't want us using the Kindle/Kobo apps on their hardware.  They can't vouch for the quality of apps in there.  The hardware may not be beefy enough to run much of what's in there.  And to top all of that off, they probably aren't going to get a cut of those sales.  I get all that.

But, let's be clear about this:  THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO NOT OFFER AN APP STORE

BN can put their own app store together and allow app submissions there.  Duh!  Then they can vet the apps, ensure the quality is high, sell apps, and get paid!  Everyone would be happy.

Otherwise... this thing has a lot of promise but it isn't much better than my original eInk Nook.  In fact, my eyes tell me it's worse.  And, really, for not much more cash than we've already paid out - I can get an iPad that will let me do all this and more (larger size not-withstanding).

So, what's it going to be guys?  Like it or not, you're in the "tablet space" now, so it's time to be competitive.  Do I return this thing and tell all my friends to not bother, or do I get to rave about how you're going to have an actual freakin app store so I can rave about it and tell them to invest in one now because it will be worth it?

Thank you,

-Vince

[AndyfromVA]

Apparently there are apps that work on the Nook Color.

http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/nook/3696-working-apps-nook-color.html

[Nallia Distinguished Bibliophile]

B&N is working on an app store that is estimated to go live by the end of Q1.

You were also sent to the wrong place through the web site.  This is the board for the e-Ink NOOKs.

[CasperAZ]

VinceInMN, your wife bought you an expensive present for Valentine's Day.  You don't want to hurt her feelings.  Vince, give it some more time and I think you will like it.  Your wife wants you to be happy and she took the time to get you a fantastic present.  There are plenty of husbands out there who are just going to get a cheap bottle of Stetson cologne or a Larry the Cable Guy DVD for Valentine's Day.  You have a wife who really thinks the world of you by buying you a NOOKcolor for Valentine's Day and there are plenty of guys who wish they had the thoughtful kind of wife you have.

[RSC_Nook]

I tend to fall in the camp that I want an eReader because I want an eReader, not a do everything device, and am perfectly happy spending $30-$50 less and getting just that vs some do it all thing

[VinceInMN]

Well put - however, I also don't want her to be sad in 30 days when I throw it to the side and go back to the old Nook because using the new Nook isn't worth the trade-offs.  My wife might also be sad to find out that she bought me a second grade tablet, instead of the first rate eReader she thought she was getting me. 

Given the NC has a lower price point, I don't expect it to be quite as capable as an iPad, but having either an app store or the ability to side-load apps without voiding the warranty are a core tablet capability.  Without that, it isn't worth the loss of the eInk screen.

[VinceInMN]

Well, I'm not asking chickens to hatch pigs here.  Apps are something anyone should expect of a tablet, and because there isn't an eInk screen on this device, it's not a proper eReader anymore either; it's a tablet. 

Really, I'm probably just a sucker for wanting to do this at all, I just want the opportunity to buy apps for this things and further enrich BN and the app authors in the process.  I shouldn't have to hard sell that idea to anyone.

[CasperAZ]

VinceInMN, as long as you explain to your wife that you are unhappy with the present she bought you and the reasons why you are not happy with it, but appreciate her generous thought, I can understand that she indeed would want you to be happy even if it meant exchanging her gift that she bought you.  However, there is always the possibility, Vince, that in a couple of days you might really like the NOOKcolor. 

Regardless of the deciscion you make, Vince, make it one that will make your wife happy.

[RSC_Nook]

I just don't think B&N intended this to be a tablet.  Instead of thinking of it as a tablet want to be that came up short perhaps it should be thought of as a basic ereader (which is what is supposed to be) with some nice additions.

If you think of the device as an eReader then perhaps it is not disappointing as one.

I liken it to saying 'Kitchenaid Blender - Disappointing' and then justifying that by saying it does not act like a food processor as well as other specifically built food processors

regardless, sounds like you want a tablet, not a eReader.  If it was me, if I bought my wife something this expensive I would want her to be 100% honest and tell me if she likes it or not.  I think she would rather you get what you want

[sygram]

B&N still not fixing the link to the forums = disappointing

I saw a story earlier, on cnet I believe, that was about rooting the nookcolor to work well with Android 3.0.

[VinceInMN]

@RSC_Nook - If they intended this to be an eReader, then where is the eInk?  Instead it has very hard on the eyes, LED screen.  And it has a few apps over which you get very little control.

In my book, that's just a second-rate tablet.  All they have to do is open an app store and gladly accept my hard earned cash for a few apps.  I'm not asking for miracles here.

[SkinnyDennis]

---

VinceInMN wrote:

@RSC_Nook - If they intended this to be an eReader, then where is the eInk?  Instead it has very hard on the eyes, LED screen.  And it has a few apps over which you get very little control.

In my book, that's just a second-rate tablet.  All they have to do is open an app store and gladly accept my hard earned cash for a few apps.  I'm not asking for miracles here.

---

Patience, the app store is coming.

Why complain any longer, you've made your point.

[shadowcat80]

I'm sorry you're disappointed.  However, nookcolor is not a tablet its an e-reader, I bet others have pointed this out already but, there's a nookcolor room, this room is the nook classic.  I really don't know the nookcolor at all but, if I was in your shoes I would give it a chance.  I know its no ipad but, its a very nice reader, take advantage of the color and read magazines, they look better on the color then classic, or if you want take it back and exchange it for a nook classic.

[geatdanemomDT]

---

shadowcat80 wrote:

I'm sorry you're disappointed.  However, nookcolor is not a tablet its an e-reader, I bet others have pointed this out already but, there's a nookcolor room, this room is the nook classic.  I really don't know the nookcolor at all but, if I was in your shoes I would give it a chance.  I know its no ipad but, its a very nice reader, take advantage of the color and read magazines, they look better on the color then classic, or if you want take it back and exchange it for a nook classic.

---

He has the classic nook also already..

[shadowcat80]

Then he get a second one for the wife if she doesn't have one already. 

[geatdanemomDT]

It is my understanding, as rumor has it, nook color will has apps but not turned into a full functioning tablet. I have not bought one because I prefer to read e ink. If and when I buy a tablet I want a fully functioning one. If your not into magazines, kids books and books with color pictures you would more than likely enjoy a regular tablet for the functions you are looking for, and keep reading on your e ink.

[WildNole]

---

Nallia wrote:

B&N is working on an app store that is estimated to go live by the end of Q1.

You were also sent to the wrong place through the web site.  This is the board for the e-Ink NOOKs.

---

This is not related to teh OP's post so my apologies but this is the second time in a minute or two that I've seen someone mention this being the wrong forum.  If you go through bn.com and click on NookColor support there is a link for "Discussion" but only one line for "Nook/NookColor."  Why can't there simply be two links, one for Nook and one for NookColor.

[geatdanemomDT]

---

WildNole wrote:

---

Nallia wrote:

B&N is working on an app store that is estimated to go live by the end of Q1.

You were also sent to the wrong place through the web site.  This is the board for the e-Ink NOOKs.

---

This is not related to teh OP's post so my apologies but this is the second time in a minute or two that I've seen someone mention this being the wrong forum.  If you go through bn.com and click on NookColor support there is a link for "Discussion" but only one line for "Nook/NookColor."  Why can't there simply be two links, one for Nook and one for NookColor.

---

Many members have repeatedly requested that the link be fixed/changed to help nook color owners find the needed forum. No response as of yet from B&N.

[gstone]

---

VinceInMN wrote:

@RSC_Nook - If they intended this to be an eReader, then where is the eInk?  Instead it has very hard on the eyes, LED screen.  And it has a few apps over which you get very little control.

In my book, that's just a second-rate tablet.  All they have to do is open an app store and gladly accept my hard earned cash for a few apps.  I'm not asking for miracles here.

---

If it is hard on your eyes turn the brightness down, it's too high. I had this problem at work using CRT monitors when only black and white was available (or some other horrid 2 colors).  I would go home at the end of the day with the last screen etched onto my retinas. My salvation was when IBM released the 3270 work station. It had very light grey text on a powder blue background. Try one of the Nook's other color schemes.

LCD and e-Ink work much the same. The screen is only refreshed when the image changes. LCD requires a backlight to illuminate the screen, e-Ink requires external lighting.

E-Ink is not a requirement for an eReader. You may prefer the e-Ink display and that's fine. One of these days I am going down to the store and look at the Nook Color. Based on its resolution and my experience with my current nook, I anticipate the Nook Color being easier for me to read on than the Nook is.

It's been pointed out that B&N plans to open an app store.  If apps are so important to you that you have to have them right now, the Nook Color is not what you want anyway. Return it and get a tablet you like.

[Nallia Distinguished Bibliophile]

---

WildNole wrote:

---

Nallia wrote:

B&N is working on an app store that is estimated to go live by the end of Q1.

You were also sent to the wrong place through the web site.  This is the board for the e-Ink NOOKs.

---

This is not related to teh OP's post so my apologies but this is the second time in a minute or two that I've seen someone mention this being the wrong forum.  If you go through bn.com and click on NookColor support there is a link for "Discussion" but only one line for "Nook/NookColor."  Why can't there simply be two links, one for Nook and one for NookColor.

---

I know.  The link on the NOOKcolor support site is wrong.  NOOK and NOOKcolor (NC) shared this board when the NC was first released.  They were separated back in December because the devices are just too different in some aspects and the NOOK-related posts were getting buried.  Unfortunately, B&N didn't edit the link when that happened.  We have repeatedly asked that it be fixed, so far to no avail.  So we do what we can to help new posters get to the right area where they will get the help they need.