NST browser urgently needed

[atjaywalker]

We have 2 NST and 1 NST Glow readers.  In the last year, it was great to see the software fixes and the addition of the NST Glow with screen lighting that really helped to compete with Kindle Touch (which most of our friends and other family members own).  

However, B&N must supply a browser if they want to trump Amazon since it appears to be Kindle's ace in the hole.  I know for certain that it was the deciding factor in their Kindle's purchase decision since they all like to travel light.  In fact, I'm taking my NST Glow backpacking for 500 miles in a few days, and I would like to check my Google mail when I'm in town, but won't take another device to do so.

In Summary, to avoid loss of market share add browser because:

- the device already costs $139, hard to justify when kindle offers it

- browser function already exists in its android s/w base, little cost involved

- NST already hooks into Google, no 3rd party factors

- won't take away market share from the B&N tablets

- current NST can't connect in hotel rooms or cafes requiring agreement prompts etc

- protects current NST ereader base and future ereader & ebook sales

- won't distract NST community that just want to read (like apps might)

- makes NST the clear winner over Kindle Touch, especially for lightweight travelers.

Thanks for your consideration, hope a firmware update is already on the way.

[Sun_Cat]

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atjaywalker wrote:
- current NST can't connect in hotel rooms or cafes requiring agreement prompts etc

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Yes it can. There's a hidden, deliberately crippled browser included for this purpose and for some of the social sharing functions.

The original Nooks did have a browser, and there have been lengthy discussions here for a long time on the pros and cons. Search the forum and you'll find them.  I don't think B&N is about to change their mind again, but you never know.

One recent discussion covering the browser and other issues is here. It includes a workaround for getting to the browser and some info about its limitations.

[MacMcK1957]

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Sun_Cat wrote:

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atjaywalker wrote:
- current NST can't connect in hotel rooms or cafes requiring agreement prompts etc

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Yes it can. There's a hidden, deliberately crippled browser included for this purpose and for some of the social sharing functions.

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Unfortunately, due to the inconsistent ways that different places implement the liogin requirements, it only sometimes works.  On my last vacation, I could connect my laptop to the hotel wifi, but not my NST,  I was forced to sideload my daily paper.  The NST just said unable to connect to the internet, and never launched the browser for login.

[Sun_Cat]

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MacMcK1957 wrote:

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Unfortunately, due to the inconsistent ways that different places implement the liogin requirements, it only sometimes works.  On my last vacation, I could connect my laptop to the hotel wifi, but not my NST,  I was forced to sideload my daily paper.  The NST just said unable to connect to the internet, and never launched the browser for login.

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I haven't had that problem. Out of curiosity, was this before or after the 1.1.2 update? If before, it's just barely possible that that problem was fixed along with the other wireless issues.

[MacMcK1957]

I don't recall offhand when the update appeared. The vacation was early February. It didn't give the usual connection errors, but acted more like it connected to the router but said there was no Internet, so it wouldn't launch the browser to get to the login prompt. Perhaps I should take another trip to Cancun to check it out?

[Sun_Cat]

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MacMcK1957 wrote:
Perhaps I should take another trip to Cancun to check it out?

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I'll join you. Let me pack my bag.