Hasta La Gadget!

Barnes & Noble knows where it stands in the tablet race. Sure, the company has been plugging away at the space since the day the Nook Color made its transformation into a full-fledged tablet, but the Nook, it seems, is rarely mentioned in the same breath as the Kindle Fire or Nexus 7, when discussing low-cost tablets. As such, the company seems to rarely mention its devices without discussing the competition — Amazon in particular. In fact, at the launch event for the Nook HD and HD+, reps trotted out Kindle Fire HDs at every possible opportunity.

Seeing the two devices side by side, there’s no question that Nook trumps the Fire in a number of categories, and the bookseller has gone a ways toward making the Nook HD stand out in a field full of bigger players. For one thing, the device is far more focused on the reading experience than the competition, a fact reflected in both hardware and UI decisions. The company has also taken a more aggressive approach toward marketing the device toward families. The question, then, is whether these features are enough to capture marketshare from the more prominent devices. See how the Nook HD stacks up after the break.

Continue reading Nook HD review: a high-def tablet with the heart of a reader

Filed under: Tablets

Nook HD review: a high-def tablet with the heart of a reader originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 08:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barnes & Noble is eager to ensure its Nook HD tablets are passed safe for consumption by humans. That’s why one of the slates has just been ushered out of the FCC’s underground bunker after being torn into tiny pieces. Of course, our boys in blue generously shared the pictures for us all to enjoy, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t include them here — after all, it’s what’s inside that counts.

Filed under: Tablets

Barnes & Noble’s Nook HD gets splayed all over the internet by the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 13:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barnes & Noble and Microsoft’s mutual appreciation is getting a lot more real. The duo issued a joint announcement today, marking the completion of Nook Media LLC, a “strategic partnership” made up of the bookseller’s digital and college wings. The news comes after a $300 million investment in the pairing. Further plans for Nook Media are vague at the moment, as the companies note, “There can be no assurance that the review will result in a strategic separation or the creation of a stand-alone public company.” Until such key things are decided, B&N for one doesn’t plan on elaborating. You can find a bit more, however, in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Barnes & Noble and Microsoft complete Nook Media LLC partnership

Filed under: Tablets, Internet, Microsoft

Barnes & Noble and Microsoft complete Nook Media LLC partnership originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Check those calendars. It’s September 29th, which means, for those who follow the world of e-readers, that we’re two days from Kindle Paperwhite day. According to Target and Walmart, it also means that Barnes & Noble’s own illuminated e-reader, the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, is getting a $20 price cut, down to $119. That price puts the reader on par with the entry-level Paperwhite (no 3G, with ads). Let the battle of the front lit e-readers commence!

Update: Check out some official pricing update info from B&N after the break.

Continue reading Target, Walmart list price drop for B&N’s Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight to $119

Target, Walmart list price drop for B&N’s Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight to $119 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Sep 2012 21:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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American bookseller Barnes and Noble is planning to broaden its horizons with a little international travel. At the same time the Kindle Fire HD makes its first tentative steps across the pond, the company behind the Nook has appointed Patrick Rouvillois to spearhead its global domination — starting in the UK. As such, it’s releasing the Nook Simple Touch, Simple Touch with Glowlight and both of its new HD tablets this holiday season to win the hearts and minds of cynical Brits. If you’re a Brit (cynical or otherwise) and curious whether Jeff Bezos and chums have something to worry about (hint: most probably) then join us after the break.

Continue reading Barnes & Noble hits the UK, launches Nook Simple Touch, Glowlight and a pair of HD tablets

Filed under: Tablets

Barnes & Noble hits the UK, launches Nook Simple Touch, Glowlight and a pair of HD tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 02:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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