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| | | Nationwide bookstore chain Barnes & Noble launched its eReader, the Nook, in 2009, the first eReader to offer a color touchscreen for navigation. In addition to online shopping for eBooks, the company offers Nook owners exclusive content and discounts when visiting any Barnes & Noble store. The Nook is also compatible with libraries offering the ability to borrow eBooks. For comparison to other eBook readers, see How Much Does an eBook Reader Cost. | | |
| Typical costs: | - The Barnes & Noble Nook costs $259. It offers a 6-inch diagonal color touchscreen and weighs about 11 ounces. Its 2GB memory is enough to hold about 1,500 books and is expandable by adding up to 16GB via microSD or microSDHC card, enough for about 16,000 more ebooks. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers enough juice to last the average reader about 10 days with the wireless connectivity turned off. The Nook will download content either via USB from a Mac or PC, or wirelessly using either a Wi-Fi connection or AT&T's 3G mobile broadband network. The Nook features LendMe technology that enables users to lend and borrow eBooks purchased from the Barnes and Noble eBook Store. The Nook features a built-in mono speaker and can hold up to 26 hours of audio content.
What should be included: | - USB cable, rechargeable battery, Mac and PC-compatible software.
- Barnes & Noble's eReader software is compatible with Mac and PC as well as any iPhone, iPod Touch or Blackberry.
- Barnes & Noble has partnered with Google to offer over one million public domain books for free download from its eBook Store.
- The Nook's 3G wireless broadband connectivity is included in the cost, so it does not incur monthly data charges or any wireless commitments. If traveling within the United States or while connected to a supported Wi-Fi hotspot overseas, new magazine or newspaper issues will automatically be delivered to the Nook's online digital Library. Users cannot, however, purchase additional eBooks and subscriptions while traveling abroad.
- In addition to EPUB files, the Nook supports PDF and PDB, MP3 audio files and a variety of image formats. It does not support Word or TXT files, though.
Additional costs: | - Barnes & Noble's eBook Store boasts a selection of over one million books, magazines and newspapers. The cost of downloading books ranges from free to $100 with most Best Sellers and new releases costing about $10. For example, Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol" costs $9.60, "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold costs $4.99 and "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell costs $6. Monthly subscriptions to US or international newspapers or periodicals cost about $5 to $14 per month. A monthly subscription to The New York Times, for example, costs $13.99.
- Protective covers for the Nook range from $12 to $125 according to design. Silicone frames offer the option to change the color of a Nook and cost $10 to $20. An AC in-car adapter for the Nook costs about $15.
- A clip-on reading light costs about $20; a bookstand costs about $25. Ear buds cost about $5 while noise-canceling headphones cost $20 to $500.
- Micro SD cards cost $13 to $80.
- The Nook uses a replaceable rechargeable battery so if traveling for extended periods away from a power source, users can carry a backup battery. This costs $30.
- A 2-year extended warranty costs $70.
Discounts: | |
Shopping for a nook: | - Wired offers a buying guide to eBook readers, including the Barnes & Noble Nook.
- cNet offers a review of the Nook.
- Find a nearby Barnes & Noble store for a hands-on demonstration of the Nook or take an online Video Tour.
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Article updated June 2010 |
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