Review and Giveaway: #NOOKColor Update 1.2

Posted May 24, 2011 by Holly in Giveaways | 57 Comments

B&N has finally released the much anticipated NOOKColor firmware update that allows access to applications, email and other requested features. They’ve included some current favorites, like Angry Birds, Lonely Planet Phrasebooks and Drawing Pad. The inclusion of apps and better web access makes this more like a thrifty tablet than just a plain eReader.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the apps (see a full list of available apps here), since B&N used their own developers rather than connecting with the Android Market (something I don’t believe they have any intention of doing in the future). Overall I find them to be pretty useful. I especially love the Epicurious app. You can select recipes, create shopping lists and organize favorites. The functionality is great – the screen scrolls beautifully and the colors really pop.

I don’t have small children, but I did download one of the interactive children’s books, just to try it. I bought I Just Forgot by Mercer Mayer, a Little Critter book. Little Critter is one of my favorite children’s book characters from when my kids were little. Even though they’re 14 and 12, we still had a good time having the book read to us. My 8 year-old niece really enjoyed it as well. I think for people with small children in their lives will find a lot of enjoyment here.

The inclusion of an email feature isn’t one I find to be that helpful. It runs rather slow. Since having the wifi on constantly drains the battery, I don’t use the feature much. It is easy to use and the notifications are nice, but I wouldn’t say it’s a main reason to purchase. 

One of the things that frustrates me about the NOOKColor is the lack of reading options for PDF files. I was hoping B&N would fix that with this update, but no such luck. They do offer an ezPDF Reader through the app store, but I’m not able to open it. It keeps giving me an SD Card error every time I try. I’ll have to play with it a little more to see if I can get it to work.

Nook Friends is something I haven’t really explored much. It’s in beta right now, so I’m not sure how it will improve in the future. For now, it seems like a great way to keep in contact with friends regarding books you have available to lend or quick quotes/passages you want to share. I’m going to play with it a bit more before deciding if I like it.

As far as enhancements go to the actual reading experience, there aren’t many here. They updated the page turning to make it more seamless and that’s about it. Though to be honest, I didn’t have many complaints about reading on the device to begin with. I still wish it had a dedicated back button and cursors on the keyboard, as well as full functionality for PDFs, but otherwise it’s a pretty comprehensive reader.

Disappointments:

1. The price of the apps. The apps are priced between $0.99 – $4.99. Since I’m not an iThing junky, I have no idea how these compare to the apps available for the iPad or iPhone. I do know most of these apps are available in the Android Market for quite a bit less. Uno, for example, is available in the Android Market for $2.99, but for the NOOKColor, it’s $4.99. This hasn’t stopped me from purchasing many of the apps, but I thought it should be noted.

2. Apps aren’t available on the web. This isn’t an issue exclusive to the Nook, but it is annoying. None of the apps are available to be purchased through the desktop or mobile site. They must be purchased directly from the device. This is mainly frustrating when I’m away from a wireless network and want to shop, since the NOOKColor is wifi-only.

3. The cord. This actually has nothing to do with the update, but I find myself very frustrated by the cord. I’ve already broken two of them because they stick out so far from the point of entry at the bottom of the device. It wouldn’t be such a big deal, but new cords are $25. That means I’ve already spent $50 on cords. Think of the books and/or apps I could have bought with $50.

Overall I think the update enhance an already great reader. Please be aware, however, that this isn’t a tablet. It is first and foremost an eReader. While I would say this update makes this a good choice for a thrifty tablet, I don’t think it compares well to many of the other tablets on the market, including the iPad. 

Just in time for Father’s Day, we have a great giveaway for you. Leave a comment on this post telling us what you think of the NOOKColor with updates, and you’ll be entered to win a $50 Barnes and Noble gift certificate. You can use the cert to buy apps for an existing NOOKColor, or any other item on the B&N site. Wouldn’t it be great to surprise dad with a NOOKColor for Father’s Day (or maybe give yourself a belated Mother’s Day gift?)? 

Contest ends May 31st, 2011 at 11:59pm. Please Note: You must include a valid email address with your comment to be eligible to win.

PS: Check out the certified pre-owned devices available at B&N.


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57 responses to “Review and Giveaway: #NOOKColor Update 1.2

  1. I really have no desire to own a NookColor. I love the e-ink screens! I already stare at a screen 8 hours a day. I have no desire to do all my reading on a backlit screen. It might be different if I read a lot of magazines or used it for children’s books. But I’m perfectly happy with my original nook. I did see the new e-ink touch screen the just announced. I’d be more interested in that b/c it is e-ink. But again I’m perfectly content with my original.

    My Dad steals my Mom’s nook all the time so we’re going to get him one for Father’s Day. It will either be the new nook or the original though, not the color.

    bookfaredelights(at)gmail

  2. Anonymous

    Having a problem trying to enter. Will try again.

    I am a book in hand type gal so at this time have on interest in any ereader, maybe in the future if it will also clean my house.
    \
    Pat L.

  3. With so many ereaders on the market it’s really difficult to decide which one would best fit my needs. Although the main reason for me having one would be for reading, it’s nice to know there are downloadable apps available. Thanks for this great information.

    rjofusATgmailDOt com

  4. I love the sound of the Nook Color’s abilities, it opens up a whole new world to people. The apps you mentioned will make things easier for people. Having so many recipes at hand from Epi would make evening dinnertime easier. Having an app that reads to your children would help with their learning and would keep them easily entertained.

    I love technology!

    joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

  5. Mary D

    Sounds interesting, but the cord problem looks very troublesome. Two extra cords for $50 would definitely be over my budget!

  6. Chelsea B.

    Sounds like it has as many good things as bad things. Though I have to admit, I am in love with the color! I have two younger brothers who would love to read the childrens books when they come over. And the games you can buy and play sound really cool– yes, sometimes I am a major kid 🙂

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

  7. I would LOVE to own an ereader, This new nook sounds great. I would love to travel with it. Give me, give me, give me…….. did I tell you I’d love it?

    clenna at aol dot com

  8. The Nook changes look great. It’s nice that all the ereaders keep getting updates. For now, I’ll stick with my Kindle instead of purchasing something else.

    Thanks for the giveaway. (Email in profile.)

  9. I enjoyed your review. I don’t have an e-reader yet, and hadn’t thought much about the NookColor before. I don’t really think I’d use all the apps, I’d rather just have something to read on, so I’m not all that impressed with the updates myself.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

  10. I’m considering the possibility of an ereader. I like holding an actual book, but I’m open to trying something new. I teach elementary students, so being able to download children’s books to the NOOKColor may sway my decision.

    Tasha
    tlwalls@ballstate.bsu.edu

  11. Di

    My sister-in-law got a Nook for her birthday & I’ll be trying it out. I didn’t realize there were other options/apps for the Nook, so when I do end up getting an eReader I’ll have to investigate all these things you mention. I do tend to wait for severeal generations of electronics before purchasing, hoping more kinks will be worked out. Thanks for the info!
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

  12. I love to read. Everything. so when i discovered that I was allergic to paper (yes, ironic… sort of) i bought a pda as they were the best bet at the time to read on. But it is getting old…. And that color nook lookes realy nice, especially since i am not en e-ink fan. unless it is on an adam tablet with a dual display (still not e-ink but close) for reading outdoors. But i usually read indoors anyways.

    Email: theresa.m.horne at gmail dot com

  13. I absolutely love technology, and I have an mp3 player, however, when it comes to books, I absolutely love the actual real deal. I love the feel of paper as I turn it, the smell of books – something I wouldn’t be able to do with an e-reader.

    However, logistically speaking, e-readers make life a lot easier.If you’re going on a week-long trip, you don’t have to take a whole bag full of books, one slim machine can hold multiple books. It saves space, and time. Also, I’ve heard great things about the screen resolution, and the color effects of the NOOK Color! 🙂 Also, heard that it could be used as an Android Tablet, if you can get the OS running on it, so there are a lot of perks.

    I, unfortunately, don’t have one. Won a normal Nook once, but auctioned it for a charity, for homeless veterans! No problem *shrugs* some other time. It would be fantastic, to win this and add money to it, and get dad a NOOK Color, because his birthday and Father’s Day are days apart! 😀

    ~Hira~
    GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
    Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

  14. salvador

    I am tempted to buy the Nook. The touchscreen, wireless and the lower price tag make it a low cost alternative to buying the ipad.

  15. Alcott

    I have a 3G Nook and love it. It’s extremely convenient and I also have had great luck with customer service through a defective item. I have now officially been completely converted over to the e-book side. I’ve been contemplating the Nook color, but hate to take the plunge again.

    amyrhuber@gmail.com

  16. Jane

    I don’t have an ereader so I don’t know much about the apps, but I imagine the updates were necessary.

    janie1215 AT excite DOT com

  17. Need to check the nook out. I have a kindle that I won but am looking for something for my teenager son. He loves to read and this sounds like something more that just a reader.
    scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com

  18. I have the plain nook and love it. I don’t read lots of magazines, etc., so don’t see the need to spend extra for a color version.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

  19. I don’t have an e-reader yet but this nook sounds pretty good and I like the idea that it can do more.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

  20. Anonymous

    I like the Nookcolor but I have a real issue with the battery life. I own the original nook, and while I have been very tempted to get the NookColor, I am content with my original nook for now. I did see the new nook that they announced yesterday and if the batter life is really 2 months, then I may get that one.

    Gabby
    gdotramirez83atgmaildotcom

  21. StacieDM

    I’ve been considering buying the Nook Color. I have a Kindle but I want to be able to read my Acrobat and other format books on an ereader. I’ve heard there will be several new ereaders releasing soon. I may wait to see what is available.

    user1123 AT comcast DOT net

  22. I’ve had my eye on the Nook because it will read so many of the formats that I’ve already purchased. Color isn’t really all the important, I like the 3g and wi-fi capabilities, though that cord would be worrisome to me as well.

    caity_mack at yahoo dot com

  23. I questioned why one would need an ereader in color. I wasn’t aware that apps with games were available. Sounds good, but they need to price match with competing apps like the Uno you mentioned.

    acm05atjuno.com

  24. The Nook sounds like a good compromise for someone like me that can’t quite work the iPad into my budget. Honestly though, all I want is a clear, easy to use device to read books on so an iPad would be wasted on me.

  25. i really like that the new NookColor has better web access. that’s always helpful to be able to check emails anytime (even when reading).

    chelleyreads AT gmail DOT com

  26. Hmmm nook color with updates sounds interesting. I’d like to see the screen and think it’d be best for kids books and interactive ones – I guess those will be more popular soon? The ebooks with like “special features.”
    Probably not going to get one though… and I don’t know about apps on it.
    How responsive is the screen? Seems a tiny bit extraneous. Then again I’m saying this as someone who has just – and only :X read your thoughts. But I think you’re discerning. 😀
    I wonder how well it’ll sell though and how popular it’ll be.

  27. I bought my NookColor for the sole purpose of reading on it, I think the apps are just an added bonus. Its a toy both me and my son can enjoy; his color books and my books in one place. Even with the recent update I hardly use the apps on my NC though, but I think my only complaint with my NC is the battery life and now with the apps, it drains a little faster since my son can play Angry Birds now.

    Thanks for the contest!

    kcpad88 at gmail dot com

  28. I’ve thought about getting a Nook color, but the cost is still a bit high. Plus, I would use an e-reader for reading, so the enhancements of apps and email don’t hold much appeal. I don’t have children, so interactive books aren’t a plus for me. The issues you mention regarding reading options for PDF files is of concern. Would I be thrilled if I won one? You bet. Not ready to run out and buy one yet, though.

    Very nice review of the Nook Color – thank you

    kacbooks at hotmail dot com

  29. JenB

    Count me in!

    I think the NookColor sounds awesome. I bought two regular Nooks a few months ago, but my husband and my dad hijacked them, so I’m stuck with my POS Sony Pocket, while my little brother has an iPad.

    I’m pretty sure I deserve a new toy.

  30. I’ve never held a Nook in my hands because I don’t think they are avalable here in Germany. But Amazon just released the Kindle here and I’m really considering to buy one even though the not being able reading pdfs bugs me a bit.

    claudigc at msn dot com

  31. I’m a Kindle junkie. I love the eink screens and the built in 3G. I think the Nook Color would be nice for those with children, but my kids like the feel of real books.

    As for the price of the apps, the .99-4.99 price range is about right when compared with Apple’s apps. The more expensive games/apps tend to be the licensed ones (Scrabble, UNO, etc).

  32. I love my books and I love having them sit on my bookshelf, but I am curious about the Nook. I have a kindle, but would love to get myself a nook and pass the kindle to my hubby. What bothers me about the kindle seems to be available to the nook. I love my book covers and I hate that I can’t see them on my kindle, I scroll through my books by name and click on the book and have to scroll back several times to get to the cover and than it’s in B&W, such a bummer. I also do a lot of reading at night and would love a backlit screen. I’m not really a fan of apps and if the only thing I would be interested in is putting games on it for my kids so they could be entertained at dr. offices and when we are out to dinner. Another reason I’d love a nook color is to put books for my kids on their. It would be good for my whole family

    june111(at)att(dot)net

  33. Pam S (pams00)

    I think the new Nook with color sounds great for those who enjoy their apps. I do personally use apps on my iphone and such so being able to get a few for the nook seems pretty cool. it also sounds like a great alternative for those who are inbetween tablet pcs and ereaders – i.e. the main purpose you’d be using it for is reading but you still like the multipurpose function of a tablet and will be light app user.

    Thanks so much for the great review and heads up on this :)!

    Pam S
    pams00 @ aol.com

  34. I have a sony reader but I really want to change. Right now I’m eyeing both the nook and the kindle. These apps dea sounds nice even though I may not NEED any right now. My sony is 1 1/2 years old and is so outdated. The nook looks really nice…. I’ll have to check those apps some more. Thx for the ehads up and the giveaway !!

    mollytucker(at)hotmail(dot)fr

  35. I have an older version kindle right now am have been looking fondly at the nook color because it’s almost like an iPad with all the fun stuff you can do! I am jealous of everyone that has it!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Katie
    Katiewalthall AT ymail DOT com

  36. For those of you who say you don’t like reading ebooks: I’m curious, have you ever read one on a handheld device? It made all the difference in the world for me. Trying to read an ebook on the computer is a complete an total PITA, but reading on a dedicated handheld device is really fabulous.

    I still love to read print books, of course, but the convenience of digital reading can’t be beat.

    @Lime – The screen is actually really intuitive. I’ve not had any problems with it, other than when it comes to typing. That’s mostly a me issue, though, because of typos. Without cursor keys, it’s a total pain to correct them.

  37. For those of you who say you don’t like reading ebooks: I’m curious, have you ever read one on a handheld device? It made all the difference in the world for me. Trying to read an ebook on the computer is a complete an total PITA, but reading on a dedicated handheld device is really fabulous.

    I still love to read print books, of course, but the convenience of digital reading can’t be beat.

    @Lime – The screen is actually really intuitive. I’ve not had any problems with it, other than when it comes to typing. That’s mostly a me issue, though, because of typos. Without cursor keys, it’s a total pain to correct them.

  38. I’m a Kindle junkie and have been thinking about getting a NookColor. I love my books covers and it stinks that I can’t see some of them on the Kindle (only B&W or missing). The firmware update sounds great but not being able to read PDF’s, I’d have a problem with. And the price to replace a chord, WOW! that’s crazy. Isn’t there some sort of warranty on it?

    As for the games/apps, the price range sounds about the same as Apple games/apps and Kindle games. The trademarked ones cost a little more.

    Thanks for the update and giveaway.

    romancingrakes AT gmail DOT com

  39. Thank you for this awesome review. It’s certainly given me a lot to think about. I guess it would be lovely to own an e-book, especially in color.

    I must say though that to me, I do love the smell and feel of a new paperbook book. Let’s hope that they never become extinct like so many other things have.

    Thanks for this amazing giveaway.

    dpd333(at)aol(dot)com

  40. Sherie L

    I got a nook color for Christmas and there are some things I do not like about it would rather my original nook. Like PDF files having to be zoomed in and not being able to adjust the size of the text instead. I have not downloaded any new apps yet because I have an iPhone. The apps are the mostly the same and are cheaper on the phone. I do love the touch screen and color option. The Internet and B&N search is better too. I am like you though with cord, it is kinda crap. Mine has to be positioned just right or the nook won’t read it. I am looking into purchasing a new one to charge my nook better.

  41. I have to say I LOVE my nookcolor. I use it mostly as a reading device I have the goodreads app and the springpad app but nothing else. As for PDF reading I just convert my stuff in calibre. I like the sharing via twitter and facebook. I just wish they would transfer that over to sideloaded as well. I got rid of my original nook a while back however I think I will bE buying that one too. Great review holly and I wouldn’t give up my nc for anything.

  42. Not a fan. If only for that the fact the more they ‘add’ to an electronic device trying to be new and improved, the more of a power hog it is on the battery life.

    I want a device that will allow me to read any and all formats, and the ebooks are reasonably priced.

  43. re: Broken cords – you can find replacement cords for $1 – no need to buy new ones from B&N, any Micro USB Data Cable will work.
    Google either Micro USB Data Cable or Nook sync cable for results close to you.

  44. I love the update. Angry birds and all the books have made my day. Not a big user of the email but I really like my NOOKColor and I still sometimes steal my hubby’s NOOK 🙂 I guess I understand how you can become so loyal to the brand . . . I don’t think I’ll ever own anything but a B&N e-reader 🙂

  45. I am still debating about getting an e-reader, but then I think about all the books I could buy. So I still haven’t come to a decision.

  46. Anonymous

    The color feature sounds nice, but for an ereader I just wouldn’t find it necessary, as most of the books I read don’t have many maps or pictures, and I don’t think I would use it as a tablet for apps or whatever since I already have a smartphone that fulfills many of those desires.

    turkeymittens at yahoo dot com

  47. Anonymous

    While I do prefer an actual book, I can’t deny that I like the convenience of carrying a slim reader that can contain thousands of reading choices in my purse. I don’t know about a backlit screen though; it could be hard on the eyes or tougher to see in direct sunlight.

    Jbrink83 at hotmail Dot Com

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