I don't know how behind the times I am, could be a lot, but after seeing a reference to it in my newspaper I looked up the Barnes and Nook and damn do I want one! Yes I have to fight against an almost irresistible urge to own the newest and brightest thing in ebook technology, but I have to admit that this one sounds pretty fantastic. With brand new Touch screen technology built into the unit, you can browse through your library (full color) looking at the covers of the books you own and choose your reading material from there. Like the Sony eReader you can download your own PDF's onto the device, a big step up from the Amazon Kindle in my opinion, or you can download free or priced titles from BarnesandNoble.com. None of the eReaders currently available have back light capabilities, though for its own release Barnes and Noble describe this as a way to do away with the eye fatigue usually brought on my computer use. I still say that I'd rather have the back light option, because if I'm reading in bed or on a train or something, that would be more convenient than having to clip on a book light.There are some other differences between the Nook and the Kindle 2, including that fact the Nook is on AT&T and has virtually unlimited expandable memory, but I appreciate B&N also being upfront with the similarities. The screen size, initial memory, price of new releases, etc. - all of these are the same between the two devices (though isn't it interesting that the website only has the comparison between the Nook and the Kindle 2 up?
I guess B&N doesn't consider the Sony eReader competition). The other main difference that's being talked about is the ability to bookmark, highlight, and make notes on what you're reading - though those features are exclusive to titles purchased from B&N.com. I'm not totally sold on those options, mainly because as a bibliophile I don't like doing any of those things to my books - but maybe having the ability to do it but not feel like I'm irreparably harming a piece of beloved literature will make me enjoy it more. We'll see.It's still mostly out of my budget at $259 but GOD I wish I had some well up relative or fairy godmother who could get me one. It's available for pre-order now, to be officially released in November, and I'm excited to see what happens. Of course, I'm more excited for it to be November 30th and for me to be able to go into a store and play with it in person. Oooh yes, feel that technology goodness.
MY BAD - here's the link to Barnes and Noble website on the Nook, where you can examine all the specs and features.
