[UPDATE: B&N just released the Nook Color. Check it out!]
When Barnes & Noble rolled out the Nook last year, many predicted it was the eReader to knock out the Kindle from its top spot. Shortly after it was released in October, the Nook was sold out.
Yet like the Kindle, the Nook has to roll out a better device to make it more competitive with the iPad and other multi-purpose devices. There are rumors, too, that Amazon is releasing a colored, touch-capable third-generation eReader this year.
That may just be what Barnes and Noble is doing. According to Gizmodo, the company is planning to release two eReaders this year. One will be called the Nook Lite, perhaps targeted for the budget minded. It will have a lighter price ($199) and lighter specs (no 3G, only WiFi). The other one, tentatively called Nook 2 or Project Encore, will perhaps be B&N’s match to the rumored Kindle 3.
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What’s in a name?
The name “Project Encore” is quite intriguing. Why Project Encore? Let’s take a few guesses.
1. Barnes & Noble is hoping to repeat its pre-holiday “sold-out” success last year.
2. Barnes & Noble will be repeating a lot of design ideas of the first Nook.
What will the Nook 2 look like?
Details about the rumored Nook 2 are scarce, but perhaps like the Kindle, it will incorporate the features that people think current generation of eReaders lack:
1. Color screen. Perhaps B&N will ditch the 2nd screen and go for a single, full-color, energy-efficient screen from Pixel Qi or Mirasol. If B&N decides to stick to its dual screen design, it may increase screen real estate of both displays as well as improve their integration.
2. Touch screen, with excellent writing capability. The Nook’s touch capability is limited to its small screen. Also, it has no note-taking capability. The third-generation Nook will allow marginal notes, underlines, etc on the pages of the book to make the device even more compelling. The Nook 2 will also have a journal, a popular request among Nook owners.
3. Flexible, durable screen. One common complaint among eReader owners is vulnerability of glass to breakage. A break-resistant screen will really add value to any eReader.
B&N will strive to not make the same design mistakes as it did the Nook 1, and they will take to heart customer complaints and requests. That said, the Nook 2 will probably have less bugs, faster page turns, better response speed, much better web browsing capability, and longer battery life. It will allow landscape, two columns per page view. B&N will also provide a wider range of ebooks at the B&N store.
Perhaps B&N will enhance the Nook’s LendMe feature by adding bookclub-like capability. The Kindle’s social networking capability is limited to sharing book snippets. The Nook 2 will be able to share thoughts and opinions about particular books to Facebook and Twitter friends.
Limited Time Offer On The Amazon Kindle 3G + WiFi. Click Now For Details!
As with the first generation Nook, Nook 2 will court consumers by offering features that the Kindle lacks. There are two possibilities for a release date. One, either beat Amazon to the market by releasing a Nook 2 ahead of the Kindle 3. They will probably release a Nook 2 in October to mark the first year of the Nook 1. Two, wait until Amazon has released the Kindle 3, then build a Nook 2 based on the weak-spots of the device.
In any case, it would be exciting to see what killer features B&N will roll out this time. Just as the Nook’s web browser was a pleasant surprise, we’re sure th
Given how cool a “nook 2″ would be, I think it’s a little early to start the rumor mill on a SECOND nook device when the first nook hasn’t met it’s first full year on the market. In addition some of the new functionality you want the device already does. Next time get some actual proof before setting off all the people who would read this post and take it as gospel (because the internet is never wrong).
Soothe Sayer
Hi Soothe
We’re only sharing our thoughts on what the future Nook will look like. To be honest I personally believe we’ll see a next gen Nook before the holiday season starts as B&N don’t want to be left behind with the new Kindle 3 alive and kicking. But again, That’s only my thought and I think that what the internet is all about. Sharing ideas and thoughts.
Thank you admin. This article made me decide to wait a little bit to see what B&N might roll out this close to the holidays. I appreciate the heads up so I don’t dump $200 into a device that’s obsolete in 3 months.
With the Nooks use of the Android OS you really can’t expect it to ever be obsolete. Like the phones, Nook can receive updates so you really don’t have to worry about dumping $200 into the device because it won’t be obsolete in 3 months.
Why is it that I always see Kindle ads next to these reviews, which always favor Kindle? Could there be some advertiser-encouraged bias against the Nook?
[...] buzzing around, most were speculating the new “nook Lite” (the Wi-Fi version I own) would soon be running $199 and the nook 2 (with Wi-Fi and 3G) would be going head-to-head with the Kindle 3 this summer/fall. [...]
[...] w? re going head-to-head with the Kindle 3 this summer / autumn. August was diluted? Chtig. But the e-reader Preisk? fight are heating up and Kindle 3 l? runs only $ 139 f? r the Wi-Fi version and $ 189 f? r Wi-Fi and 3G. [...]
One of the elements which may be included in the new nook(“Nook 2″) is currently available on the upgrade/download to PCs and Iphones, and that is note taking, but not on the current Nook. Why? However, no one hardly ever mentions Sony’s Daily Edition which has all the gadgetry people are hoping the new nook might have, such as note taking by type or pen,underling,dictionary same page review, bookmarking and a notes, et al review as well as a 7″ screen. The downers of the Sony 900 are price and reflective screen, but it is high quality hardware and Sony is coming out with a new Daily Edition 950 this year.
which ones better nook or kindle fire