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Novel Reader
Pandigital Novel Overview
Pandigital, a digital photoframe specialist, understands the value of color in displaying images. It’s no surprise then that the company is bringing color to eReader screens as it moves from digital photos to digital books. With a name like Pandigital Novel evokes, one, the image of a paperback or, two, a thing that introduces a new concept or approach.
On the one hand, Pandigital Novel’s approach of coupling eReader capabilities with multi-media functions is not entirely new. The iPad has already done it. Like the Kindle and the Nook, the Novel has reading and shopping capabilities. Thanks to Paradigital’s partnership with Barnes & Noble, Novel owners not only get convenient access to B&N’s expansive ebookstore catalog; they also get to use B&N’s LendMe Feature, allowing them to loan out certain books to friends for 14 days.
Then like any tablet, the Paradigital Novel is also capable of surfing the web, sending and reading emails, playing music, and displaying videos on its 7-inch color screen.
On the other hand, the Novel seems to have everything the press have been clamoring for: a cheap color screen ereader with note-taking capability and convenient access to a major bookstore.
Features – Hardware and Software
The Novel comes in a medium-sized chassis measuring 7.5 inches tall x 5.5 inches wide and, like the iPad, 0.5 inch thick. At 16 ounces, however, the Novel is heavier than rival eReaders.
Despite its tablet personality, the Novel bills itself primarily as an ebook reader. To help readers connect with the B&N store as well as browse the web, the device is integrated with an 80.11 g/b WiFi. Wireless access is dependent on proximity of device owner to a WiFi hotspot, but this could also mean browsing the web is faster.
The B&N store offers more than 1 million paid and free ebooks, newspapers, and magazines. Browsing for books is easy; clicking on a book reveals a pop-up of book details including plot overview, synopsis, author, and price.
Backlit LCD makes the device more suitable for reading indoors and for night reading than for reading outdoors in direct sunlight. Touch resistive screen is not as fast as touch capacitive screen in responding to finger gestures, but the Novel can handle note-taking and highlighting of phrases really well. An orientation sensor conveniently shifts page display to landscape or portrait mode when tilted.
1GB built-in storage is good enough for “hundreds of books” only, though storage can be expanded via SD/MMC card slots. Processor is Android, which means you have access to expansive Google eBooks collection. The Novel supports three file types: PDF, ePub, and HTML.
The Bottom Line
The Pandigital Novel will be available from major retailers such as Sears, Staples, and K-Mart for $199. For those who have been waiting for a color eReader that is cheap, can browse the web, and play videos, the Pandigital Novel is due for a limited release in June.
Pros The backlit LCD screen has both advantages and disadvantages. On the con side, texts easily gets washed out when hit by sunlight. On the pro side, it allows you to read perfectly in dim darkness or in low light situations. 800 x 600 pixel resolution does not render impressive color visuals. Use of LCD screen, on the other hand, also means you don’t suffer from lags and slow page turns of eInk screens. The Novel comes with several utilitarian features including dictionary, alarm reminder, and schedule organizer. Features like music and video playback provides entertainment options to reading. At $199, the Pandigital Novel is pretty affordable for tablet-style web browsing/ reading device. Cons The Novel supports three file types only, limiting the eBooks you can download to PDF, ePub, and HTML files only. Touch screen is resistive, not capacitive, which could mean you need to press extra hard to get the device respond to your commands. The 16-ounce device is not well-suited for couch reading and long use, too, as it easily tires your wrists after a short period of use. The biggest downside of the Novel, however, is its low battery life. In reading mode, the Novel can run only for 6 hours -- that means your reading gets disrupted every few short hours by the need to recharge.
What’s in the box • 7" Color Multimedia eReader • Cradle/Stand • AC Adapter • USB Cable • User Manual & Quick-Start Guide
Main Features • Android-powered eREader • Color eReader with touch resistive screen • WiFi-enabled • 1GB internal memory expandable via SD/MMC slot (supports up to 32GB cards) • Comes with orientation sensor that automatically • Integrated B&N store offers more than a million content • Weighs 16 ounces • Comes with mini-USB port • Adjustable font sizes Key Features • Supports three file types only • Supports highlights and notes • Adjustable font sizes • Can play videos and music • Can be used to surf the web and access emails Bonus Features • Dictionary • Organizer • MP3 player
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[...] Novel Reader [...]
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I picked up the “updated version” of the Novel this past Friday from Kohl’s and played around with it most of the day Saturday. This will be a gift for my 15 year old niece and I have to say I am very pleased. Easy set up and once I calibrated the touch everything ran smoothly. Easy WiFi set up and connection to the B&N bookstore is great! One touch hook up to Facebook will be a BIG plus for her. So far the only lag I found was about a 5 second lag when switching from holding the device portrait to landscape. That didn’t seem “unbearable” to me. I truly feel she will get a ton of use out of this device!
I picked this up on 7/14 @ Bed, Bath & Beyond for the $169 price – 20% off coupon – $20 rebate = $124 out the door. A little worried it might be junk, but very surprised at the color, good wgt, solid and applications included. Testing it for the wife as a gift (she seems to like it). And if not, it is mine! Played with it again this morning and still impressed with its capabilities @ half the costs of leaders.
I picked one up at Bed Bath and Beyond. I really enjoyed it while I kept it, but had three major issues(with shutting down and freezing, I even had to re-set it once) within the first 8 days, so I returned it. The sales people weren’t very informed on the reader itself and opined that I would probably be able to download android apps as it had an android operating system. While I have read that is in the works, that’s not where it is now.
Overall, I really enjoyed it while I had it and wouldn’t have returned it, but for those major issues.(Yes, I had gotten the firmware update prior to two of the issues.)
As it is, I am going to wait and see if the rumored updates come into being and, if so, I will buy it again.
I bought one and it only was in my house for one day. It froze, and when it would work it would not let me get past page 40 in the user manual. I couldn’t register it online. It was a mess. I emailed the company and they got back to me 11 days later. And when they did they did not even address all of the problems I was having. I loved the color but what good is that if the reader doesn’t work. I’ll stick with my Nook till a better colored version comes out
Does the novel support text to speech or can it be modified or installed?
Hey Kenneth
The Pandigital ovel does not support Text To speech.
I have had my pandigital wi-fi for a week now. The 1st 3 days I could do nothing, thought it was me, but rec’vd a message of technical difficulty. Fianlly got registered and using the web, day 5, and back to technical difficulty today. I have yet to be able to even get a book! Phones aren’t answered and neither was an email yet. I’m returning it and getting a Kindle 3
I received this from QVC. It came with a lot of extras. I found it very easy setup and to use. I used my sisters Kindle for a day prior to this purchase and there is no comparison. The Pandigital Novel surpasses the Kindle. Wi-Fi works great! I am hoping we will be able to eventually access the Android Apps. That would make it a no brainer. Great product!
Diana, are you a paid employee of Pandigital?
thank you for helping me decide between the kindle and the pandigital. Kindle it is!
sweetest hubby in the world just got me one for Christmas but I need help in being sure it’s a good purchase because we’re new to this device and want to have ease of operation as well as wifi…help me with more reviews please so I’ll know to keep it or trade for kindle or nook????
Bought this eReader device for my wife for Xmas, but it turned out to be a disappoinment. Issues:
-Would not shut off; turned itself back on after 10 mins. no matter what.
-Could not get any ebooks into the “Library”, by any means, even through the SD card. WTF?!?
-Touch screen response very poor; drove my wife nuts!
I liked the Wi-Fi and email access capability, and it seemed like a nice toy overall, but it just wasn’t ready for prime time.
I bought the eReader and like it except the WiFi does not play live streaming and I have not been unable to find a app for it and emailed Pandigital twice for help and no answer.
Question: I bbought the Pandigital Novel today 04/18/11 when told by the sales associate that there are downloadable android apps for text-to-speech compatible with the device. Does anyone know if that is true?
Since October 2010 has the text to speech feature been added to the Pandigital Novel?