By For those that weren’t too keen on what Barnes & Noble was offering with the Nook, you’ll be pleased to know that there are some other options coming soon. A company called Pandigital is making an eReader called the Novel that’ll tightly integrate with Barnes & Noble’s eBookstore. For $199.99, there’s a lot to like about what you’ll get.
It features a 7-inch touch-screen display with a resolution of 800×600, an ARM11 processor (speed unknown), six hours of battery life in reading mode (this is a color eReader, after all) and a gig of internal memory. It also supports memory expansion up to 32GB using SD/MMC cards. Most importantly, the device is Android-based, but we’re not sure which version (that probably won’t matter considering the type of device it is).
It does come with multimedia functions, as well, such as video and music playback, photos, web-browsing, and more. Other features include your usual host of productivity offerings such as email, calendar, and an alarm clock. For $200, you’re getting a lot compared to the Nook (outside of the eInk display that is a live-saver for battery buffs), and Barnes & Noble aren’t against the value that Pandigital is offering at all.
Barnes & Noble’s strategy is to offer our content on multiple platforms, so we’re happy to power this new device and others. Nook is a dedicated eReading device with key design, reading and in-store features that are innovative, immersive and exciting for our customers. We don’t believe our continued work with third-party partners will have any effect on our continued strong Nook sales.
Would you actually consider purchasing one of these? It might not have the battery life of a traditional eInk device – nor does it have the sharpest screen to write home about – but you’ll be getting a pretty good package for a pretty small stack of money.
[via CNet]
It looked like it had a lot of lag. The version of android is important for multitouch. I wish the resolution were a bit higher. 1024×768 would be fine. Does it have access to the android market?
Lets put it this way. If it were as usable as my Droid, plus it had B&N book reader I might consider buying it (unless the low rez screen botherd me. If it has android 1.6, no multi-touch, and a slow processor that causes lag, then I would not.
Having purchased a Kindle 2, I just have no idea why anyone would want a reading specific device that isnt e-ink. LCD doesnt even come close to as comfortable experience.
@iddqd, people with bad vision for instance. I can’t read anything if it’s not back lit. And I don’t want to use a magnifying glass for reading.
This device seems to be trying to be somewhere between an iPad and a real e-reader, but at first glance, the best part is only the price. I understand there are some who prefer backlit screens, but I agree with iddqd that it just doesn’t compare to eInk if you’re really invested in reading (and you CAN magnify the fonts, or even change them, on the nook). Another key spec missing: wifi or free 3G, which for about $50 more, you get with the nook or Kindle. This makes a huge difference. With the PixelQi screens coming out on some devices later this year (to effectively toggle between eInk-type contrast and backlit), I don’t see this sort of device gaining speed.
Having purchased a Kindle 2, I just have no idea why anyone would want a reading device that is e-ink. LCD is a much more comfortable experience.
But yeah… I’d totally buy that, if it’ll function as a general-purpose tablet.
If can only act as an e-reader, I might not be so interested.
i luv the Novel, it works for me, i looked at the nook and it did not compare to me i’d rather have this color screen web than the black and white the the nook has to offer. i think that