After I examined the NOOKcolor in December, I had been very impressed by using it, and also the device only has enhanced as time passes. B&N s latest update is really a dramatic one, adding Android 2.2, expensive, an application store, and many other small tweaks and treats. Is update enough to lure customers with promises of the more tablet-like experience Read onto discover!
(Should you re unfamiliar with the NOOKcolor, mind to my review to obtain a decent summary of where it began, because this article focuses mainly about the new changes and additions.)
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Section One, Applications:
This is actually the part everybody s really excited for yes, the most recent update introduced applications towards the NOOKcolor, which makes it more tablet-y as they are. The choice is small, only 161 applications to date, but B&N is focusing on adding more designers. To date there's a good range of games and reference applications, with a number of productivity options too. Regrettably for bargain predators, you will find under 20 free applications available on the market. The way you approach this update will rely on whether you re a energy Android user or otherwise. Should you ve formerly rooted your NOOK, you will have different anticipation than someone searching for an e-book readers that provides more options and versatility than the usual NOOK classic. With this reasons I split this part of the publish into two parts: one for large-time Android customers and also the other for promising small to medium-time folks.
Should you aren t a large Android user and haven t rooted/do not intend on rooting:
Should you re somebody that s been relatively pleased with the stock NOOKcolor software, or else you are searching for an e-book readers with a little more to provide than simply reading through books, this update is really a large plus. The application store adds a lot of value when it comes to reference material and entertainment options. Plus, you are able to pin your preferred applications towards the homescreen, which means you do not will need to go with the graphical menu towards the applications tab towards the application you would like.
Setting up applications is very simple as well, when you ve selected/bought an application it seems in the actual application section. The choice is thin, and certainly weighted towards reference and education. For instance, you will find only three applications within the social media section, without any devoted Twitter application in support of an unofficial Facebook application. You will find 40 games, but be ready to pay from a $1.99 and $4.99 on their behalf. However, you will find 94 options under Education and Reference , a number of which look ideal for entertaining and teaching youthful kids.
The e-mail application is preinstalled, also it s easy to setup and employ. Until recently, should you be searching to check on your email with an e-book readers, you had been virtually tied to webmail, making this a large improvement! It inspections without anyone's knowledge, to help you be happily browsing the net or reading through a magazine and also have notices appear for brand new emails.
Should you re coming only at that in the perspective of ooh, a tablet you re likely to be disappointed. This is not really a tablet, this is an extremely enhanced e-book readers, also it does that very well!
Should you re a large Android user, already own an Android phone or intend on possessing one, click below:
I ll be truthful. The application store isn t of great importance and value if you have a good investment in Android programs or intend to proceed to Android later on. To begin with, applications which are free on Android Market or Amazon . com Appstore have a price within the NOOK store (like Angry Wild birds). Also, should you ve already taken care of an Android application, you ll have to re-purchase it. There s no crossover here because (by now) the NOOK application store is simply for NOOKcolors.
Using the Android Marketplace and also the Amazon . com Appstore, any applications you buy can include you against device to device. I've applications I bought on my small Android which i ve had the opportunity to redownload free of charge on my small Gingerbread-ized MicroSD for that NOOKcolor, and personally I m not likely to pay (again) to possess them about the NOOKcolor. This is sad, because you will find some good productivity applications about the NOOKcolor store, however, you re not likely to wish to pay two times for anything, whether or not this s Repligo Readers ($1.99) or Touchdown [exchange email] ($19.99) Therefore the value proposition should you re a large application user isn t really there, unless of course you frantically need an application and also you re comfortable with it being potentially orphaned later on.
One upside should you re about the stock NOOKcolor software: The e-mail program is excellent. It may be set to check on at various times, and that i had no difficulties with it. Although it s less flexible and effective because the stock GMail application, it's on componen using the email application that accompany Android, therefore it s certainly functional.
Section two, Reading through experience:
To tell the truth, there s nothing that different concerning the reading through experience. Page turns continue to be fast and smooth, and everything looks essentially exactly the same. This is still fast and enjoyable, and on top of that they ve added the possibility for background colors! Personally, i hate reading through on the straight whitened background, and so i m very excited you will find options of grey, butter, mocha, and sepia. The initial software was spectacular, which just appears to include some polish into it. There really aren t many changes, so there s very little a new comer to report.
Section Three, Browser and buddies:
Besides applications another large change that included this update is incorporated in the browser. Since the underlying OS has become Android 2.2, the NOOKcolor supports expensive! Actually, B&N preinstalled expensive, so that as lengthy because the browser is placed to desktop you can view Amazon . com Prime videos. I examined a trailer also it went very easily. Obviously, this involves a web connection, so for any flight or non-connected trip you re still best installing a film to some sd card.
When I pointed out, the browser also allows you switch between determining as mobile versus desktop . This is a little labyrinthine to get at the setting, but when you search through menu >more options >settings you'll find the browser mode option. The entire browser experience appears more full-featured, which makes it worth a tablet. There s a setting to pin it to panoramic mode, a much better menu system, and also the keyboard is greatly enhanced. That old one always felt a little claustrophobic, however the brand new one appears spread out and a little more responsive.
My only nitpick would be that the browser is a little stuttery sometimes. This is more noticeable when anything else, from book browsing to applications and email, run very easily, so uneven scrolling sticks out just like a sore thumb. I examined it on multiple stores, as well as in desktop and mobile mode, so either it had been home wi-fi compatability or even the browser itself getting an problem.
Conclusion:
My verdict here's a little mixed. On one side, the update brings a ton of additional features for an already outstanding e-book readers. If you want reading through with an LCD screen, this is an incredible device. My large adhering point may be the application store, which s really merely a critique should you re thinking about as being a true energy user. If you ve been undecided about obtaining a NOOKcolor, this update causes it to be much more useful.
Things I like: Better keyboard background colors for reading through email application and expensive provides it with more versatility.
What Needs Improvement: Application store doesn t have numerous free applications applications aren't transferable with other Android products browser is stuttery.
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