B&N's Nook: mixed reviews

08.12.09 Catherine Neilan in The Bookseller

Barnes & Noble's newly-launched Nook has received mixed reviews from Stateside journalists who have had the opportunity to try out the device.

"It can't kill Kindle yet, but it's an alternative worth considering," wrote Wilson Rothman at Yahoo! Finance. "Do this now: Disregard all other ebook readers on the market besides Nook and Kindle."

He dismisses other devices such as the Sony eReader and iRex in favour of the Nook, which "preserves the same pleasurable reading experience [as the Kindle], but tucks in the capacitive-touch LCD screen for added control. In its 1.0 implementation, Nook is not as fast or as smooth as it should be, but already it's showing that the second screen is not a gimmick."

Rothman also highlights Nook-specific advantages, such as the ability to lend e-books, even to read on computers, iPhones or BlackBerrys, as well as the existence of physical stores, which will enable customers to try out the device before buying.

"Needless to say, one of the biggest advantages the Nook has over the Kindle is the chance for people to touch it before buying it. B&N will start showing off Nooks this week, and will add a few more ebook readers to its lineup, too. People who were afraid of taking the plunge will see the benefits and buy," he said.

The ability for customers to access for free any book in the store via WiFi will also add to its appeal. B&N are reportedly in "discussions" with publishers about selling digital and print bundles of books.

However other reviewers were less enthusiastic. At Business Week, Rich Jaroslovsky described the device as "much less Kindle-killer than Kindle-clone, and a slow one at that".

Meanwhile, Matt Hemblan at Computerworld said, having tested the Nook, he was "willing to wait and see what Apple Inc. is likely to produce", adding that he was "not a big fan" of the two screens.

He explained: "That's not an indictment of the Nook. But as a potential buyer, the device, at a pricey $259, and with each e-book release at $9.99, I want to see what else is coming on the market in the next few months."