For a while, Apple’s iPad was the undisputed leader of the pack in the category of computer tablets. Several tried to challenge its stranglehold, but eventually had to bite the dust. Then came Amazon and launched the Amazon Fire, which was a new subcategory of tablets. I use the term light tablet, since it’s not a full blown handheld device like the ubiquitous Apple iPad. It can play music, stream movies, browse the web, display magazines in full color and read electronic books. And the price is only $199.00 which is substantially cheaper than the entry price of $499 of an iPad. For a cash-strapped consumer, this is a blessing come true.
On Monday, November 7th., Barnes and Noble aimed it guns at Amazon touting the Nook Tablet and upgrading its existing Nook devices. With the expected fanfare, William Lynch, CEO of Barnes & Noble, announced the Nook Tablet in an effort to grab a larger slice of the tablets’ pie. The Nook Tablet will rival other tablet readers on the market, including Amazon’s newly launched Kindle Fire.
The Nook Tablet, which will retail for $249 and hit the shelves at the end of next week, looks very similar to the Nook Color. It runs on Wi-Fi, has a seven-inch display, plays movies in HD, and has a “Nook Newstand.” Netflix and Hulu Plus pre-loaded on device.
Even as we speak the Nook Lineup is the following:
- Nook Simple Touch: $99.00, down from $139.00 and is available immediately.
- Nook Color: $199.00, down from $249.00 and is also readily available in the market.
- Nook Tablet: $250.00. Will be released on November 17th.
In many respects, the Nook Tablet is very similar to the Nook Color 2.0. It has the same basic chassis, and the 7-inch screen is the same resolution as its predecessor. However, this new tablet has a faster CPU, more memory, more storage, and a new operating system. If you enjoy specs, here they are:
- Screen: 1,024×600-pixel “laminated, no air” 7-inch IPS LCD.
- Weight: 14.1 ounces.
- Processor: 1 GHz dual-core TI OMAP 4.
- Platform: Customized version of Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).
- Internal Memory: 16 GB.
- Micro SD Card Expansion Slot: Up to 32 GB cards.
- Integrated microphone.
- Battery Life: 11 hours reading, 8-9 hours video (with wireless off).
- Price: $249.00.
- Availability: Preorder now, ships November 17th.
While the Nook Tablet is more expensive than the Amazon Fire, it offers more memory and claims a longer battery life. Another advantage over the Amazon Fire, is that it will come preloaded with apps from Netflix, Hulu and Pandora. In addition to being available online and at B&N’s stores, the Nook Tablet will be sold at a variety of retailers including Target, Best Buy, Staples, and Fry’s.
William Lynch minced no words in positioning the tablet against the Kindle Fire. He called the tablet “a vending machine for Amazon’s services” and criticized Amazon for selling an ad-supported version of the Kindle Fire at a $40 discount. Brick-and-mortar stores that can provide support, more memory and a device that is slightly lighter were all included in his list of reasons that the Nook Tablet had an advantage over the Kindle Fire. Lynch also said that Netflix CEO Reed Hasting said that HD movies look better on the Nook. “Judge for yourself,” he said, “but we think content will look and render better on the Nook than on Kindle Fire.”
I coughed my money at Amazon and opted for the Amazon Fire. It’s expected to arrive in Panama sometime between November 21 and November 29. Then and only then, will I know if this puppy has the spark to start a fire in my blogging activities. Can’t wait for the tablet to come home to Daddy. Good Day.
I bet you’re as antsy as a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for your tablet to arrive. It will unchain you from your desk. There are tons of books to download in addition to the movies. And lots of them are absolutely free from sources like Amazon and the Gutenberg Project. I’ve even started another blog of my own called: http://cheapreads.wordpress.com/
Techno-junky that you are I knew you’d be getting a tablet sooner or later. I just might have to, myself. Last Monday after a friend helped me move most of my stuff over to the house in Boqueron (nine more days here on the side of the mountain) we stopped at PriceSmart and I was looking at the tablets they had on sale there, too. First time I ever got to play around with one. Since I won’t have a television over there I just might have to buy a tablet so I can at least get some movies to watch. My entertainment there, like it was when I was living there before, is on my iPod. I have downloaded a lot of books from Audible.com onto it. I have an iPod docking station that is also a stereo radio and so I insert the iPod and listen to people read to me. Sort of like in the old days when I’d sit on my maternal grandfather’s lap after supper and listen to The Lone Ranger, Amos & Andy and a host of other great shows.
Hello Richard:
You bet. I’m counting the days till the end of November. They seem to slide ever so slowly. Time is as long or short as your perception of it is.
It’s nice to see the prices of tables coming down following the trend of Amazon. Soon they will be so affordable, almost anybody can watch movies, read books, listen to music or view videos anywhere. Linking to the ubiquitous Cloud will be a no brainer.
I didn’t know PriceSmart was into the tablet selling business. I hope you enjoy your new house in Boquerón. Now the Wi-Fi service is free of charge.
Take Care,
Omar.-