Oct 26, 2010 09:10 PM EDT by K. T. Bradford
We were able to grab some short hands-on time with the newly-announced Nook Color at today’s event and we came away impressed, overall.
The software — though not final — has a slick, well thought out UI and the 7-inch capacitive touch screen offers some beautiful colors. Unlike the slew of Android-based, LCD display eReaders we’ve seen over the past year, the Nook Color hits all the right notes. The display is, as I mentioned, capacitive instead of resistive and quite responsive to touch. We noted a few times where it wasn’t quite behaving, but B&N reps pointed out that the units we saw were not final.
We don’t know which chip is driving the device, though it seems well up to handling Android 2.0, which is what the UI is built on. At just under a pound, it feels sturdy and solid, and the build quality looks good. At a glance, it’s one of the best entrants into the LCD eReader category we’ve seen so far.
Check out our hands-on video below for a short tour of the features and a peek at the user experience.
October 26th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
That screen refresh rate seems disgusting.
October 27th, 2010 at 12:48 am
Good grief. What the heck is this supposed to be? A regular LCD screen for an eReader? What are the specs of the screen? Can it do sans-serif?
October 27th, 2010 at 1:07 am
The rep said that this was a separate product line from the B&W nook. Wonder if they are targeting a specific market for the colour version.
October 27th, 2010 at 2:38 am
Nice size and color is now required on a reader. How does this look outdoors?
October 27th, 2010 at 10:37 am
We didn’t get a chance to see it outdoors so I can’t tell you, Pookie. But when we get one in for review I will be sure to test that.
Tornado, specs for the screen: 7-inches, 1024 x 600 resoluton
I do believe that the software allows you to choose between serif and sans-serif fonts.
October 28th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
@Ha, you planning on playing some FPSes on it?
October 28th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Nice looking, semi-netpad type device. Probably going after the “wish I had an ipad but can’t afford it” crowd to some extent. Interesting ho they would not even let you hold it for the video… must still be a little unstable… competition is always good for the consumer, so I welcome it. I currently have two Kindles and an ipad, so unlikely to go this route myself, but nice looking gadget!
October 30th, 2010 at 9:32 am
I fasted fowarded eagerly for you to walk over to the window so we could finally see this thing other than in the dark.
Of course at the end of you video, I screamed.
It looks like you were very close to a window. Trying to find someone who has seen this outside is like trying to find someone who has seen the movie MacGruber.
I know, I know patience. But really, even if all the features were mediocre, if i could have color outside I’d buy it in a second. I don’t want paper magazines and digital books. I want it all digital!
Someday a online magzine will buy a video camera that will have flexible refresh rates. ( you guys aren’t the only ones! ) I mean really, how can you give a thumbs up review to viewer that only see a digital product that is a flickering mess??
btw, very nice indepth showing.