Review: Barnes & Noble Simple Touch Reader (Nook 2)
Critique of Barnes & Noble's Simple Touch eReader: User Perspective
Grab your reading glasses and dive into our comprehensive review of the Barnes & Noble Simple Touch Reader, popularly known as the Nook 2. This touchscreen e-ink reader from the renowned bookstore giant took the literature world by storm, and we've waded through the pages to give you a rundown of the highs and lows.
Hardware
The Barnes & Noble Simple Touch sport a sleek 6-inch e-ink Pearl display, akin to its competitors such as the Amazon Kindle 3rd generation, Kobo Touch, and Sony PRS-650. The display provides a sharp resolution of 800×600 pixels and 16 shades of greyscale. The display's improved contrast—50% sharper than previous versions of the Nook—makes for an enjoyable and effortless reading experience.
Under the hood, the Simple Touch packs an 800 MHz CPU processor and a generous 2 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 32 GB via MicroSD for an ample store of your favorite ebooks and images. The device, unlike its heavier counterparts, embraces Wi-Fi connectivity but skips wireless N routers and audio capabilities, making it lighter for portability and cost-effective.
Software
This state-of-the-art e-reader runs on Google Android 2.1—a rarity amongst e-ink based readers, which typically run Linux. The upgrade in the operating system offers a touch of flexibility to tech-savvy users, allowing for rooting or the addition of alternative apps and games. While older versions of Android may not support modern games and applications, the upgrade on the Simple Touch allows it.
Besides its e-reading capabilities, the Simple Touch also boasts a web browser and access to the Barnes & Noble Store. While the web browser may lag and fail to render the full webpage upon loading, it's handy for easy browsing and research when needed. The Barnes & Noble Store is a top-notch content delivery network, boasting a vast selection of new books, magazines, and newspapers. You can preview books before purchase, making for an informed decision.
The Reading Experience
Reading on the Simple Touch is a pleasurable endeavor, made even better with manual page turn buttons and customizable options such as font selection, font size adjustment, and margin configuration. Making notes and highlights is a breeze, allowing for easy reference and discussion in book clubs or academic settings. Moreover, the device is compatible with EPUB and PDF files, enabling you to load books purchased from other stores via Adobe Digital Editions.
Our Verdict
The Barnes & Noble Simple Touch offers a solid upgrade from previous iterations of the Nook and impressively surpasses competitors with its excellent page turn speeds and intuitive user interface. However, it falls short in areas such as its web browser's subpar performance and the absence of certain features, such as wireless N support, audio capabilities, and integration with popular Barnes & Noble programs. Overall, the Simple Touch offers an enjoyable reading experience for diehard bookworms and tech enthusiasts alike, making it a worthy companion for your literary adventures.
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Michael Kozlowski
[email protected] Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has been penning articles about audiobooks and e-readers for more than fifteen years. His insightful opinions have caught the attention of newspapers and websites like the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post, and the New York Times, to name a few. Michael hails from Vancouver, Canada.
- The Barnes & Noble Simple Touch, running on Google Android 2.1, allows tech-savvy users to install firmware updates, effectively adding alternative apps and games to their e-reader.
- When browsing the Barnes & Noble Store, users can download e-books, magazines, and newspapers, including the option to preview books before purchase for an informed decision.
- The Simple Touch's e-ink touchscreen reader support EPUB and PDF files, enabling readers to load books from other stores using Adobe Digital Editions on their gadgets.
