Nook HD+ post 2.1 update review Updated: Great tablet! - Nook HD, HD+ General

For perspective, I have had a lot of tablets: The infamous Viewsonic Gtablet, HTC Flyer, Toshiba's first 10" tab, Toshiba Excite 10", A500 and now currently own the Excite 7.7, TF 300 and iPad 4.
I got the Nook HD+ 32GB due to the 2.1 update and the $200 price from Best Buy. The intent is perhaps to give the TF300 and KB to my wife
+Likes
+Build.
+Display quality (it is almost as good as the iPad 4)
+Size.
+Speed: Contrary to some benchmarks, the Nook is in general faster in multi tasking than the TF300 and also is faster with FPSE and MAMEReloaded. Seems the chipset handles the higher res display better also than the TF700. Part of the problem with the Tegra 3 is the single channel design, where the 4470 has dual channel memory.
+Battery life is better than expected. About as good as my Excite 7.7, which is good.
+SD card speed seems good and nice to have (unlike the Nexus tablets).
+Not much bloat and 27GB free out of box. Pretty good.
+Nook is much faster updating apps than the Excite and TF300. Those tablets slow down when updating apps and likely due to the single channel memory
+Best sleep mode that does not bleed battery of any Android device I have owned- period. As close to iPad great as possible- for an Android device.
-Dislikes
-The rimmed bezel edge. Unlike the Excite and iPad, it seems exposed if dust or other fine debris were to get in the area. Update: Seems pretty tight around the bezel, so perhaps no problem. Update 2: A positive for the rim is the display is not flush to the bezel, so protected more if placed face down on a surface.
-Touch response is not as good as the Excite 7.7, TF300 or iPad 4. It is good, but I do notice a little difference compared with the other tablets.
-Though much better cable design than the Excite (the connector and cable is HUGE), it is still proprietary and hard to find one in a pinch. Like the Excite as well, it should have also been a standard USB design like the Nexus 7. What is the point of the special cable?
-Seems to barely be a trickle charge with USB charging. Net negative doing anything besides charging. Excite and TF300 are same.
-No side-loading of apps. I would like to install Flash and my N64 emulator, but can not. At least B&N allowed the market and Google apps
-Like the A500, there is concentrated heat in one section where the chipset is located. Gets very warm to hot with 3D games.
-No cameras (especially front for Skype).
-Wifi seems a little bit weaker than my other tablets, but seems fast. A positive perhaps for battery life.
In summary, this is a good tablet for $300 considering the display, build and speed and an AMAZING one for the $200 I paid at Best Buy (plus tax, of course). Sadly, this seems a Hail Mary from B&N and likely a last ditch effort to drive revenue and perhaps purge a lot of static inventory. They probably have a LOT of working capital tied up in the hardware and want to make their balance sheet look better ASAP. This seems the case considering they slashed the price for the week and have compromised the business model for their contained app ecosystem.
Perhaps though there may be some short-term partnering going on with Google, so you never know!
Whatever the case, GREAT tablet for the money- presuming you do not need cameras!

well, for my case, this upgrade did improve the display but it's not worth for me because some apps working with the 2.0.4 are now error in 2.1. I didn't know why but this's annoying.
A warning to those who want to upgrade: some apps may not work with this new kernel (can install but error while running).

>What is the point of the special cable?
Agreed with all the drawbacks of a proprietary cable, but it is better than the micro-USB connector in that it doesn't break as easily. I've had a couple of NC's, and went through 3 different cables that had damaged connectors, which were replaced free of charge. I can't imagine B&N were too happy about the replacement cost.
The HD+ is a superlative tablet for reading, and IMO is best for in-home use. I don't see it as a good traveling device, because of its heft, and lack of things like GPS and cameras.
>Seems to barely be a trickle charge with USB charging
It charges pretty fast for me. From near-empty to full was about 3 hours. Charging is still net positive while watching streamed videos, although I didn't measure how fast it was. I suppose it depends on the activity.
>some apps may not work with this new kernel
Yes, the OfficeSuite app broke on my HD+ with the 2.1 update.

It is a great device with 2.1 and AMAZING for the price. Two new points that I added to the review:
+Like
This device has the BEST sleep mode of any Android device I have owned. Overnight it lost one percentage point of battery and that is with wifi on.
-Dislike
The wifi is a little weaker than my other tablets.
Update: REALLY liking this device! The touch response is good, rather than "okay" and I update accordingly. If I could side load apps like Flash and N64, it would be my favorite tablet. For $200, this is amazing. Makes me regret paying $380 for my 32GB Excite 7.7 now. Might even make me doubt my iPad 4 purchase a tad, but I love the app ecosystem for it.

e.mote said:
>What is the point of the special cable?
Agreed with all the drawbacks of a proprietary cable, but it is better than the micro-USB connector in that it doesn't break as easily. I've had a couple of NC's, and went through 3 different cables that had damaged connectors, which were replaced free of charge. I can't imagine B&N were too happy about the replacement cost.
The HD+ is a superlative tablet for reading, and IMO is best for in-home use. I don't see it as a good traveling device, because of its heft, and lack of things like GPS and cameras.
>Seems to barely be a trickle charge with USB charging
It charges pretty fast for me. From near-empty to full was about 3 hours. Charging is still net positive while watching streamed videos, although I didn't measure how fast it was. I suppose it depends on the activity.
>some apps may not work with this new kernel
Yes, the OfficeSuite app broke on my HD+ with the 2.1 update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a half pound lighter then the iPad 4. Other then lack of cameras (which I have never used on any tablet), it's very nice for traveling light.
The update has speed both my stock Nook HD and HD+ quite a bit. I'm extremely happy with it.

I picked up my Nook HD+ last night.
+ 3:2 ratio
Because of menu bars and such, I really like having a bit more height when holding the tablet in landscape mode for browsing. And in portrait the extra width still allows web pages to be readable. Comics and manga pages fit the 3:2 screen perfectly. And the tablet feels more balanced.
+ 257 PPI
Text is so sharp.
+ Speaker
I'm really impressed with how nice the speaker sounds on this (much better than the Nexus 7).
+ Micro SD slot
I have a pile of micro SD cards in a bag I don't use anymore because none of my tablets or phones have micro SD slots. Glad I finally have something to put my 32GB Sandisk into (wish it had support for my 64GB SDXC).
+ Comfort
Has a soft touch back and the bezel feels nice to hold, everything feels very solid. Doesn't feel too heavy, quite comfortable.
+ Price
Ridiculous value at the current $180 sale price.
- Performance
It's running Android 4.0 ICS and I'm reminded of the dramatic difference Android 4.1 made with performance. The UI and animations are stuttery, it doesn't feel smooth at all. But it's still a small step up from my Kindle Fire HD. Overall I'd say performance is okay, but it's a shame B&N hasn't updated this to Jelly Bean.
- Glass
The glass is untreated. It's not as smooth feeling as other tablets. And fingerprints are nearly impossible to wipe off with a dry cloth. I wish B&N didn't cut this particular corner, it's a small thing that makes a big difference. I had to put Rain-X on my Nook Color and may do the same with this (I have to be more careful though, that stuff stains the plastic bezel).
- Bezel
I credited the bezel for making it more comfortable to hold. But at the same time I'm knocking it for being ugly, sorry. Perhaps if B&N got rid of the silly hole in the corner that might help. This negative is purely about my aesthetic sense. I like the look of tablets with flat glass fronts. And the Nexus 7 managed to pull that off and still be very comfortable to hold as well.
- Sideloading
I was hoping B&N would have permitted this by now, but seems it's still not possible to download and install an APK file. Sideloading is possible if you installed the Android/Nook SDK and adb install the APK file from a PC (and that's a hassle to setup the first time). Even Amazon allows sideloading on the Kindle Fires.

I've been trying out the new stock after running CM10 on my HD+ for months (with brief forays into rooted stock for magazines), and it's generally acceptable. The 2.1 update is an improvement, but there are still things that bug me, particularly the dumbed-down Recent Apps and the inconsistency/lack of softkeys. Using the 'n' for every home-press is a step down in ergonomics and likely increases wear and tear. None of the incompatible apps so far are dealbreakers, though Fancy Widgets, OfficeSuite and Google Voice are disappointing.
I tried to like the stock home screen, but it was just too limited. Why does the OS support grouping apps into "shelves" if you can't link directly to those shelves from your home screen? Shelf shortcuts would still be a step down from the pop-up folder implementation of most post-ICS launchers, but they would be adequate. Placing widgets on the stock home screen is also finicky and frustrating, with unpredictable placement and no option to resize. Most touch elements of the stock UI and B&N apps are quite finicky--I don't know if they have smaller touch zones or what, but I find them much less consistent in touch response than my ADWEx Launcher or third party apps.
All that said, I think I can live with it for the improvements in stability and battery life vs. CM10/10.1, and access to the stock magazine reader without rebooting (the Nook for Android app doesn't compare). I haven't tried a lot of apps yet, so poor performance there may still drive me back to CyanogenMod. I may have to re-root for Button Savior, but right now it's not a huge deal.
---------- Post added at 01:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:55 PM ----------
Just to clear up a couple of things:
Ravynmagi said:
+ 3:2 ratio
Because of menu bars and such, I really like having a bit more height when holding the tablet in landscape mode for browsing. And in portrait the extra width still allows web pages to be readable. Comics and manga pages fit the 3:2 screen perfectly. And the tablet feels more balanced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I'm getting you, I think you have the terms "portrait" and "landscape" confused. A device in landscape orientation is wider than it is tall, and in portrait it's taller than it is wide.
Ravynmagi said:
+ Speaker
I'm really impressed with how nice the speaker sounds on this (much better than the Nexus 7).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
0_0 That's surprising to see. I haven't used the Nexus 7 and the HD+ speaker is a big step up over my old Nook Color, but it's also one of the things people complain about the most. I took it for being adequate but sub-par and just assumed the N7 did better.
Ravynmagi said:
+ Micro SD slot
I have a pile of micro SD cards in a bag I don't use anymore because none of my tablets or phones have micro SD slots. Glad I finally have something to put my 32GB Sandisk into (wish it had support for my 64GB SDXC).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The HD+ can be picky about specific cards, but in general it handles 64GB just fine, as did the Nook Color and Nook Tablet before it. I've been using a 64GB SanDisk UM10 since I got my HD+ back in Novemeber, mostly as a boot drive for CM10, and it works just fine.
Ravynmagi said:
- Bezel
I credited the bezel for making it more comfortable to hold. But at the same time I'm knocking it for being ugly, sorry. Perhaps if B&N got rid of the silly hole in the corner that might help. This negative is purely about my aesthetic sense. I like the look of tablets with flat glass fronts. And the Nexus 7 managed to pull that off and still be very comfortable to hold as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Meh, difference of opinion. I find the HD+ styling aesthetically positive but not that comfortable to hold (moot point because it's always in a case). Most tablets, including the N7, have a generic look to me, though I'd take that over the plastic lozenge styling of the 7" Nook HD.
Ravynmagi said:
- Sideloading
I was hoping B&N would have permitted this by now, but seems it's still not possible to download and install an APK file. Sideloading is possible if you installed the Android/Nook SDK and adb install the APK file from a PC (and that's a hassle to setup the first time). Even Amazon allows sideloading on the Kindle Fires.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do want to enable sideloading, burning a ClockworkMod Recovery SD card and using leapinlar's script from this thread (last file linked at the bottom of the OP) will require a lot less troubleshooting than getting your HD+ to talk to ADB, and of course you only have to do it once and sideloading is on for good. You can use the CWM card to back up your system before you run the script, and whenever you want to make a backup afterward--another use for all those SD cards

"-No side-loading of apps. I would like to install Flash and my N64 emulator, but can not. At least B&N allowed the market and Google apps"
With a little bit of work you can get apps sideloaded. No need for rooting either.
1) Create a CWM flashable zip using instructions in the following thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2062613)
2) Download and copy NookHD-HDplus-Extras-rev3-(05.06.13).zip file from the above referenced thread to the CWM SD card
3) Flash the above zip when booted from the CWM mod and you now have a tablet that can sideload apps and also allows install of the Amazon appstore
I am really happy with this tablet!

Taosaur said:
If I'm getting you, I think you have the terms "portrait" and "landscape" confused. A device in landscape orientation is wider than it is tall, and in portrait it's taller than it is wide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not quite. What I was trying to say is typical Android tablets use a 16:10 ratio. So a 16:10 tablet would have a 1920x1200 resolution.
The Nook HD+ uses a 3:2 ratio with a 1920x1280. So what I was trying to say is that in landscape mode you have 80 extra pixels of height or in portrait you have 80 extra pixels of width.

Ravynmagi said:
Not quite. What I was trying to say is typical Android tablets use a 16:10 ratio. So a 16:10 tablet would have a 1920x1200 resolution.
The Nook HD+ uses a 3:2 ratio with a 1920x1280. So what I was trying to say is that in landscape mode you have 80 extra pixels of height or in portrait you have 80 extra pixels of width.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I thought maybe I was missing your point there. I agree the screen dimensions are outstanding for magazines and comics.

Is newest 2.1 Jelly bean base?
I am using CM custom roms instead of Nook original due to Nook original doesn't allow to install a lot apps even I did root.
So I am wondering is newest 2.1 the Jelly bean instead of ICS?
rushless said:
For perspective, I have had a lot of tablets: The infamous Viewsonic Gtablet, HTC Flyer, Toshiba's first 10" tab, Toshiba Excite 10", A500 and now currently own the Excite 7.7, TF 300 and iPad 4.
I got the Nook HD+ 32GB due to the 2.1 update and the $200 price from Best Buy. The intent is perhaps to give the TF300 and KB to my wife
+Likes
+Build.
+Display quality (it is almost as good as the iPad 4)
+Size.
+Speed: Contrary to some benchmarks, the Nook is in general faster in multi tasking than the TF300 and also is faster with FPSE and MAMEReloaded. Seems the chipset handles the higher res display better also than the TF700. Part of the problem with the Tegra 3 is the single channel design, where the 4470 has dual channel memory.
+Battery life is better than expected. About as good as my Excite 7.7, which is good.
+SD card speed seems good and nice to have (unlike the Nexus tablets).
+Not much bloat and 27GB free out of box. Pretty good.
+Nook is much faster updating apps than the Excite and TF300. Those tablets slow down when updating apps and likely due to the single channel memory
+Best sleep mode that does not bleed battery of any Android device I have owned- period. As close to iPad great as possible- for an Android device.
-Dislikes
-The rimmed bezel edge. Unlike the Excite and iPad, it seems exposed if dust or other fine debris were to get in the area. Update: Seems pretty tight around the bezel, so perhaps no problem. Update 2: A positive for the rim is the display is not flush to the bezel, so protected more if placed face down on a surface.
-Touch response is not as good as the Excite 7.7, TF300 or iPad 4. It is good, but I do notice a little difference compared with the other tablets.
-Though much better cable design than the Excite (the connector and cable is HUGE), it is still proprietary and hard to find one in a pinch. Like the Excite as well, it should have also been a standard USB design like the Nexus 7. What is the point of the special cable?
-Seems to barely be a trickle charge with USB charging. Net negative doing anything besides charging. Excite and TF300 are same.
-No side-loading of apps. I would like to install Flash and my N64 emulator, but can not. At least B&N allowed the market and Google apps
-Like the A500, there is concentrated heat in one section where the chipset is located. Gets very warm to hot with 3D games.
-No cameras (especially front for Skype).
-Wifi seems a little bit weaker than my other tablets, but seems fast. A positive perhaps for battery life.
In summary, this is a good tablet for $300 considering the display, build and speed and an AMAZING one for the $200 I paid at Best Buy (plus tax, of course). Sadly, this seems a Hail Mary from B&N and likely a last ditch effort to drive revenue and perhaps purge a lot of static inventory. They probably have a LOT of working capital tied up in the hardware and want to make their balance sheet look better ASAP. This seems the case considering they slashed the price for the week and have compromised the business model for their contained app ecosystem.
Perhaps though there may be some short-term partnering going on with Google, so you never know!
Whatever the case, GREAT tablet for the money- presuming you do not need cameras!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

fordarm said:
I am using CM custom roms instead of Nook original due to Nook original doesn't allow to install a lot apps even I did root.
So I am wondering is newest 2.1 the Jelly bean instead of ICS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it is still ICS.
Sent from my Nook HD+ running CM10.1 on emmc.

From a speed perspective, the Nook is overall as fast or faster than my Tegra 3 devices with JB. I use Nova instead of the stock UI.
Frankly, I have noticed no speed improvement with any of my Android devices going from ICS to JB.

rushless said:
From a speed perspective, the Nook is overall as fast or faster than my Tegra 3 devices with JB. I use Nova instead of the stock UI.
Frankly, I have noticed no speed improvement with any of my Android devices going from ICS to JB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What Tegra 3 device with JB are you referring to? Because the Nexus 7 is a helluva lot faster and smoother than my HD+ with Nova.
You should definitely notice a big difference between ICS and JB, so something sounds weird with whatever device that was on. My Galaxy Nexus, getting Android 4.1 made it feel like a new phone.

CPU heavy apps like MAME and PSX. The Nook is faster. The Nexus 7 also bogs down when using apps and using the device at the same time. Nook so far has not. Dual channel memory would be a factor in that. I notice no difference with any of my noted devices between ICS and JB. Benchmarks I do, though do not see it. The bottleneck with Tegra 3 is the single channel memory.
I prefer using the Nook over the TF300 now and have it set to performance mode.
Debates aside, whatever BN did to get the near iPad 4 level low battery bleed I'm sleep mode should bottle it up and sell to other OEs. I did not think and Android device could be this conservative in sleep mode.

fljoe said:
"-No side-loading of apps. I would like to install Flash and my N64 emulator, but can not. At least B&N allowed the market and Google apps"
With a little bit of work you can get apps sideloaded. No need for rooting either.
1) Create a CWM flashable zip using instructions in the following thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2062613)
2) Download and copy NookHD-HDplus-Extras-rev3-(05.06.13).zip file from the above referenced thread to the CWM SD card
3) Flash the above zip when booted from the CWM mod and you now have a tablet that can sideload apps and also allows install of the Amazon appstore
I am really happy with this tablet!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any chance you could do an simplified guide for this? That page is a beast.I don't want to break my Nook as it belongs to my Mrs.
thanks

I followed the instructions and flashed the extras rev 3 package. Flash 11.1 works great!! Thanks!

whatagonad said:
Any chance you could do an simplified guide for this? That page is a beast.I don't want to break my Nook as it belongs to my Mrs.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The instructions in the http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2062613 thread is as simple as it gets, anyway I am simplyfying if further. I am assuming you have the Nook HD+ 9inch tablet
1) Make a folder called Nook_Mod on your PC and download 2 of the files attached at the bottom of the post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2062613. The files you need are:
i. NookHDplus-bootable-CWM-6023-for-emmc-stock-4GB-rev3-(02.17.13).zip
ii. NookHD-HDplus-Extras-rev3-(05.06.13).zip
2) Using WinRar or WinZip extract NookHDplus-bootable-CWM-6023-for-emmc-stock-4GB-rev3-(02.17.13).zip file. After extraction you should see a file called NookHDplus-bootable-CWM-6023-for-emmc-stock-4GB-rev3.img
3) Now download a program called Win32DiskImager from http://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/. This program is used to write the image file in step 2 to a microSD card. The download is in zip format, so you will need to unzip the file.
4) Get a 4GB microSD card preferably SanDisk Class 4 and insert it into the card reader slot of your PC. Once the card is recognized by your PC, note the drive letter for the card (ie E:\ or F:\ etc)
5) Click on the Win32DiskImager program. A box pops up and here make sure you select the correct drive to write to under the Device heading (ie. the drive associated with your microSD card). Click on the Folder icon in the box, right next to Device and select the NookHDplus-bootable-CWM-6023-for-emmc-stock-4GB-rev3.img file and then click on the "Write" button. It will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to write the image to the microSD card.
6) After the image is written, exit out of the Win32DiskImager program. Remove the microSD card from your computer.
7) Re-insert the microSD card in your computer. Your card contents should look like the image I have attached to this post.
8) Now copy the NookHD-HDplus-Extras-rev3-(05.06.13).zip file to the root of the microSD card
9) Ensure your nook HD+ is charged completely and turn it OFF completely.
10) Insert the microSD card into the slot on your Nook HD+
11) Power ON your Nook HD+
12) You will soon see the Clockwork Mod (CWM) logo appear and your device will boot into CWM
13) Use the Vol+ and Vol- keys on the side of the Nook to navigate the cursor and highlight "backup and restore"
14) Press the "n" buttom on the bottom of the Nook HD to activate the selection which is Backup to backup your device. This will take a while.
15) Now press the "Power" button to go back to the Main menu and now choose "Install zip from SD"
16) Navigate to the NookHD-HDplus-Extras-rev3-(05.06.13).zip file you had copied to the microSD card. Select this file and click on the "n" button to flash this file and select install
17) After the file has been installed, you can remove the microSD card from the Nook HD and keep it somewhere safe. You might need to use this card again if you want to restore your Nook HD.
18) Now navigate to the reboot menu line and click on reboot and your Nook HD+ should boot back into the stock ROM.
Now you should be able to sideload any apps.
Please thank leapinlar as it is due to his efforts that this has been made possible. Also I am just re-hashing instructions that was in his thread, so all credits should go to him
Good Luck!

As already noted in the instructions, be VERY careful choosing the drive with Win32DiskImager, since it will not default to the sd card. You have to pick the drive on the right hand side of the app.

I personally prefer WinImage for burning cards--some systems have trouble with one or the other program.

Related

What Do you Expect with the Nook Color 2?

I know we are probably no very close at all to the release of the Nook color 2 but i want to know what you people want to see in the next nook.
I want to see
1. 1 Ghz Processor Stock (not having to put custom kernel onto)
2. One camera on front of the device
3. HDMI port
IIDeViiNII said:
I know we are probably no very close at all to the release of the Nook color 2 but i want to know what you people want to see in the next nook.
I want to see
1. 1 Ghz Processor Stock (not having to put custom kernel onto)
2. One camera on front of the device
3. HDMI port
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All three are pretty much unnecessary for the ebook market.
Nburnes said:
All three are pretty much unnecessary for the ebook market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the original only had what was "-necessary for the ebook market," none of us would be here
Taosaur said:
If the original only had what was "-necessary for the ebook market," none of us would be here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol
I agree it will probably have the Camera, maybe the 1ghz processor(but definitely not dual core) and definitly no HDMI port. lol that last one was just dreaming... but a guy(or a women) can dream
I suspect louder speakers! lol
I agree with burns... If they do anything to the Nook Color, it'll be make it lighter. I doubt they'll continue to try and compete in the Tablet market. It would just be silly, especially with Amazon positioning themselves to make a tablet that undercuts everything on the market less of chinese tablets.
I do agree it's unlikely that the tablet 'sweet spot' B&N hit with the current NC will still be there around October when it's time for a new device. They would probably be smarter to focus on increasing battery life and lowering cost while increasing their color-specific offerings (kids books, magazines, cookbooks/how-to).
Same device, slightly new proc maybe but....
Half the weight!,
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App
Please, oh please...an 8.9" screen that approximates the page size of a "trade" paperback.
This has been my reading goal from the beginning as 6 is too small and 10.1 is too large.
More up-to-date processor (though the current is doing just fine) and full Andorid Market access without rooting (let the quality of the unit speak for itself...don't hamstring it).
A truly non-glare AND (largely) non-reflective screen.
A front firing speaker!!!
8 1/2-9.0 would be a real "Goldilocks" range though I have gotten quite used to the 7"!
And, last but not least, a removable battery or significantly extended battery life.
A user serviceable battery for sure
Def. the battery
lighter
better "anti-glare" technology, whatever that may be
camera would be nice, but probably won't get it
Proc would be nice too, and may get that
Speaker quality is really imperative....
Here's hoping!
DB
Honestly I don't expect anything out of the Nook Color 2, because I don't think it will have the same developer community so I won't want one.
The Nook Color is what it is because from October of last year, to this month (when sub-$300 Galaxy Tabs began popping up on the internet) it was the best tablet value. For much of that time, it was BY FAR the best tablet value- beating other options by $hundreds.
That is no longer the case, and it won't be the case for the next Nook Color. We will probably keep our pace of development on the original for at least another six months due to critical mass, but the next great hackable ereader is probably that tablet Amazon is keeping under wraps.
If B&N is smart they won't replace the first Nook Color for a while (aka sometime in 2012)...
Who needs a tablet in 2012? We'll all be gone anyways! lol... silly interwebs-peoplez.
There will be no crazy nook color 2.
The nook color does everything an ereader should do, too much in fact. B&N dont want you to buy the NC they want you to buy BOOKS! Adding more features to appeal to this community is the LAST thing they will do.
If anything they will revise the current nook with a better anti glare coating, hopefully a better speaker and i would not be surprised to see a locked bootloader and the ability to boot from SD removed.
The "hacking" community has been great thus far because now they can say we have sold "eleventy billion machines"! Now that they have that bit of marketing under their belt theres NO reason under the sun to cater to us anymore and every reason to start locking it down and protecting their interests...
My guess is it will probably happen as soon as amazon uses nook marketing against them. "XX% of nook colors are running the amazon kindle app" Makes one appealing tag line for amazon. If that happens the shareholders will put an end to the fun quick enough.
TLR the original nook color is probably as good as its going to get for us.
For me Nook is perfect as it now with CM7 + OC kernel:
Fast and smooth for ebooks, web, music, movies and casual gaming.
As the bug for battery life is fixed, it is astonishing about power.
Wifi is really ok with my MB511 (tethered 3G/Wifi from the backpack to the nook).
Maybe a bluetooth keyboard or a dock like the asus transformer and i have a netbook
For the size, 8.9" would be great without screen border.
I'd like to see at least a mono mike input
for voice control & email - SMS to text apps and voice chat
The fabled Amazon tablet will have a lot to say about whether there will be another NC, and what it will look like.
We should do everything we can do prolong the life of the NC now.
Still rocking the Incredible with the XDA Premium App.
The only improvement I can think of considering this is an ebook device would be a better screen for use outdoors as others have said.
The current screen is awesome indoors... great color, great viewing angles. I'm also impressed how good the touch sensitivity is for a resistive digitizer. But outdoors I can barely see what I'm trying to read through the reflection of my face or of the sky.
Had I bought this primarily as an ereader I'd be disappointed.
chrisjs81 said:
I'm also impressed how good the touch sensitivity is for a resistive digitizer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good sensitivity "for a resistive digitizer" is a rather poor review of a capacitive touchscreen
Taosaur said:
Good sensitivity "for a resistive digitizer" is a rather poor review of a capacitive touchscreen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoops. I swear I read it was resistive before I bought it. Either way it's quite good the only issue I have is the position jumping when I lift my finger off (such as when using the arrow to move the cursor) I don't have the same issue on my phone but that may just be the angle since the NC is so much larger.

Some random questions about the Nook Color

I want to buy a Nook Color because i'm selling my G Tab. It really was not a practical device. What i want to know about is just the general usability of a rooted nook color. I'm coming from a G Tab which is pretty fast and runs honeycomb very well, but it is just too bulky and the screen has bad viewing angles. So here are my questions.
1. Is it better to install a rom onto the device storage or an SD card?
2. Can you put clockwork mod onto it?
3. How is the battery life?
4. Is the interface smooth and quick to use on CM7 or honeycomb (compared to the G Tab)?
5. Is a 7" screen easy to work with in android?
6. The G Tab in near impossible to soft brick completely due to that is has tools like NVFlash and CWM. Is the nook color as resilient to soft bricking and the G Tab?
Thanks for reading.
alex6499 said:
1. Is it better to install a rom onto the device storage or an SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on how attached to the warranty you are.
I'd always recommend using the SD card method on a brand new nook, so that it can be returned if it's a lemon, or just isn't going to do what you want.
Past that, it's a balance between how badly you want to keep the warranty, and a performance increase.
alex6499 said:
2. Can you put clockwork mod onto it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
alex6499 said:
3. How is the battery life?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the newer CM7 nightlies and RC 7.1, I can go four days using it ~3 hours a day, and still have nearly 50% of the battery left. That's with minimal screen brightness and the wifi usually off.
alex6499 said:
4. Is the interface smooth and quick to use on CM7 or honeycomb (compared to the G Tab)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea, I've never used the G Tab. The closest I can compare is with my iPad. I don't overclock my nook, and it rarely lags behind the responsiveness I see on the iPad.
alex6499 said:
5. Is a 7" screen easy to work with in android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on what you want to do.
I can nearly touch-type on the iPad, I assume any 10" Android would be similar. I can't do anything like touch-typing on the nook, and I have smallish hands. But it's also easier to type on than my phone, especially with the right keyboard.
With the exception of typing speed, the 7" screen is great for every app I've used on it, and most websites.
alex6499 said:
6. The G Tab in near impossible to soft brick completely due to that is has tools like NVFlash and CWM. Is the nook color as resilient to soft bricking and the G Tab?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Generally speaking you can always restore the nook to the stock ROM and start over. I'm pretty sure I've heard there are ways to overwrite the recovery partition, in which case it wouldn't work.
However, as long as the SD card reader is working you should always have the option to write a ROM to SD and run the nook from that.
alex6499 said:
1. Is it better to install a rom onto the device storage or an SD card?
2. Can you put clockwork mod onto it?
3. How is the battery life?
4. Is the interface smooth and quick to use on CM7 or honeycomb (compared to the G Tab)?
5. Is a 7" screen easy to work with in android?
6. The G Tab in near impossible to soft brick completely due to that is has tools like NVFlash and CWM. Is the nook color as resilient to soft bricking and the G Tab?
Thanks for reading.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's so tempting to say "every question is answered in all the existing threads"!
However, I'll answer a few of them.
1. In terms of "ease", there are great guides that show how easy it is for either method. But in terms of hardware, the internal is easier only in that one must be sure to purchase a SanDisk "class 2 or 4" microSD card. See the thread about microSD cards on this forum for more details. A strong benefit with the SD method is that you don't need to worry about restoring the stock B&N software if you need support. Your warranty is void if the original OS is rooted/modified.
2. Can you? It's more "Must you" as the majority of the mods end-up using this tool in combination with the ROM manager app.
3. How is it compaired to what? E-ink e-readers that run for weeks at a time? Days even with 3G on? The Nook Color doesn't compare well (but that's not a fair comparison) In terms of other tabs (iPad, etal)? It's actually pretty good. If you turn off Wi-Fi and use standby/sleep frequently, it'll go for a long time. Even with Wi-Fi on, I'm getting over 8 hours of use. But I'm not streaming video or listening to music. Mostly cloud based web apps and Citrix Receiver work applications (Microsoft Office 2010, etc).
4. Don't know, never used the G Tab. But it's heck a lot smoother than many Windows 7 tabs I was trying at a Microsoft Store for double the price.
5. 7" display is absolutely beaut!!! IPS too, so other 7" displays sitting near me are distinctly less exciting to look at (although they are also nice when you've not an IPS display near by to compare with). Any smaller and it'd be a phone and any larger it might as well be a laptop instead of a tab. Yes, a few coworkers have iPads and they are nice, but it's large enough that you wish you had a real keyboard so you could use it for documents. The 7" reminds you that it's great for interactivity and consuming content, but supplements your other work systems rather than trying to replace them.
6. As you see on these forums, the Nook Color is also hard to brick. Unless you coat it with red clay and bake it at over 500 degrees
1. For the long term, installing on the device is better. The SD card install is good for trying things out.
4. Honeycomb on NC was very slow for me. I don't think it's a good choice for the NC, for many reasons. Check out some of the NC Honeycomb ROM threads for more info. CM7 works well, about as fast as a Nexus One phone. I'm going to skip Honeycomb, stay with CM7 and wait patiently for CM to come out with Ice Cream Sandwich.
5. The screen is very good. 1024 x 600 at 7 inches gives good resolution. Icons and other screen elements are small, but you can change the resolution settings to change that.
After using the NC, there is no way I would buy a 7" tablet with a lower resolution screen. That leaves the HTC Flyer or Samsung Galaxy Tab WiFi as alternatives. I don't think you are getting that much more from either device for the extra money you pay.
If you only need Froyo and you want Nook functionality, I would say root the stock install. If you don't care about the Nook software, I would say install CM7 or whatever else you want to internal storage. The only reason I would install to the card is if I wanted Gingerbread AND wanted Nook functionality - the card would let you dual boot.
Battery Life and screen are both pretty good, and it's pretty much unbrickable. It probably is a little slower than the Tab though. It's noticeably slower than an Epic, but not so much so that it's unuseable.

[Q] Rooted Nook Color Vs Nook Tablet

So I have had my Nook Color for about a year now. My wife had one and I decided I wanted one to root. I have been running with it rooted and got rather comfortable with it, I am stuck on Android I admit. Of course now I am having issues with the latest rooting so I am thinking "Hmm new Nook out maybe I should consider it"
So I am asking the community what is the real differences?
I know I could go online and read through 100 reviews all by different people who spend all their days with gadgets and I have no clue if they play with it the same way I do, and I am fairly certain they aren't going to hack it like I am.
So what do you think? Is it just a slightly updated Nook Color or is there more? What is making you excited that you couldn't nicely do with a rooted Nook Color? What do think will be lost in the transition? Also how long do you think it will take until there is a simple rooting solution?
Totally based on specs, the big differences are more internal memory (16GB vs. 8GB) and more CPU power (dual-core and faster clock speed). Oh, and I think the Nook Tablet does have a mic which is interesting if for no other reason than voice recognition-based input.
The screen size is the same, though I've read several articles saying the new screen is pretty gorgeous. I don't know if it's the same screen (the one on the Nook Color is no slacker!) and this is the first time some people have seen it, or if it's an improved display.
I have a TouchPad running CM7 and I believe it has the same dual-core CPU as the Nook Tablet (if not the same, it's very similar), and I can say that there's a significant difference between the two in terms of fluidity. Things scroll smoother, load faster, render faster, etc. I would assume the Nook Tablet would be similar.
So in the end it depends on what you do with your Nook. If you're primarily reading books on it and playing Angry Birds, you're not going to see much of a difference most likely. I'm pretty sure the browser is going to be MUCH smoother on the Nook Tablet, though, as is the overall experience.
I remember reading that the Nook Color will also be getting the same 1.4 stock firmware update that the Nook Tablet will have, so if you're a rooted stock guy, that's a good thing, and even if you're not it may mean an updated kernel and/or drivers for a smoother experience on the Nook Color similar to what happened when 1.2 was released.
So ultimately it comes down to whether a smoother experience on what will otherwise be similar hardware (physical dimensions and appearance, not internals) and software is worth $250 to you.
I've looked at the Nook Color and Nook Tablet side by side.
In my opinion the overclocked, rooted Nook Color is excellent.
Aside from the increased memory, microphone and faster processor, there isn't enough difference to warrant "side" grading (Not enough difference for me to call it an 'upgrade') to the Nook Tablet.
Bluetooth?
Does anyone know if the Nook Tablet has Bluetooth?
IMO, if money is an issue, buy a refurb nook color. If you have a problem with refurb stuff and would rather have a new one, spend the extra 50 bucks on the nook tablet. Some beefier internals for the money and will be more futureproof.
Sent from XDA Premium app CM7.1
Another consideration in my opinion is that ICS will come to the Tablet first. I have no inside info, it just makes sense that the devs will want to update the most advanced device first, unless of course there is no actual coding difference between the two.
The way pricing is dropping on the 10" tablets and with ICS coming I couldn't see paying $250 for a Nook Tablet that is a minor improvement over the rooted NC.
I recently picked up a new Xoom for $320 from BJ's that they were discontinuing, my recommendation is that if you can afford $250 to upgrade to the Nook Tablet throw in another $100 and go for one of the 10" tablets.
I got my Nook Tablet last night and have been using a rooted/CM7 Nook Color since launch, so to answer your questions:
1. It is *much* faster. Web browsing is light years faster, especially with sites that have a great deal of visual content.
2. Speaker is slightly better.
3. Has a microphone, which will be an answer to my Skype-based prayers.
4. Screen *is* better, but not enough better that I'd switch on that alone.
5. Rubberized bezel makes gripping a bit better.
6. Double the ram of the NC - will be important in later versions of Android.
7. 16gb storage...CAVEAT: you only get access to 1gb in stock rom. (rooting and CM7 or 8 will of course fix this)
8. It is noticeably lighter when the two are held at the same time.
The device appears to use the exact same charger/cable, and I have used them here interchangeably.
At the end of the day, it is the vastly increased speed that wins me over. Everything is faster from scrolling, to video playback (damn good), to web browsing. That said, I am *seriously* missing my CM7.
Thanks goldenu. Having someone compare side by side is very helpful. I think for me I do some browsing and such but usually I use it to access picture files in Dropbox. I don't think that it will specifically be worth the money for me to up grade. I have rerooted my NC and hopefully will not repeat the mistakes that kept killing it for me. But really the main question is how will the Nook Tablet handle porn?
There is always a problem being responsible with your money but loving gadgets. Maybe I will win the lotto and I will just buy them all, maybe hang them all on the walls and create an app to make one giant touchscreen wallboard. Ok enough day dreaming and silly ideas
But what if one has neither? The NC has just gone back to $199, but there's some money involved in rooting and upclocking--if a 4gb SD or whatever isn't on hand. Which would you buy if not full geek capable, but not too dumb to follow good rebuild instructions? That $199 is looking good all over again, but I'm $poor.
---------- Post added at 01:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:40 AM ----------
goldenu said:
I got my Nook Tablet last night and have been using a rooted/CM7 Nook Color since launch, so to answer your questions:
1. It is *much* faster. Web browsing is light years faster, especially with sites that have a great deal of visual content.
2. Speaker is slightly better.
3. Has a microphone, which will be an answer to my Skype-based prayers.
4. Screen *is* better, but not enough better that I'd switch on that alone.
5. Rubberized bezel makes gripping a bit better.
6. Double the ram of the NC - will be important in later versions of Android.
7. 16gb storage...CAVEAT: you only get access to 1gb in stock rom. (rooting and CM7 or 8 will of course fix this)
8. It is noticeably lighter when the two are held at the same time.
The device appears to use the exact same charger/cable, and I have used them here interchangeably.
At the end of the day, it is the vastly increased speed that wins me over. Everything is faster from scrolling, to video playback (damn good), to web browsing. That said, I am *seriously* missing my CM7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoa! Thanks! THAT is what I've been needing someone to go into. Did I say Thanks?!! WaywardPilgrim, Evergreen Colo @7,500 and CHILLY!
goldenu said:
That said, I am *seriously* missing my CM7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So root it!!!! lol. Seriously though has anyone checked to see if CWM SD card will still work, if so I'd imagine its filesystem is still the same.
unsivil_audio said:
So root it!!!! lol. Seriously though has anyone checked to see if CWM SD card will still work, if so I'd imagine its filesystem is still the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it will not. Different kernel and processor.....
NC vs NC Tablet
I do not have or tried a NC Tablet. It sounds good....but if you want just a GREAT e-reader w/loads of Apps (Google Mkt), both B&N & Kindle, Flash 10.1, access to internet, great screen, ......No money? Buy a referb NC for $100+, then buy a N2A card for $35 and have fun. I bought a NC new for $147 (1 year ago, during one of theirB&B specials, + got 5% off by using a cash back CC, then got a N2A card and i'm in hog heaven.. Even bought my wife a refurb and N2A....same thing. GREAT "E-Reader" w/lots of goodies.
docfreed said:
Does anyone know if the Nook Tablet has Bluetooth?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does, but it is not activated on the nook interface.
I think it will be activated once we get a custom ROM for the NT.
My question is:
Does it still boot first from the MicroSD card?
I have no desire to root or run from internal memory any android OS, I absolutely love the un-brickable nature of the Nook Color.
I know off the bat an sd-install isn't happening, but if it boots from sd first there's nothing stopping it from eventually happening.
The un-brickable nature of the sd boot first option is the biggest draw for me, from a developer standpoint it makes a fantastic playground where you can explore whatever you want without consequence.
Having a device with better hardware specs will make development of ICS and forward software much nicer.
?
Blue6IX said:
My question is:
Does it still boot first from the MicroSD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but so far it appears that the bootloader is locked down and will only accept signed images.
It it still very early in the game and only a couple people have poked at the bootloader so far so there is still hope that something can be achieved, but it's definitely a different set of problems than the Color ever had. No one has been able to root it yet either so that doesn't help either. I don't doubt that there are a number of very intelligent and determined people who are interested in the challenge though
Thanks for the quick reply.
That was all I needed to know to put this on my shopping list. Not sure when i'll pick one up, but it's definitely in my sights now.
Sooner or later we'll crack it open, as long as boot first from SD was worked into the model the rest is just a matter of time.
elbaxter said:
......No money? Buy a referb NC for $100+, then buy a N2A card for $35 and have fun.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Roxors of NC's from B&N are $149 now, plus the $35 for the card you have to order is $184 plus shipping.
You can get a fully rooted NC off Craigs List for $170 all day long. I talked a guy down to $100 because he tried to dump a 3rd party power brick on me. Picked up a B&N brick, (and spare cable), for $27. Put the lame 2G PNY he had in it in my Fuze, put the Fuzes 8 in my phone, put my phones Sandisk 16 class 4 in the NC, made sure 8+1 works and haven't looked back. VV0o7!
The Tablet is now rooted....... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1354487
Rooted Nook vs. Nook Tablet
Hey Guys,
I just bought a new NT Saturday, it's still in the box. I've been reading a few post and I'm not sure but everyone seems to be having more fun with the NC. I went to get the NC originally but I'm a sucker for latest and greatest. I'm still not sure if it was the best choice. And oh yeah, I get one shot at this, the wife says " Make a choice and stick with it." Do you think the NT will receive the same attention as it's older brother. I'm the kind of user that likes my gadgets to do all that they can. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Why I Got a Nook HD (or Why You Got an HD+) (Real-world Comparisons)

I'm now the proud owner of a Nook HD. It's my second android device (phone is a GS3) and my fourth device for which I have sought guidance in this incredible forum. After perusing the Nook section of this site, I felt like I needed to reflect on why I chose this device.
1. I need to read more...again. I used to read all of the time. I'm a high school English teacher, so I have a passion for reading. However, like so many of my teenage students, I am easily distracted. I thought that I would read on my iPad, but that didn't happen since there are so many great games out for tablets. As a father of a 3-year old, my time and energy has seemed to be more prone to go to a mindless video game for a few minutes of gameplay rather than delve deep into a classic from one of my favorite authors. So, I'm hoping my Nook HD is the answer I need for this. Since it is smaller, maybe I'll have it along with my more often so I can read more often. Also, since B&N doesn't seem to have any intention of competing with iOS on the scale of game offerings, I won't be tempted to play N.O.V.A. or Modern Combat over reading Eliot.
2. 7" seems to really be the perfect size for a reading tablet. Sorry HD+ owners, you're not going to like this point. If that HD+ is your first tablet, I hope you will at least heed or remember my thoughts here. My iPad (or any 10" screen) is too big to read on enjoyably. I've had an iPad for almost 2 years and I have spent many hours reading on it. It's an amazing device for things like producing writing, annotating essays, playing games, or watching movies, but the size of the blessed thing is just not ideal for reading*. Think about it, why are most paperbacks around 6-8" tall? I think it's because you naturally read faster and more easily when your eyes don't have to travel too far up an down the pages. A 7" tablet has the same effect. After reading on my HD for a while today, I can honestly say that the reading experience seems easier and more natural. Plus, being able to hold it with one hand makes it more convenient as well.
*I also looked at a couple magazines on my Nook HD and I will say the 10" screens are more suited for that. Looking at Entertainment Weekly caused some eyestrain. I suppose that's one reason B&N invented Article View.
So, that's my spiel. Feel free to concur or show obloquy as desired.
I got the HD because:
1) It had faster benchmarks than the Nexus 7
2) It had a better resolution and an overall better screen than the Nexus 7
3) It was rootable
4) I originally paid $180, but then returned it and got it for $149 at Staples
5) Nexus 7 16GB was not available anywhere.
Overall, I am very happy with the little tablet. I got my wife the HD+ at Staples for $199. She's not so happy with it, so I'll have two tablets and she'll end up getting the iPad Mini when the retina version comes out since her first gen iPad is getting outdated. Both the HD and HD+ were rooted but updated to 2.0.5, but Play still works. I was able to sideload Chrome since Play shows it incompatible. I also have them both booting to CM10 which has been pretty stable so far.
I agree about the 7" size. I have a 10" android tablet for playing games and surfing the web. I got the HD for reading. I rooted it to put other reading apps on it and so it can be more of an all-around device when necessary.
I get the HD+ for the size and resolution. I use the size for reading manga, smaller would just make it not very readable. Also I already have a Note II which is 5.5inches. So getting HD is kinda redundant. Also I found that using the HD+ connecting to my notebook using iDisplay to show my pictures when I'm working on them is quite useful.
Obviously 7inch and 9inch are aim at different type of consumers.
someone0 said:
I get the HD+ for the size and resolution. I use the size for reading manga, smaller would just make it not very readable. Also I already have a Note II which is 5.5inches. So getting HD is kinda redundant. Also I found that using the HD+ connecting to my notebook using iDisplay to show my pictures when I'm working on them is quite useful.
Obviously 7inch and 9inch are aim at different type of consumers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are good points. Like I said in my op, magazines are a bit small on the HD, so I'm sure the HD+ is better for anything illustrated.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Great briefing now there is thread to point out to confused potential buyers
Sent from a hybrid phablet !
The HD+ gives a quite nice two-column reading experience in landscape. I would have stuck with something smaller if comic books and magazines were lower on my priority list, but my old Nook Color always felt a bit cramped for those. I've honestly been on a comic book and audio book jag ever since I got the HD+ and not reading much in the way of straight text.
nikufellow said:
Great briefing now there is thread to point out to confused potential buyers
Sent from a hybrid phablet !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good idea. Title changed to help that type of buyer searching.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Even if the title weren't change it just mean people would look at the remarks and can tell, that maybe there is something they want to do and HD isn't good at but HD+ does better. It's no confusing at all. Reasons to buy alone isn't very informative w/o reasons not to buy. Information is information, period.
I went from Sony Reader to Kindle 3 to Nook Tablet to Nook HD+.
Nook Tablet is perfect size for reading books and bringing along with me--I agree with you there.
I read lots of magazines in PDF format. That's the main reason I went with the bigger HD+. I've grown accustomed to the size now and like the bigger screen.
Hardback books are about the size of the HD+, and I have always liked Hardback covers over paperbacks. So my yin to your yang.
However I have yet to use this thing for anything but video and some light music.
migrax
Has anyone here tried the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 also?
I'm on the fence between a Kindle Fire HD 8.9 and a Nook HD+. I wasn't sure if I wanted a 7" or 9" at first but I think I need a 9" because I mostly will want to use it to look at PDF tech manuals and CAD schematic drawings when I'm on the go crawling around in areas where it is inconvenient to carry a laptop. Aside from that, its nice to have something to use on the plane or sitting around at the airport.
The main differences I see are:
Kindle: thinner (barely), has mimo wifi (don't know if its a real diff), camera (already have a phone camera), micro usb (don't have to buy proprietary connectors), ambient light sensor (might save some batt)
Nook: lighter (not by much), higher ppi (barely), external storage (although I'm not sure if I really need it)
Price is about the same if I look on ebay. Software is the same if I put on CM10, although I'm not sure if the kindle is as far along.
For me, seems like the biggest diff is the micro usb vs the external storage, and maybe the weight, hard to know how important 2.4oz is. I suspect that the external storage won't really be needed so if the weight isnt a big diff, I think I may lean towards the kindle.
I'd be interested in any other important differences people have noticed.
There is more difference between the Nook HD and Nexus 7 than some people think. The Nook HD provides the main essentials like good screen etc but has very limited sensors.
The nexus 7 is like a phone and has a full collection of sensors like an ambient light sensor, gyroscope, GPS, compass, proximity sensor, camera + more.
These sensors can be useful in some circumstances. Gyro is good for games and alot better than an accelerometer
sorrowuk said:
There is more difference between the Nook HD and Nexus 7 than some people think. The Nook HD provides the main essentials like good screen etc but has very limited sensors.
The nexus 7 is like a phone and has a full collection of sensors like an ambient light sensor, gyroscope, GPS, compass, proximity sensor, camera + more.
These sensors can be useful in some circumstances. Gyro is good for games and alot better than an accelerometer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you only have one tablet/smartphone device the choice is harder. However, I have a smartphone and a 10" android tablet. I wanted a light reader with added functionality. I fell in love with the nook HD screen as I am a screen-o-phile and can't go back to TN displays with poor color representation. The Nook HD has fantastic colors as well as a good resolution. Images just pop. I think it has over 90% adobe RGB gamut which is better than the nexus 7 (86% if I recall correctly) along with a better resolution.
Now resolution is not everything. The next gen ipad certainly has a ridiculous resolution that requires an overpowered GPU for most purposes ... that is all purposes except reading where every bit of resolution helps to discern text. Likewise, the extra bit of resolution on the Nook HD really makes it a good reader.
The Nook HD is also very light and has removable storage which is a HUGE plus for me. All the major tablet/phone manufacturers charge like 100-200 bucks more for pennies worth of Nand. 720p screens require at least 32gb to enjoy videos and media at that resolution IMO.
Overall, I am very happy with my purchase. B&N produced a quality product at a good price. They did shortchange in certain areas (no camera, no sensors), but I don't care about camera as almost all of them suck anyways in 7" tablets (especially the front ones) and the sensors are kind of a pain but I already have a smartphone so what do I care?
The Nook HD is a fantastic reader and secondary tablet. Hopefully with some more work on CM10/10.1, it will be a better primary one too.
Diogenes5 said:
720p screens require at least 32gb to enjoy videos and media at that resolution IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you clarify what you mean by this?
a 720p video file certainly isnt 32gb. maybe 1gb per movie depending on quality
It may take more memory to play it but the memory has nothing to do with the 32gb storage.
As for sensors, I dont care about the camera. GPS would be nice but the kindle doesnt have it either.
I don't see the use of a proximity sensor. The gyro is needed for some games. and the light sensor is somewhat important to output the right amount of brightness.
enricong said:
Can you clarify what you mean by this?
a 720p video file certainly isnt 32gb. maybe 1gb per movie depending on quality
It may take more memory to play it but the memory has nothing to do with the 32gb storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A decently compressed feature-length 720p movie will range from 1.5-4GB depending on encoding, and a straight rip without decent compression might run 6-8GB or more. If you want to have more than one such movie on your tablet and maybe a couple of TV episodes as well as other media (magazines, PDFs, comics) it piles up fast. I don't even watch many videos on my tablet, and getting by on less than 32GB for what is essentially a media portal would be a pain.
Most 720p movies I've watched are in the 1-1.5 range. Beyond that I havent noticed alot of difference but maybe that's just me. Regardless, I don't see myself watching alot of movies on this and I wouldn't need to store more than one or two at a time. My primary purpose would be using it when it is inconvenient to carry my laptop like when I'm out in the field and need to pull up a pdf manual and/or cad drawings. This does not require much storage space.
It does sound like the trade is between the piece of mind of being able to upgrade storage and having a couple more sensors + the convenience of a microUSB.
i agree that 7" is a darn good size for reading and on hand holding, but i occasionally do things other than reading and 7" kinda limited me. i upgraded my galaxy tab 8.9 to this device. i do have a 10.1 galaxy note but do find that one too big for reading most of the times. it's not heavy, just awkward holding with one hand while laying down reading.
The 7" form factor is great, but even as much as I like expandable storage and getting every last possible pixel per inch, the Nook HD just doesn't stand up to the Nexus 7 in that market. The 32GB N7 is at least adequate in storage, and only $20 more than a 16GB Nook HD. The PPI difference is not that major, they're about the same weight with equally generic design, but the N7 has considerably more powerful innards, a full sensor array, and it's already a Nexus device: no hacking required. You'd have to really, really like the Nook HD display and see limited functionality as a positive thing--I could maybe see it if you were buying with young children in mind.
The HD+, on the other hand, has only one competitor within 30-40% of the asking price, and that one (the Kindle 8.9") is still asking more for less. Like the Nook Color when that device came out, the HD+ is the best screen for the money right now and also happens to have a distinctive design, not just because there's a hole in it but because it has a unified aesthetic other than "fat black bezel."
Taosaur said:
The 7" form factor is great, but even as much as I like expandable storage and getting every last possible pixel per inch, the Nook HD just doesn't stand up to the Nexus 7 in that market. The 32GB N7 is at least adequate in storage, and only $20 more than a 16GB Nook HD. The PPI difference is not that major, they're about the same weight with equally generic design, but the N7 has considerably more powerful innards, a full sensor array, and it's already a Nexus device: no hacking required. You'd have to really, really like the Nook HD display and see limited functionality as a positive thing--I could maybe see it if you were buying with young children in mind.
The HD+, on the other hand, has only one competitor within 30-40% of the asking price, and that one (the Kindle 8.9") is still asking more for less. Like the Nook Color when that device came out, the HD+ is the best screen for the money right now and also happens to have a distinctive design, not just because there's a hole in it but because it has a unified aesthetic other than "fat black bezel."
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Sent from my Barnes & Noble Nook HD using Tapatalk HD
This had way top many overgeneralizations for me to ignore. For one, the storage difference is significant. For the same price I can get a nook HD with a 64gb micro SD card as a 32gb nexus.
The PPI difference is still significant. I compared both devices directly and the nook HD had better color accuracy and sharper text. 900p is actually over 25% more pixels than 800p. It is a huge difference for reading and text-based media consumption.
Weight is also very important for me at this form factor and given my usage patterns. The nook HD is the lightest device in its class and feels even lighter than my phone. I feel weight definitely matters especially for a device meant to be held and used as a replacement novel unlike say an iPad which can reasonably be expected to be laid down or held upright by a case instead.
Powerful is relative. The tegra 3 GPU is seriously underwhelming to adreno and mali. I know, I own a transformer infinity. For most virtually every process the nook HD is just as smooth as the nexus 7 which is all that really matters, not epeen statements about power. Devices need only be powerful enough for their intended use.
Nexus devices are definitely nice but so is cynmogen mod. Nook HD definitely takes more work to enjoy. Sensors are also irrelevant if you use them. How man people do you know actually use the cameras on their tablet for example. How about GPS? Having the option is definitely nice but irrelevant in most cases to the vast majority of people.
Its ironic that you mention the hd+ as being better. I found using it underwhelming. After having owned the infinity, I know how hard it is for current gen tech to power full HD displays. The nook HD+ was very slow at loading PDFs in store and kind of clunky in terms of performance. Understandable as even my infinity lags with an over clocked tegra 3. A nook HD was however completely smooth for me.
To each his own, but I think the nook HD is a much better device for me than a nexus 7. Even if I didn't ave a larger tablet, I would have gotten a nook.
In my opinion tablets are all about screen first, practicality second, and smoothness second. The nook HD does a better job at being a media consumption device than the nexus 7 across many metrics.

Nook HD+ review with CM 10.1

First of all, Very and Leap- you two rock something fierce!
I did a review before of the HD+ with 2.1. I gave it a good review, but three things slowly eroded my opinion after time and I returned it.
1- Intermittent stutter that seemed to correlate with on the fly data loads and library sync. This stood out with games.
2- Games loading slow and some REAL sloooooow
3- Accumulative lag. Over a few days, the device got real slow and cache cleaning and restarts were hit and miss to fix it.
Best Buy had it on sale for $20 less this time ($180), so based on folks opinion of CM 10.1, I thought I would test it out again- due to the price and sweet display.
Where 2.1 was a big improvement over 2.0, the improvement from 2.1 to CM 10.1 is fluken' huge!
1- The intermittent stutter is gone along with library sync is gone.
2- Games load a LOT faster. I would not have thought the stock rom would be what was slowing it down, but I tested fresh installs two times with the same sloooow results with 2.1.
3- So far, the accumulated lag has not showed up.
4- Overall device is faster
I also added the "full screen" app to get rid of the navigation bar when I want. More just to test it out, but nice to have an iPad like full display view
Jeepers, it is wild how it is so easy to flash the device with 10.1 and equally wild to have the results of 10.1 with this hardware for the price. Superb so far
Of course, with anything in life comes the negatives:
1- exFAT worked with 2.1, but does not with CM 10.1. I had to transfer, format and recopy back to the sd card with FAT32. I wish there was a simple install fix using the boot card like the unknown sources fix for stock 2.1.
2- Buggy Blitz does not work. I love that game Ditto for Shine Runner. Same company.
3- I have had one instance so far where the device had charged and there was a flashing green light. The device would not wake up with neither home or power button. I had to hold the power down for a while and repeat that a few times. It would get stuck on the spinning boot-up ring. It would freeze up after after "several" seconds. Seems to be working now, but this never happened with stock 2.1 and used the device for a month. Fluke?
4- Quake 3 keeps expecting to see "sdcard" rather than "sdcard0". Touch Quake 1, 2 and Quake Arena mods work fine though. These are examples of games that loaded SLOW with stock 2.1, but are near instant with CM 10.1.
5- The CM 10.1 launcher was jittery and slow. I tried to get used to it, but went back to Nova, which is smooth and fast.
Folks, Nook HD+ plus CM 10.1 equals insane value for the price!
rushless said:
1- exFAT worked with 2.1, but does not with CM 10.1. I had to transfer, format and recopy back to the sd card with FAT32. I wish there was a simple install fix using the boot card like the unknown sources fix for stock 2.1.
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there's 3rd party zip you can flash that restores it somewhat..
I also plan to look into this eventually and use texera fat module from the stock rom.
2- Buggy Blitz does not work. I love that game
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That seems to be their bug related to new sgx drivers. Same crash happens on Kindle fire, for example. Nothing I can presently do about it.
3- I have had one instance so far where the device had charged and there was a flashing green light. The device would not wake up with neither home or power button. I had to hold the power down for a while and repeat that a few times. It would get stuck on the spinning boot-up ring. It would freeze up after after "several" seconds. Seems to be working now, but this never happened with stock 2.1 and used the device for a month. Fluke?
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Not sore about not waking up - never saw that. But rare boot problems will be fixed in next release. (esp. those that produce garbage on screen).
Folks, Nook HD+ plus CM 10.1 equals insane value for the price!
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Still no camera, so it cannot serve as full TP replacement
No problem on the games not working, since works on my Excite 7.7 and S3!
Exfat and NTFS would be nice, down the road!
Thanks!
I think B&N could have done much better with this hardware if they hired someone like verygreen in the first place...
I still don't think this is a very good gaming device, though, especially for 3D.
But the screen is amazing and got me really spoiled. Now I look at Nexus 7 and feel the display is too cheap and low in quality. Comparing it with the TP in my opinion is a bit of an apple to orange comparison as it is mainly a media consumption device while TP's display quality is even worse than Nexus 7.
Someone was complaining the Nook being slow and laggy vs a $499 Galaxy Note 10.1 with 2GB ram, quad core and much lower resolution. That is just unfair. But I guess people are entitled to their opinions.
Honestly I would not have bought this without seeing the CM10 and CM10.1 ports in progress. B&N really owes verygreen a commission. I like this combo so much that I hardly touch my Nexus 7 now.
BTW, donation sent.
View92612 said:
Comparing it with the TP in my opinion is a bit of an apple to orange comparison as it is mainly a media consumption device while TP's display quality is even worse than Nexus 7.
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While I somewhat agree here, in reality I distributed Touchpads to my relative and they use them for things like Skype.
Nook, having no camera, cannot replace them and would be useless for such purposes.
I agree that the Nook has deficiencies (proprietary ports are a downer). When it comes to cheap toys we pick our poison, eg Nexus w/ no SD slot. If I want a cam or HDMI, there are a flood of cheap 7" tabs that have both, but none of them has a really great 1080p screen in an IMO perfect size and weight for one-handed use. I don't see any tablet with comparable display quality under $400.
Display quality aside, as a reader my preference is for a 4:3 aspect, since I use the tab mostly in portrait mode. But outside of the iPads, most Android tabs hewed to 16:10, which makes the display smaller than their diagonal size would indicate. The HD+ is the only one to eschew the norm in going with 3:2. That's actually better than 4:3, because the present Android UI takes off a couple slices at top and bottom, so the remaining space comes out pretty close to 4:3.
Using the dpi calculator here,
http://members.ping.de/~sven/dpi.html
The 9" HD+ screen has a portrait width of 4.99". The 8.9" KF HD's is 4.72", or 0.27" smaller and not just 0.1" shorter diagonal. For tablet display size, every fraction of an inch is a big deal when you're squeezing a whole web page into portrait.
Some other display portrait widths, which I view as the tablet's true size measurement:
Code:
iPad Mini 4.71"
Nexus 7 3.71"
Galaxy Note 8 4.24"
Nexus 10 5.3"
iPad 5.82"
Oh yeah, e.mote: Thanks for the "dummies" thread!
True on the lack of camera, but I got it for books, comics (more than books) and games (mainly emulators). There are a few games that my Excite 7.7 plays smoother, but most play the same and game emulators like MAME and N64 are faster on the Nook HD+. Also, CM 10.1 closed the gap on the 3D games that are smoother on the Excite 7.7. GTA is a good example. It plays smooth now, where with 2.1, it did not. Asphalt 7 though is an example that plays smoother on the Excite. Asphalt 7 though is now very playable on the Nook HD+. The TF700 also struggles with some 3D games, BTW.
For game emulators. this thing rocks. $180 for a great display and plays emulators better than any other Android I have used- including the S4 and its quad Qualcomm. Bluetooth game pads work fine and no response lag noted so far and fits the iCade
Sad that we get the stock firmware we get when folks here do a better job for user experience. I appreciate the Nook was designed to be mainly a reader, but their premise was also part of their undoing and the convention of poor stock firmware goes way beyond the Nook.
>Thanks for the "dummies" thread!
I actually wrote that for myself, since I have a stack of HD+'s here that I'm retrofitting to pass along to the family. Credit where it is due, it's all a rehash of what leapinlar has written, but just a bit more digestible. And of course to verygreen that made this all possible.
Glad to hear Nook is good for games. I'm not a gamer, but other peeps in the household would be appreciative. Any good guides for emulators you can point to? How about some strategy/tactical games? I liked Call of Cthulhu and Rebuild.
BTW, little known factoid: The Nook's serial # is printed on the inside of the SD slot's rubber flap. I found that out when returning a HD+ for uneven backlighting.
>I appreciate the Nook was designed to be mainly a reader, but their premise was also part of their undoing and the convention of poor stock firmware goes way beyond the Nook.
I view it as a good-thing-bad-thing situation. If B&N had made a great Android tab, it wouldn't be holding a firesale to clear out the Nooks, and we wouldn't be here yakking away. So yes, I'm kinda glad the HD's didn't sell well (until now).
Very ironic.
As far as emulator guides, there is a very good one over at Phandroid forums. It is in the Android game forum.
This tablet is an old school gaming, comic reading, web and Flash slinging bargain.
rushless said:
Very ironic.
As far as emulator guides, there is a very good one over at Phandroid forums. It is in the Android game forum.
This tablet is an old school gaming, comic reading, web and Flash slinging bargain.
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Click to collapse
Totally agree. What controller do you use for the emu, though?
I found it extremely difficult to trigger complex moves (in games that require those) using just touch control..... I'm sure it would not be an issue for games that do not require those.
I use a generic Android controller from Gamestop, two Nyko Android pads and iCade. All work fine.
I found another game that worked with 2.1 but not with CM. NBA 2013. Another of my favorites. What are the odds of that? It loads to the point of showing the team logos at start up and then crashes.
Also, most games like NFSMW that took a long time to load up with 2 .1 now load fast like other tablets. The only exception found so far is Asphalt 7. It still loads crazy slow. About two minutes or more per track. Should take about ten seconds. The London level just took over two minutes. Almost three.
The game plays good though. Much smoother (no stutter) than 2.1, but that is the case for all games so far. Odd how Asphalt 7 seems the only slow load hold out. I have tested a ton. A7 appears to be an anomaly.
CM 10.1 BTW also confirms to me the main stutter was not the gpu, but the stock rom. As per Anandtech, the 4470 is still a capable chipset.
I also compared A7 on the GS3. They appear to play very similarly as far as smoothness. GS3 might be a tad smoother, but does not stand out. The GS3 plays all of my games smooth, but the Nook smacks it down as far as MAME. 4470 appears to be a great emulator chipset.
I figured out why a few games do not work. Quake 3 need the files on the SD card and looks like NBA 2013 is trying to run the game from there too. It installs to internal, but installs a directory also in the SD with no files. I am going to move it to the SD and see what happens.
Update. Looks like ports like Quake 3 work fine, but commercial games do not work when moving the files.

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