I think it's a shame that there's no Wikipedia or text-based Google search (let alone a full web browser).  Especially when I'm reading non-fiction, I'd like to be able to look somthing up quickly from time to time.  The hardware supports it, give it the features B&N!

Posted by Jason on Wednesday October 21, 2009 at 9:08 AM

I've been staring at articles about this thing all morning, and am REALLY intrigued. They've got some really smart features in there, like being able to read any eBook for free while in a Barnes & Noble. that's SUCH a good idea.

And I love the feature I saw somewhere else, where you can "lend" an eBook to friends for two weeks, when it'll then revert back to you. Another great idea.

but the big one for me is the cross-device compatibility. Every night, I wind up sitting in a dark bedroom waiting for my son to fall asleep. So I read on my iPhone (where I already have the Barnes & Noble Reader software - I've been reading Pride and Prejudice, if you're wondering). I LOVE the idea that I could be out in the living room reading on my Reader. And then it's bed-time. So I put him down, sit in the corner of the dark room, go into my iPhone and it finds my place in the text. I read in there for awhile, on my phone. And then he goes to sleep, and I come out here and resume from my new place on the Reader.

It's when devices show up and I start seeing logical uses for them around the house that I get interested. 

...

One advantage, to my mind, that they'll have over Amazon is that I'm sure they'll have demo units in the Barnes & Nobles around the country. Being able to fiddle with a demo unit is always a very useful thing with new technology. It certainly helped me think about eBook readers, when my local Target started carrying demo units of the Sony eBook Reader. 

Posted by Pete Tz on Wednesday October 21, 2009 at 10:02 AM

I looks very good. Its support of epub and PDF is a definite huge plus. And it runs Android as well. I love the idea of lending others books.

Posted by E_I on Wednesday October 21, 2009 at 11:05 AM

Whoa I think you missed a feature I found very interesting, if not compelling.  There is some way to share an eBook you bought with a friend (I assume they also have to have a Nook.)

Posted by Scott Shaffer on Wednesday October 21, 2009 at 1:19 PM

Er, look again: "Lend eBooks with friends for up to 14 days", although that should be "to" friends. Changed.

Posted by John D. on Wednesday October 21, 2009 at 1:30 PM

Doh!  That word "lend" threw me, I was looking for share .

Posted by Scott Shaffer on Wednesday October 21, 2009 at 1:32 PM

Lending will work across Nooks, Iphone/Touchs, Blackberries, and computers (according to the B&N Nook's website). If you have it on your Nook, but another person has a computer or above devices, you can lend it to them (they need the B&N software).

Posted by E_I on Wednesday October 21, 2009 at 1:44 PM

To me, "share" makes it sound more permanent than it is.  Of course, that depends on the person you're "lending" your stuff to. 

Posted by John D. on Wednesday October 21, 2009 at 2:15 PM