Many people looking to purchase their first e-reader find themselves trying to decide between the Barnes and Noble's Nook and Amazon's Kindle. This article will focus upon the earliest versions of these devices, specifically the Keyboard and Touch editions of the Kindle and the black-and-white Touch version of the Nook. These original devices contain the basic features upon which newer versions of the Nook and Kindle were built.
Concerning the reading experience of e-readers, Amazon is well-known for its innovation. The Kindle quickly gained fame due to its lack of an LCD screen. On the contrary, it was the first famous electronic device to use "E-Ink" technology. This means that under its screen are actual particles of ink that are rearranged continually in order to create the pictures and words that appear on the screen. While the device does, of course, use electricity, it is only when pages are being turned or loaded.
Studies have shown that looking at an LCD screen interferes with melatonin production in the brain. This, in turn, can affect a person's ability to fall asleep; the later at night it is, the higher the likelihood of its effect. This is a very important advantage over Barnes and Noble's e-reader, which does incorporate an LCD screen.
Another important characteristic to consider is Wi-Fi capability. While it is a feature of both devices, the Nook's web browser is inferior to the Kindles. Its former browser often did not work properly, and when it did, often produced very slow loading times; as a result, it was removed from later generations. Therefore, internet lovers will probably be more drawn to Amazon's e-reader.
Another internet-related advantage for the Kindle is 3G connectivity. This means that the device can establish a Wi-Fi connection from any location; it need not be in a "Wi-Fi area" such as an internet cafe or in one's home. Barnes and Noble's e-reader does not have 3G connectivity.
Amazon's other primary advantage against Barnes and Noble, one that has recently received a good deal of attention, is customer support. People all over the country have been frustrated with Barnes and Noble's lack of customer support and difficulty in communicating with them over the phone. What complicates the matter is the ongoing problems that the Nook has had, such as glitches and issues with connectivity. This has forced many customers to give up on the company altogether, which has also had an impact on the company's financial struggles.
Currently, of all major book-store chains, Barnes and Noble is the last large chain around. Customers around the country often blame their struggles on overpriced books, causing them to find other companies, both in person and online, from which to buy books. As of now, the company is fighting against bankruptcy. Only time will tell if they will survive as a brick and mortar bookseller.
Amazon's device, overall, appears to be a better e-book reader than Barnes and Noble's for a variety of reasons. Amazon's customer support is vastly superior; they provide better internet connectivity; Amazon's device uses far less electricity than Barnes and Noble's; and, finally, Amazon's selection of e-books is generally cheaper, with almost one millions books priced lower than ten dollars. In this Nook vs Kindle debate, the Kindle's creator, Amazon, has a clear edge; this edge is in selection of e-books, in customer support, in durability, and in finances.
The Nook vs Kindle battle pits the two heavyweights of the electronic reading industry against each other. You can see how their various features compare and learn about the available Kindle Backlight substitutes by visiting our website.
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