The software gives users fairly robust control over the text: 6 sizes, 6 font faces, and 6 color themes that change the background and text colors. e-Ink debate, the Nook Color delivers a good reading experience for a device with this type of screen. Like the rest of the eReader, we didn't notice much lag. The individual keys are nice and large, so we were able to type accurately while holding the Nook Color with two hands.
The bookmarking icon for books is very similar to the one employed by Kobo, and we definitely like the look.Ĭlick to enlargeThe on-screen keyboard, which pops up when needed for text fields and notes, also underwent a UI tweak. When reading a book, magazine, or newspaper, just tap the center of the screen to see menu options-contents, search, brightness, and more-and the bookmarking graphic on the upper right of the screen. The last book you were reading is accessible from the top of the screen, as is a drop-down menu of recently-opened items. You tap there to launch a menu bar that takes you to all the main areas of the system: Library, Shop, Search, Extras (where the apps live), Web, and Settings.
The notification bar sits on the bottom of the screen instead of on top like other Android devices. One aspect that B&N did keep is that users get three home screens. Unlike a normal Android device, the icons aren't all the same size nor do they snap to a pre-defined grid. Users can even use multitouch pinch-and-zoom gestures to make some books bigger than others. Want to keep the book you're currently reading pinned to the Home screen? Just drag it from the library bar up to the area above. Books from your library line the bottom of the screen, and users can scroll left or right to see them all. Starting at the Home screen, the Nook Color proves that a lot of thought went into how people would use this device.
Barnes & Noble did an excellent job of crafting the UI for the Nook Color's purpose as an eReader and compensating for the lack of the usual Android buttons (Back, Menu, Search) with intuitive controls and icons. Users may want to keep a cleaning cloth handy or buy a screen protector.Ĭlick to enlargeThe Nook Color runs a heavily customized version of Android 2.1. The times we noted the touch sensitivity falling off were after we'd left several smudges on the glass. We found the capacitive touch responsive to both taps and swipes most of the time, though there were some issues when it came to page turns (more on that below). Orientation switched automatically, though landscape view wasn't available on all screens or applications. Like the Sony Reader Daily Edition, the Nook Color's display is tall and narrow-the same width as the 6-inch screen on the Nook-which means that in landscape mode it's wide enough to view two pages side by side. Looking at the Nook Color next to the Samsung Galaxy Tab, the two displays were a pretty decent match when it came to color vibrancy, but small elements such as text were far crisper on the Nook.
The screen didn't fare very well in the sun, but is more legible than the LCD on the HTC Evo 4G. We were easily able to share the screen with three people sitting side by side and had to move the device to an extreme angle before we couldn't discern what we were looking at. The glossy 7-inch, 1024 x 600-pixel IPS (the same technology used on the Apple iPad) display utilizes VividView technology to deliver bright, vibrant colors, yet still has very wide viewing angles. However, for those who've found reading on a smart phone satisfactory or have eyed the iPad or Galaxy Tab, Barnes & Noble's offering is compelling. Traditional LCDs aren't as reading-friendly as ePaper displays, and if you're looking to get away from bright screens beaming light into your eyes when you settle in for your reading session, the Nook Color isn't going to be your thing.