In theory, Barnes & Noble’s Nook digital reader ($260) begins shipping today (and possibly also making appearances at select brick and mortar retail locations). As such, the first reviews have hit the blogosphere. B&N’s Kindle ($260) competitor appears to have a promising future featuring solid hardware, which consists of the requisite eInk display and a secondary capacitive color touchscreen for interaction, but the current software experience is lacking. B&N has promised updates to their sluggish Android-based device and to finish building out their cloud-based Nook services over the next couple months, but it’s always a crapshoot with new technology. Which is a bummer really, as the Nook generates lustful emotions in me that the pedestrian-looking Kindle never has. Guess I’ll continue to sit on the eReader sidelines, periodically reading books on my iPhone while awaiting the Apple Tablet.
SlashGear – Ease of use is the biggest element in the nook’s favor, with the touchscreen UI perhaps the most intuitive way of navigating the ebook experience that we’ve tried.
Technologizer – The Nook isn’t a Kindle killer–not in this initial form, at least.
Engadget – In the end, the Nook is an intriguing product launched by a powerful force in the world of booksellers, but the initial offering feels long on promises and short on delivery.
Gizmodo – As long as you don’t expect apps and extras on a Kindle, it delivers the best ebook experience there is at this moment.