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As an Android Tablet the Nook is not that bad. It is rather cheap, but very well built. Even with its 850 processor, it runs like a champ as well as works great for games.
But...as an e-reader I am VERY disappointed. When I went to purchase my Nook Color, I asked one very simple and direct question that would make or break getting the Nook; "Can I use it to read textbooks?" for which I got a very strong, "Yes, and they look great." Well, I just got back to school for the winter term and tried downloading my books to my Nook Color and received an error telling me that there is a problem and to try again later. After a while, I called B&N support and was informed that you can NOT read or download textbooks on the Nook Color.
From here, I am out a $550 investment because it has been over 14 days thus I cannot return it, and I have bought over $300 of e-books. While I understand that I can still read them on my computer, the reason I got this was for the portability and not having to lug around my laptop (which is a 10 pound Toshiba Qosmio). So as a college student the Nook Color has become rather useless and not worth the money sadly.
I had a similar idea in mind when I bought mine. Just found pdf's of textbooks I needed and am using ezpdf to view them on my rooted Nook. Can also turn the pdf's into epubs and read with the stock viewer, but I found some books with strange formatting (math books) tended convert oddly.
What format are the books in? Worst case, you have to root the book to install the proper reader...
Rydsmith said:
As an Android Tablet the Nook is not that bad. It is rather cheap, but very well built. Even with its 850 processor, it runs like a champ as well as works great for games.
But...as an e-reader I am VERY disappointed. When I went to purchase my Nook Color, I asked one very simple and direct question that would make or break getting the Nook; "Can I use it to read textbooks?" for which I got a very strong, "Yes, and they look great." Well, I just got back to school for the winter term and tried downloading my books to my Nook Color and received an error telling me that there is a problem and to try again later. After a while, I called B&N support and was informed that you can NOT read or download textbooks on the Nook Color.
From here, I am out a $550 investment because it has been over 14 days thus I cannot return it, and I have bought over $300 of e-books. While I understand that I can still read them on my computer, the reason I got this was for the portability and not having to lug around my laptop (which is a 10 pound Toshiba Qosmio). So as a college student the Nook Color has become rather useless and not worth the money sadly.
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Click to collapse
They are DRM protected PDF files for which I have been trying to have the DRM removed for the last few days with absolutely no luck. I have tried to drag and drop but of course that doesn't work (with Calibre) and says that the device isn't authorized even though it is registered with Adobe Editions.
Rydsmith said:
They are DRM protected PDF files for which I have been trying to have the DRM removed for the last few days with absolutely no luck. I have tried to drag and drop but of course that doesn't work (with Calibre) and says that the device isn't authorized even though it is registered with Adobe Editions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You used the calibre plugin for PDFs and it still doesn't work?
Rydsmith said:
They are DRM protected PDF files for which I have been trying to have the DRM removed for the last few days with absolutely no luck. I have tried to drag and drop but of course that doesn't work (with Calibre) and says that the device isn't authorized even though it is registered with Adobe Editions.
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Click to collapse
If you root your color u can install overdrive media player or Aldiko reader. both apps will allow you to read Adobe DRM protected material.
I am using these to readAdobe protected epub and pdf books from my local and school library
I will try and install Aldiko tonight, but I still find it unacceptable that I have to root in order to use my item to read a book....especially for an e-reader.
Rydsmith said:
I will try and install Aldiko tonight, but I still find it unacceptable that I have to root in order to use my item to read a book....especially for an e-reader.
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Click to collapse
The place that sold your ebooks didn't expect them to be read on an e-reader. They're protected so that you can only read them on your computer. Not B&N's fault at all.
What you can do, however, is get a program that will remove the encryption from your books. The more reliable ones are pay-for. But like I said, blame the store that sold you the encrypted e-books. I had to help a friend in a similar situation since she bought study materials that were encrypted and she was able to find a program that decrypted the files.
I think the person at the store was expecting you to buy textbooks from the B&N store, which should work fine without needing DRM removal.
KitF said:
The place that sold your ebooks didn't expect them to be read on an e-reader. They're protected so that you can only read them on your computer. Not B&N's fault at all.
What you can do, however, is get a program that will remove the encryption from your books. The more reliable ones are pay-for. But like I said, blame the store that sold you the encrypted e-books. I had to help a friend in a similar situation since she bought study materials that were encrypted and she was able to find a program that decrypted the files.
I think the person at the store was expecting you to buy textbooks from the B&N store, which should work fine without needing DRM removal.
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Click to collapse
I have only bought books from the B&N store. All my textbooks were bought through them which is why I am very upset about this.
Rydsmith said:
I will try and install Aldiko tonight, but I still find it unacceptable that I have to root in order to use my item to read a book....especially for an e-reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the issue is not the E-reader...The issue is the anti-piracy measures that these companies use that interfere with legitimate owners of the material..
Should you have to root it? No....But....
Rooting will give you much better reading software than the stock Nook. Ezpdf reader is far better than the stock reader.
Also, I would say that it is B&N fault for this. If I'm buying a book on their site and see the words: Nook eBook available, and then am told that I can't use (not just THIS book but...) ANY textbooks on the Nook Color, that is a problem. Especially when I can load up the Amazon Kindle app and read ALL my textbooks.
Now one may ask why I'm complaining if I can use Kindle, the difference is that there are large price differences between the two sources.
Rydsmith said:
I will try and install Aldiko tonight, but I still find it unacceptable that I have to root in order to use my item to read a book....especially for an e-reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fact is this was sold as a B&N bookreader that can also webbrowse watchsome videos...
Now you are asking it to view DRM material not purchased on the device. In stock form it isn't suprising it won't.
But it is easily rootable and will do what you need.
Canadoc said:
Fact is this was sold as a B&N bookreader that can also webbrowse watchsome videos...
Now you are asking it to view DRM material not purchased on the device. In stock form it isn't suprising it won't.
But it is easily rootable and will do what you need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that you're completely missing the point that I bought the books from B&N by clicking on the Nook eBook button...not from a third party or from some other website.
That would be like buying a Playstation game via the PSN Market and then being told that you can't play it on your Playstation.
Thats a big fail on the barnes and nobles website. but dont let that discourage you from the excelent features the nook color has. ?Yes you have to root it, but once you do that you have so much more capabilitys. Just make sure next time you buy a textbook you get something that does not have drm. if amazon offers the books, you can load the kindle app on the nook and read them that way.
Good luck. Im sure you will figure it out. I would search out an app to remove the drm.
To the original poster.
The NOOKstudy program is only available on the computer for the time being; however, it is highly likely that it will make its way to the NOOKcolor via an app in the near future.
But textbooks that you download either from the publisher or your school will work on the NOOKcolor as long as they are epub or pdf.
The digital textbooks available from NOOKstudy are not available as of yet because they are still trying to work out the legal issues with the publishers. But it seems highly likely that once the NOOK application store opens in March they will become available.
Can you link this etextbook that supposedly said you could use it on your nook?
Rydsmith said:
I think that you're completely missing the point that I bought the books from B&N by clicking on the Nook eBook button...not from a third party or from some other website.
That would be like buying a Playstation game via the PSN Market and then being told that you can't play it on your Playstation.
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Click to collapse
Oh I wasnt aware of that when I posted. Yeah not clear by them. I think they keep nook books as separate from Ebooks.That said they should have worked. Were they bought via the B&n website?
Maybe via the library feature u could do the sync and they will show up as archived books?
nookstudy etextbooks are not compatible with any e-readers, as they are "too large, and image intensive".
this is on B&N's site
Ok heres your answer to the problem.....
Ok so the Nook Color does read the pdfs well, the problem of course is that you have no way to do so until they are cracked....
Well I can help you remove the DRM simply PM me (as I'm not sure about the legality issues and I'm not going to risk me, this site, or the creators of the program getting in trouble by mass posting the link). I'll link you to the place to get the files. Lets just say once you have the programs installed properly the entire process from encrypted to readable takes less then 30 seconds....
Adan
Aldiko should solve your problem. Let us know orbit doesn't.
Sent from my Nooted friend...
I just installed phiremod v5.1 and it works great. However, I did not think about losing the ability to read B&N magazines. What is the next best root to give me access to the B&N magazine reader? Thanks
I think the ability to read magazines and kids books through the B&N software is only available with the rooted stock rom.
Yeah, that is what I assumed - Just trying to figure out if someone has figured out a way to put that on top of the android software. Thanks for the reply.
Am I the only one wanting to have the best of both worlds - B&N reader functions and a tablet?
Use Kindle...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA Premium App
Hi,
Just installed CM7 and it's nice. Feel a bit slower than autonoot but the overall experience is nicer. So I'd like to make it permanent. Only thing is: I do use the original Nook color reader app, well my son does for those "read it to me" children books. So it would be nice to be able to run it in CM7. Anybody has experience?
Thanks,
fow99 said:
Hi,
Just installed CM7 and it's nice. Feel a bit slower than autonoot but the overall experience is nicer. So I'd like to make it permanent. Only thing is: I do use the original Nook color reader app, well my son does for those "read it to me" children books. So it would be nice to be able to run it in CM7. Anybody has experience?
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you just installed cm7, it will run a lot better if you over clock it. And it will run even faster if you flash DALs newest kernel on it. That being said, you can download the nook software straight from the android market.
Unfortunately, the nook software in the market is quite different than the software which ships with the stock nook.
My understanding is that someone on here is working on extracting the nook software from the stock rom, but don't know how well that effort is going.
m2pilot said:
Unfortunately, the nook software in the market is quite different than the software which ships with the stock nook.
My understanding is that someone on here is working on extracting the nook software from the stock rom, but don't know how well that effort is going.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First thing I did when I got my nook was registering it then powering it off to root it lol. So i did not know it was any different.
Honestly what other features are you looking for out of it. The nook app on android will allow you to read your ebooks and manage your library.
colbur87 said:
First thing I did when I got my nook was registering it then powering it off to root it lol. So i did not know it was any different.
Honestly what other features are you looking for out of it. The nook app on android will allow you to read your ebooks and manage your library.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't allow magazines, newspapers, some of the enhanced nook color content such as the reading of children's books, reading free in store, and the lend me feature as far as i know
hmmmm. I forgot to mention: I couldn't download nook reader for Android. On the pad, it's simply not shown. On the PC, NC is listed as not supported. So I never know how good/bad it is.
The original read has a nicer feature for reading children's book by itself, which looks like proprietary stuff.
I can't go without the stock reader (children's books mostly), so I loaded CM7 to the sdcard and can run it from there. Overclocked, it runs pretty well, and I get all the features of gingerbread that are missing from eclair.
I'd rather it be the other way around (stock on SD card), but I don't think anyone is trying to get that to work, at least as far as I can tell.
fow99 said:
Hi,
Just installed CM7 and it's nice. Feel a bit slower than autonoot but the overall experience is nicer. So I'd like to make it permanent. Only thing is: I do use the original Nook color reader app, well my son does for those "read it to me" children books. So it would be nice to be able to run it in CM7. Anybody has experience?
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could run CM7 on SDCard and keep stock rom so you can have the best of both worlds, remove SDCard and reboot when you want to read the children's books.
migrax
Last I saw they are waiting for BN's official froyo release. They were having too many troubles with the eclair version and expect the froyo version to be more compatible. I'm hoping for stock reader on CM7 too!
Great! If the stock reader can be ported to CM7, all would be for the best in the best of all possible worlds (--Candide).
I currently have an ASUS Transformer Tablet running Honeycomb 3.2. My wife is interested in the Nook for reading, magazines, etc.
I think there is a Nook app for android as well. Can anyone help me decide if it's worth it to buy her the Nook, or not?
What does the nook have or not have that a full honeycomb tablet has?
What does the Nook app for android have/not have that the Nook may have?
Pro's/Con's for each way?
Not looking to Root the nook either to put full android on it, unless its easy and pretty much harmless.
Thanks for the help all!
p.s., how to i add my signature? i cant find it anywhere!
I have had both (returned the tf101 due to a hw bug - not a fault of the transformers design, just a normal qa bug). The current nooo application now has everything. Even magazines, which I remember being absent when I triedthe nook android app a while ago.
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
pros: $250.00 cons: $350.00
to edit your signature, just go into private messages
dandunn98 said:
I currently have an ASUS Transformer Tablet running Honeycomb 3.2. My wife is interested in the Nook for reading, magazines, etc.
I think there is a Nook app for android as well. Can anyone help me decide if it's worth it to buy her the Nook, or not?
What does the nook have or not have that a full honeycomb tablet has?
What does the Nook app for android have/not have that the Nook may have?
Pro's/Con's for each way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock nook reader can do the children's books (lots of animation and "read to me"), the Android app can't. Otherwise, for grownups, they're pretty much equivalent.
The Nook doesn't have a phone, cell network, camera, microphone, video out, or bluetooth with reasonable range. These are some of the reasons that the price is so good.
When you run CM7, it does have host-mode USB (albeit a little hacky at the moment).
Not looking to Root the nook either to put full android on it, unless its easy and pretty much harmless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Booting CM7 off the SD is absolutely harmless, and very easy the third or fourth time you do it...
If the goal is to end up with a device that is good for reading books the Nook Color is a great solution. You might want to root it, very easy, and leave it running the stock OS. That will open up the NC to running apps and getting to the standard Market, but leaves the unit with the reader centric interface. I have mine this way and prefer that to a generic Android experience such as CM7. I usually prefer the bigger screen of the Transformer to the NC for general tasks like web browsing.
so what in lieu of the missing hardware (camera, gps, etc), what software limitations is on the stock nook color? Can you install apps from android market?
dandunn98 said:
p.s., how to i add my signature? i cant find it anywhere!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
couldn't find the signature under private messages
dandunn98 said:
so what in lieu of the missing hardware (camera, gps, etc), what software limitations is on the stock nook color? Can you install apps from android market?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock is crap IMO. Its only good if your just going to be reading books. Cm7 makes this thing the best tablet for your money. It is crazy easy to install and you get the full android tablet experience for less than half the price of the big boys. Yes it is missing a camera and GPS but why would you ever need that on a tablet?
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
And there is no market access on stock unless you root it.
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
I have both and each has its place in my tablet world. I like the portability of the Nook and its gorgeous screen. The Transformer screen is equally impressive looking. Would highly recommend CM7 for Nook as others have suggested. When I need to use an app like Google Goggles, or other apps that use camera/video capabilities, the Transformer is the obvious choice and is quite capable. I have not yet had success with USB camera or headset with Nook but still have hope thanks to the devs continuing work. I have used GPS with both (using bluetooth GPS on the Nook). I use the Transformer as my "cell phone" now with my 3G mifi device (using the GrooVeIP app). I believe your household would enjoy having both.
With the nook app you have access to a lot less magazines because of liscense agreements. On the stock nook you have access to all magazine subscriptions like GQ and Vanity Fair.
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App
soo much good info so far. i'll have to investigate this CM7. don't know much about it at all
I also have both Transformer and Nook.
They each have their place. I almost always have the rooted nook with me. Keep in mind that you can find refurbs for $180 to $200.
Also, when you root to a sd card, you don't change the underlying software in the main memory of the nook. If you have a problem with your nook, just pull the sd card out and reboot it to stock.
Once rooted, you can add the software reader from Kindle and Sony. This means you can comparative shop to find the book you want. When it is stock, you can only buy from BN or borrow from your library.
advocate2 said:
I also have both Transformer and Nook.
They each have their place. I almost always have the rooted nook with me. Keep in mind that you can find refurbs for $180 to $200.
Also, when you root to a sd card, you don't change the underlying software in the main memory of the nook. If you have a problem with your nook, just pull the sd card out and reboot it to stock.
Once rooted, you can add the software reader from Kindle and Sony. This means you can comparative shop to find the book you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This all sounds great, and i like the SD card root you guys are talking about. I haven't rooted an android device before so it's new to me, and i know theres TONS of posts regarding it as well. I have jailbroken iphones/ipod touches so i know the concept of it all.
With root, can you obtain paid programs at no charge, like jailbreaks?
dandunn98 said:
With root, can you obtain paid programs at no charge, like jailbreaks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please don't go there.
Rodney
rhester72 said:
Please don't go there.
Rodney
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
understood. I'm all for giving credit to people for apps, and all. I just enjoy testing them before buying.
With the cost of most android programs being low, there should never be a reason to look at pirated software. The software development we have today is a testiment to the hard work of many talented developers who would not continue if their work was not appreciated.
The Nook color , like most any tablet/reader device, should be considered for purchase based on filling a specific need. For reading, I have not found another device that provides anything close to the experience of the nook. For less than $250.00, you have a color screen that rivals tablets costing 2-3 times the nook. The fact that the nook boots from an sd card allows you to have a full android experience while retaining the stock nook reader.
For those wishing to expand the stock nook, cm7 provides a rich android experience with multimedia and the (almost) entire android market for apps. The market is now "device aware" and will only allow download of apps compatable with the device.
As for USB use, I am using a logitech bluetooth keyboard to type this message and use USB host mode to connect my digital camera to the nook to transfer photos directly for better viewing.
If you require all the functions of a full tablet (camera, GPS, ect:.) The nook might not be for you but if it is a secondary device that you can use to enrich your life with it's many capabilities, you will not find a better value on the market.
I'll get off my soapbox now and let you get on with that nook purchase.
Sent from my Wonderful Nook Color using Tapatalk
dandunn98 said:
With root, can you obtain paid programs at no charge, like jailbreaks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you mean to "sideload" apps then yes
A few weeks ago Staples had a coupon for $100 off all tables, including the Asus Transformer. This week Target is giving a $100 gift card to anyone who purchases an Acer Iconia (effectively making the price $299). For just $50 more than the cost of a new Nook Color, it's a no-brainer to get the Honeycomb tablet.
Both of the deals mentioned above seem indicative of price drops in the Android tablet market. Anyone who missed out on the above deals, just wait, and you'll see more like them.
I bought a 32 Gb Nook HD+ in November 2013. I use it daily for reading either B&N ebooks or Kindle ebooks. No comic books or magazines.
First, being a good ereader is most important. For several years, I have had trouble with B&N ebooks freezing. Strangely, Kindle ebooks seldom freeze, but they do freeze on occasion. So I need both the B&N app and the Kindle app since I have purchased books from both. I have heard that once rooted the B&N ereader app and Netflix does not work. Or maybe it doesn't work with a new Rom?
Second, it is important to have a browser so I can get to specific travel/hotel websites while traveling. Currently, I can get to the websites, but can't read them because I can no longer zoom in for some reason. No point in going to a website if I can't zoom in to read it. Is it possible rooting will help this problem?
Third, I would like to be able to carry 1 tablet that can do everything I need...play movies from Netflix or Amazon Instant movies, my Plex account, or the digital copies that come with DVDs I have purchased. If I can use Plex, I don't need the digital copies. I think with stock HD+, I have to convert movies??? I guess I have to convert movies once rooted also. I can't get email on the HD+ because none of the apps have been updated by B&N, but I can use my phone for that. I also lost sound on the HD + and had to install an app to have sound.
Fourth, is there some reason I can't charge my HD+ on airplanes? Voltage issues? While reading, I plug it in to charge, and the screen starts jumping and flashing. I can't read when it is doing that. If I turn it off, it still will not charge. Is this a Nook problem, or do all tablets have trouble charging on airplanes? If it is all tablets, then rooting will not help.
Last, I am confused about rooting and a bootable Roms. I don't understand the differences between the two, and I don't know which would be best for me, or if I should keep stock. I have seen downloads for different things on this website, but don't know which to use, or even which version to use. Maybe none at all?
So, any advice will be greatly appreciated. Do I need to install Lollipop, KitKat, Nougat, or leave as is? The HD+ screen is wonderful and I really don't want to carry 2 tablets when I travel, so I would like to fix the HD+ if possible. Or is it time to buy a new Samsung tablet and leave the HD+ at home for reading only? Thanks to anyone who has time to explain!
By the way, my brother bought a new HD+ at Barnes & Noble last December, 2016. I can't believe they are still selling them!