Mobile Goodness - Games And Other iCreative Stuff

Barnes And Noble's Reader, Nook: Not For Every Reader

2009-10-20T22:40:00.001-07:00

I ordered my Nook from Barnes and Noble as soon as I was able to and I expect to be one of the first to get my hands on it. In fact I ordered two and one of them will be a birthday gift. But hours since the launch, more information are available and I've had time to think things through.

Do I still want to keep it?

Well, Nook is Barnes and Noble's first ereader and a worthy challenger to the Kindle. As far as design goes, Kindle 2 has a lot to worry about. But feature for feature, I'd say it's almost even. Here are some key features with some analysis:

Runs Android and another Nook in the future may run Windows Mobile. Seeing how BandN has crippled Android's features, why bother even with WM if they're going to do the same thing. And readers aren't going to see the underlying OS so who cares if it's Android or WM that Nook is running on?
Two LCD screens with one being E-Ink. Nothing special about the reading screen. The touch screen is where the user makes Nook come alive. But given BandN's the artificial limitations placed on what could have been a great reader running Android, the second smaller color LCD screen seem somewhat of a waste. For similar sized readers, Sony Daily Edition Reader is 7" versus 6" for the Nook and Kindle 2.
Runs on ATT's 3G and Wi-Fi access. Okay, fine. Kindle 2 runs on Sprint's network. But the Kindle has limited Web browsing. Limited but still, there is access outside of the bookstore. In this, it works just as the Sony Daily Edition Reader's 3G access: only to access the bookstore. BN rep reportedly said that browsing via E-Ink sucks. Fine, still, for limited access, who cares. Sony DE Reader also uses ATT's 3G network. As folks recall, it's the same network the iPhone runs on. As much as I hate to say it, perhaps, it's a good thing for iPhone, Nook, and Sony users that 3G access by readers are limited.
More on Wi-Fi access. Doesn't work the way I initially thought. Wi-Fi is for in store use only. That means it only works if you bring your Nook to a Barnes and Noble store. Might open up later. It better open up later thought for what I don't know since there is simply no Web browsing available. Perhaps it is only useful in situations where ATT wireless access isn't possible to connect to BN's ebook store.
Interestingly, what makes me want to keep this is the fact that BN might open things up a bit after it hasa few Nooks in the wild. More like if more than a few of us potential or soon-to-be Nook owners petition BN for it.
LendMe. This is where BN shines, not necessarily Nook. This allows a Nook owner or BN customer to share an ebook for up to 2 weeks with another BN reader whether they are using Nook or a mobile device like the iPhone. As far as I can tell, no one else can make this claim. Brilliant.
Potential for touch. Sony's Reader has tough but Nook runs Android so the hope is that BN will allow the Nook to be more than just a reader. It has the potential to shine as a part-time tablet. Come on, guys. At least let us access some search and wiki features.
Memory expansion. Brilliant. Can't claim this on the iPhone or Kindle.
In store material. Okay. Nothing Amazon can do here. BN wins this one without a fight. Still, we'll have to see what BN means once Nooks are out in the wild.
PDF support. Kindle supports it but Nook offers direct load. No word on zooming or ability to read PDF with standard letter size.
ePUB support. Kindle doesn't support the format but Sony Reader supports Word Doc.
Thicker than the Kindle. The Nook is at 7.7 x 4.9 x 0.50 inches (196.2 x 126 x 12.8 mm) and weighs in at 11.2 (317 grams) while the Kindle comes in at 8 x 5.3 x 0.36 inches (203.2 x 134.6 x 9.1 mm) and 10.2 oz (289 grams).
Replaceable battery. Very good decision. Maybe this is why the Nook is thicker.

Here is Barnes and Noble's take on the Nook versus Kindle 2.

According to BN (though no surprise), Nook seems to come out ahead. And you gotta admit, its two panel screen is quite a good change from the standard one screen readers like Kindle and Sony's eReader.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions about the Nook and the answers may make or break the Nook as I'm sure a lot of mobile readers are on the sideline since they know BN was coming out with their own readers. Once the scores are tallied, folks will either embrace the Nook or go with the Kindle or neither and stick with a regular book or access ebooks via a mobile device like the iPhone, which in itself isn't a bad reading device.

I'm excited about the Nook and the dynamics it brings to the ereader market and the mobile market in general. Make no mistake about it. The ebook market is barely out of the literary womb and it has years of maturing to do but it will grow to be a big market.

Waiting Is Hard: This Time, It's eBook Reader

2009-09-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

We had our first book club meeting about a month ago. I've mentioned this before. I finished the book finally and I went to start looking for the next book to suggest for the club at Borders.

When I walked in, there was a while table displaying Sony's eReader. A whole table. Previously, the reader is tucked in the corner of the store where it's hardly seen and if you happen to come across it, it's by chance and for the most part, it's a dummy model.

Now, the table full of eReader boxes and accessories (the boxes are empty) demonstrates how serious bookstores like Borders and Barnes and Noble are getting into electronic reading. As I've previously mentioned, I've been reading books on a Palm for years and more recently on my iPhone and iPod Touch. But upon see the display, it got me thinking about getting a reader again.

Previously, Dave the Mobile Warrior discussed waiting until everything is on the market so a side-by-side-by-side-by-side comparison can be made. That's four "sides". Kindle 2 (maybe version 3) versus Sony eReader Daily Edition versus Plastic Logic versus the fabled Apple tablet. Later on the tablet which I know, is wishful thinking. But just bare with me.

Kindle 2 is the top dog right now in the ebook world. But it's got a lot of competition now and more later this year and early 2010.

The factors to consider is the DRM these books support and what open options they will support like ePub. Surprisingly, Sony is ahead in that camp at the moment.

Apple's tablet. It's no ebook reader. Not even close. But what makes it a consideration is the app store. It runs BN's Fictionwise and eReader apps, Kindle, as well as a few other ebook readers. Not to mention a few hundred individual ebooks being sold as apps. One of the things I want to avoid doing is carrying around too many devices. With the iTablet, I'll have a media player, ebook reader, and a mobile computer all roll into one. The pitfall here is that no one knows for sure it even exists.

Here are some factors I'll be considering before getting an ebook reader:

Size of the library. For instance, I looking to by some Batman comic books but I came across Batman and Philosoph. There was even Kindle version. But it was nowhere to be found in the Barnes and Noble or Sony library. I know this is an obscure title but it shows Amazon's Kindle Library is the one to beat.
Price of the books. Generally, Kindle has better prices. In fact, I've yet to see a book that cost less at a competing library than the Kindle version. I'm sure there are but I've yet to come across one. For instance, the Twilight series. Sony offers them for $9.99 straight up for each book in the series. Barnes and Noble comes in with $8.79 for the first two books and $9.99 for the next two. Kindle Store has them both beat with $6.59 for the first two, $7.79 for the third book, and $9.99 for the last one.
Price of the reader. You might think this is an important factor. For tech, buying the best is the way to go. It's that whole Mac versus PC argument. It's an issue of personal preference. Obviously, these readers are going to have to stay competitive or else, it makes it easier for mobile readers to go with the cheaper ones.
Wireless connection. This is a given. All ebook readers I'm consider, even the ones not on the market yet, will have wireless connectivity. Amazon is working with Sprint. Sony is working with ATT for when their Daily Edition becomes available later this year. Barnes and Noble is going with Verizon Wireless.
Touch versus physical keyboard. Kindle is the only one with a physical keyboard. So if that's your thing, then your choice is obvious. Touch is, well, a bit touchy here. For instance, I'm spoiled with the great implementation with iPhone. I don't expect multitouch on any of these readers. But if you're okay with using your fingers, then you've got more choices.
Screen. Quality and size. Kindle DX has the biggest screen of all the readers on the market. Plastic Logic will offer a reader with a letter size screen (8.5 x 11). However, it is not sure what version of PL reader will be offered through Barnes and Noble. Sony's readers are between 6-7". As for quality, it varies. It really irks me that I haven't been able to spend a lot of time with the readers, especially the Kindle. Some folks like it while others have said the original Kindle screen was better than the Kindle 2 screen early on.
Battery life. If you spend any amount of time reading Onxo, you'll know that battery life is the saddest part of the life of a mobile warrior. But ereaders have a considerable longer battery life than most other devices including netbooks and smartphones. In fact, most claim battery life in thousands of pages turned, or about a couple of weeks of leisurely reading. Still longer would always be welcomed in my book.

I've put together some links with reviews and impressions on the devices on the market. We'll have to wait for Sony's Daily Edition laster this year and Barnes and Noble's reader early 2010. That's the timeline as we know it. Once again, there are a couple of wild cards. Cost, availability, iTablet.

iReader Review: This is their impression of the Sony eReader Touch Edition with specs. Remember, this is without wireless connectivity. Personally, I like the size and design. I've decided to pass on this version because the connectivity issue. I'll have to wait for the Daily Edition.
Gizmodo review of Sony readers. They've got issues with glares and the pictures to prove it.
Taranfx review of Reader Touch. Likes it very much. Also ends with waiting for Apple's tablet.
iReader Review puts Kindle and Sony reader for some comparison. Advantage, a slight one, goes to Kindle 2. Kindle 3 becomes critical for Amazon.
CNet review repeats the same issues others have had with Sony's offerings. Glare and lack of connectivity. CNet also reviewed Kindle 2 and shows it more love. Kindle lacks important stuff like ePub and charges for services that ought to be free.
Engadget reviews Kindle 2. Cites cost but Kindle 2 has dropped in price since then. Likes it as an ebook reader but I also get the sense they're waiting for the iTablet.
Wired declares Kindle 2 the best reader at this time.
iReader Review offers their take on the Kindle DX. Likes Kindle 2 for every day book reading.
Engadget: Plastic Logic with 3G.
ZDNet on iRex's offering in working with Verizon Wireless and Barnes and Noble. This one kind of snuck up on me. For sale in October only at Best Buy.
All Things Digital demo of Plastic Logic's ereader. I'm liking what I see...a lot.

Here are a few videos review of some of the readers I've mentioned here.

Sony Reader Touch:

Kindle 2 Review:

So, absorb as much information as you can and more will be coming as the pending devices are coming. Do look at demo from All Things Digtal for Plastic Logic. In fact, I recommend going to the different stores like Sony and Best Buy to see them for yourself. Bottomline, it's about personal preference. eBook readers are not for everyone.

I still love thumbing between pages of real books but appreciate the ability to take tons of books on the go with me. Going a step further, I would appreciate a device that does more than reading. 2010 is going to be exciting for book lovers.

Note: I've linked books to the book stores and Kindle 2 as well. You'll always know what I've done. The Amazon links I provided as through my seller account. In the future, I will always disclose this fact if that's the case because I don't want my fellow mobile readers to think I'm pushing something on them for the sake of sales. For the rest of the links, they're simply links I googled or searched.

Wattpad: The eReader You Might Not Have Heard About

2009-06-08T22:31:00.000-07:00

If you're an ereader like myself, you probably have heard of Stanza, eReader, and the Kindle app. You probably have seen individual ebooks that you can download as apps. But you probably have never heard of Wattpad.

Wattpad is an ebook sharing site much like other file sharing sites but just for ebooks? Make sense? Great.

I was first exposed to Wattpad two years ago when I was looking for interesting things to do with my Samsung Trace and my new T-Zone service. Unfortunately, T-Mobile locked down the Trace and drove me to the iPhone. Okay, I wanted the iPhone regardless.

The interesting about Wattpad is that it seems to put a lot of focus on ereading. And not just ereading on a computer but mobile ereading. It worked to some extend on my Trace and it certainly works with most smartphones with a decent browser. Now there is a dedicated app for the iPhone in the iTunes store.

Wattpad is an ebook sharing site much like other file sharing sites but just for ebooks? Make sense? Great.

You'll notice that I'm reading a Star Trek book. Look, I don't advocate piracy and I pay for my apps and ebooks. But look! There are tons of commercially available books in Wattpad for the "sampling". Of course, not everything is there. There a lot of holes in terms of having a complete library but Wattpad is simply a ebook sharing platform. No more. No less.

It offers a social feature but seriously, there is nothing social about it. There's a "tell a friend" option that takes you to the e-mail app. There's a "I like this book!" tab. It doesnt' say much. There's no way to write a review for the book. The feedback tab is just that, a feedback.

How about the reading? It has a decent setting to offer the reader to customize the font, font size (a wide latitude), font color, and background color. Under the eReader app, there is more restriction on reader customization. For example, instead of offering font and background colors to choose from, eReader offers themes which is more restrictive.

Stanza offers even more flexibility than Wattpad and eReader and you can tell a lot of thought was put into creating the app.

But at the end of the day, you're reading on a 3" LCD screen whether you're using Wattpad, eReader, Stanza, or a standalone book app. It's no e-ink but there is no fresh delay that we experience with readers like Sony's reader or Kindle.

For Wattpad, its strength lies not in the app but the content shared by its users. Like I said at the beginning, there are some commercial available books that you can add to your library for free. And that alone earns Wattpad a place on any reader's iPhone or iPod Touch.

iTunes Link: Wattpad (it's free too)

iPhone Gaming And Entertainment

2009-06-07T00:03:00.000-07:00

This is just a regular post on mobile gaming but let's face it. For mobile gaming, DS and PSP dominates the market. Okay, DS dominates the market and Sony with PSP Go is trying to another go at the handheld market.

But for the first time, I'm gonna say this. Apple is position the iPod Touch and the iPhone as a gaming platform. There, I've said it.

But let's not forget the fact that Apple is trying to sell hardware to make money where as traditional gaming hardware companies have a different business model. Having said that, Apple's mobile platform will be a computing platform first and gaming is merely one of its potent abilities.

But with this blog, we're going to focus on mobile entertainment rather than just mobile gaming. So, I'll probably bring more attention to ebooks, creating takes on apps, and some works of my own that I'm doing for fun.

Still when there's a great game, I like to talk about it. Here's one now.

This is a game that is made possible and easier to navigate because of the touch nature of the iPhone platform.

Next, I'm working on the various ebooks, ereaders, comics, and some creative use of the mobile platform's touches to bring new gaming experiences.

Note: I'm gonna try to bring more focus to Android as well but I've yet to buy any games on the Marketplace. If you've got any recommendations, please let me know and I'll take a look at it.