Skip to main content

Barnes & Noble’s Nook Reviewed, Experts Say It Still Has Kinks

NookForget the Kindle, Sony’s readers and iRex—the tech world predicted the Barnes & Noble Nook to be the top dog this year in the e-Reader race. But how do those predictions stack up against the reality of hands-on reviews?

The Barnes & Noble Nook reviews have been pouring in today and so far the reports have been rather mediocre. For all of the hype this eBook reader has received the tech industry was expecting to see fireworks—but instead, the intriguing device left most reviewers a little “underwhelmed.” Most reviews draw the inevitable comparisons to Amazon’s Kindle since it was the first device to bring eBooks into the mainstream.

Recommended Videos

The reviews weren’t bad, there were actually many positive aspects to the Nook reader such as its large eBook library, built-in free wireless data network, Wi-Fi connectivity, and its color touch-screen pad. The major complaint about this device is it can be a little sluggish in booting up and accessing a book. This is natural with all new devices—the Nook has kinks—and those will soon be revised and worked out. But for now, here are what expert reviews have to say about the Nook.


CNET says the Nook is in need of some software updates to improve the navigation features and to speed up browsing—but, they were pleased with the Nook’s lending of e-books and all of Barnes and Noble’s in-store options for its new e-reader.

Check our CNET’s Review of the Nook


Engagdet seems fairly disappointed in the performance they received from the Nook, noting that it was slow and fell “short on delivery.” In contrast, Engadget also praised the Nook for its LendMe feature and thinks that some software revisions will speed things up for future users.

Check out Engadget’s Hands-on Review of the Nook


Gizmodo has a similar take: They said the Nook’s Android software is definitely in need of an update, but they believe these fixes will come fast and that the future looks hopeful for the e-reader.

Check out Gizmodo’s Nook Review

Dena Cassella
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Haole built. O'ahu grown
Dodge’s Charger EV muscles up to save the planet from ‘self-driving sleep pods’
dodges charger ev muscles up to save the planet from self driving sleep pods stellantis dodge daytona

Strange things are happening as the electric vehicle (EV) industry sits in limbo ahead of the incoming Trump administration’s plans to end tax incentives on EV purchases and production.

The latest exemple comes from Dodge, which is launching a marketing campaign ahead of the 2025 release of its first fully electric EV, the Daytona Charger.

Read more
Many hybrids rank as most reliable of all vehicles, Consumer Reports finds
many hybrids rank as most reliable of all vehicles evs progress consumer reports cr tout cars 0224

For the U.S. auto industry, if not the global one, 2024 kicked off with media headlines celebrating the "renaissance" of hybrid vehicles. This came as many drivers embraced a practical, midway approach rather than completely abandoning gas-powered vehicles in favor of fully electric ones.

Now that the year is about to end, and the future of tax incentives supporting electric vehicle (EV) purchases is highly uncertain, it seems the hybrid renaissance still has many bright days ahead. Automakers have heard consumer demands and worked on improving the quality and reliability of hybrid vehicles, according to the Consumer Reports (CR) year-end survey.

Read more
U.S. EVs will get universal plug and charge access in 2025
u s evs will get universal plug charge access in 2025 ev car to charging station power cable plugged shutterstock 1650839656

And then, it all came together.

Finding an adequate, accessible, and available charging station; charging up; and paying for the service before hitting the road have all been far from a seamless experience for many drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S.

Read more