They are calling it the Nook and B&N says it will be available 11/30/09

[911jason]

http://gizmodo.com/5380942/barnes-and-nobles-e+reader-like-a-kindleiphone-chimera-first-photos-and-details

Barnes and Noble's late to e-books. But the company's new gadget—first seen here—should address the weaknesses of all other readers with multiple screens, each playing to tech strengths. A source from within reveals the first photos and details.

The Barnes and Nobles e-reader project, set to be revealed next week, has been under development for years, with several devices of varying size and capability in the pipeline. First rumors said it would have a color e-ink screen. Then people said it didn't. They were both kind of right: The layout will feature a black and white e-ink screen like the Kindle has—and a multitouch display like an iPhone underneath. Pow!

-- updated subject date

[911jason]

Even though it doesn't explicity say it in the Gizmodo article, I think they are implying the LCD touchscreen below the e-ink primary display will be in color...

[Varin]

Hn.... so it's really only a six-inch?

I see that virtual keyboard as a problem; it looks just a bit too small to type with... and I like actualy buttons.

I did see in another picture how that lower (LCD?) screen showed the book covers, and in color; cool yes, necessary? No, again that area looks a bit too small.

I also wonder how that LCD area affects that battery life and the weight of the device... I guess we'll see.

[MarthaT]

Dont really like it, I'll take the Kindle over that anyday

[Anne]

Dont really like it, I'll take the Kindle over that anyday

I agree I don't like it either. I would take my Kindle over it anyday.

[marianneg]

That's kinda neat.  It has the sleekness of the Sony but the typing ability of the Kindle.  I'll have to go to B&N to play with one when they come out.

[Rebekah]

I don't like the keyboard.

I also don't like that the next/previous page buttons on each side are reversed for each hand. The way my brain works I would constantly be paging the wrong direction on the left.

I love my K2, however, I will probably take a look at one of these BN readers once they come out.

[stargazer0725]

I actually don't like the placement of the next/previous page buttons along the left side of the device.  They reversed them from the right side - where the previous page button is on the bottom and the next page is on the top.  Looks like it's optimally designed for 2-fisted reading, with a thumb on either side.

I am actually right handed, and I like to cook with my right hand and operate my K2 with the left.  Holding it in my left hand would be awkward as I'd have to shift the center of gravity way up.  I prefer holding my books towards the bottom - not the top.

[mwvickers]

So, is Barnes & Noble teaming up with both Plastic Logic and IREX? 

If you remember, a few weeks ago there was an announcement of a new IREX e-reader that was through Barnes & Noble.

[mwvickers]

If you click the link, and look at the pictures on that page, there are a few with an e-reader light that clips onto the reader.  I like that idea. 

Hey, Amazon!  LOL

[Scheherazade]

Seems really gimmicky and a desperate attempt to be different to me.  Personally I'd hate to have that much screen unusable while reading.  It's bad enough to have that much plastic on the device unusable, but even worse with a screen.  I can't believe they touted -that- as a color ereader.  It's like saying you can buy a touch screen monitor and then just having the very bottom corner feature touch screen buttons for brightness controls and nothing else.  Misleading, gimmicky and unnecessary.

I do like the little picture on the back though I guess... even though I'd probably cover it with a skin ><

[Jesslyn]

I actually don't like the placement of the next/previous page buttons along the left side of the device.  They reversed them from the right side - where the previous page button is on the bottom and the next page is on the top.  Looks like it's optimally designed for 2-fisted reading, with a thumb on either side.

I am actually right handed, and I like to cook with my right hand and operate my K2 with the left.  Holding it in my left hand would be awkward as I'd have to shift the center of gravity way up.  I prefer holding my books towards the bottom - not the top.

You know, my 1st thought on those page buttons wasn't so much that they were an opposite, mirror of the right side.  I'm a lefty and to me the left hand side is the same configuration as if I used it with my right hand.  Bleh - I know that doesn't sound correct.  Consider that when I write a checkmark, everyone tells me its backwards.

....giving up on that....

What has me in shivers is that it looks like they'll be offering all those yummy out of print books that you can only get in used bookstores.  **Visions of actually getting Taylor Caldwell books for a device.**   

[mindreader]

Nice looking device with what appears to be cool features ... in theory, anyway.  I look forward to checking it out when it's available in stores (even though I'll be sticking with my Kindle).

If this had been available when I was researching e-readers, it might have given the Kindle a run for its money.   But it wasn't - and probably would have cost a lot more than my precious refurbed Kindle - so... Amazon has won the rights to my heart. 

p.s.  I haven't seen this in person, of course, but I think I prefer a physical keyboard (like the Kindle's) at the bottom of a reader.  Seems to provide a better surface to hold than the touchscreen.

[BruceS]

Seems really gimmicky and a desperate attempt to be different to me.  Personally I'd hate to have that much screen unusable while reading.  It's bad enough to have that much plastic on the device unusable, but even worse with a screen.

Until we actually see one, we can't be sure that the keyboard will make any of the screen unavailable while reading a book.

Assuming that it is a touch screen, the keyboard could only appear when you want to enter something and dis-appear when you are ready to read.

This is the way the iPhone works for many apps that only need text entry occasionally.

[CoolMom1960]

I don't like the keyboard.

I don't either.  I had an HTC touch phone with a keyboard like that. It was awful, I spent more time correcting messages than sending them.  I sold it and bought an envy touch that has a real keyboard

[Thumper]

Kinda spiffy. Anyone with an iPhone won't have difficulty with the keyboard... It'll be interesting to see how the actual product upon release compares to the Kindle.

[Ann in Arlington]

I agree Thumper. . . .it's so hard to tell anything from pictures.  I'll probably check it out 'in person' when it's actually out.  I was playing with the Sonys at Borders the other day. . . . .eh -- they're decent but I like Whispernet and I love the size of the Kindle book store. . . . . .

[jmiked]

I agree Thumper. . . .it's so hard to tell anything from pictures.  I'll probably check it out 'in person' when it's actually out.  I was playing with the Sonys at Borders the other day. . . . .eh -- they're decent but I like Whispernet and I love the size of the Kindle book store. . . . . .

Oh, yeah. I'll have a look when it actually is available. It might be pretty nice, but it would have to be great for me to consider getting one.

Speaking for myself, I liked the K1 keyboard much more than the K2 or DX.

Mike

[Ann in Arlington]

I hardly use the keyboard on either one.. . .so I don't have a strong preference. . . . .

either way. . . .more choices means more cometition == good news for us!

[Kathy]

I love my Kindle, so it doesn't tempt me. I didn't see a price. How much will it be?

[Ann in Arlington]

I love my Kindle, so it doesn't tempt me. I didn't see a price. How much will it be?

Well, now. . .there's the $24,000 question! 

I haven't seen a price. . . .anyone else?

[Kathy]

Price is always a deal maker or breaker. If it is cheaper it may be a good alternative if you can't afford the Kindle.

[Scheherazade]

Until we actually see one, we can't be sure that the keyboard will make any of the screen unavailable while reading a book.

Assuming that it is a touch screen, the keyboard could only appear when you want to enter something and dis-appear when you are ready to read.

This is the way the iPhone works for many apps that only need text entry occasionally.

Looking at the pictures when you follow link they show a shot of the screen with a book page on it.  Only the top section of the screen has the text, the bottom screen is a totally separate bit that I imagine will show things like the book cover which I would just find distracting, especially in color.  Even if it's blank like they show it below, I find the whole thing gimmicky and touting it as a color ereader is almost tantamount to false advertising.  I don't think my "touch screen" monitor analogy is very off base at all.  It also shows how not white the screen is (something every other picture shows as a pristine and sharp white without a hint of the grey we know all eink screens have), but that's a marketing technique even Amazon used so I won't ding them for that.

[Ann in Arlington]

I think the only 'touting' as color was at the trade show (or whatever it was) and apparently the guy 'touting' was a temp who didn't have the full story. . . . .as to the greyness or whiteness of the background. . . . well, it's really hard to tell from the picture. . . also, thought I read somewhere that the bottom part was a usual laptop style backlit screen, though the upper part is e-ink.  Kind of a cool combination of technologies. . . .

[Scheherazade]

I will agree that if I must buy a touch screen ereader that this is the form factor I would want it in.  The things you use most (page turning) are actual buttons and an entirely separate screen is used for the touch screen capabilities so that you don't have to worry about smudging, glare or blurriness on the reading surface.  I'm still not sure about the whole LCD thing though... it feels like that would take away from the battery life more so than if it were just eink as well.  The performance of the touch screen is going to be a big factor, too.  I recently got a Zune HD and the touch screen on it is just miles beyond what my phone is capable of.  But these are definitely things we can't evaluate yet.  I just feel myself leaning toward buttons instead of technological hype... I just want good buttons which even my Kindle doesn't have.