After Hours

Image Gallery: Barnes & Noble Nook electronic book reader

By · December 9, 2009, 4:04 AM PST

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  • B&N Nook retail box

    The Barnes & Noble Nook is the newest electronic book reader on the market and takes things to the next level with both AT&T and WiFi connectivity, support for the largest number of ebooks available, capability to lend books, Google Android operating system powered and more. Let's take a look at the hardware, navigation, and ebook reading aspects of the device.

  • Sliding off the top cover

    The white cardboard piece slides off to reveal the plastic internal packaging.

  • Removing the Nook

    It does take a bit of effort to take the Nook out of the plastic casing and I recommend you follow the directions on the back of your packing slip to prevent breakage and issues.

  • Included Nook accessories

    You will find the USB cable and A/C adapter, along with a Quick Start Guide, in the lower box of the Nook package.

  • B&N Nook in hand

    The Nook has both an upper eInk display and lower color LCD.

  • Sony Reader next to the Nook

    This gives you a feel for the size of the Nook compared to my Sony Reader 505.

  • Sony Reader 505 on the B&N Nook

    The Nook is taller than the Sony Reader 505.

  • Back of the B&N Nook

    The back has a Nook logo and is covered in gray soft touch material to help you grip and hold your Nook in hand.

  • Top of the Nook

    A slim silver button is found on the top of the Nook. There are two small openings present too that I think are for case options.

  • Bottom of the Nook

    A mono speaker, microUSB port, and 3.5mm headset jack can be found on the bottom. There are also two small opening that look like they are designed for future case options.

  • Page turning buttons

    There are page forward and page back buttons on both sides of the Nook. The buttons/areas have a matte finish and small dot protrusion to help you find them with your thumb or finger.

  • Sony 505 on the B&N Nook

    Here you can see the thickness differences between these two ebook readers.

  • Side view of Sony 505 and Nook

    Here is a shot of the Sony 505 on top of the Nook.

  • Starting up the Nook

    Pop-up bubbles appear during initial start up screens to guide you through some navigation aspects of the Nook.

  • Bottom color screen startup

    There are ways you interact with the bottom color LCD during startup too.

  • Register on bottom display

    You can register your Nook to get it connected with your online account.

  • QWERTY keyboard

    As you can see a software keyboard appears across the entire bottom Nook color display. It is capacitive too so it is easy to tap away on the keyboard with your fingertip.

  • Tour options

    I recommend taking a walk through the tour during initial startup so you won't have to view the manual later.

  • Welcome text on eInk display

    Here you can see the Welcome notice on the Nook.

  • Typical menu structure

    Navigation options appear on the bottom display as you read your books. This screen can be set to turn off if you just want to read without distractions too.

  • The Daily article

    Daily content can be downloaded wirelessly to your Nook and enjoyed as well.

  • Daily content description

    This part of the Welcome screen states what type of content is available.

  • Wireless access description

    This part of the Welcome screen explains how wireless access can be enjoyed on the Nook.

  • "Home" screen on color display

    As you can see there are five main parts of the color "Home" screen. The daily, my library, shop, reading now, and settings.

  • Audio player

    You can play audio content in MP3 format and this player is available at the bottom of the main menus in the five different home screen parts.

  • My library

    Here you can see the B&N library I started out with on my Nook. All of these books were automatically added to my account when I downloaded the iPhone B&N reader application.

  • Settings summary

    Here you can see some of the basic stats available in the settings area.

  • First Settings display

    When you tap on Settings then this is what options you see in the menu.

  • Adding a WiFi hotspot

    You can connect your Nook to a B&N store or to your home network with ease.

  • Display settings

    Here are a few display settings.

  • More settings, including contacts

    I am not sure why there are contacts on the Nook, but it is there.

  • Barnes & Noble storefront on the Nook

    When you choose to shop then you are taken to the Barnes & Noble store. Special offers appear at the bottom and can be navigated through with the forward and back buttons on the side of the Nook.

  • Store options

    There are various ways find content on the Nook using the bottom color display.

  • Different types of content

    You can find ebooks, magazines, and newspapers on the Barnes & Noble store.

  • Magazine covers

    You can view store content by color covers, as seen here with magazines.

  • Newspaper covers

    Only three newspapers are available at this time, but I imagine these offerings will grow quickly.

  • Purchasing a newspaper subscription

    There are subscription options available for the Nook newspapers.

  • Ebook covers

    Here are the book covers of some available ebooks in the store.

  • Volume slider

    The volume for the audio player is controlled via an on-screen controller/slider bar.

  • Back off of the Nook

    The entire back of the Nook is pried off to reveal the microSD card slot, battery, and AT&T SIM card.

  • Battery, microSD, and SIM card

    The battery is held in place with a small single screw.

  • How to remove the battery

    Instructions are provided for removing the battery.

  • SIM card peeking out

    The battery needs to be removed to take out the SIM card.

  • Back of Nook with battery removed

    It is easy to take out the battery and for long trips you may want to have spares, but don't forget the screwdriver too.

  • Standby screen, city view

    Different standby images can be selected to appear on the Nook.

  • Back Nook logo

    This logo is embedded on the back of the Nook.

  • Nook "Home" button

    This Nook button/area is placed on the top of the color display area and pressing it will take you back to the five icons on the color display.

  • Page turning button and screen setback

    As you can see the eInk display is set in a bit from the surrounding material. This may help you remember the top is not a touchscreen.

  • Matte finish of page button

    The surrounding plastic is glossy, but the page turning buttons have a matte finish on them to help you turn pages.

  • Nook in hand

    Wallpaper and Nook bottom Home page in hand.

  • Nook gallery image 1

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  • Nook gallery image 2

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B&N Nook retail box

The Barnes & Noble Nook is the newest electronic book reader on the market and takes things to the next level with both AT&T and WiFi connectivity, support for the largest number of ebooks available, capability to lend books, Google Android operating system powered and more. Let's take a look at the hardware, navigation, and ebook reading aspects of the device.

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