Turn Your Nook Into a Tablet

MULTIZ321 · Sep 10, 2011

N2A Card (for Nook Color) - by David Pierce/Junior Analyst/Consumer Electronics/PCMag.com

The Nook Color is an excellent tablet hiding underneath a reading-centric version of Android.

For $34.99, you can unleash its tablet side with an N2A card, turning the ereader into a full-fledged Android 2.3 "Gingerbread" device, capable of running more than 200,000 apps.

Richard

MULTIZ321 · Sep 17, 2011

How to Turn Your Nook Color into an Android Tablet - by David Pierce/PCMag.com

The Nook Color looks like a tablet, performs some of the same functions as a tablet, and Barnes and Noble refers to it as "the reader's tablet."

So, why not take it one step further and actually make it a tablet. Follow PCMag's step-by-step instructions, and your Nook will be running Android, in all its glory, in no time. David lists three ways to transform your Nook Color into a Tablet.

This article goes into more detail than the link in my previous post.

Richard

MULTIZ321 · Oct 10, 2011

I took the plunge and purchased a 32 GB N2A MicroSD card and transformed our Nook Color into an Android Tablet with full access to the Android Market.

It was easy to install (but helps to follow the included instructions). I didn't notice the continuation of instructions on the back of the sheet and had to do the installation twice to get it right.

When you power on - you're given a choice of booting up
to the Nook Color original operating system or the N2A operating system. The N2A operating system, known as CyanogenMod, which is based on Android 2.3 'Gingerbread' puts you in full-tablet mode.

So far, I've been very happy.

If you're considering purchasing an Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet, I would recommend you consider a Nook Color ($249) along with purchasing one of the 3 different N2A MicroSD cards ($34.99 for 8GB, $49.99 for 16GB, and 89.99 for 32 GB). So for about $100 more, you get much more flexiblility and one of the eReader Apps you can download is 'Amazon Kindle'. Best of Both worlds.

For more info, see the earlier posted links.

Richard

P.S. The only thing I'm not happy about is with the N2A Card, battery life is considerably shortened. I don't have enough experience to give a good timeline but it's definitely, less than a day, so depending on usage, may have to be charged nightly.

Elan · Oct 10, 2011

Yes, the Nook Color has been extremely popular as a tablet for quite awhile. However, at this point I think anyone considering buying and rooting the NC should also consider the new Lenovo A1. $249 for a 16GB model running Gingerbread (native). Advantages of the A1 are that it has a slightly faster processor than the NC (1GHz vs 800MHz) and it has GPS, which the NC lacks. The NC has an IPS screen, while the Lenovo does not. There's also a 2GB A1 available for $229. Both due to ship on 11/8.

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...DC696842DCD16814BD79634CB472&menu-id=products

Edited to add: Prices are $229 and $199, respectively, when purchased with a Visa card.

Tfish · Oct 11, 2011

I see that the Playbook is now selling for $299-is this not a good deal for a tablet that one can use as a Reader?

Mike

Bucky · Oct 12, 2011

MULTIZ321 said:
If you're considering purchasing an Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet, I would recommend you consider a Nook Color ($249) along with purchasing one of the 3 different N2A MicroSD cards ($34.99 for 8GB, $49.99 for 16GB, and 89.99 for 32 GB). So for about $100 more, you get much more flexiblility and one of the eReader Apps you can download is 'Amazon Kindle'. Best of Both worlds.

What makes this conversion you've done better than the Kindle Fire? I understand about the additional storage capacity by using the N2A but other than that what would the major advantage be to going with this upgrade over the Fire? What I see is a higher cost of $84 to get what the Fire offers! Since the Fire is android based I would think that Amazon will drastically increase their availability in apps as the Fire approaches release date. I've pre-ordered two of the Fires so I am definitely interested in your thoughts on this. Thanks.

MULTIZ321 · Oct 12, 2011

Bucky said:
What makes this conversion you've done better than the Kindle Fire? I understand about the additional storage capacity by using the N2A but other than that what would the major advantage be to going with this upgrade over the Fire? What I see is a higher cost of $84 to get what the Fire offers! Since the Fire is android based I would think that Amazon will drastically increase their availability in apps as the Fire approaches release date. I've pre-ordered two of the Fires so I am definitely interested in your thoughts on this. Thanks.

Bucky,

To put things in perspective - We've had the Nook Color at our house since last Christmas. As you know, the tech world evolves very quickly , so choices now are very different then they were back then. That said, for my needs, I would not consider getting rid of the NC for the Kindle Fire.

I think a key consideration is determining what you're going to use the device for and what will the influence of the device power consumption be.

If you're interested in an eReader only, which I don't think you are, then the $79 Kindle would be a good choice. However, ePub format is still not supported on Kindle or Kindle Fire (think library books, and free books from other sources). I know that rumor mill has it that Kindle will soon support ePub but to date that's not a reality. Nook supports ePub. Also, Nook Color version 1.3 has interactive magazine editions and interactive picture books for children. I'm not sure if Amazon Fire will have these features.

Another non-trivial consideration for some readers who have books from a variety of sources, including both Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook ,is whether you can load both apps on your tablet. In other words, will Amazon Fire allow you to download the Nook App? I don't think they're going to allow that. For many that won't be an issue - but for some it will be.

The Amazon Fire doesn't have an SD Card slot. Instead, Amazon is relying on the Cloud. For some that's fine, but many are not comfortable Cloud security issues.

Yes, Fire is Android based. However, it's an Amazon proprietary, heavily customized version of Android. As such there will be some Apps not available to you on the Fire. You really won't know until it's available whether this would be an issue or not.

As you probably know, the Fire has a dual-core operating system. This should make for a nice internet browsing experience.

Going back to what's your intended use patterns , Jim's suggestion of a Lenovo A1 tablet (see post #4) is a good one. For me GPS is a non-issue, I have GPS availiabilty on my smartphone and Galaxy 10.1 Tablet. Same with Bluetooth.

Enjoy your Amazon Fire's when you get them.

Richard

Elan · Oct 13, 2011

Another possible option for those not wanting a 10" tablet is the Archos 80, an 8" device. It runs Android 3.2 (latest released Android) on a 1GHz processor. Available on Amazon (via TigerDirect) for $269. This device has received pretty favorable reviews thus far from the various tech sites I peruse.

Bucky · Oct 13, 2011

MULTIZ321 said:
Bucky,

To put things in perspective - We've had the Nook Color at our house since last Christmas. As you know, the tech world evolves very quickly , so choices now are very different then they were back then. That said, for my needs, I would not consider getting rid of the NC for the Kindle Fire.

I think a key consideration is determining what you're going to use the device for and what will the influence of the device power consumption be.

If you're interested in an eReader only, which I don't think you are, then the $79 Kindle would be a good choice. However, ePub format is still not supported on Kindle or Kindle Fire (think library books, and free books from other sources). I know that rumor mill has it that Kindle will soon support ePub but to date that's not a reality. Nook supports ePub. Also, Nook Color version 1.3 has interactive magazine editions and interactive picture books for children. I'm not sure if Amazon Fire will have these features.

Another non-trivial consideration for some readers who have books from a variety of sources, including both Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook ,is whether you can load both apps on your tablet. In other words, will Amazon Fire allow you to download the Nook App? I don't think they're going to allow that. For many that won't be an issue - but for some it will be.

The Amazon Fire doesn't have an SD Card slot. Instead, Amazon is relying on the Cloud. For some that's fine, but many are not comfortable Cloud security issues.

Yes, Fire is Android based. However, it's an Amazon proprietary, heavily customized version of Android. As such there will be some Apps not available to you on the Fire. You really won't know until it's available whether this would be an issue or not.

As you probably know, the Fire has a dual-core operating system. This should make for a nice internet browsing experience.

Going back to what's your intended use patterns , Jim's suggestion of a Lenovo A1 tablet (see post #4) is a good one. For me GPS is a non-issue, I have GPS availiabilty on my smartphone and Galaxy 10.1 Tablet. Same with Bluetooth.

Enjoy your Amazon Fire's when you get them.

Richard

Thanks so much for laying it out in black and white for me Richard. I've already got the Kindle reader so that's not what attracted me to the Fire.

What attracted me was the Silk browser, the email system and the backlit screen for reading in bed at night without having to turn a light on. You can get online with a normal kindle but it's just a real hassle. Hopefully this one will be much more user friendly. Not worried about the storage capacity so much. I've got an iphone with most of my music on it and we download all our photo's to the laptop when we return from vacations. I've got a 17" laptop and my wife has a netbook so we tend to cart those along with us whenever we travel. I'm looking at a Fire to replace these for vacations only. Hopefully we'll be happy with them. Again, thanks for your help.

Larry

Laurie · Oct 17, 2011

Vizio tablet at Costco?

I'm looking for a good color reader with add'l tablet features, and was contemplating the Kindle Fire after it's out for a bit. Then I read this thread and was also interested in the info on the Nook Color enhanced and how they compare.

Then we saw these at Costco the other day for $235:

www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11663717

We were tempted to grab one to try out during an upcoming trip, since there's a 90-day return policy, and the Kindle Fire isn't out yet - tho I'm not sure I can absorb it in time. But thought I'd ask now:

Any opinion on how this Vizio compares to Kindle Fire or Nook Color with the above add-on?

Abomb36 · Oct 17, 2011

Nook Color's "FULL" Android version is much better than the Fire. I used this dual boot method for my nook. Its fantastic for travel.

If you want a reader/android tab. nook Color is the way to go.

If you all you want is a cheap tablet. get the Archos.

here is a photo of my Nook

225097_223179344366197_100000224005923_1118838_7820026_n.jpg

MULTIZ321 said:
Bucky,

To put things in perspective - We've had the Nook Color at our house since last Christmas. As you know, the tech world evolves very quickly , so choices now are very different then they were back then. That said, for my needs, I would not consider getting rid of the NC for the Kindle Fire.

I think a key consideration is determining what you're going to use the device for and what will the influence of the device power consumption be.

If you're interested in an eReader only, which I don't think you are, then the $79 Kindle would be a good choice. However, ePub format is still not supported on Kindle or Kindle Fire (think library books, and free books from other sources). I know that rumor mill has it that Kindle will soon support ePub but to date that's not a reality. Nook supports ePub. Also, Nook Color version 1.3 has interactive magazine editions and interactive picture books for children. I'm not sure if Amazon Fire will have these features.

Another non-trivial consideration for some readers who have books from a variety of sources, including both Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook ,is whether you can load both apps on your tablet. In other words, will Amazon Fire allow you to download the Nook App? I don't think they're going to allow that. For many that won't be an issue - but for some it will be.

The Amazon Fire doesn't have an SD Card slot. Instead, Amazon is relying on the Cloud. For some that's fine, but many are not comfortable Cloud security issues.

Yes, Fire is Android based. However, it's an Amazon proprietary, heavily customized version of Android. As such there will be some Apps not available to you on the Fire. You really won't know until it's available whether this would be an issue or not.

As you probably know, the Fire has a dual-core operating system. This should make for a nice internet browsing experience.

Going back to what's your intended use patterns , Jim's suggestion of a Lenovo A1 tablet (see post #4) is a good one. For me GPS is a non-issue, I have GPS availiabilty on my smartphone and Galaxy 10.1 Tablet. Same with Bluetooth.

Enjoy your Amazon Fire's when you get them.

Richard

harris.margaret9 · Oct 20, 2011

Thanks for sharing info on making Nook into a Tablet, I always wondered that Nook and Fire like eBook readers must be used as a tablet, but I didn’t know how.

Turn Your Nook Into a Tablet

TUG Review Crew