Why is the Barnes & Noble Nook already generating a lot of buzz?
At my local B&N store there has been a lot of interest in the new e-reader Nook. I’ve heard more about this device since it has been announced than I ever did about any of the Sony Readers or the Amazon Kindle. Something about Nook is resonating with the reading public and the device won’t even ship until the end of November.
A lot of interest is because Barnes & Noble is the first brick-and-mortar bookstore to offer its own dedicated ebook reader. You can buy the Nook from a B&N store and all your ebooks from the B&N website. Yes, I see Sony Readers displayed at Borders, but they only sell the device. Borders does not sell ebooks and the e-readers are not their own brand. Amazon sells their Kindle and the ebooks to go with the Kindle, but you can only buy it online.
This is important for one reason: Customers will be able to demo the Nook at their local B&N store before deciding to buy. This is a huge advantage over the Kindle. One reason I didn’t buy my Sony Reader Pocket Edition online is because I wanted to test it out for myself and put it through its paces.
I also think the Nook as generated a lot of buzz is because of its sleek design and features you can’t find on other e-readers, like a color display. The ability to share ebooks is a big step up as well (although there is speculation that a lot of publishers will not allow this feature). The Nook will allow you to share ebooks either with other Nooks, cell phones, or a computer.
Another added bonus, but probably not the sole reason why the Nook is captivating readers’ attention is the impressive designs of the covers for the Nook. These covers have been designed by Kate Spade, Jack Spade and Jonathan Adler. This tells me that B&N wants the Nook to not only be practical and easy to use, but also fashionable.
Finally, Barnes & Noble is doing a fairly decent advertising blitz for their new device. Posters and info pamphlets (in the shape of the Nook) are peppered throughout the stores and booksellers wear name lanyards with the Nook clearly being advertised. In other words, you cannot walk into a B&N store without noticing the Nook. Customers who don’t know much about e-readers or ebooks are going to be naturally curious.
I believe all this interest and buzz about the Nook will help it become a big seller when it’s released at the end of this month. As long as the device works as advertised and has no major flaws, we could see the Nook go head-to-head with the Kindle and finally offer some real competition.
Related posts
- Barnes & Noble releases the Nook digital reader
- Barnes & Noble: Price war between Amazon, Wal-Mart and Target is “overblown”
- Nook vs. Kindle: Sharing ebooks with others
- Barnes & Noble releases free iPhone app (review included)
- Borders to start selling more of Sony’s eReader
Read More: Reading, Technology, eBooks
