nook

Android tablets under $300

No matter how small or how affordable Apple can make the iPad, nothing can change the fact that it's a newcomer to the market of mini tablets.

Small, inexpensive Android tablets have been around for years and are finally hitting their stride. Through trial and error, manufacturers have figured out the sweet spot of features, design, and performance that seems to be resonating with customers.

What's more surprising is that the players in this space aren't the typical cast of characters that Apple is used to fighting. Sure, Samsung makes an appearance, but so does Amazon and … Read more

Tablets bringing on end of print?

Tablets are "reinventing" Americans' relationship with print publications, according to a new report from digital-business analytics firm ComScore.

Based on new figures, more and more tablet owners in the United States are using their tablets to read digital periodicals on a daily basis. For example, ComScore cited that approximately 1 in 10 tablet owners read digital magazines and/or newspapers on his or her device every day as of August 2012.

Mark Donovan, senior vice president of mobile at ComScore, explained in the report that tablets are "redefining" how people consume news because the format is … Read more

Prizefight: Kindle Paperwhite vs. Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight

Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite and the Barnes & Noble Simple Touch with GlowLight duke it out in this Prizefight slobber-knocker.

The Kindle brings its all-new Paperwhite technology to the table and Amazon's massive ecosystem. How will it match up against the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, which was the first true backlit e-reader with touch and physical controls?

These two e-readers continue to innovate and bring the best the e-reader market has to offer. So which e-reader is your Prizefight king of the ring?

Cast your vote!

Top 5 iPad Mini competitors

The iPad Mini has yet to be officially announced, but it's kind of the worst-kept secret in tech right now. There's a very good chance it'll be revealed later this month (although what its final name will be remains to be seen) and even if you've no plans to purchase it, you'll likely want to know what it has to offer anyway.

The Mini is rumored to sport a 7.85-inch screen at a price of at least $299. But when and if it debuts, it will not enter a vacuous 7-inch tablet market. Its opponents will compete on price, ecosystem, performance, and features. Each offers something unique, and Apple's new tablet will have to be an amazing piece of kit to answer the challenge.

Without further lollygagging, let's get to the list.… Read more

Pay $7 to promote your Facebook status?

Thursday's CNET Update never forgets a face:

Today's tech news roundup begins with a look at Facebook. The network is testing a feature that lets you pay to get your posts seen by more friends. Facebook first began testing this concept in May and it's already in 20 other countries. But it's rolling out to some U.S. users now, and the idea is to pay to show off big news or get more attention to an event. Facebook hasn't set an official price for this, but CNET staffers with the feature are asked to … Read more

Windows 8 Nook app 'imminent'

Microsoft and Barnes & Noble today said they've officially formed their new partnership focused on digital reading and will soon be releasing a Nook app for Windows 8.

The two companies, who initially announced their pact in April, said their new company -- a B&N subsidiary -- will be called Nook Media LLC. They also reiterated that there's no timetable for B&N to review options for the business, including possibly spinning it out as a standalone company.

"As demand for digital content continues to increase, we are focused on bringing ground-breaking reading and … Read more

Get an 8GB Nook Tablet for $98.88

Wonderful as the latest Amazon and Barnes & Noble e-readers are, it's getting hard to justify buying one when you can get a full-blown tablet for the same price -- or even less.

Case in point: BrandsMart U.S.A. has the Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet (8GB) for $98.88, plus $7.87 for shipping (a charge you can avoid by option for in-store pickup). Sales tax applies where, um, applicable.

Just to clarify, this is the Nook Tablet, not the older Nook Color (which was also quite tablet-like, but really more of an e-reader on steroids). And … Read more

Shining light on new Kindle Paperwhite

Monday's CNET Update has a glow about it:

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite e-reader is now shipping, and CNET has given it the Editors Choice award. You can read the full review here. The Nook GlowLight dropped its price to $119 to match the Paperwhite.

Apple has released a Wi-Fi bug fix for the iPhone 5 on Verizon. The bug caused the iPhone 5 to use data even when the device was connected to a Wi-Fi network. Verizon won't charge iPhone 5 customers for any excess data as a result of the bug, but customers should download the fix … Read more

Nook GlowLight e-reader price drops to $119

As Amazon gets set to ship out the Kindle Paperwhite, its new e-ink e-reader that features an integrated light, its chief rival appears to be getting a price cut. At least two major retailers -- Target (shown above) and Wal-Mart -- are now advertising the Nook Simple Touch With GlowLight for $119. That's $20 less than the original $139 price, and the exact cost of the entry-level Paperwhite (which, unlike the Nook, includes "Special Offers" ads).

When Barnes & Noble introduced the Nook GlowLight earlier this year, it had problems keeping up with demand (it later admitted … Read more