Since 2021, Barnes & Noble has released 3 new eReaders, implemented a new members rewards program that includes eBook and digital AudioBooks, redesigned their NOOK firmware to include reading trends, discontinued the Windows NOOK app, discontinued Read Outs (March 2024), discontinued Read-in-Store for 1 hour free with NOOK program (April 2024 apparently), and password locked Developer Settings on their NOOK e-ink devices.
So, I had some questions.
Questions for Nook 4 series owners:
1. Is there anyone who still purchases books from BN only? Is there a special reason or is it just because that's the only e-reader you have and don't care about owning the eBook files?
2. If you recently purchased a GL4 for the 32GB of space, did you know when you purchased it that BN would prevent you from using it all, and that you would only be able to access 5GB of space for your own, non-BN eBooks/PDFs?
3. If you knew that would discontinue the
Read in Store for 1 hour free program in April 2024, would you have purchased a Nook GL4/4e/4+ anyway or gone for Kobo, Kindle, PocketBook or another brand?
4. Did you purchase NOOK ereaders because you liked the ergonomics and former ease of using them as Android e-ink readers (Dev Settings is pw locked as of April 2024)? Or were there other reasons you purchased a NOOK?
5. Are you excited about an eBook subscription plan from BN?
For my answers:
1. No, I would buy Kindle books if they were cheaper than BN or not available on BN. Then I discovered Kobo and preferred that because it was in EPUB.
2. I didn't know it was limited to 5GB of my own eBook files. I wouldn't have purchased the GL4 if I had known that in 2021. I would've bought a Kobo Libra 2.
3. I would've bought a Kobo Libra 2 or Meebook.
4. I like the design of the GL4 but wish it was waterproof like my older GlowLights were. I also would have no use for them now that they discontinued all of the NOOK in-store perks.
5. No. I have too many subscriptions in my life and prefer to use the library.