Nook Color to Blend with Tablets

The famous e-reader by Barnes & Noble, Nook Color, has been upgraded to feature more functions that push it several steps closer to a tablet.

The $249 device is powered by Android 2.2 and now supports web e-mail services, global web search and even Adobe Flash. The manufacturers insist, however, that the device, supporting a great library of applications, is still to be considered an e-reader.

The owners of the older version of Nook Color can easily update the device to version 1.2 free of charge via Wi-Fi and benefit from in-page video, great web experience and other updates, such as sliding page-turning animation, pinch and zoom. The new features also include enhanced interactivity in children’s picture books, brand new newspapers and magazines.

Application development for Nook has been accelerating. The growing application list includes the world’s famous brands like Angry Birds, Uno, Lonely Planet's Phrasebook, Dr. Seuss, Little Critter, and others. Other applications include brain-exercising crosswords, puzzles, Sudoku, calendar applications together with coloring books and bed time story books for little children. Many applications are free, while others are normally cheaper than $5.99 and even $2.99.

Nook Color, launched back in 2009, has become the world’s most famous book seller and children educator thanks to its 350 digital picture books and over 12,000 children’s chapter books.

The overall set of functionalities of the updated Nook Color really allows users to enjoy the convenient e-reading, non-video web browsing, emailing, etc. for a very decent price, if compared to most tablets.