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NOOK Simple Touch vs Nook GlowLight
Last updated: July 09, 2023
The NOOK Simple Touch and NOOK GlowLight are both eReader devices offered by Barnes & Noble, but they have distinct differences in terms of their display technology, design, and features.
1. Display Technology: The NOOK Simple Touch features a 6-inch E Ink Pearl display with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. It utilizes E Ink technology, which provides a grayscale, paper-like reading experience with minimal eye strain. The E Ink display is highly readable in various lighting conditions, including direct sunlight. On the other hand, the NOOK GlowLight features a higher resolution 6-inch E Ink display with a resolution of 1024 x 758 pixels. It incorporates GlowLight technology, which provides a built-in front light that evenly illuminates the screen for comfortable reading in low-light environments. The GlowLight technology allows users to adjust the brightness for a personalized reading experience.
2. Design and Form Factor: The NOOK Simple Touch features a compact and lightweight design with a touchscreen interface. It has a simple and sleek appearance, with physical page-turn buttons located on the left and right sides of the device for easy navigation. The NOOK Simple Touch has a soft-touch back cover for a comfortable grip. On the other hand, the NOOK GlowLight also has a compact and lightweight design but incorporates a flush-glass front for a seamless display. It does not have physical buttons for page-turning, relying entirely on the touchscreen interface for navigation. The NOOK GlowLight features a soft-touch finish on the back cover and a more modern aesthetic.
3. Additional Features: The NOOK Simple Touch and NOOK GlowLight offer different additional features. The NOOK Simple Touch provides Wi-Fi connectivity for accessing the NOOK Store, downloading eBooks, and syncing reading progress across devices. It also offers features like customizable fonts, adjustable font sizes, and annotations. The NOOK GlowLight, on the other hand, provides enhanced features like the built-in front light, allowing users to read comfortably in low-light environments without the need for an external light source. It also offers a higher storage capacity, compatibility with audiobooks through the NOOK Audiobooks app, and waterproofing in certain models. The NOOK GlowLight also has a more responsive touchscreen interface and a higher-resolution display.
1. Display Technology: The NOOK Simple Touch features a 6-inch E Ink Pearl display with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. It utilizes E Ink technology, which provides a grayscale, paper-like reading experience with minimal eye strain. The E Ink display is highly readable in various lighting conditions, including direct sunlight. On the other hand, the NOOK GlowLight features a higher resolution 6-inch E Ink display with a resolution of 1024 x 758 pixels. It incorporates GlowLight technology, which provides a built-in front light that evenly illuminates the screen for comfortable reading in low-light environments. The GlowLight technology allows users to adjust the brightness for a personalized reading experience.
2. Design and Form Factor: The NOOK Simple Touch features a compact and lightweight design with a touchscreen interface. It has a simple and sleek appearance, with physical page-turn buttons located on the left and right sides of the device for easy navigation. The NOOK Simple Touch has a soft-touch back cover for a comfortable grip. On the other hand, the NOOK GlowLight also has a compact and lightweight design but incorporates a flush-glass front for a seamless display. It does not have physical buttons for page-turning, relying entirely on the touchscreen interface for navigation. The NOOK GlowLight features a soft-touch finish on the back cover and a more modern aesthetic.
3. Additional Features: The NOOK Simple Touch and NOOK GlowLight offer different additional features. The NOOK Simple Touch provides Wi-Fi connectivity for accessing the NOOK Store, downloading eBooks, and syncing reading progress across devices. It also offers features like customizable fonts, adjustable font sizes, and annotations. The NOOK GlowLight, on the other hand, provides enhanced features like the built-in front light, allowing users to read comfortably in low-light environments without the need for an external light source. It also offers a higher storage capacity, compatibility with audiobooks through the NOOK Audiobooks app, and waterproofing in certain models. The NOOK GlowLight also has a more responsive touchscreen interface and a higher-resolution display.
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Easiest to use with the world’s best reading screen & longest battery life. Breakthrough E Ink display for the best just-like-paper reading. Make the text bigger or choose the font you like. 25% faster than any other Reader. Quick page turns, fast browsing, get to your latest read with just a tap.
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NOOK's GlowLight illuminates your screen with a soft light that is perfect for bedtime reading. With advanced lighting technology not available on any other reader, GlowLight lets you stay up late reading in total comfort - while your partner stays asleep in the dark.
NOOK Simple Touch vs Nook GlowLight in our news:
2023. Nook firmware update adds useful FAQ and custom book sorting
Barnes and Noble has recently rolled out a firmware update, version 8.13.160, for their Nook e-reader, offering several notable enhancements. One of the key additions is a new FAQ system within the support section of the settings screen, providing a convenient solution for addressing common queries and concerns without the need for a computer or visiting the Nook website. Moreover, the update introduces a revamped system for custom sorting of shelves, enabling users to easily reposition shelves or books within a shelf based on their preferred order. This can be done directly on the e-reader by selecting the custom option from the sorted by menu. Additionally, content and shelves now come equipped with arrow keys, enhancing the overall layout flexibility. Furthermore, users can now conveniently sort and view all their notes and annotations made in ebooks directly from the search bar, eliminating the need to manually locate them by opening the respective book.
2021. Nook Glowlight 4 gets smaller and lighter design
Barnes and Noble has introduced the Nook Glowlight 4, their latest e-reader model, now available for ordering on the B&N website. This 6-inch Nook boasts 32GB of storage, features USB-C connectivity, and showcases a revamped, compact design (although specific weight reduction details are not provided). Retaining the page buttons on both sides of the screen, albeit positioned closer to the edges, the device incorporates a frontlight with adjustable color temperature, aptly named Night Mode by B&N. The Nook Glowlight 4 exhibits a 300 ppi E Ink screen, with the presumption that it employs a newer E Ink screen with improved contrast and darker blacks. Equipped with a quad-core 1.5GHz CPU, the e-reader operates on software based on Android 8.1. All these features come at a price of $149.99.
2018. Barnes and Noble unveiled charging dock and keyboard for Nook 10.1
Barnes and Noble has recently launched the new Nook Tablet 10.1, and they have now introduced two accompanying accessories. The Charging Dock is designed to provide continuous power while you enjoy audiobooks or movies, and it is available for purchase at $34.95. By using the promo code STACKED, customers can avail of a limited 20% discount. The Smart Folio Cover with Keyboard features a magnetic clip that effortlessly attaches to your tablet, eliminating the need for pairing. This accessory enables you to conveniently take notes or work on your literary masterpiece. Priced at $39.95, it also qualifies for the 20% discount when using the same promo code as the charging dock. The Nook Tablet 10.1 operates on Google Android 8.1, granting users the ability to install their favorite apps from the Google Play store.
2018. Nook e-Readers stop working without security update
Barnes and Noble has issued a notice stating that without installing a mandatory security update, Nook e-readers will cease to function after June 29th. This means users will be unable to make purchases, download, or manage their NOOK Content directly from their NOOK Device. The security update is part of Barnes and Noble's comprehensive upgrade to enhance the security system across all their websites and servers, ensuring the protection of customer information and processing of payment data. The affected e-reader models include the Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight, Nook Color, Nook Tablet, Nook HD, Nook HD+, and Nook Glowlight.
2017. Barnes and Noble released Nook Glowlight 3
Barnes and Noble has recently unveiled their latest e-reader, the Nook Glowlight 3, marking their first release in two years. This device introduces several innovative features, including page turn buttons that allow users to skip ahead a chapter with a double tap or rapidly flip through the pages of an e-book by holding the button down. It also incorporates a comfortlight system, a first for Nook e-readers, which reduces the brightness of the white screen and gives it a soothing orange hue. Powered by Google Android, the Nook Glowlight 3 boasts an advanced front-lit display system. Notably, the device is equipped with physical buttons, with two page turn buttons on both the left and right sides. The main Nook Reading app showcases excellent design, ensuring speedy page turning, while the ability to copy/paste text into the note app adds a touch of innovation.
2015. Barnes & Noble created waterproof Nook
After more than a year since discontinuing the Nook and Nook HD+, Barnes & Noble has finally given its flagship e-reader a much-needed update with the introduction of the GlowLight Plus - the company's first waterproof e-reader. Along with its waterproof feature, the Nook GlowLight Plus introduces user profiles, catering to couples or reading partners who enjoy sharing their reading experiences. Priced at $130, the new version offers a 300ppi display, doubling the pixel density of its predecessor, and boasts a sleek aluminum body that is both slimmer and slightly heavier than the GlowLight. The addition of waterproof capabilities means Nook enthusiasts can now enjoy their favorite e-books even while indulging in a relaxing soak in the tub. The Nook GlowLight Plus is now available for purchase.
2013. Barnes & Noble slashes Nook and book prices for Black Friday
Barnes & Noble is slashing prices on several Nook devices during the Black Friday weekend. The Nook Simple Touch is now available at its lowest price ever, reduced to just $39 from its original price of $79. Furthermore, Barnes & Noble is offering a minimum of 50 percent off on hundreds of best-selling Nook books. As part of the Black Friday promotion, several popular Nook books, including "Plum Lucky" by Janet Evanovich, "The Cider House Rules" by John Irving, and "Crewel" by Gennifer Albin, will be discounted to $2.99. Additionally, if you're in need of accessories for your Nook, Barnes & Noble has you covered. They are offering a $10 Industriell cover for Simple Touch and Simple Touch GlowLight devices, along with a 25 percent discount on other Nook HD accessories until December 1st.
2013. Barnes & Noble releases new ultra-light Nook GlowLight
Barnes & Noble has unveiled a completely redesigned version of the Nook GlowLight e-reader, an updated iteration of the Nook SimpleTouch with GlowLight. Priced at $119, it is $10 more expensive than its predecessor. Notably, this matches the cost of the Kindle Paperwhite with ads, whereas the GlowLight does not include ads. The Nook GlowLight offers twice the storage capacity of the older model, increasing from 2 GB to 4 GB, accommodating over 2,000 ebooks. This storage capacity also doubles that of the Kindle Paperwhite. However, it is worth mentioning that the GlowLight lacks the microSD slot present in the previous model, preventing further expansion of the device's storage. Similar to the Paperwhite, Barnes & Noble's new e-reader showcases an updated 6-inch E-Ink display with 62% more pixels, enhancing text clarity and contrast compared to the previous Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight. Additionally, Barnes & Noble has improved the LED-based light source of the e-reader, ensuring more uniform light coverage across the page. While Amazon positions the light source just below the bottom edge of the screen, the GlowLight's light sources are clearly visible from just above the top edge. Overall, the GlowLight screen boasts impressive visual quality, with comparable contrast and lighting to that of the Paperwhite. E-Ink e-readers undeniably hold their place in the tablet market, and although Barnes & Noble and Amazon do not disclose specific e-reader sales figures, it is evident that both companies remain dedicated to the category, and customers continue to make purchases.
2013. B&N drops Nook GlowLight price to $99. Undercuts Amazon and Kobo
Barnes & Noble has just made an exciting announcement, reducing the price of the GlowLight to a mere $99. This price cut positions the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight as the most affordable option among premium e-readers. In comparison, the ad-supported Kindle Paperwhite is priced at $119, while the Kobo Glo costs $129.99. The Nook Simple Touch GlowLight, powered by a front-lit screen known as GlowLight, emits a pleasant glow that differs from traditional backlighting. This feature is gentler on the eyes, although it does decrease the battery life by half. Nevertheless, the battery still lasts an impressive 2 months. The reduced price suggests that Barnes & Noble may be aiming to sell off existing inventory in preparation for the release of a new model. It's worth noting that Barnes & Noble recently announced its decision to discontinue in-house development of tablets while continuing to manufacture e-readers.
2013. Barnes & Noble giving away free E-Reader with tablet purchase
Barnes & Noble is facing challenges as indicated by its recent fiscal quarter report, which revealed a 26% decline in Nook sales compared to the same period last year. In response, the company is leveraging every opportunity to attract new customers. As part of its strategy, Barnes & Noble is currently offering a complimentary Nook Simple Touch e-reader with the purchase of its Nook HD+ color tablet. This promotion serves as a signal that sales of either one or both of these devices are currently underperforming. The Nook Simple Touch is the company's entry-level e-reader, featuring a black-and-white eInk display, and it is currently priced at $79 after a $20 price reduction in December.
2012. Nook Simple Touch plays pricing catch up with Kindle
Barnes & Noble has recently reduced the price of the Nook Simple Touch from $99 to $79, making it a direct competitor to the $69 Kindle 5. Both devices feature 6-inch black-and-white screens, Wi-Fi connectivity, and 2 GB of storage. While the Nook Simple Touch is slightly wider, thicker, and heavier than the Kindle, it offers a longer battery life of two months, surpassing Amazon's e-reader which lasts for one month. Additionally, the Nook Simple Touch includes a microSD card slot and comes with a charger, setting it apart from the Kindle 5. On the other hand, the Kindle 5 displays ads on its screensaver, unless users opt for the ad-free version priced at $99. However, in the competition between these devices, the pricing of the device itself may become less important. The availability and pricing of books are likely to be the key factors influencing consumers' choices.