The B&N Nook to get access to Google Play

[JB2K]

All,

It looks-like Barnes & Noble will now include access to Google Play (formerly-known as Android Market) and its' 700,000-plus apps, on all Nook devices, starting today.

Game-changer for you?

 

[BlueBeagle]

No, because Barnes and Noble has HORRIBLE customer service for their Nooks. Not worth it.

 

[wiigirl]

Yes....I think its a game changer.

 

[OklahomaTourist]

No, because Barnes and Noble has HORRIBLE customer service for their Nooks. Not worth it.

Can't agree with this. My daughter has a Nook, and aside from a technical issue, B&N tech support has been quite adequate. When her original Nook died under warranty, they replaced it with no questions asked. Not sure I can ask for more than that.

The absence of Google Play has been one of my main gripes with the Nook. It always forces her to choose for-cost options for games and apps that are otherwise free through GP. It had made me wish I just bought her a nice Samsung tablet and downloaded the Nook reader software for it.

Smart move by B&N, I think. Lots of folks have rooted and downloaded secondary ROM's and either replaced or "sideloaded" a stock Android OS on their Nook to get around this very issue.

 

[Disneefun]

I'll go with last ditch desperate effort to keep the Nook afloat. There was an article a few weeks ago in Publisher's Weekly about how B&N was considering selling off or closing down the whole Nook division because it was hemorrhaging money.

This looks like a last ditch effort to sell a few more Nooks and maybe keep the brand alive. Ironically by doing something that might have saved them some pain had they done it in the first place.

 

[mcorbo]

I'll go with last ditch desperate effort to keep the Nook afloat. There was an article a few weeks ago in Publisher's Weekly about how B&N was considering selling off or closing down the whole Nook division because it was hemorrhaging money.

This looks like a last ditch effort to sell a few more Nooks and maybe keep the brand alive. Ironically by doing something that might have saved them some pain had they done it in the first place.

Only applies to the Nook HD, not the original nook Tablet.

 

[RitaE]

The nook is a nice tablet in terms of hardware and this certainly improves it's functionality --- but there are just so many nice tablets out there anymore I don't know if it will make much of a difference for them.

 

[BlueBeagle]

Can't agree with this. My daughter has a Nook, and aside from a technical issue, B&N tech support has been quite adequate. When her original Nook died under warranty, they replaced it with no questions asked. Not sure I can ask for more than that.

The absence of Google Play has been one of my main gripes with the Nook. It always forces her to choose for-cost options for games and apps that are otherwise free through GP. It had made me wish I just bought her a nice Samsung tablet and downloaded the Nook reader software for it.

Smart move by B&N, I think. Lots of folks have rooted and downloaded secondary ROM's and either replaced or "sideloaded" a stock Android OS on their Nook to get around this very issue.

I'm glad you had a great experience with them. Our experience was very fustrating. My son's glowlight developed holes in the screen. I called B&N and they sent me a new one. Well, they sent us a refurbished unit. My son's Nook was only 5 weeks old and he only used it at night. I would have been fine with a refurbished unit if it was due to his negligence. But, the problem was a very common defect with their product. So, I called them back and they sent me a new one. He registered it and within minutes it died. Shut off. Wouldn't do anything. So, I had to call them back. They told me there was no new glowlights in their warehouse or anywhere in our large metro area. So while I was on hold I was talking to my hubby telling him I just wanted to buy son a Kindle. Guess what? They found a new one and sent it to us. And guess what? Four weeks later this one also has light holes in the screen. Ugh.

 

[DisneyOrBustColorado]

I own the nook tablet now & have been noticing that many, many books & apps are unavailable on it. It is a good thing for the newer nook devices that they are allowing access to google play, but because they will not support/allow advances/upgrades on my nook tablet (that is now less than 2 years old) I will never buy another nook again. My DH bought a google nexus & really likes that tablet since he can access all of my nook books & also access kindle books.

I am done with nook. Sad that they think my nook tablet that is less than 2 years old is junk & I get access to fewer things on it everyday. If you want to have a good product you've got to be able to support all of your products not just the latest & greatest.

 

[HubbDave]

I still use my Nook Color (using the DIS app on it now).
I rooted it...still an older version of Android, but I am fine with it.

I hope they can survive. The Nook HD and HD+ are great products. Opening up their ecosystem is a good idea.

One good thing about Barnes and Noble is they have (for now) brick and mortar stores. If you have a problem you can bring it in.

My wife loves her Glowlight Nook...no problems.

 

[Colleen27]

It would have made a difference for me, had they done it sooner. I liked my rooted Nook Color and my kids still use it but I couldn't justify the Nook HD over other tablets at the same price-point. I ended up buying a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0. App selection and access to the Play store vs only BN's selection was the tipping point. As much as BN is one of my favorite stores and I had good experiences with my first Nook, they lost me as a tablet customer by keeping the Nook exclusive to their shopping portal for so long.

 

[torinsmom]

I rooted mt Nook Color to be an andriod tablet as soon as I got it so it has always had Google Play. It is really easy and all you need is an SD card and a little time.