Amazon's Kindle 2 vs Barnes and Noble's Nook

OK! enough drooling, time to pick it apart. At first glance, I would easily take the Barnes & Noble "Nook" over Amazon's "Kindle 2." For starters, it just looks more appealing: It has a sleeker design, a color touch-screen, ... But, let's run down the specs. There may be a thing or two that matter to you. (besides the name being ridiculous)

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So, looks great. Some things that might matter to you:

• They're the same price.
• Shipping for the Nook if you pre-order on the B&N website will begin approx. the end of November 2009. (Kindle 2's are already available)
• the Nook and Kindle can store the same amount of books (around 1,500). however with the Nook you can buy (separately) more memory which would make it possible to hold oodles of more books on your Nook. This may matter to you. For me, I read a book once then never read it again, so the large storage is not necessary. If i were going abroad for a long period of time I would want the huge amount of storage though.
• Nook is a little bit thicker and a little bit heavier, but this is supposedly the ergonomic design. However, Kindle 2 is also supposedly an ergonomic design. So it’s whatever is more appealing to you.
• The lending feature is phenomenal if that matters to you and you know you’re going to have “Nook Buddies” OR people who have Blackberries, PCs, Macs, iPhone, Moto phones with the B&N e-reader App.
• The Nook has a Color Screen that is also a Touch Screen. REALLY cool. But let’s be honest, beyond the cover, I personally don’t really care if it’s color because the text that I would be reading is going to be black-and-white regardless.
• Be careful about getting excited about the wireless. It’s not exactly “Free range”: It will work great in all B&N stores with their wi-fi. Outside of the stores it will be on the AT&T wireless 3G network...people have different opinions about at&t and how good or bad it is. here is a coverage map. You will only need the wireless to download books though. to just Read your eBooks, you do not need the wireless.
• Nook does not support Word doc’s. And has a touch-screen 'virtual' keyboard. Maybe i'm old school but I like a real physical keyboard, unless i have a stylus. Which the Nook does not.
• Nook does not have text-to-speech (can’t read the book to you out loud). Kindle 2 does this (unless the author has refused).
• The Nook runs Google's Android ...woohoo! (wait, i don't care, but many many others do--this makes it cooler--and gives it much potential for future development)
• I’m a little skeptical of the 10 days without recharging claim especially since it has an LCD screen. BUT-who knows? The B&N Nook site says that if you are using the wireless, it should last around 2 days without recharging--give or take-- but if you are only using it to read your eBooks then it can last 10 without a recharge.
• Nook comes with 1 YR standard defects warranty. $70 additional will buy you a 2 YR warranty that includes ACCIDENTS (spills, drops, etc).

Check out Kindle’s site for more of their detailed features.

They really both look wonderful. If I had to make a decision right now: I might not rush out and get the Nook and might instead be inclined to go with Kindle since it has been around longer and have already improved their features, understanding the needs of their customers and they have great reviews. If I had more time to decide I would wait and see how others like their Nook after it has been out on the market for a couple of months. It definitely is more attractive, but feature-wise there’s nothing that pulls me their way. It would all come down to dependability. I have a feeling though that Nook will be great though.

There are a few other e-readers out there, (or coming soon-- as it is a new Trend and 2010 is hearby declared the "Year of the eReaders") trying to make a name for themselves as well.

• Bookeen Cybook Opus
• enTourage eDGe
• Alex Android eReader
  
• iLiad by Irex
  
• Sony Reader Touch Edition
  
• more can be found here

Are you into (or planning on getting into) the eReader way of reading? If so, which brand/style will you plan on buying?

Will it be a Christmas present for any family members or loved ones this year? Or is it too expensive this year yet with the economy? (Maybe next year though?)

I think I will have to stick to my 50-cent paperbacks for another year.... or ten but these eReaders sure do look awesome! Would love to have one! If you have ever used any of these, please post your opinions and reviews for others to share!