http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/ Engadget Comments for Barnes & Noble accepting gift cards for ebook purchases starting mid-December http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/Nov 17th 2009 2:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/Nov 17th 2009 2:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/Nov 17th 2009 3:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/Nov 17th 2009 2:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/
I'll wait for the apple tablet. Why is it that it always takes Apple to make things mainstream? iPods, smartphones, and e-books... they all need to be blessed by Jobs before the masses will adopt. You know I speak the truth, but go ahead and downrank, anyway :-)]]>Nov 17th 2009 2:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/
Sure, an Apple tablet that can play games, browse the web, so on and so forth would be stellar, but then you would just be creating another Jack-of-all-trades. If you give the Nook the ability to do all those things, then what's the point of the e-book in the first place? You created another master of none, and everyone won't but focused on the main point of the device. That's why the Kindle, and Sony E-reader haven't pursued those features; they aren't necessary to people who just want to read. The Spring Design Alex is a nice add-on, but it outshines the purpose on it's e-screen. I believe the Nook's color screen is just right the way it is.]]>Nov 17th 2009 3:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/
Also, who's to say that the nook won't do at least some of those things one day? It's primary function is as an eReader, meaning that B&N will support ebooks and mp3s. That's exactly what most people want from a device that uses an E-Ink display. Having said that, however, B&N have also indicated that Android apps may be in the future. If that's true, you can bet that any forthcoming apps will fill the niche you're wanting while allowing other users to keep their nooks from bloating.]]>Nov 17th 2009 3:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/Nov 17th 2009 3:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/
This will NEVER occur, so long as ebook readers are as expensive as they are now. To achieve e-market dominance, these devices need to either:
1) Drop in price to about $49, or
2) Do A LOT MORE - email, web surfing, HD Video, full color magazines with embedded video/audio, seamless communicating/sending of media to/from your other devices, etc.

I'll admit that I could be wrong, but I think the type 2) device is going to be responsible for bringing the e-book market out of its current niche position.

The game's just about to get interesting.]]>Nov 17th 2009 3:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/
But, the iPod did that for music long before there was a version that sold for $49. And, it did this solely as an mp3/music player. ]]>Dec 1st 2009 12:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/Nov 17th 2009 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/
This is a new era we're embarking upon. Print media is MOST CERTAINLY becoming extinct, but certainly not when e-book readers cost $259.

You guys are also missing the point that the VAST majorty of text in this world is displayed alongside color photos/videos/charts/etc. Novels would be a huge exception here, admittedly, but for this vast majority of text, and the accompanying supplementary media it comes with, a grayscale display with a long refresh rate is absolutely not optimal.

E-book readers are good for on-the-go novel junkies, and not very many other people. Academics will tell you they HATE studying from a Kindle, etc. This type of device will not reach mainstream at a $259 price point. A theoretical "do everything" device with full touchscreen OLED HD display/output, wi-fi/3G radio, and a fast processor inherrantly has about 10,000 times the utility, and the general public (not bookworms, not gadget freaks) would be much more willing to pay hundreds of dollars for it.

So what type of devices will ultimately be responsible for the death of nearly all print media? Unless these grayscale readers come down in price by 90%, I'm betting that it's gonna be something with an HD LCD/OLED, wi-fi, etc. We'll just have to wait and see.]]>Nov 17th 2009 4:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/It's called an investment. Also, think about the space you're saving. You can fit a hundred books in your purse (assuming you, errr, have one)]]>Nov 17th 2009 6:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/

Really? How do you find the time to post comments on Engadget when you are obviously the most popular person on the planet?


Like I said its an E-book. Being able to carry a hundred books on a tiny piece of plastic is really priceless. These will eventually be used in schools/mechanic shops/building firms/etc. all over the world.

I guess your pretty bummed there will be no more book burnings for you and your family to hang out at. :P]]>Nov 17th 2009 8:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/
Either that or if you are too stupid just get a gift card for a gas station... something someone who drives will actually use. Not a gift card for some random abscure store that will only accect it towards the purchase of mint scented pottery on wednesdays from 9am-11:59am if you stand on your head singing the lyrics to "kiss me under the moonlight"...

And no not everyone want an iGift Card because $25 cant even get you a pair of iHeadphones...]]>Nov 17th 2009 2:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/Nov 17th 2009 3:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/if there wasn't some Apple thing coming and this be avail in Germany i def be cuing up to buy one !]]>Nov 17th 2009 3:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/I see, so they don't want money they already have ... they want "new" money.
They could very easily start the ordering process with gift cards now.

I know it has nothing to do with their 4th Quarter profits since that doesn't end until February.
They must be hoping for people to buy the nook early with cash/credit since they probably won't ship mid-December orders until January.]]>Nov 17th 2009 3:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/
The restriction is applied gift cards to ebooks, not the nook itself. Go to bn.com/nook and give it a try yourself :).

So BN gift cards can't be applied to ebooks until near the time when the Nook ships...fine with me.]]>Nov 17th 2009 4:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/
See, this is why I shouldn't get any e-reader.
Because I can't even read an article fully. ;)

Thanks, that makes more sense.]]>Nov 17th 2009 4:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/
Originally, the e-reader was only going to accept credit cards. The #1 requested feature pretty much has been gift card use, so that's why they're starting in December and not at launch.

You can use a gift card to purchase the device already. To buy e-books with gift cards, you'll still need a credit card tied to your account. You go on the website and put in your gift card numbers, and if you buy something that exceeds your gift card balance, your credit card will be charged the difference automatically.

From what I've seen, gift cards will NOT work on the purchase of e-magazines, either for subscriptions or single issues.

I work in the Atlanta area and know about the desk in the Alpharetta store that a previous commenter mentioned. Only the top 100 or so stores are getting the giant desk. The rest of us will be getting a smaller display of accessories [booklights, covers, etc] and not much else. We smaller stores also will not be stocking the e-reader in the store until the initial batch of preorders has shipped. I'd be shocked if we had them before January. Stores with the large desk will be getting some to sell on site, but it's not clear how many each store will get yet.

Hope that clears some stuff up. :-)]]>Nov 17th 2009 4:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/
You also mentioned that you can buy the device it self with gift cards. So if I have six gift cards worth $50 dollars each, can you confirm that I can combine them all to get the device without me having to spend any money out of my pocket?

Thanks in advance,
Rafa.]]>Nov 25th 2009 10:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/
"I did it all for the Nookie!"

;)]]>Nov 17th 2009 5:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/Nov 17th 2009 8:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/Nov 17th 2009 9:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/barnes-and-noble-accepting-gift-cards-for-ebook-purchases-starting/Nov 18th 2009 9:50AM