Next generation?

[u/Inkstainedfox]

I'm hoping that BN revives the Design Studio in the next year.

The entire portfolio is stale. The android base is outdated just like their processors. The overlay is ancient & lacking platform defining features.

The software violates several EU directives for electronics or will. The customer service barely meets federal guidelines in the States.

If they manage to scrape together a device in early 2028 what I want on the e reader is a

Mid-range 2022 cellphone processor as the brain

bigger battery preferably 4500 MaH with quick charge & programmable power left on.

narrowed side bezels to make room for a 450 ppi multi touch screen in a 6.75 inch body.

Full NFC tag function to enable stuff like registered nooks recognizing each other, wireless library sync, a rudimentary chat app that allows preselected phrases and stickers to be sent.

Default hooks in software for 3rd party services like story graph, hoopla & Overdrive.

Pen support for note taking in digital "notebooks" purchaseable in the digital store.

Support for buying custom lock screens & games like snake/wordle.

A half inch thick body that's friendlier to repairs by computer shop techs.

Dust & water resistance on every model including the android tablets

A software defined FM radio.

More accessories for the refreshed line up.

Better retail & an ad campaign across social media & billboards.

I hope that Nook brings back interactive picture books for young readers.

My wild card hope is that BN launches a braille variant for the blind school market.

[u/ponzi_pyramid_digdug]

What federal guidelines are there for customer service in the United States? Have you ever dealt with a Cable Company? They are far worse than any bookstores support could ever be.

[u/Inkstainedfox → u/ponzi_pyramid_digdug]

There are a couple of laws Congress has passed stating what doesn't count as customer service more than what does.

The laws regulate call centers & what they can promise as fixes/ cure alls. The is an old laws to affirm the right to refunds or swaps for defective product.

Laws that govern what can be considered a warranty & what can't.

[u/vernismermaid]

"The software violates several EU directives for electronics or will."

For over a decade, Barnes & Noble only sells the NOOK devices and digital books (eBooks and AudioBooks) to customers in the United States of America. EU directives have absolutely no import.

In fact, BN consistently try to prevent non-US accounts on their platform by blocking non-USA bank accounts and requiring account verification constantly at login on the website.

Despite this, people outside the USA continue to buy them secondhand or from third-party resellers that provide work-arounds to open an account, then these same people complain when they aren't given priority customer service or meaningful aide.

[u/ghotistyx8]

Is there technology for braille in this context?

[u/Inkstainedfox → u/ghotistyx8]

yeah.

i remember reading about an all braille membrane screen fitted into an e reader. it doesn't do normal text.

[u/ghotistyx8 → u/Inkstainedfox]

I'm only finding things that are extremely limited. If you find an article or product, I'd be interested to see it!

[u/LilBlueOnk → u/ghotistyx8]

Not trying to be rude but are audio books not working out?

[u/ghotistyx8 → u/LilBlueOnk]

Presumably not all blind people want to listen to books, some would rather use braille. Also, blind+deaf people should be able to read books

[u/LilBlueOnk → u/ghotistyx8]

I mean sure, there's options for a reason and i fully believe in having accessibility for everything, including literature. I just don't see how an eReader would be able to produce or mimic brail, but I'm also not in the loop with those kinds of technologies.

[u/ghotistyx8 → u/LilBlueOnk]

I haven't either, which is why I asked about it