Nook HD + Better then the Nexus 7?

  

Nook HD + Better then the Nexus 7?

  You may have noticed the  Nook HD + is only $149 and you may be wondering if it is any good for anything more then reading books and magazines.    I wondered the same thing and for $149 it seemed like a good choice to replace my recently sat on Nexus 7.

The Nook HD+

•  I got the 9" 16gb Nook HD+ and first thing I noticed was the feel holding it was easy with the glass not going to the edge like most tablets it felt more holdable (if that is even a word).    The size is just right for reading and the screen is crisp, clear at 1920 x 1280 pixel resolution.  Bootup was quick and setup was easy only a few steps if you already have a nook account.   The little ring in the corner gave it the unique look that it has and it just seems a robust device.

Google Play Store

·         I am pretty vested in the Google Play stor so one of the things I needed was that it had the Play store upon bootup thanks to the last update it has it installed no rooting needed(So most app are available).   Now you still would have to root it if you want to install 3^rd party apps but this is a big step for B&N.

Expandable Memory

·         The first thing I did after booting it was pop in my 32gb memory card with all my movies and books on it.  Instantly I remembered how I loved having the option to expand my memory by just sliding in a new memory card.  This has to be the one thing I think most tablets are missing.  

The Nook Home screen

·         I would have to say I did not like the Nook Launcher it just is not my type.  So I hopped on the Play Store and installed the my fav Launcher.

The Gameplay

·         I like my games and I like them a lot.  I was very interested how well they would play so I downloaded many games.  Games like Minecraft, Jetpack Joyride run as good as the nexus and with the bigger screen it was that much better.   More graphic intensive games like Shadow gun, GTA3, Max Pain, Modern War 3, Dead Trigger and Contract Killer 2 ran smooth and played well (I used a Bluetooth controller from gamestop) the games had little to NO lag.  Some games like GTA3 I had to set view distance down a little but the game still was wonderful.  Since all my movies are on my SD I can get just as many games on a 16gb Nook as my 32gb Nexus 7.

Battery Life

·         I can have watched 7 episodes of SGU and still had betties left to check email and YouTube.  I can go all day with regular web browsing and not have to recharge.   Well gaming I have gamed 6 hours with Bluetooth on and being used.  So battery life is good.

What is it missing

·         I know the Nook is missing stuff 

o    No GPS

o    No Camera

o    Some games are not available (Anything that is Android 4.1 or later)

·         Of what it is missing never really used any of that on my nexus (except a few games)

What it Has

·         It also has some things not found in Nexus

o    Expandable Memory

o    Full 1080p HD screen

o    HDMI out through a Dongle

·         I used the HDMI out about 20 times since I got my Nook 2 weeks ago.  The expandable memory speaks for it self I have one 32gb card and a 16gb card one is my stuff one my daughters this will forever be a deal braker for me from now on.  The full HD screen is so clear even better then the IPAD 2 as good as the IPAD3.

All in all I don’t miss my Nexus 7.   With my Nook HD+  I spend even less time on my laptop or desktop then with the Nexus and I love the feel holding it and taking it with me throughout the day without any worries.

Checkout my other blogs and peace.

Rooting your Nook Color Part 2: Flashing ROMS!

Flash the Custom Rom.

There are many ROMS to choose from but I think the best would have to be eather CyanogenMod or Paranoid Android Roms.  Use this guide for ether. 
WARNING this will wipe all data from your Nook Color so what you want back it up.

Step 1.  Download and save a Rom to your computer I like ether Paranoid Rom found here or  CyanogenMod found here for CyanogenMod you can select older builds you can also explore goo.im for more roms.

Step 2. Insert the Bootable Micro SD you made in "Part 1: Making a Bootable Micro SD" into your computer and copy the the Rom Zip file over the the SD card.

Step 3.  Remove your Micro SD and insert it into your Nook Color and turn off and back on the Nook.

Step 4. It will load into Clock Work Mod To navigate in Clock Work Mod Use the volume keys for up and down movement the N key to select and power to go back.

Step 5. Select "Wipe Date/Factory reset"
WARNING: This is where you will WIPE ALL DATA that is on the Nook Color SAVE anything you want to keep or it will be lost forever.

Step 6. Select "yes -- delete all user data"
The screen will go through a lot of stuff wait for it to complete and go back to the main screen.

Step 7.  Select "Wipe cache partition"

Step 8. Select "Yes -Wipe Cache"
The screen will go through a lot of stuff wait for it to complete and go back to the main screen.

 Step 9. Select "install zip from sdcard"

Step 10. Select "choose zip from sdcard"

Step 11. select the rom you downloaded should be like "cm-10-20130107-NIGHTLY-encore.zip"

Step 12. Select "Yes - Install  cm-10-20130107-NIGHTLY-encore.zip"
 This will go through a lot of stuff and when it is done voila you are almost done

Step 13. Use the power button to got to the main screen and remove the Micro SD.

Step 14. select "reboot system now" the Nook will now load into the rom you just loaded it may take a bit since it is the first time but if it takes more then 10 min power down and back up and it should load.  Now you are loaded with a better more free Nook experience.

Part 1    Part 2      Part 3

Rooting your Nook Part 3:Installing GAPPS

 Installing Google Play Store and GApps.
Most Roms do not have the the Play Store or Google Apps installed as they are you will have to load or Flash them on to the Nook Color.

Step 1. Select a flashable gapps this depend on what version of Android you installed on your Nook.  Go to your setting and open "About Phone" and look at Android Version and select and download the coasiding gapps here.

Step 2. Copy the gapps zip file to your bootable Micro SD

Step 3.  Insert Micro SD into Nook and power down and power back up.

Step 4. follow steps 10 through 14 of part 2

When you reboot it will load and you should have the Play Store and more.


Part 1    Part 2      Part 3

Rooting your Nook Color Part 1: Making a Bootable Micro SD

This is a easy step by step guide to root a Nook Color giving you the benefits of a tablet.

 WARNINGS: Modifying or replacing your device's software may void your device's warranty.  I am not responsible if you brick your Nook but I have done these steps myself gone back to stock and back to root without a hitch.
You may experience less battery life for less of a chance of this make sure the battery is fully charge before rooting.  Some ROMS may use more battery power due to over-claocking so be aware of this.

Lets began

Part 1.   Making a Bootable Memory card for the NOOK COLOR.

If you didn't know the Nook colors Memory card slot automatically boots if there is a bootable rom on it.
All you need is a 2gb or bigger Micro SD a computer and follow theses steps.

Step 1. Insert your 2gb or bigger Micro SD card into your computer card reader.

Step 2.  Download an Image Writing program what I use is Win32 Disk Imager Download here.  Unzip to your computer (I put all my stuff to root my nook in a NOOK ROOT folder).

Step 3.  Download a Bootable Rom manager Image I use Clock Work Mod  it can be downloaded here and unzip the img file to the Nook Root folder on your computer.

Step 4.  Open Win32 Disk Imager and click on the folder that looks like this to open the Bootable Image.

Step 5. Brows to the NOOK ROOT folder and select the "1gb_clockwork-3.2.0.1.img" click save.
Step 6. Select here whatever drive is the Micro SD Card. It should already be there but verify.

Step 7. Click Write a window will pop up with a warning
 
 If you click "Yes" then all the data on the SD card will be written over so backup whatever you do not want to lose.

Step 8. A window will popup saying

 Click OK and remove the Micro SD.

Step 9. With the Nook Color on insert the Micro SD into the memory card slot and make sure it mounts.

Step 10. Turn off the Nook and then back on and it should boot from the Micro SD into Clock Work Mod. To navigate in Clock Work Mod Use the volume keys for up and down movement the N key to select and the power key to go back.


Part 1    Part 2      Part 3

The Best Photo App and why it Pisses me OFF!!

My Top Ten Most used Android App.

Maybe you're at the doctors office, riding the bus, or even just sitting on the john if you have a smartphone you probably are playing a game, catching up on emails or filling in your calender.   Here is a list of my "Top Ten" used android apps.  Some are mega hit's and some so remote you may have never seen them. 
(Click on the pick to go to the Play Store)
#10

 

#9

 

#8

 

#7

 

#6

 

#5

#4

 Perfect Viewer

Simply the best to reader out there   



#3

 GooManager By Snipanet Apps

A Must for any one who has a rooted phone.  Use this app to find and download updates or compatible ROMs for your device with a simple click.  Flash ROMs to your device to.


#2

 

#1

.