Samsung Galaxy NOOK Tab 4 Not Just a Tab

When it comes to looking for a budget tablet, many tech heads recommend looking for an eReader. The assumption in this case is that most eReaders are just tablets with some of the bells and whistles chopped off and a bibliographical brand printed on the case; since many devices lack what are considered standard features, they can run much lower in price than their more versatile siblings, while still preserving the overall tablet “feel.”

If you’re just looking for another budget tablet, a bare bones unit with all the coolest features cut short, then the NOOK Samsung Tab 4 isn’t the device for you—while no doubt an economic tablet choice, there’s a lot more to Barnes & Noble’s galactic eReader than some missing bells and whistles. The new NOOK even includes some features that may actually make it a better choice for most than even the standard Samsung Galaxy Tab 4.

Samsung Galaxy NOOK Tab 4 Not Just a Tab


Samsung Galaxy NOOK Tab 4Taking it Home
The first and possibly most notable difference between the Galaxy NOOK and the standard Galaxy Tab is the homescreen. While the unit still runs Android (starting at version 4.4 out of the box) and has Samsung’s iconography and styling, the widgets and other features are anything but Samsung. In a move that may have left Samsung stinging a bit, the My Magazine widget has been removed from the homescreen—something that just isn’t possible in the standard Galaxy Tab 4. This brought a great deal of complaint from early users of the tablet, but at this point it’s sort of like an itchy tag in the back of your favorite t-shirt. Barnes and Noble apparently decided that “itchy tag” had to go, because the Samsung NOOK’s homescreen is fully customizable, with a number of handy propriety widgets and apps, none of which are permanently bound in place. Uninstalling them may not be a possibility—why should it be? It’s a NOOK, it should feature NOOK widgets—but they won’t take up any more space than you want them to.


Another great feature is the plethora of free content offered by the new device. Laptop Mag reports free content worth around $200 total, including:
•    Three books (including hit titles like I Am Number Four and the Fault in Our Stars)
•    One episode from three different current top-rated television shows (such as BBC America’s Orphan Black and NBC’s smash hit Hannibal)
•    Twelve issues and trial subscriptions to three popular magazines (including Cosmo and National Geographic)

The only complaint about these features is that the content offered appears to be random, with different users receiving different titles, but all reports point to it being a broad spread of content, to be sure there’s at least one freebie in there to interest any new user. The inclusion of this high-traffic and high-definition content also helps solidify the fact that this isn’t just an eReader, it’s an all-in-one portable media device
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Application Additions
Samsung’s NOOK may have removed some of Samsung’s trademark apps and widgets, but that doesn’t mean it gave up on all proprietary apps. This time around they’re Barnes and Noble exclusives, and while there’s a little overlap between the different apps, all serve a specific detailed purpose.
According to PCMag, the new apps featured on the Galaxy Tab NOOK are:
•    NOOK Shop
•    NOOK Library
•    NOOK Highlights
•    NOOK Today
•    NOOK Apps
•    NOOK Settings
•    NOOK Search
While apps like Settings, Search, Shop and Library are fairly obvious in their use, they offer features unique to Barnes and Noble customers, including easy access to a library including thousands of free and discounted titles, the ability to streamline your reading and viewing preferences, and find any book in your library based on title or content.

The other apps are a little more interesting. NOOK Apps is like a streamlined version of the Google Play store (which is also included, as this is an Android device), including only apps compatible with or designed specifically for the NOOK; an easy way to see if your favorite smartphone app will work on your new eReader. Highlights includes a running ticker of the most popular titles on Barnes and Noble at the given time, allowing users to see the newest up and coming titles and keep their library fresh. The real star here, however, is NOOK today: this app offers users suggestions on new titles to add to their library based on both the content in their library and the time spent on each title. You may have Alice in Wonderland in your library, but if you haven’t actually read it, you’re not going to see many modern retellings of the classic story in your Today widget.

In Conclusion
According to Engadget, this device offers the best overall Samsung NOOK reading experience thus far. Between the bright full-color display, useful apps and features, and streamlining of Samsung’s own user interface, it’s hard to deny. This may not be the best choice for a tablet on a budget, but it’s definitely at the top of the list for a user-friendly, low-gimmick, high-quality eReader—with just enough extra bells and whistles to put it above the tablet competition.
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