Kindle versus Nook software for the gTablet

I have been using my Viewsonic gTablet for about a month now. In the first 30 minutes I owned it I flashed a new Rom and have a fully functional Android tablet.

One of the primary missions of getting a tablet was to replace my stack of books with something I could take with me. I travel a lot and having access to different topics was important to me. Primarily I read news via RSS feeds so I do not subscribe to magazines. I do, however, read huge amounts of literature. Thus, the original quest was to buy a Nook or Kindle. With the gTab I have the best of all worlds and much more at my fingertips.

Over the last few weeks I have used both programs and have made a decision regarding my favorite.

Both programs are available for download from their respective companies (Kindle for Android, Nook for Android). My thoughts are below:

Kindle software
Pros:
- works with Whispersync so it displays the latest page on any of my devices
- loads a book faster than Nook
- when going to the Droid home screen and executing tasks, my book is on the screen when I return
- full access to the Amazon.com marketplace
Cons:
- The font has a more "pixeled" appearance
- less color settings for reading
- archiving items is not intuitive. Details about the books are more difficult to see
- proprietary Amazon format. What will the future hold for e-Readers? I am not sure, but I struggle with a commitement to a closed architecture path (kind of like AppleOS v Android).

Nook software:
Pros:
- The animated page turns remind me I am reading a book
- More color and font settings. I have chosen "butter" and found a font that nearly resembles a true book
- Touching a book on the screen allows me instantly manage the title - buy, archive, see details
- Graphics! Wow! I have several books with pictures and covers downloaded that just "pop" off the screen
- Open architecture using the "EPUB" format. Personally I browsed my gTab and opened one of these files noting it is nothing more than an XML format. I can copy, archive, and save this for any future e-Reader or technology not yet invented.

Cons:
- the most frustrating issue is exiting Nook to execute other tasks always returns me to the Nook homepage requiring me to re-open the book.
- books are slower to load, to the point when I tap an icon I feel I must not have tapped it to start the book

Conclusion -
I already owned books from both companies and some authors only have Kindle versions available. Both publishers offer nearly all the same titles at close to the same prices. That said, my preference is for the Nook software going forward. Remember, this is not about e-ink or Kindle v Nook. Instead, the following make the Nook software for Android the clear winner: readability and settings, graphics and animation, the EPUB format.

Lastly, I ALWAYS download samples of the titles first. When I see a book I may want I download the sample title (like a wish list) and keep it in my library until ready to purchase. I suggest you download several samples of the same title and compare them side by side. One of my favorite comparisons would be Ghost Rider by Neal Pert (Nook) versus Ghost Rider by Neal Pert (Kindle).

G-Tablet Updates - Tips and Tricks

Holy Crap Batman!

The biggest problem I found was no one knows how to sync Outlook Calendars and Contacts. Here is the answer:
Google Calendar Sync. I did this first - NO PROBLEM.

Contacts took a little work.
Here is how to do your contacts. I ran into a "Captcha Error". Here is the link I went to - Unlock your google account.

What else?

You have to read this article -- gives great ideas. PC World Tips on Android.

Our company uses Lotus Notes and I installed the Lotus Notes traveler. All is working great.

My new Tablet Computer

My wife gave me a great new tablet computer for father's day. Check it out here. I think this thing is an iPad killer, but it is horribly lame with the software installed from Viewsonic. When I first turned it on I was blown away - the regular Android software was running. Then a firmware update took place and I was left with Viewsonic's "Touch n Tap." I had already decided I was going to "root" the device and flash a new Rom. There are choices: TNT, Cyanogenmod, CreativeEyes, Mountain Laurel and the list goes on.

Feeling good, but nervous I prepped for the flashing upon arrival. This web site - www.raywaldo.com taught me everything I needed to know. There are several steps:
1) Determine your firmware
2) Install ClockworkMod
3) Flash the new OS

It took me less than 30 minutes.

Coming from the iPhone world I have had some other challenges. What apps to install? How does this thing work? Etc.

I did the following:
1) Installed the equivalent from the Android Market of apps I use on my iPhone
2) I installed Adobe Acrobat
3) I went with Documents to Go for Droid so I could truly edit word documents
4) I found some SQL Server console programs
5) I installed Angrybirds - of course!
6) I got a live desktop that looks like a fish tank - WOW!
7) My Kindle account is installed

I discovered I have 5 screens with which to work and am continuing to navigate. I will share more as I do more, but wanted to document my experience.