Nook beats Kindle for first time in Consumer Reports ranks
updated 06:15 pm EDT, Fri June 17, 2011
Nook touch trumps Kindle in Consumer Reports
Barnes & Noble scored a symbolic win on Friday as the new touchscreen Nook topped the Amazon Kindle in Consumer Reports' new e-reader ratings [sub. required]. The new Nook reached 78 points to the Kindle 3G's 77 owing to the simpler, much more focused design. Many features were equal, and the Nook just edge Amazon's reader in format support.
The original Nook usually trailed significantly since its dual-screen design and extra features made it overly complex.
Amazon had a chance to reclaim the lead without introducing new hardware, the testing outlet set. To do that, it would have to do a good job of implementing its library lending feature, which was already in place for the new Nook.
Conspicuously absent was the Kobo eReader Touch Edition as well as tablets with a heavy reading focus, like the iPad. Sony was also rumored to be revamping its Reader hardware and could be a wildcard.
