NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color Accessories: My Top 5
By Chris Chiarella
For those of you lucky enough to have received a Barnes & Noble NOOK Tablet, or its near-twin the NOOK Color, over the holidays (like me!) the fun is no doubt just beginning. Now that you've had a chance to play with it for a while, you might find yourself wanting a little help carrying it, protecting it, or otherwise enhancing it and its many features. Look no further, as we have rounded up our Top 5 NOOK Tablet Accessories that embrace style and performance, each chosen to unleash the potential of this powerful, affordable, versatile new device. In most cases, accessories for the NOOK Tablet are also perfect for the NOOK Color as the two have nearly identical cosmetics and are sized the same. The NOOK Tablet has a faster processor, more RAM and an integrated microphone, but is otherwise quite similar to the NOOK Color.
Powerbag Tablet Messenger
All manner of ills can befall a portable electronic device out in the field, not the least of which is a potential lack of power outlets. The Powerbag Tablet Messenger is quite a handy multitasking solution, with a snazzy design compliments of the style-conscious luggage mavens at fūl. It's durable too, with a reinforced bottom, a padded shoulder strap and a stay-dry handle for those sweaty palms. We'll find plenty of compartments inside and out--notably a padded tablet pouch--for the NOOK and its accessories.
The necessary micro USB plug is inside to charge the NOOK, with other plugs for additional devices. The ports are integrated into Powerbag's signature, multi-tentacled PowerVine, which is rooted in an onboard refueling station of sorts: a mighty 6000mAh rechargeable battery. (A step-up 9000mAh battery with 50% more charge capacity is also sold separately.) And if you're uncomfortable using a generic micro USB cable, you can use the NOOK's own original power/data cable too, for its glowing status indicator, patched in at the Powerbag's standard USB port. And when the Powerbag runs empty from charging tablets, etc., the über-battery pack can be re-juiced easily, in or out of its special nesting pocket via the included AC adapter. ($139.99)
Where to Buy:
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC27 Noise-Canceling Headphones
I've seen it many times, and I'm guilty here, too: A giant pair of headphones connected to a tiny player tends to look a little, well, goofy. But on-ear headphones have their advantages over in-ear buds, and thankfully the ample form factor of a seven-inch tablet balances out that size ratio to serious headgear like the
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC27 Noise-Canceling Headphones. They're quite reasonably proportioned for on-ears actually, with the added benefit of active noise cancellation to block out the real world when we're getting lost in a good book, or in a Netflix movie or Hulu TV episode.
They fold flat for easy portability and all of the noise-canceling circuitry is neatly internalized. They still sound great in passive mode when the AAA battery dies on us, with comfy, cushioned noise isolation, 40mm drivers and a 20-20,000Hz frequency response, for a sonic quality that goes well with the NOOK's large, vibrant LCD screen. A protective case, detachable cable, airplane and quarter-inch plug adapters are all included. ($119.95)
Where to Buy:
Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger
Travel-friendly with a compact, lightweight body and a rotating AC plug that locks in any of four positions, the
Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger provides three standard power outlets plus two USB ports, all with welcome surge protection to defend your NOOK Tablet and more, at home or on the road. Belkin is serious about it too, with a lifetime warranty on the charger as well as up to $75,000 of insurance on connected equipment in the unlikely event that they should be damaged by a surge while hooked up. (That's enough for 300 NOOK Tablets for you number-crunchers.) A mini-USB charging cable is included, to help us hook up another tablet, media player or phone portable device to the second port. ($24.99)
Where to Buy:
Graphic Image Leather eBook Reader Case
The NOOK Tablet of course evolved from Barnes & Noble's original electronic "book," and so it is only fitting that it be dressed as an heirloom tome of yore. When not making accessories,
Graphic Image applies their considerable leatherworking skills to bookbinding--blank journals as well as limited-edition print runs of worthy titles--and now they have crafted an
eBook Reader Case in traditional black or brown leather (as well as some wilder colors, too) as part of their Tech Collection. Top-quality, luxurious leather is the main ingredient inside and out, with four stretchy, cowhide-accented loops to hold the NOOK fast, neatly echoing the cut of its distinctive lower left corner. An inside pocket gives receipts and such a place to gather, and a large elastic band keeps the cover safely closed. ($105)
Where to Buy:
SanDisk 32 GB microSDHC Flash Memory Card
As anyone following the NOOK Tablet vs. rival
Amazon Kindle Fire race already knows, one of the major distinguishing factors between the two is the NOOK Tablet's microSDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) card slot to expand its already generous 16 gigabytes of embedded flash memory. Well, in truth, the NOOK only allocates
one gigabyte for our personal media, the lion's share (12GB) is reserved for
BN.com purchased content.
So a microSDHC Flash Memory Card like this 32GB wafer from the esteemed purveyors at SanDisk is a wise investment. It will roughly triple the NOOK Tablet's storage capacity (allowing for formatting loss and necessary system data) for copious amounts of our music, videos, photos and more. And the free downloadable SanDisk Media Manager software application helps us make the most of all that real estate. (List price $90.99, but available at a steep discount on Amazon.)
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