Want to surf the web on your eReader? The latest Kindle and Kobo devices all have built-in web browsers… and so does the Barnes & Noble NOOK GlowLight. But the browser is hidden on the GlowLight. You have to do a little work to find it.
The eBook Reader has instructions for finding and using the browser.
This isn’t the first time B&N has shipped a NOOK eReader with a hidden web browser. It’s not really a major feature — it’s basically just in there to provide a way for you to search for help on the internet if you’re having trouble linking your NOOK to a Google account.
But the upshot is that you can tap a few buttons to get a Google search box which you can use to search the web.
That’s not quite the same as having a fully functional web browser which lets you save bookmarks, passwords, and other data. There’s no back button, and there’s no download manager. But a simple browser is better than no browser at all.
Devices like the Kindle Paperwhite and NOOK GlowLight don’t really make excellent web surfing companions under any circumstances — most websites aren’t designed for devices with grayscale displays, slow screen refresh rates, and choppy scrolling at best. But sometimes the best device for a job is the one you’re already holding in your hands — and if you really need to look something up while you’re in the middle of reading a book, it’s nice to have the option.
The NOOK GlowLight is available from B&N for $119.