
The N2A card boots into a custom build of Android 4.1 known as CyanogenMod 10. Everything you do with the N2A card lives on the card itself, so all of your Nook settings remain untouched. Power down, remove the microSD card, reboot, and you'll be back to the standard Nook interface. You can even backup or restore the tablet from your Google account if you've used Android before. From there, setup is the same as any other Android tablet: Enter your Google account information, connect to Wi-Fi, and you're all set.

You'll automatically boot into full Android on the way back in. Getting started is as simple as popping the N2A card into the Nook HD+'s microSD card slot and rebooting. Read our editorial mission (Opens in a new window) & see how we test (Opens in a new window). Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. Since the Nook's internal storage isn't writable, all of your media and apps will reside on the microSD card, so I'd recommend going with at least the 16GB model. We tested the 16GB microSD card, which comes with about 5GB of storage for apps and 9GB of storage for media. There's also a downloadable version for $19.99, but that requires a bit more Android knowledge for installation, so for the purposes of this review we'll stick with the microSD card option.

The price is the same regardless of what Nook you're using, with an 8GB microSD card for $29.99, a 16GB for $39.99, and a 32GB for $59.99. If you're an Android enthusiast, they're worth a close look, and are a clear Editors' Choice.įor now, N2A cards are only available for the Nook Color, Tablet, and HD+, with a Nook HD iteration in the works. N2A (Opens in a new window)cards ($29.99 direct) grant exactly that, bringing fully functional Android 4.1 "Jelly Bean" to the Nook HD+. For many, though, the hardware on Nooks-especially the newest Nook HD+-begs for an unrestrained Android experience. That's because of the company's simplified user interface, which admittedly has its merits.


How to Set Up Two-Factor Authenticationīarnes & Noble's various Nook devices, from the Color to the HD+, have all had the trappings of full-fledged Android tablets, but have yet to deliver a full-fledged Android experience.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.
