Kris Naudus / Nintendo
Despite living on what appears to be a deserted island, players like Corey and Joshua said the phone always showed a strong signal, ideal for when you’re in trouble and need to call the rescue service. VideogameScrapbook called it “a miracle that works even when there are zero cell phone towers for hundreds of miles,” and Thomas found this “pleasantly surprising considering that I was one of the first people to call this island home. He always reads full bars. , and the signal strength really shows. The call quality sounds as if the person I’m talking to is right next to me. ” However, he had problems with the inability to call the device, asking “Why, Nook Inc.?”
The biggest compliment went to the NookPhone’s battery, with multiple users marveling that they don’t have to worry about the device’s power levels. VideogameScrapbook said, “I’ve never charged the phone in a few weeks, period.” It feels like witchcraft! And Thomas was equally effusive, commenting that “I have never had to charge this phone like never before. I don’t know if it works with lithium-ion, solar, AAA, or sheer grudge batteries, but I can say that Nook Inc. could be sitting in a real royalty goldmine if you decide to license this technology to other companies. “
Kris Naudus / Nintendo
However, while the hardware received almost unanimous praise (easy enough when it’s not really real), things were a bit different on the software side, which is where the actual user interaction occurs. Corey expressed his disappointment at the “limited selection of apps,” and Thomas listed obvious omissions: “You won’t find Facebook, Netflix, YouTube, or most of your other favorite apps on this phone.” Dustin was upset by the lack of mobile games and a music player, as that means he can’t “listen to my favorite KK jams on the go”. Joshua added that at least, “updates come in days, not months.” Colin simply said that he needs a “jailbreak option”.
Thomas, however, had good things to say about the programs you get, stating, “Any app that is clearly installed has had a lot of thought put into every feature. It is a give and take. What’s available is very well done. “He added,” The NookPhone has everything you could possibly need and nothing you don’t need, “especially if” you’re in a position like mine where you are managing an island environment. “
Kris Naudus / Nintendo
Of the included apps, icwhatudidthere was pretty negative about the phone, calling it “nothing more than a slave tracking mechanism designed by Nook. He gamified it so you wouldn’t even notice it, but he’s clearly only taking you to his tasks for he “. N was a little less vehement, but still had trouble with the user interface, saying “it takes too many clicks to get to Nook Miles +. It would be wise to allow a shortcut directly there by pressing the + button on the home screen, instead clicking to open the Nook Miles app + then pressing + after the app opens. “
The only app that got everyone talking, both positive and negative, was the camera, which Jay called revolutionary, as it allows him to take third-person selfies. Dustin even likened it to “having a drone following you everywhere.” Corey had some problems with the camera software, which he found “very limited”. Can’t even move / tilt left or right! However, it has nice resolution and colors and 100% real. ” N also felt that it could be more robust and that he feels “a bit anemic compared to photography modes in other games.”
Kris Naudus / Nintendo
Finally, even though they didn’t have a lot of options to use it when playing games, readers felt pretty good about the NookPhone. Dustin said, “Tom Nook did an amazing job making this product in his garage.” Corey called it “a good accessible starting point for Nook Inc.,” adding that “a solid foundation has been laid for the greatness that will be the NookPhone 2.”
