I agree wireless the way to go, but it not arrived into my living room just yet such a way that I could stream my tablet contents to my somewhat older HD TV. I often use my tablet to watch foreign TVs, avi files, u-Tube of course, images and reading lots of text, and to share with others on TV HDMI gives me an easy and straightforward option.

As wireless connections become more common, it’s interesting that having a cable port makes that big a difference. I can “throw” video from my Fire to my TV with

Juice for Roku

but only in a very limited way. I do intend to test out the HDMI connection, just haven’t gotten to it yet.

I just thought you’d like to know–I finally got through to the BN Digital Chat room and got a completely different answer on Bluetooth. I also was told that both devices will have an actual HDMI port, although that’s not what’s been reported in the press reviews or shown on the product videos. . .

Here’s my chat room log:
_____
You are now connected with Dominic Joseph from BN.com

Dominic Joseph: Hi Jackie, thank you for contacting Barnes and Noble Digital Chat Support. My name is Dominic.

Dominic Joseph: If I understand your concern correctly, you would like to know regarding the NOOK Tablet HD?

Jackie: Hi Dominic. I have two questions. First, do the new NOOKs have Bluetooth?

Dominic Joseph: Yes Jackie, they do have a Bluetooth.

Jackie: So both the HD and HD+ can be connected to Bluetooth keyboards, speakers, etc.?

Dominic Joseph: Yes Jackie, you can connect the NOOK Tablet HD and Tablet HD+ to speakers and keyboards.

Jackie: Great!

Jackie: Second question–what type of adapter is required to use HDMI to connect to TVs, projectors, etc.?

Dominic Joseph: The HDMI port on the NOOK Tablet HD+ is used for connecting the High resolution TV’s, as of what we are informed right now, we do expect it to be supporting the printers too.

Jackie: Is there a separate HDMI port, or will there need to be an adapter to use the charging port?

Dominic Joseph: A separate HDMI port is available for the NOOK HD+.

Jackie: Do you know if it’s a micro or mini HDMI?

Dominic Joseph: I would like to inform you that the NOOK tablet HD+ has a full-size HDMI port, and not a Mini- or Micro-HDMI port.

Jackie: Wow! What about the NOOK Tablet HD?

Dominic Joseph: Even HD has the same port.

Jackie: That’s good news. There was some different information in some of the press reviews, so thanks for clarifying.

Dominic Joseph: You are welcome. Is there anything else, I can help you with?

Jackie: Not today. Thanks for the information! Jackie

Dominic Joseph: I am glad I was able to help you. Thanks once again for joining the Barnes and Noble Digital Chat Support.
_________

So I guess we may just have to wait until they are released to know for sure.

Jackie

I, too, have been trying to get on their chat room to get answers, but still haven’t been successful. In addition to the press release, though, most of the media reviews mention a demonstration of Bluetooth capability at the press event. So I wonder if a change was made after the pre-production model demonstrations, or if the Chat Room representative had the wrong info? Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve gotten an incorrect answer from their Chat Room . . .

I’m wonderfully happy with my KFHD, but I’ve got family members who are happy with their NOOKs, and would like to have these same capabilities. I know that Bluetooth is a requested feature for many folks.

On another note, it’s interesting to me that the specs mention a “charging port” and an “HDMI port” and the picture identifies a micro-USB port. According to the media reviews, however, it is actually just one 30-pin connector port for both charging and for attaching an (optional $30) HDMI dongle. It looks like they’ve got a few mistakes on their web site descriptions!

Interesting! I went pretty quickly from the press release to the site, and I searched the site for Bluetooth and didn’t see it.

I’ll update the post, and check with B&N…thanks!

“Superb Sound: To deliver excellent audio, NOOK HD and NOOK HD+ are designed with customized speakers and utilize SRS TruMedia™* to create a wide sound field, deep bass, clear vocals and strong midrange performance. Whether listening through the device’s speakers, a pair of headphones or on a Bluetooth-enabled speaker, …”

I’m surprised it’s not on the specs as well, unless they’ve heard about the KF issues and are worried they may have problems, too.

I’m with you: customer service and the content ecosystem are the most telling features. Neither Google nor BN can come close to Amazon on these.

I was interested to see that none of these new Nooks derive anything from their recent partnership with Microsoft. Notwithstanding the MS investment, I am quite concerned about BN’s ability to stay the course over the long term. Pricing has to be killing their margins.

I knew about the HDMI out, but I haven’t seen anything official yet from Barnes & Noble that suggests Bluetooth on the new tablets…do you have a link on that?

Update: this Computerworld article says it…if they do have Bluetooth, I’m surprised it’s not on the specs page (which does have the HDMI). I’ll look a bit more.