NOOK User Guide Wireless Connectivity 57Wireless ConnectivityWhile reading and during most tasks, the radio in your NOOK is not on. It does not need to be,and it would consume power. Even browsing your library, including B&N content in your onlinedigital library, is done on your NOOK. However, some tasks, such as browsing or searching the B&NeBookstore, do require a wireless connection.NOOK ModelsThere are two NOOK models:• A NOOK Wi-Fi can connect to Wi-FiTM hotspots only.• A NOOK can connect to Wi-Fi hotspots and the B&N Fast & Free Wireless network (a cellulardata network).Most of the time when this guide refers to a NOOK, it means any NOOK (both models).When there is a need to distinguish between a NOOK (meaning any NOOK) and a NOOK(meaning the Wi-Fi + 3G model), we write NOOK Wi-Fi for the former and add “Wi-Fi +3G model” to the latter.Choosing a ConnectionWhen your NOOK needs a connection, it starts the radio, determines the best network to connectto, and connects. When it no longer needs the connection, it disconnects.Your NOOK uses the best network it can find, considering network speed and signal strength. Fromtop priority to lowest priority, the choices are:• In a Barnes & Noble store, your NOOK uses the store’s Wi-Fi hotspot.• When within range of an AT&T hotspot in the United States, your NOOK uses the AT&Thotspot.• If you instruct your NOOK to use other Wi-Fi hotspots (by connecting to detected hotspots orconfiguring hotspots), it uses one of those when it needs a network connection (if the signalstrength is OK).• (Wi-Fi + 3G model NOOKs only) If none of the abovementioned Wi-Fi hotspots areavailable, your NOOK uses B&N Fast & Free Wireless (a cellular data network). It picks the bestB&N Fast & Free Wireless connection based on speed and signal strength.Some operations require a Wi-Fi connection. These include downloads of very largeeBooks, periodicals, and magazines; and some software updates.
