Long story short, early adoption invites a lot of problems. Not to discount the OP's valid issues, but shipping and customer service problems have been evident

Long story short, early adoption invites a lot of problems. Not to discount the OP's valid issues, but shipping and customer service problems have been evident with most every new hardware release that I can remember. edit: plus at the end of 2009 i noticed that while the local B&N has a big Nook sales kiosk right when you walk in, staffed by a salesperson, when you go to buy a book the big Nook banners behind the sales desk have small 'sold out' banners taped across. obviously a bad sign.