If you’re a new owner of a Barnes & Noble
Nook Tablet, you’re in for a treat ? the sleek device is exceptional for reading magazines and newspapers, surfing the web and storing plenty of exciting apps. Plus, it?s extremely intuitive and easy to use.

1. Register

First, make sure the device is charged ? it takes about three hours, but you can begin the registration process as long as it?s plugged in. To turn it on, press the power button on the top left-hand side of the device and slide the Nook icon to the right to unlock. A quick registration process is required, which involves signing in or creating a Barnes & Noble account. The prompts walk you through a time zone selection, Wi-Fi setup and credit card confirmation. This will set you up to purchase books, apps and other content from the Nook store.

The interface is easy to figure out just by taking a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the layout. Most of the options ? from settings to the Nook store ? are located at the bottom of the screen, while the rest of the interface is reserved for apps and other downloaded content. Make purchases with just a tap of the finger through the Nook store, accessed only after connecting to Wi-Fi. Then download books, magazines, apps, music and videos directly from Barnes & Noble through your account.

2. Download, Personalize

From Angry Birds to Words With Friends, the Nook store is filled with popular
apps. Some of our favorites include
Contacts Plus ($1.99), which imports contact information and birthdays from
Facebook and other sites, and also allows you to send files stored on your tablet to other devices. Free note-taking app
Evernote and Facebook chat app
FriendCaster for Facebook ($1.99) are also worthy downloads. There are, however, a few noticeable apps not available through the Nook store, including
Twitter. Instead, fans will have to opt for
Seesmic, a free app that helps you manage your Twitter account.

In addition to downloading content and transferring photos to make the device more personal, change the wallpaper on the screen by placing a finger on the interface. An option will pop up to select a backdrop from the wallpaper gallery, or you can choose your own photos.

3. Accessorize

Although the sound quality on the Nook Tablet is strong, the device doesn?t come with ear buds. You’ll need compatible headphones to listen to music or watch videos in private. Other helpful accessories on the market include a
Nook Stylus pen, which lets you handle the device without using your fingers, keeping the screen extra clean. Meanwhile, creative and classic cases for the Nook Tablet are available on sites such as
Amazon and
Etsy.

If the device’s 1 GB of memory isn’t enough to store personal files and photos, lift the rubber flap on the back with the Nook logo and insert a microSD memory card for up to 32 GB of extra storage. These start at about $30.