Nook gets web browser, free in-store reading, and games in new firmware

It's not in our nature to get all excited about firmware updates, but B&N sure seems to be bringing the good stuff in release 1.3 of the Nook's software. The major new features include a Beta release of a "basic" web browser and a Read In Store feature that's reassuringly true to its name. You'll basically be allowed to browse and read the full versions of books while inside a Barnes and Noble outlet. That looks like a win-win to us, as it directly addresses the goal of using the Nook to get people in stores while affording consumers the opportunity to get a good idea about a book. The first Android apps on the device are also offered, in the form of games like chess and sudoku, both perfectly suited to the glacially refreshing monochome screen. Speaking of which, B&N claims it's also improved page turning and loading speeds. The update is available via manual download now or you can wait for the OTA stuff to hit your Nook within the next week.

[Thanks, Davorin]

[CityZen Posted Apr 23rd 2010 10:29AM]

The announcement was followed by a sudden increase in sales of yagi antennas and cantennas for people living near B&N stores.

[Jimbojones Posted Apr 23rd 2010 10:41AM]

@CityZen there is B&N store in San Francisco at Northpoint, if this is true, then people living around that area get really cool free perk

[kabloink Posted Apr 23rd 2010 10:49AM]

@CityZen Sadly, your limited to one hour total per book.

[kabloink Posted Apr 23rd 2010 1:33PM]

@kabloink Hmm, it looks like I might have been wrong. People are saying you can read for a hour a day not per book. Which means you could read a whole book over several days.

[YankeeBravo Posted Apr 23rd 2010 2:09PM]

@kabloink More precisely, it's an hour per day per book. So if you wanted to blow a day sitting around the cafe sampling different books, feel free, I guess.

[Maroonfree Posted Apr 23rd 2010 4:13PM]

@kabloink

I guess it's good they squeezed any time out of those DRM-hoarding pig nosed publishers.

[therichad Posted Apr 23rd 2010 10:48AM]

Looks like they are trying to compete with the iPad and the Kindle because I know the kindle has a built in web browser as well as the iPad obviously.

[WntSolstice Posted Apr 23rd 2010 10:51AM]

The Nook is very high on my "want" list. I have a Sony EReader already, but this one has none of the uncomfortable sharp edges and slightly lame navigation tricks. The Nook is so comfortable to hold - a B&N employee was kind enough to let me read hers for a bit. It's a really nice feeling device.

I like the cases for the Sony a bit better, though they don't look as 'cool' as the Nook cases.

[naterecording Posted Apr 23rd 2010 11:01AM]

I love the design of the nook, and it is great that they are making these great updates. Drop this thing down to $229 or $199 (I wish!) and I'd be very likely to pick one up.

[YankeeBravo Posted Apr 23rd 2010 6:32PM]

@naterecording Actually, if you're willing to wait a while and give up the 3G connection, apparently Barnes & Noble has a Nook "lite" version coming out later this year for $199.

[fastm3driver Posted Apr 23rd 2010 11:08AM]

Hacked to make your home router look like a B&N store in 3..2..1..

[exsonic Posted Apr 23rd 2010 12:30PM]

another E-book.........
facing with numerous XXBook of E-ink screen, $ and easy to get content are the critical factors which influence buyers' final decision.

[MRCUR Posted Apr 23rd 2010 12:56PM]

Is love to play with it, but it refuses to download over WiFi at work. I'll have to give it another go at home or just manually transfer the files over.

[providence Posted Apr 23rd 2010 1:10PM]

Anyone tried reading PDFs using Nook?
Im looking for an ebook reader that handles PDFs well

[marsmissions Posted Apr 23rd 2010 1:57PM]

@providence It seemed fine when I did it..

[John Z Posted Apr 23rd 2010 2:21PM]

@providence Straight PDFs are not so hot, particularly if the PDF has little or no plain text (read: scanned text that hasn't been OCR'd). I use Calibre to convert source documents to ePub, which the Nook reads natively. But yeah, if you don't have access to the source doc or the PDF is all images, the Nook isn't the best reader. (note: I haven't yet got the 1.3 update... maybe that improves PDF performance. Kinda doubt it.)

[kellbot Posted Apr 23rd 2010 3:30PM]

@providence I read almost exclusively PDFs on my nook, and am happy with it. It doesn't handle graphs/images very well though, it only wants to render those properly on the 'small' text setting which is both irritating and also not obvious at first. But for PDFs that are mostly text, it works great.

I generally find that the PDF source looks better than a Calibre converted EPUB from that same PDF, but it depends largely on the content.

Also, manga (which generally has smaller pages than a comic book) in .cbr format can be converted to EPUB in Calibre and looks great on the nook. Larger comics less so, as they get condensed too much.

[fencesitter Posted Apr 23rd 2010 1:30PM]

Rooted already? http://twitter.com/nookdevs/statuses/12704458628

[redmaxer Posted Apr 23rd 2010 1:58PM]

I went to the barnes and noble site and the touchscreen is used to navigate the web,though.

[tosvus Posted Apr 23rd 2010 2:25PM]

I think the are panicking a bit. They are stuck in the middle between the iPad on the upper end, and the cheap upcoming $150 readers on the bottom end. In addition, you have devices like Archos 7 or 8 that are in the same price range and could potentially be used for reading as well (though I have not seen this tested).

[rutter9 Posted Apr 23rd 2010 2:59PM]

Lol fastest hack ever already.