B&N eReader Update

Looks like along with streamlining the Nook on the 21st Barnes and Noble has updated their iPhone and iPod touch readers as well.  Here's the official B&N release:

We've made several improvements to our service which will provide you with a better reading experience. eBooks now open faster so you can get right to your reading, and you can begin turning pages or jump to a table of contents right away.

We've also heard of a few problems opening new eBooks purchased after our most recent software update. We apologize for any inconvenience; if you have experienced this, there is an easy fix:

1.  Simply remove the ebook from your iPhone / iPod touch by swiping from left to right across the title in the list view and tapping the “delete” button when it appears.

2.  Then tap “My Online Library” and re-download it to your iPhone / iPod touch.

We'll continue to make further improvements and add new features, based on feedback we've received from the nearly 1 million customers who have downloaded the app.

We'll release a great new version of the B&N eReader early in the New Year.

Until then, we wish you a very happy holiday season, and thank you for shopping with us.

Barnes & Noble eReader Team

Nook 's First Firmware Update 1.1.0

Nook rebooting after today's 1.1.0 Firmware UpdateI flipped on my Nook this afternoon to do a bit of reading and noticed a little 'updating' box in the corner. For a moment I thought that meant it was updating the 'Daily' section but it turns out it was a firmware update. I figured a firmware update would come out sooner rather than later to help quell the complaints of slow page turning and sluggish UI. The 3 second page turn was always a myth, but this update has quickened the refresh rate even more.

Here are the changes/improvements I've notices so far:

• Faster refresh rate of the e-ink display (between 1 and 1.5 seconds)
• The Android-based color touch screen is much more responsive in both text and cover navigation
• Once you select an item from your library or documents you don't have to then select 'read', instead  you jump right into the book. Select 'view item details and options' to get things like publisher info. or loan a book.
• Page numbers are now at the bottom of the page along with the progress bar, a much better layout. Now if you could only navigate by page number...and yes, I understand the issues associated with a medium where you can change text size and therefore alter the page numbers.
  
  

The new and improved Nook page number system

I plan on doing a full Nook review over the holidays and creating an 'instructable' on how to make strong Nook wallpapers and screensavers. Hint; a good wallpaper isn't create by just taking a photo and turning it black and white! Check out this example of a Nook wallpaper in the meantime.