Nook firmware 1.3 released – adds games, free ebooks & internet browsing

Note: Can’t decide on which ebook reader is right for you? Check out my post Ebook Reader Holiday Roundup that compares the major readers on the market. You might also want to read Nook Vs. Kindle: Sharing Ebooks with Others.

Barnes & Noble’s Nook ebook reader just got a face lift when firmware 1.3 became available for Nook owners to download. This is probably the biggest and most significant firmware upgrade for Nook to date. And it’s becoming even more obvious that the largest bookseller in the United States is serious about taking on the Kindle and the Sony family of ereaders.

Here are the new Nook 1.3 features:

Read ebooks for free at any Barnes & Noble store

The only caveat here is that the free ebook is only available for one hour per day. So if you’re a fast reader, you might be able to get through a novel. I have a feeling the “one hour/day restriction” is something the publishers are imposing, not Barnes & Noble.

I hope in future firmware upgrades, they let Nook owners read free ebooks as long as they are at a B&N store. The same principle applies with print books – you can walk into any store, sit down with a book and read the whole thing if you want.

Games: Chess and Sudoku now available

While games are always cool, I’m not a big fan of this feature. Personally, I think ebook readers like Nook should be for just that, reading ebooks. If you want to play a game, then grab your iPhone or laptop. I’d much rather see Nook owners being able to read ebooks for free in any B&N store than play games. Not my cup of tea.

Enhanced Wi-Fi access

While I assumed Nook was capable of jumping on any Wi-Fi network, I guess I was wrong. It appears that now you can access hotspots that are password protected. This allows users to connect to Wi-Fi at Starbucks (for example), hotels and other spots that might require a log in. You can also jump on your neighbors Wi-Fi, you know, the one who doesn’t have his/her network password protected.

Web Browser (Beta)

Like the games feature, I’m wary of the web browsing feature as well. It only serves as another distraction from reading. Furthermore, Nook is not built/designed to be a decent web browser (unlike the iPhone, for example). When I gave the web browser a shot at my local B&N today, it was very sluggish. And Nook doesn’t support any sites with Flash and/or Java. Maybe when the 2nd generation Nook is released, they can design it to surf the web better. But for now, this is a feature I can do without.

Enhanced dictionary feature

This is great! Instead of having to highlight a word to look it up in the built-in dictionary, you can now type in any random word and get the definition. Perfect for waking up in the middle of the night and wondering what epicaricacy means (if you must know, it means taking pleasure in others misfortune).

Better overall Nook performance

Behind all the glitz of the new features are some under-the-hood features. According to Barnes & Noble the new firmware update improves Nook performance in the form of speedier and smoother page turns, faster ebook loading and more.

User-Replaceable Battery

All those great new features aside, the one Nook feature I have always been excited about is the user-replaceable battery. Just about every electronic gadget I own requires that you send your device in and have the manufacture change the battery for you. Yes, there are kits you can purchase for a do-it-yourself battery change, but those are often cumbersome and not for the technically challenged.

With Nook, you can walk into any Barnes & Noble store and buy an extra battery. The Nook’s back cover easily pops off and the battery comes out with the help of a screwdriver. In less than 5 minutes you can have a new, fresh battery powering your Nook. I wish my iPhone had that!

Final Thoughts

Overall I think Barnes & Noble is headed in the right direction with Nook. They have jumped into the ebook market with both feet and quickly became a serious competitor to the Amazon Kindle. I don’t think the release of the iPad will have a significant impact on dedicated ebook readers. For one thing, the iPad is too pricey for a lot of people. You can buy a Nook for $259, and I expect to see that price drop in the future.

Related posts

• Kindle firmware 2.5 to be released in late May
• Nook vs. Kindle: Sharing ebooks with others
• Why is the Barnes & Noble Nook already generating a lot of buzz?
• Barnes & Noble releases the Nook digital reader
• Barnes & Noble releases free iPhone app (review included)

Read More: Technology, eBooks