Whether we like it or not, we have to give Apple some credit for releasing its magical iPad tablet. Despite its shortcomings and minor flaws the iPad has managed to stir up the otherwise sleeping tablet computer industry and the e-reader market. Several brands are now in a rush to come up with something better than than the iPad.
For Barnes and Noble it’s much easier to do this because Nook is already out even before the iPad hit the market. So, what B&N can do right now is update Nook’s features and make it a better e-reader than the iPad. And it is doing this right now as it announces some new features for Nook such as Read In Store and the addition of some games that Nook owners can play on their device. These were made possible via a software update to v1.3.
The beta Read in Store feature allows Nook owners you to read ebooks while your inside a Barnes & Noble store. You Nook will automatically connect to the Nook online bookstore and let you read titles from the B&N online bookstore even if the books are physically out of stock. While inside the store, you can read ebooks up an hour per day. B&N also plans to make some current edition newspapers and magazines available for in-store reading soon.
“Our digital customers will feel at home in our stores with Read In Store, which puts a digital spin on the popular Barnes & Noble bookstore experience that millions of our customers enjoy each day. At no cost, NOOK customers can browse through our robust collection of digital content while enjoying their favorite beverage in our café,†said Tony Astarita, Vice President, Digital Products, Barnes & Noble.com.
In addition to these, Barnes & Noble has also included new games and other entertainment features to Nook including Chess and Soduku.
While the Nook v1.3 software update includes the following new features and enhancements:
- improved page turn speed, enhanced color touch screen navigation, faster access to previously opened eBooks  and more
- high-speed connectivity to more hotspots
- built-in web browser
- updated homescreen
Nook v1.3 is available to download from www.nook.com/update or you may want to wait for automatic update in the coming weeks.
Originally posted on April 23, 2010 @ 6:09 pm
