Hasta La Gadget!

Keeping up a fine tradition, Barnes & Noble has today let slip an internal memo that discusses a forthcoming version 1.2 firmware update for the Nook. There’s not much in the way of info on fresh new features or optimizations, but we do know that B&N retail locations will be getting the update “this week” alongside new units shipping with v1.2 preloaded onto them. We’re also told that the update would be an effortless side-loading affair via USB, but the bit about “prior to the software being released to customers” suggests that perhaps we won’t all be riding the latest software by this weekend. Let’s just be patient and do what we usually do: fantasize about what the future may hold.

Update: Turns out B&N will be rolling out an OTA update to customers in a few days, but the manual download is all ready for collection from right here. You’ll find the full list of changes after the break

Update 2: Now with video, after the break.

[Thanks, Doug].

Continue reading Nook firmware 1.2 ready for download now (Update: video!)

Nook firmware 1.2 ready for download now (Update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The wind sure changes very quickly, eh? Just a week ago the University of Georgia revealed that many of its study participants — Athens residents who were given a Kindle to play with — weren’t happy with their e-reader experience, but yesterday a new study reported something fairly contrasting. Rather than doling out touchscreen-less e-readers to a group of people, the NPD Group surveyed more than 1,000 e-reader owners in late November last year, and found out that 93 percent of them were “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with their devices, while only 2 percent “expressed any level of dissatisfaction.” The report also reveals that wireless access is the favorite feature for 60 percent of the users, while only 23 percent chose the touchscreen. Compared to last week’s report, this probably shows that consumers who actually buy e-readers don’t really care about the touch feature, whereas those on the outer circle are mainly waiting for more — and no doubt cheaper — touchscreen e-readers. Seriously though, only 34 percent wanted color screens? Those guys sure are easy to please.

E-reader statisfaction study shows 93 percent of users are happy, just not you originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s a funny thing, really. We wait years upon years for color e-ink to become a reality, and today — of all days — we finally hear that a sizable one is coming to market in just a few months. Reportedly, Taiwan’s own Delta Electronics is hoping to ship a 13.1-inch color e-reader (along with an 8.1-inch monochrome version) by the middle of this year, both of which will rely on e-paper technology from Bridgestone. If you’ll recall, we got an early glimpse of this stuff right around this time last year, but it wasn’t until today that we heard any followup whatsoever. There’s no mention of expected pricing and the like, but we’re told that the refresh rate is well faster than the black-and-white solutions out there today. Frankly, this thing better check email, play back video and wash our laundry as well — the reign of the standalone e-reader is just about over.

Delta Electronics to ship 13.1-inch color e-readers by Q2 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Look, we know we give Colorware a hard time — mostly because it regularly spits out miscast creations like the abominable Kindle or the unlovable DSi — but in the case of the Nook we’re a lot more ambivalent. Sure, on the one hand you can concoct clashing color schemes like the one above that only someone from Portugal can truly appreciate, but if you slide past the break you’ll find tasteful color combos are possible as well. Perhaps it’s the Nook’s simple logo on the back and straight-line color separation, but this is one instance where we might actually be willing to shell out the $125 asking price for a fresh paintjob. Hit the source link to try your hand at designing a prettier Nook yourself.

[Thanks, Kent]

Continue reading Nook becomes Colorware’s latest victim

Nook becomes Colorware’s latest victim originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looks like everyone wants a slice of that steaming-hot e-reader action these days. Right in front of us here is the Tianji — or in our language, Phecda, a distant star — iBook EB-605, which is purported to be launched by Lenovo at some point this year (and we first heard about such plan back in December). Features include a 6-inch electronic ink display, Samsung ARM 400MHz processor, newspaper subscription, music player, picture browser and support for a variety of digital book formats including EPUB (hooray!) and MOBI. ZOL also spotted the SIM card-like icon at the top, which might suggest a thing or two about its wireless capabilities, and estimates a price tag of under ¥2,000 ($293). No word on international release yet, but hey, the more the merrier either way!

Update: eagle-eyed reader charlied spotted this e-reader in its no-frills form from Oaxis. The good news is that WiFi and SD card slot are featured as well, but no mention of a SIM card slot so ZOL‘s probably wrong about that icon. Shame.

Lenovo to launch Tianji iBook EB-605 e-reader? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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