Software Update

[Snow Sciles]

Are there any plans to update the software? I've searched for some info, but found nothing. The Nook 1.2.1 software on my glowlight is very lacking imo. B&N need to push out an update and add some new features. The Nook could be so much more, it's like B&N are dragging it down.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Snow Sciles

The Nook could be so much more, it's like B&N are dragging it down.

There's no "like" about it. B&N is going down the toilet.

Barnes & Noble Fired Its Nook Engineering Staff

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Snow Sciles

Are there any plans to update the software? I've searched for some info, but found nothing. The Nook 1.2.1 software on my glowlight is very lacking imo. B&N need to push out an update and add some new features. The Nook could be so much more, it's like B&N are dragging it down.

Just curious, what's "lacking" in the Nook?

[Snow Sciles]

There are a bunch of features that I would add.

The ability to rate books.

The ability to perform tasks while inside the book. So instead of going to a collection and wading through your entire library, just to add a book to the collection. You can add a book to a collection while the book is open.

The ability to mark as finished.

Auto mark as reading.

Reading, finished and each rating in a 5 star system, should automatically have their own collections.

The ability to archive a book. This would be similar to the function in gmail, where a book can be placed in a number of labels (collections), but archived so it doesn't appear in your inbox (list of books).

The ability to view all notes in one place, rather than having to go to the book and the specific page to find the note.

Most of these features are already in the Kobo, but all ereaders could step up their software and add stuff like rss support and tagging.

I mostly want more library management and better flow. The books in the Nook are isolated, having to leave the book to perform tasks is frustrating.

I don't want to have to root my Nook to get what I consider basic functionality. For all the complaints about the Kobo, I can see why it sells as it has many features. I'm now thinking about getting one, but I like the Nook, the feel of it and its design. I want it to succeed, it's sad to hear they're struggling.

[AnemicOak]

Never count on any features being added after you've bought a device. If it doesn't suit your needs out of the box, keep looking. Of course one can hope a device will be improved, but it rarely happens.

Since your Simple Touch Glowlight has been a discontinued model for a while I wouldn't count on features being added. I don't know that I'd even count on the new Glowlight getting any new features. The best you can hope for really is a future Nook model getting some of these features, if there is a new Nook model.

[Snow Sciles]

The glowlight was my first ever ereader. I didn't have one ebook let alone a library. So I didn't really know what my needs would be. The software seemed good, though I concentrated more on the hardware, and figured it would be a good entry level ereader no matter what. It's solidly made, performs well, rooting expands its capabilities and its affordable.

Now that I have a bigger library and I'm more familiar with ereaders, my needs are clearer. Library management is a priority. I want to stay with the Nook, because it's a really good ereader, but the software is turning into a deal breaker. I may root it or get a Kobo.

A simple software update would solve this, so I was wondering if B&N had any plans.

On a general note, I wish B&N, Amazon etc. would take their ereader software more seriously, I think all of them are lacking in a way.

[Josieb1]

Considering the state of Nook and Batnes and Noble generally I'd very much doubt any software updates will be forthcoming

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Snow Sciles

I don't want to have to root my Nook to get what I consider basic functionality. For all the complaints about the Kobo, I can see why it sells as it has many features. I'm now thinking about getting one, but I like the Nook, the feel of it and its design. I want it to succeed, it's sad to hear they're struggling.

For me, I just want a way to read books and I don't consider all these features (rating, multi-tasking, etc.) you want as "basic functionality." I like my Kindles, but I still think the Nook Simple Touch is the best eReader (for reading) available. For some reason, with the Kindle, I always have trouble getting the right font size. It seems like the gradations between the font sizes is too great. Position 3 is slightly too small (for me), position 4 is too big. (Though I'm experimenting now with loading my own fonts on the Kindle Touch.) One thing that does not work right with the Nook is syncing to your other devices. Kindle does this so well -- in general the Kindle infrastructure is vastly superior. And I'm using the translate feature quite a lot -- I wish it had Latin (might have to root it and change it Google instead of Bing). Not much luck with the Sony T2, fonts are too light for my taste. I had a Kobo -- one of the early ones -- but it didn't seem too refined at the time. I realize that a whole lot has probably changed but I'm pretty much settled with Nook and Kindle now (the Sony will be sold).