Touch A History of Firmware Updates at B&N - Page 2

anamardoll · 07-11-2011, 05:23 PM

If you really care about PDF support, I would recommend a Sony PRS-950. That's what I use, and it has a plethora of viewing options, including "column-reading" and landscape mode for PDFs. About half of my library is PDF ARCs and I'd be lost without my Sony.

The B&N updates have been terrible, in my opinion. I had one of the first Nooks, and I was REALLY impressed with their first update -- they fixed a lot of bugs and user issues like page turn speeds and stuff like that. They added some games, which to my mind indicated a willingness to grow in multiple directions. Then... something happened.

The B&N updates...stalled. I bought a Nook Color and the one update everyone cared about -- the Nook App Store -- just chugged and chugged and chugged. People like me wanted an Overdrive app to let us download library books, and a Dropbox app to download our side-loaded books, but neither ever really came about. By time the app store was finally released, I'd rooted the NC.

And when the B&N NC update DID come, the biggest complaint -- the TERRIBLE pdf support -- wasn't addressed at all. And then the N2 came out as basically an eInk version of the NC, and with the same really poor PDF support.

If you're a PDF reader, I feel pretty safe in saying that B&N is not now and never will support you. (And for the non-PDF readers, if you don't want PDF support, that's fine. For you. I'm talking to the OP. About my experiences with my Nook devices. Not flaming.)

ALSO: Re: DRM, the B&N DRM is not compatible with any other device. Repeat, there is no non-B&N device that can currently read B&N DRM.

boswd · 07-11-2011, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamardoll

If you really care about PDF support, I would recommend a Sony PRS-950. That's what I use, and it has a plethora of viewing options, including "column-reading" and landscape mode for PDFs. About half of my library is PDF ARCs and I'd be lost without my Sony.

The B&N updates have been terrible, in my opinion. I had one of the first Nooks, and I was REALLY impressed with their first update -- they fixed a lot of bugs and user issues like page turn speeds and stuff like that. They added some games, which to my mind indicated a willingness to grow in multiple directions. Then... something happened.

The B&N updates...stalled. I bought a Nook Color and the one update everyone cared about -- the Nook App Store -- just chugged and chugged and chugged. People like me wanted an Overdrive app to let us download library books, and a Dropbox app to download our side-loaded books, but neither ever really came about. By time the app store was finally released, I'd rooted the NC.

And when the B&N NC update DID come, the biggest complaint -- the TERRIBLE pdf support -- wasn't addressed at all. And then the N2 came out as basically an eInk version of the NC, and with the same really poor PDF support.

If you're a PDF reader, I feel pretty safe in saying that B&N is not now and never will support you. (And for the non-PDF readers, if you don't want PDF support, that's fine. For you. I'm talking to the OP. About my experiences with my Nook devices. Not flaming.)

ALSO: Re: DRM, the B&N DRM is not compatible with any other device. Repeat, there is no non-B&N device that can currently read B&N DRM.

The nook classic has had 6 firmware updates in a year and half I don't think I would quite call that horrible or stalled, and that is 6 more then you'll ever see on a Sony.

Bookworm_Girl · 07-11-2011, 06:14 PM

The newest Sony models have each had one firmware update. It's unlikely that they'll get another. However the Nook Classic isn't really a fair comparison. It was a first generation product and needed more updates to eliminate bugs and add improvements. The Sony ereaders have several generations behind them now, and their firmware is more stable and fully featured. I don't think that either B&N or Sony have proven to be particularly attentive to user needs. I think that further updates to the NC have fallen because resources were assigned to the STR. The STR firmware just seems to prolong some of the NC complaints. I am hoping that now that the NC and STR have common firmware that B&N will do more updates now to address both units. I think that Amazon appears to be half-listening, and Kobo definitely seems to be customer-focused lately.

Jim Lester · 07-13-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamardoll

ALSO: Re: DRM, the B&N DRM is not compatible with any other device. Repeat, there is no non-B&N device that can currently read B&N DRM.

Not quite correct..

Pandigital Novel (and a few other smaller companies) for devices.

For apps - Bluefire Reader for iPad and upcoming Android version. (so any iOS or Android device - soon).

Admittedly not Sony, not Kobo (I think - they may be able to), and not Amazon

anamardoll · 07-13-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Lester

Not quite correct..

Pandigital Novel (and a few other smaller companies) for devices.

For apps - Bluefire Reader for iPad and upcoming Android version. (so any iOS or Android device - soon).

Admittedly not Sony, not Kobo (I think - they may be able to), and not Amazon

Isn't the Pandigital Novel affiliated with B&N, though?

I didn't know that about Bluefire, though. Thanks!

Jim Lester · 07-15-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamardoll

Isn't the Pandigital Novel affiliated with B&N, though?

It has a B&N bookstore app on the device - but that's pretty much the end of the 'affiliation'. It is very definitely not a B&N device.

BTW, any app developer/device manufacturer that is using the Adobe RMSDK, can choose to support reading of content licensed with the DRM (which is actually Adobe's not B&N) without consulting with B&N ( which is exactly how Bluefire Reader is supporting the content).

anamardoll · 07-15-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Lester

It has a B&N bookstore app on the device - but that's pretty much the end of the 'affiliation'. It is very definitely not a B&N device.

BTW, any app developer/device manufacturer that is using the Adobe RMSDK, can choose to support reading of content licensed with the DRM (which is actually Adobe's not B&N) without consulting with B&N ( which is exactly how Bluefire Reader is supporting the content).

Well, that answers that, then. I knew that the option was available for any Adobe RMSDK device to provide support, but I also didn't think anyone had taken up that option. SO, Pandigital then.

bgalbrecht · 07-17-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Lester

BTW, any app developer/device manufacturer that is using the Adobe RMSDK, can choose to support reading of content licensed with the DRM (which is actually Adobe's not B&N) without consulting with B&N ( which is exactly how Bluefire Reader is supporting the content).

My suspicion is that eReaders using the Adobe RMSDK sold by companies that have their own bookstore (e.g., Apple, Sony and Kobo) will not support B&N DRM, and the rest will.

VicLavigne · 07-19-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randeep

As far as lock-in, I don't know how you can argue that it doesn't try to lock you in. First of all the B&N store is hardwired into the software, is it not? If I want to use Wireless to purchase an eBook will I be able to do so on other sites using the Nook? Also, from what I have heard the DRM attached to B&N ebooks isn't compatible with many other readers. If my assessment is incorrect, then my apologies.

The only lock-in is if you use B&N to order/download ebooks. There is no requirement to do so, you can download all your books from Smashwords or some other DRM-free website if you like. Or for the more technically savvy, you can download B&N books and remove DRM, if you know how, and these books will function on any other ereader that supports epubs.

Being knowlegeable about DRM and ebook formats will allow you to keep all your options open.

Vic

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07-11-2011, 05:23 PM	#16
anamardoll Chasing Butterflies Posts: 3,132 Karma: 5074169 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: American Southwest Device: Uses batteries.	If you really care about PDF support, I would recommend a Sony PRS-950. That's what I use, and it has a plethora of viewing options, including "column-reading" and landscape mode for PDFs. About half of my library is PDF ARCs and I'd be lost without my Sony. The B&N updates have been terrible, in my opinion. I had one of the first Nooks, and I was REALLY impressed with their first update -- they fixed a lot of bugs and user issues like page turn speeds and stuff like that. They added some games, which to my mind indicated a willingness to grow in multiple directions. Then... something happened. The B&N updates...stalled. I bought a Nook Color and the one update everyone cared about -- the Nook App Store -- just chugged and chugged and chugged. People like me wanted an Overdrive app to let us download library books, and a Dropbox app to download our side-loaded books, but neither ever really came about. By time the app store was finally released, I'd rooted the NC. And when the B&N NC update DID come, the biggest complaint -- the TERRIBLE pdf support -- wasn't addressed at all. And then the N2 came out as basically an eInk version of the NC, and with the same really poor PDF support. If you're a PDF reader, I feel pretty safe in saying that B&N is not now and never will support you. (And for the non-PDF readers, if you don't want PDF support, that's fine. For you. I'm talking to the OP. About my experiences with my Nook devices. Not flaming.) ALSO: Re: DRM, the B&N DRM is not compatible with any other device. Repeat, there is no non-B&N device that can currently read B&N DRM.

07-11-2011, 06:14 PM	#18
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36536965 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	The newest Sony models have each had one firmware update. It's unlikely that they'll get another. However the Nook Classic isn't really a fair comparison. It was a first generation product and needed more updates to eliminate bugs and add improvements. The Sony ereaders have several generations behind them now, and their firmware is more stable and fully featured. I don't think that either B&N or Sony have proven to be particularly attentive to user needs. I think that further updates to the NC have fallen because resources were assigned to the STR. The STR firmware just seems to prolong some of the NC complaints. I am hoping that now that the NC and STR have common firmware that B&N will do more updates now to address both units. I think that Amazon appears to be half-listening, and Kobo definitely seems to be customer-focused lately.

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