Classic Nook 1.5 - Wish List

[jeffcobb]

Originally Posted by lionel47

Well, I like the Nook and I think some software updates could put it ahead of the pack. However, it looks like it's not going to happen.

Just a question for the developers among us:
If we wanted to create our own updates, how hard is it to integrate into the existing software. I mean, keeping the look and feel and the basic structure the same?

Also, how hard or is it even possible to create our own firmware that doesn't rely on the existing firmware? Would be still be able to browse and buy books? Get the Friday freebee?

Greetings; I have had a Nook for less than a week so I don't have that answer yet but I am a software engineer, recently from Sony working on the PS3, and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. The point is I have some experience writing firmware and software for consumer electronics. I was able to hack my previous ereader (the generally sweet CoolER from Britain) but they finally died so we upgraded to the Nook last weekend. Having said all of that, I am more than a little interesting in hacking at this because while some features are probably beyond the ability of the hardware, some of the things *I* want should be somewhat easy hacks. The first thing to find out is what processor runs these things, then what embedded OS and finally extract the app code from the system code. This is not a trivial process, mostly because the code is already compiled to machine code and reverse engineer that is never trivial. However, depending on how it is put together it might be possible to "wedge" some features in there if I or someone can can find the hook. However since we just dropped 300 bones on these (2 wifi units) my wife would probably kick my @ss if I tear this apart too fast . I will be looking into it though because I read somewhere it runs embedded Linux and that is my bread and butter, so to speak.

[jeffcobb]

Sweet! I just did a fast grep on Google and it seems that the Nook runs Android! If so then it will be a far easier process to hack this thing than something else. Android is what runs the X10 too which I help write the software stack for.

The plot thickens...

[firefox]

NookDevs have already teared down the nook and found the components, the list is here:
http://nookdevs.com/Teardown
Also, I think its actually a mixture of Android/Linux coding, I don't quite know. Found the following information from the Teardown regarding it:

"Software

Appears to be running a generic Android image with B&N customization on top to hide the Android underpinnings
Android 1.5 Cupcake
Built Tue Dec 1 14:50:20 CST 2009
Linux 2.6.27
turboboot and u-boot boot loaders
asound
pvplayer
ALSA 1.0.18a"

Read more: http://nookdevs.com/Teardown#ixzz0zDWgh5ti
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike

[lionel47]

Great news. I think I will begin the design work. Hopefully, we can come up with something useful.

[jhempel24]

What I want is kind of petty....I want a stronger chess program...even on hard it's much too easy.

[tiniree]

I have had my nook for several weeks now and still love it. But the one thing I really wish they would add would be the ability to change the font on ALL SCREENS, not just the books themselves.

Having limited eyesight, most times I cannot read the Daily page at all because of the font size

Marie

[gidgiddonihah]

Nook Update 1.5 WOOT WOOT!!! Next month!!!

[chas0039]

Originally Posted by gidgiddonihah

Nook Update 1.5 WOOT WOOT!!! Next month!!!

Don't get too excited. So far it looks as though they are ignoring the serious problems with organizing non-B&N content, the number one problem listed above in the poll. I would love to be wrong, but I doubt it. B&N seems to be trying to rival Apple in arrogance.

[ManosHandsOfFate]

* faster input response - typing text and using the soft directional pad are both too slow

* in-line dictionary

* unified book/document list

[DuncanWatson]

Originally Posted by druzyek

It would be nice to have a search function for the book titles just in case but I do not
understand why people put thousands of books on there. Unless it is the collected works of Dr. Suess, you probably won't live long enough to read even half of them. I have about 50 books on mine and I don't think I can finish them all in a year. Can anyone tell me what the logic is?

I read a book a day or so when actively reading, currently I am reading through the dresden files series again in preparation for side jobs coming out next week. When I am not in a reading mode I read a book a week. I have over 1200 paper books and am converting my library to ebooks. At the moment I have 131 ebooks on my nook and have read every one.

I anticipate having about 1000 ebooks on my nook in a couple of years. I often reread. Sorting, searching and browsing are important for me since when I finish a book (or series) I am often looking for something to read right afterword. I am constantly running into the current published end of series and so look to reread to cut down on frustration. I don't like to reread a series more than once every 3 months on the high side. So I am constantly looking for books I haven't read recently that are interesting and suite my current mood.