Can't post links but go look the smartphonemag website and look up an article by Steve Green dated 8th of Dec. Says he spoke to a B&N rep who showed him a test OS running on a Nook Color. Had Android 2.2 with official android market (which had certain apps removed [I imagine things like GPS apps will be gone]). The rep also said it addressed battery issues and performance issues. The new OS even uses the normal android home screen and you switch into the Nook UI when you want to read books etc...
Hell yehs if its true.
EDIT: Oh and the B&N rep said they were aiming for January 2011 for release.
Please check for news already posted, 5 threads down:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=872736
Yeah I've seen it now, can a mod please delete my thread
Related
To anyone awaiting official 2.2 update from B&N and/or access to the android market
If you want a full-fledged tablet, you should probably just root your nook.
Over the past few days, I've seen a lot of people wondering whether they should root their device or wait for B&N's update, as if that will automatically make it a full tablet. Unfortunately, that is not true in the slightest.
The official update, which has not been assigned a date of roll-out yet (sometime Q1/2011, but I've heard end of January), will not change much about your nook. It will still look and feel exactly the same, and still have many of the same limitations. It will not be running the standard android 2.2 UI.
It will not have the android market either. It will only have a handful of apps, if any, from those developers who take part in the NOOK developers program (http://nookdeveloper.barnesandnoble.com/). All of the applications will be "reader-centric".
It does appear that it will be possible to sideload applications that conform to the Android API 7 (no FroYo love) but this will only be available to those people who sign up and register the SN of their NOOKcolor to a developer account.
If you poke around on the website (particularly the developer forums) you can find lots of interesting tidbits about the upcoming update (NOOKcolor 1.1) and what it will include.
Hopefully this helps.
Source: Me - Digital Sales Manager at Barnes and Noble
Edit: (for the record, I am in no way an official B&N spokesman. I just am a wee bit more privy to stuff than others)
Thanks for the official update. I can't imagine many official b&n apps. There's only so many sodoku variations you can make.
I will say that the froyo base brought a lot of improvements over eclair, but I do agree that a lot of people will probably be let down when they see the update and wonder where their new launcher is. I for one am happy with my rooted NC, and look forward to the 2.2 update.
I get the impression that the 1.1 update is not the B&N Froyo update. I think it just adds the framework for approved apps and "developer mode" to permit sideloading apps for testing. Probably some stability/usability issues as well. Have they said anything "official" regarding what 1.1 will contain?
Homer
Barnes and Noble doesn't say anything official until the day it becomes official.
It is probably a 50/50 chance that the forthcoming update it will be the much talked about FroYo B&N update.
But if you were to root after the 1.1 update, would you get a 2.2 android?
Hey if I may ask will there be an official bluetooth in 1.1. ?
Pavlos
Some people are waiting to root only because they don't have to worry about doing it twice. My understanding is that you have to restore your device to original form to get the update, then root it. I might be wrong.
"On the heels of the announcement that it's grabbed 25 percent of the US e-reader market, Barnes & Noble has decided to give the world a heap of details on its Android developments. First up, we've got an updated Android app, and while it's not exactly a drastic upgrade, version 2.5 has been refreshed with a new library grid view (apparently optimized for 7-inch tablets), a book download progress bar, and a wish list feature. Okay, so they're rather minor updates, but our guess is that the Nook Honeycomb app that's being promised for some time this spring will be far more exciting. "
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/25/...tes-nook-android-app-promises-a-honeycomb-ve/
Simmer down. "Nook Honeycomb app" means just that- an app that runs on devices with Honeycomb.
Duh...Sorry. That's what happens when the morning coffee hasn't kicked in yet.
Mods please delete this thread...Thanks
Okay gang - here's a twist for you...
On the Nook Facebook page, they posted this on March 24th:
You asked, we listened. This spring, use your NOOK Color to send e-mail and explore popular apps like Angry Birds, Drawing Pad, Lonely Planet Phrasebooks, and Wine PhD. Stay tuned here for news about these exciting new features and when the firmware update will be ready. (P.S. Yes! We said Angry Birds!) What apps would you love to see on your NOOK Color?
Now - go take a gander at Drawing Pad - the minimum is Android 3.0.
Hmmmmm.....
Very, very unlikely. The Nook does not meet the hardware requirements mandated by Google.
http://www.mytabletlife.com/2011/04/15/google-hardware-requirements-honeycomb/
Those min requirements arent from google, they were stated by lg I think it was as an excuse not to update their products.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
Honeycomb isn't really ready at this point (Xoom aside). It's been announced several times that the update will be Froyo, although Gingerbread would be nice (but there is always CM7 for that).
the B&N update may just be 2.1
On Apr 6, BN posted this on the Nook developer site:
"What version of Android is supported for development?
Simon Walker posted this on Apr-06 18:43
Your application should be optimized for Google Android SDK Platform 2.1 API 7"
This would imply that the update is a most likely a patch with a very restrictive BN apps market.
However, some very smart guys on XDA think that it's 2.2.
fpga_guy said:
On Apr 6, BN posted this on the Nook developer site:
"What version of Android is supported for development?
Simon Walker posted this on Apr-06 18:43
Your application should be optimized for Google Android SDK Platform 2.1 API 7"
This would imply that the update is a most likely a patch with a very restrictive BN apps market.
However, some very smart guys on XDA think that it's 2.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the reason why people believe it to be 2.2 is because b&n have announced that it will have flash support along with the b&n market.
knaries2000 said:
the reason why people believe it to be 2.2 is because b&n have announced that it will have flash support along with the b&n market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BN has NOT announced. Perhaps you can provide a link to the BN announcement. HSN is NOT BN. In fact, HSN has removed flash from their NC ads.
These are two transcriptions found on the web. They seem to be authentic. You can decide what BN update 1.2 means...
Perhaps the CM7 developers were not "wasting their time" as some were suggesting? It also appears that the update is a "few weeks" away regardless of when you ask.
start transcription
===================
a conversation with a B&N rep April 14, 2011. read and weep
10:31:02 : Ron: Initial Question/Comment: when in April will software version 2.2 be available?
10:31:07 : System: Welcome to the Barnes & Noble Digital Chatroom.
10:31:07 : System: Jason has joined this session!
10:31:07 : System: Connected with Jason. Your Reference Number for this chat is 16712.
10:31:12 : System: Thanks for joining us.
10:31:12 : Jason: Hi Ron. Thanks for joining Barnes and Noble Digital Chat Support. One moment while I review your question.
10:31:47 : Jason: Our software developers are hard at work on the latest software update. You can expect your version of 1.2 to be sent Over-The-Air (OTA) within a few weeks. All you?ll need to do is to have your NOOK Color connected to any Wi-Fi hotspot and the update will install automatically.
10:32:35 : Ron: 1.2 in a few weeks?
10:33:22 : Jason: Yes, that is right Ron. The current software version of the NOOK Color is 1.1. And it will be upgraded to 1.2.
10:34:52 : Ron: WOW. B&N should do a better job managing expectations. The web is saying 2.2 in April, and all they will get is 1.2!
10:35:14 : Ron: in a few weeks.
10:35:32 : Jason: Maybe you are referring to the Android version.
10:35:41 : Ron: YES
10:36:07 : Jason: Currently, the Android version of the NOOK Color is 2.1. Barnes & Noble policy to refrain from commenting on any specific features of any yet-to-be released software updates.
10:37:30 : Ron: the current version, available for download from the B&N website is 1.1.
10:38:27 : Jason: Yes, that is right Ron. We haven't released the version 1.2 software update. It will be released in the next few weeks.
10:38:32 : Jason: Is there anything else I can help you with?
10:38:59 : Ron: No. Thanks.
========
start transciption: Wed 4/20
=================================
14:52:26 : Customer: ME Initial Question/Comment: Hi there, I was just wondering when the big update will be available for the NookColor? Also, will NookColor be able to use Nookstudy?
14:52:26 : SystemSystem: Welcome to the Barnes & Noble Digital Chatroom.
14:52:36 : SystemSystem: Emely has joined this session!
14:52:38 : SystemSystem: Connected with Emely. Your Reference Number for this chat is 17601.
14:52:38 : SystemSystem: Thanks for joining us.
14:52:42 : AgentEmely: Thank you for contacting Barnes&Noble Chat Support! My name is Emely!
14:52:52 : AgentEmely: Hi! One moment while I review your question...
14:53:28 : AgentEmely: As I understand you are inquiring about NOOK Color update?
14:53:32 : CustomerME: yes
14:53:44 : AgentEmely: Our software developers are hard at work on the latest software update. You can expect your version of 1.2 to be sent Over-The-Air (OTA) within a few weeks. All you’ll need to do is to have your NOOK Color connected to any Wi-Fi hotspot and the update will install automatically.
14:54:23 : CustomerME: will it be available for manual download?
14:54:51 : AgentEmely: Auto install as long as wifi is available.
14:55:14 : CustomerME: and will it be possible to use NookStudy with NookColor?
14:55:47 : AgentEmely: For Nook Study, that we still have to wait for the latest update so we would know if it's already included.
14:56:45 : CustomerME: ok. And is there a more specific date in mind? I've been told "a few weeks" since January...
14:57:19 : AgentEmely: No definite date yet but within the month. I'm quite sure.
14:58:00 : CustomerME: thank you very much! have a good day.
14:58:16 : AgentEmely: Is there anything else I can help you with?
14:58:40 : CustomerME: No, thank you.
14:58:52 : AgentEmely: I am glad I was able to help you. Thanks once again for joining the Barnes & Noble Chat.
15:00:00 : SystemSystem: The session has ended!
Conclusion - most people, like Ron, are morons who "want" things that they do not understand...
lets see if i get what this means.
there is an update coming... that is good.
other then that they didn't say anything except it will be called 1.2 (which would be the next update following 1.1).
so there is nothing new here at all.
At this point, unless B&N release CM7 itself disguised as 1.2 they're not going to win me over.
I was on the fence with the whole "Nook-specific" app market, but it's been months now.
at first i was very interested in the 1.2 update, would make my nook "complete" as i saw it, having market, froyo (for flash, jit, etc) but after trying cm nightlies and mad-murddock putting the mad fixes on it i honestly care very little, i might try it when it hits but i would do so out of curiosity, i am at the point now where i am hoping for the sleep bug to be fixed and a bit better wifi speeds as all the rest is taken care of in cm7
stock nook reader apps/bn store would be nice in cm7
I LOL at ron and his brilliant questions =D. I'm assuming ron is much smarter and the reason he said that, was merely to catch the representative off guard and trick him into giving up some more info about the android version.
I'm still waiting for the B&N update. I don't want to mess around with custom ROMS on the internal memory until they are settled down. I have too much hardware and software maintenance already in my house.
I'm still on nootered 1.0.0 firmware
I'm vaguely hoping for B&N to have BT baked into the update, but the odds of that happening aren't great.
If the update is underwhelming or difficult to root, I'll go a custom ROM. Still waiting for deep sleep + CM7.
I have a rooted nook color, will the automatic update remove the rooted content?
Also all I was looking for in the update was the flash player, as i needed to access various websites. I wish there was another way to get the flash running.
I heard that there are individuals who managed to run bluetooth on the nook color, how is that possible since it seems that a hardware component needs to have been already pre-installed in the device? Is it?
I'm not holding my breath for anything special with this update. I'm still stock and patiently waiting for CM7 to mature.
s52m3 said:
I'm not holding my breath for anything special with this update. I'm still stock and patiently waiting for CM7 to mature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to.. 3 weeks ago? Run CM7 off an SD card (you have to have a good card) and try it out free of risk. Just pick up a 4G Sandisc and you'll be fine, some other brands will work okay too.
NewZJ said:
at first i was very interested in the 1.2 update, would make my nook "complete" as i saw it, having market, froyo (for flash, jit, etc) but after trying cm nightlies and mad-murddock putting the mad fixes on it i honestly care very little, i might try it when it hits but i would do so out of curiosity, i am at the point now where i am hoping for the sleep bug to be fixed and a bit better wifi speeds as all the rest is taken care of in cm7
stock nook reader apps/bn store would be nice in cm7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still interested in the update for one simple reason: eventually, I'm going to buy a dedicated Android tablet with Honeycomb, gobs of storage and a screaming CPU. When that time comes, my Nook Color will mostly be used as an e-book reader (though I'll probably still keep it rooted). So it interests me to see Barnes and Noble updating the device and improving on its native capabilities.
How do you find the chat option on B&N? I could not find it. All I could find was phone or email support.
Thanks
Alexpride said:
I have a rooted nook color, will the automatic update remove the rooted content?
Also all I was looking for in the update was the flash player, as i needed to access various websites. I wish there was another way to get the flash running.
I heard that there are individuals who managed to run bluetooth on the nook color, how is that possible since it seems that a hardware component needs to have been already pre-installed in the device? Is it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
will it removed rooted content...most likely.
yes, the chip that runs the wifi is a combo chip...wifi and BT. It goes through a switcher chip to share the antenna. BT works, but with limited range in most cases. Once(if) someone figures out the driver for the switcher chip we may see better ranges.
edit: BTW you need to be on a custom ROM like CM7 for BT to work...doesn't on stock.
OK so it seems we are getting a new version 1.4.
what do we know.......
Well it seems both Nook Tablet and Nook Color are getting 1.4.
Would that mean that it could be based on something higher than Froyo.
Since B&N is marketing theit new product as a tablet that could probably link to a tablet os for both devices.
Maybe...
How does 1.4 effect...
While the news sites are touting the new "stuff" in NC 1.4, how will this effect those of us with Rooted NC's? ( remeber the problem the 1.3 upgrade had )
I look forward to some of the new apps, mostly the HuluPlus app... I wonder if that means they will be unblocking regular Hulu from us too?
Tom
Proud user of a rooted NC ( manual nooter )
tomsheeley said:
While the news sites are touting the new "stuff" in NC 1.4, how will this effect those of us with Rooted NC's? ( remeber the problem the 1.3 upgrade had )
I look forward to some of the new apps, mostly the HuluPlus app... I wonder if that means they will be unblocking regular Hulu from us too?
Tom
Proud user of a rooted NC ( manual nooter )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would say to hold off on updating if you can until xda either gives the go-ahead or has a procedure to follow.
As for Hulu -- I would assume regular Hulu will still be blocked, unfortunately. They seem to have a stance that everything but a PC is a mobile device and subject to different rules.
No idea about whether its going to be gingerbread.
The update is not out and wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't until nooktablet launch. The 1.1 update for the simple touch is out.
From what I can tell, there is going to be some sort of 'account management' app so you can handle gift cards and credit cards without the need of the browser. Netflix will be available as a download from the press quotes I'm seeing.
Does gingerbread give any DRM security that froyo doesn't? Because that might be the only reason why it would get bumped up to a new andoird version, to appease Hulu and Netflix (and their evil masters)
i think the most interesting thing is wether they updated the kernel version.....
I'm impressed with B&N's support of the NC. You don't see this many updates on phones.
It is easier to update a device if you don't have a third party in between the developers and the users (i.e. cellular carriers)
Good news is that it does actually apear to be Gingerbread, on the other hand BN decided to delay it until December.
And the delay appears to be a marketing decision, according to what people are saying on the bn forums.
Thanks for the advice, but how can I stop the update until XDA has help for us?