B&N Nook Color 2.2 Update? - Nook Color General

So where is the promised January/mid-February NC 2.2 update from B&N??? Here's what I found recently:
"B&N plans to update the OS sometime in 2011. Regarding applications, we are committed to the NOOKdeveloper program and on track to add apps to our store in early 2011, but do not have plans enable Android Marketplace at this time."

It was never promised. Just rumoured. And then pretty much debunked:
http://nookappreview.com/2010/12/31/nook-apps-might-arrive-in-march-2011-developer-mode-in-jan-2011/

Still sounds promising seeing how i'ts March already. But it looks like it's more of a refined update as opposed to a general android OS update. The inclusion of flash would be nice. And if they are in charge of making flash available then maybe we'll get a decent working version of one a little easier.

The current build just feels sluggish. Especially the browser. Hopefully they can rectify that in whatever updates they have brewing.
In general I think BN just needs to get the app store out but maybe they are waiting on actual developers for this? At the very least...Facebook, Twitter, instant messaging, e-mail, Youtube, etc. would be nice. Support for more types of video codecs as well as allowing side loaded content to be added to the home screen would help make those features actually useful. I think they really are a few steps away from the stock, unrooted OS being decent enough where some of us less adventurous people will be dissuaded from going through the trouble of rooting.
Web browsing is a lot worse than on my iPhone 4 at the moment. The video quality on m.youtube is a horrendous pixelated mess. No difference at all between HQ and Normal.

To watch YouTube in HD, dig around for and install "signed_YouTube.apk". I believe this is the gingerbread version and plays YouTube vids in HD on the nook properly
Sent from my LogicPD Zoom2 using XDA App

henhowc said:
The current build just feels sluggish. Especially the browser. Hopefully they can rectify that in whatever updates they have brewing.
In general I think BN just needs to get the app store out but maybe they are waiting on actual developers for this? At the very least...Facebook, Twitter, instant messaging, e-mail, Youtube, etc. would be nice. Support for more types of video codecs as well as allowing side loaded content to be added to the home screen would help make those features actually useful. I think they really are a few steps away from the stock, unrooted OS being decent enough where some of us less adventurous people will be dissuaded from going through the trouble of rooting.
Web browsing is a lot worse than on my iPhone 4 at the moment. The video quality on m.youtube is a horrendous pixelated mess. No difference at all between HQ and Normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could see them waiting for more apps... its also possible their riding the hype and waiting for it to die down before releasing it.
However as I + others have said... theres NO REASON for B&N to update the nook. At least from a android firmware standpoint

Admiralvic said:
I could see them waiting for more apps... its also possible their riding the hype and waiting for it to die down before releasing it.
However as I + others have said... theres NO REASON for B&N to update the nook. At least from a android firmware standpoint
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to a B&N employee, there will be an update to stock NC to Android 2.2 based firmware which will also support Flash, at the end of March.
Remember that this is third-hand, may be incorrect, and could be delayed even if it is correct.

I really wish there was going to 2.2 update.

ADude said:
According to a B&N employee, there will be an update to stock NC to Android 2.2 based firmware which will also support Flash, at the end of March.
Remember that this is third-hand, may be incorrect, and could be delayed even if it is correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard the same thing from an employee except it was 2-3 weeks ago and the date they gave was the end of February.

Admiralvic said:
theres NO REASON for B&N to update the nook. At least from a android firmware standpoint
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That may not be true, it depends upon how "Enhanced NookBooks" will work, which according to their website are coming soon. Flash maybe?

I had not seen this thread and I just got back from BN. I showed the guy my rooted Nookand he was impressed.. although I dont think he liked my kindle app.
He did volunteer that there would be an update by the end of March. What was included .. he did not say.

Admiralvic said:
I could see them waiting for more apps... its also possible their riding the hype and waiting for it to die down before releasing it.
However as I + others have said... theres NO REASON for B&N to update the nook. At least from a android firmware standpoint
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We can hope and dream can we not?

If a B&N store employee is telling you when the update is coming they are talking out of their anus.
No company is going to give out any information like that to bottom level sales employees. When B&N settles on an official date they will at best give the employees a couple days warning.
Honestly we will probably know when its coming before the employees do.

notinterested said:
If a B&N store employee is telling you when the update is coming they are talking out of their anus.
No company is going to give out any information like that to bottom level sales employees. When B&N settles on an official date they will at best give the employees a couple days warning.
Honestly we will probably know when its coming before the employees do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen some stores have specific Nook "experts" that just hang around the Nook kiosks all day long and they probably have more general knowledge about the product than say the cashiers or regular employees. I wouldn't say its impossible that an employee knows info that we don't. Or they could read forums like this too.

henhowc said:
I've seen some stores have specific Nook "experts" that just hang around the Nook kiosks all day long and they probably have more general knowledge about the product than say the cashiers or regular employees. I wouldn't say its impossible that an employee knows info that we don't. Or they could read forums like this too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you have to remember this wasnt the first time we went down this road. I remember when every employee was saying the app store + 2.2 would come out in January... then it was Feb, now its end of march... I wouldnt be shocked if these people are just relying on luck, and assuming things.
Not everyone, employees included know that theres android on the low... its always possible that they just think were on Nook firmware 2.1, and just say a date for the next update as its possible.
Logically speaking, if the nook was getting an upgrade... and the employees actually knew, and were telling it why wouldnt it get announced? With something like 2.2, its not like B&N is going to just release it without trying to nab sales.

A. Nonymous said:
I heard the same thing from an employee except it was 2-3 weeks ago and the date they gave was the end of February.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really respect delays in software releases.
This means that the managers are allowing the programmers to fix the bugs, instead of heeding the CEOs' usual call to "release it now regardless of whether it works right".
I am not referring to any particular company or CEO, but there is always pressure from above to release software before it is stable.
PS How do BN employees know ? Someone has to be doing Beta testing before a release to millions of customers. It is typical for large companies to have employees do Beta testing. It would not be unusual for those Beta testers to get an email with link to "release candidate for public release at the end of the month, so please confirm that you do not have problems with this release". Then when problems are confirmed, release slips to the following month, rinse and repeat.

Hello,
just wanted to share that just the other day, must have been thursday, A Nook rep at my local B&N store and i got to talking and he said that he had been told that 2.2 will be out this month! and that he was told that in January. Looks like we might be getting luck! Just gotta be patient. Always fun... lol

henhowc said:
I've seen some stores have specific Nook "experts" that just hang around the Nook kiosks all day long and they probably have more general knowledge about the product than say the cashiers or regular employees. I wouldn't say its impossible that an employee knows info that we don't. Or they could read forums like this too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am a digital lead at a BN and I love this forum...

tranquilchao5 said:
I am a digital lead at a BN and I love this forum...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right.
Although it would be nice to have a B&N rep. mulling around the forum. After all, I think communites like this are best at making products better for everyone else. And forum reading typically are strongly tied and loyal to their device. They also are more likely to spread good PR if they are happy with their product and the company attached to it. Read; OG Droid compared to the Droid X fiasco. Ever wonder why they finally allowed an unlockable bootloader on the Xoom? Something caused them to backtrack a bit...even if we only represent a small percent of the consumer base.
Sent from my NC using XDA App

tranquilchao5 said:
I am a digital lead at a BN and I love this forum...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Spill the beans!

Related

Dear Google: Where is Froyo?

Dear Google,
I love you so much!
Where is Froyo?
Signed,
Your friend.
Dear dtmfjunkie,
It's coming soon.
Apple needed 2 months after their gave a sneak preview of the new OS to set a firm date of release. Give us a little bit of time as well.
Chill...
Signed,
Your dear friend Google
I love threads like these! Don't chill OP, google isnt apple so lets get the damn ball rolling!
I remember when we finally got pinch to zoom, they said it had been ready for awhile, you just never know with those crazy folks at android!!!
Well, Google said a "few weeks" following I/O, no?
I usually interpret a "few" as in 3-5ish, but Google might not think the same.
erikikaz said:
Well, Google said a "few weeks" following I/O, no?
I usually interpret a "few" as in 3-5ish, but Google might not think the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I think they said it would be soon and that "some phones would even get it in the coming weeks" and my guess is the version we have is the "coming weeks" version. But who knows..
Don't let your N1 out of your sight or you may miss it
Lol!!! Love the first 2 posts in this thread.
I'm ready for froyo now
Google sucks! Lets all move to the dark side and get an iPhone! I heard the "wifi only 4thG to 4thG only" video chatting is great, multitasking and folder integration too! Plus the "retinal screen" sounds awesome too! OMG !!!! I love the iPhone.
Steve Jobs
rjhay22 said:
Google sucks! Lets all move to the dark side and get an iPhone! I heard the "wifi only 4thG to 4thG only" video chatting is great, multitasking and folder integration too! Plus the "retinal screen" sounds awesome too! OMG !!!! I love the iPhone.
Steve Jobs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You forgot /s
dtmfjunkie said:
Dear Google,
I love you so much!
Where is Froyo?
Signed,
Your friend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is already here, IF you were to believe half the people around here
if you want Froyo then go to your nearest supermarket.
your friends from Google
Dear friend,
We're proud to announce the availability of the Official Froyo!
There are only LIMITED copies at this time and you will not find them at K-Mart or 7-11. Grab your online copy NOW!
Yours sincerely,
Your other friend at Google.
chowlala said:
Dear friend,
We're proud to announce the availability of the Official Froyo!
There are only LIMITED copies at this time and you will not find them at K-Mart or 7-11. Grab your online copy NOW!
Yours sincerely,
Your other friend at Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NOOOOO, I've been Frickyolled!!!!!
passion-ate said:
Hi all,
Apologies for keeping everybody waiting. We are not intentionally holding back on Froyo, just improving the overall experience and quality.
I don't have an exact date to share yet, but we are striving hard to OTA it ASAP. Stay tuned!
Gaurav.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.google.com/support/forum/...42e162b0&hl=en
Anyone want to guess the new date now....?
Looks like it maybe a "couple" of more weeks. I just hope its here in time for the
World Cup but I'm not going to count on it.
Speculation is rife that Adobe screwed things up with 10.1 update and since Andy 2.2 touted Flash as a super feature, they have to sort it out before it is truly edible.
Hang tight and don't root your device just for Froyo since warranty claim can be a pain if you do so (refurb Nexus Ones are awful and not worth the hours you have to spend for a probable fix. I am awaiting the 3rd continuous swap, its been hell so far with HTC's policies. Let me know if you want to read about the whole experience, I wrote a lengthy writeup!).
Unfortunately, iOS 4 will hit the scene before Andy 2.2. Too much for Google's nip-slip!
kkiran said:
Speculation is rife that Adobe screwed things up with 10.1 update and since Andy 2.2 touted Flash as a super feature, they have to sort it out before it is truly edible.
Hang tight and don't root your device just for Froyo since warranty claim can be a pain if you do so (refurb Nexus Ones are awful and not worth the hours you have to spend for a probable fix. I am awaiting the 3rd continuous swap, its been hell so far with HTC's policies. Let me know if you want to read about the whole experience, I wrote a lengthy writeup!).
Unfortunately, iOS 4 will hit the scene before Andy 2.2. Too much for Google's nip-slip!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link for this reported rumor?
Dear Google.
Developers would like to know what the fvkcing plan is!
Yours,
No-longer-a-friend
prettyboy85712 said:
Link for this reported rumor?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you referring to Adobe Flash in 2.2?? I read a lot of tech news day n night, thats what I inferred... Gaurav's statement says the same too...
kkiran said:
Speculation is rife that Adobe screwed things up with 10.1 update and since Andy 2.2 touted Flash as a super feature, they have to sort it out before it is truly edible.
Hang tight and don't root your device just for Froyo since warranty claim can be a pain if you do so (refurb Nexus Ones are awful and not worth the hours you have to spend for a probable fix. I am awaiting the 3rd continuous swap, its been hell so far with HTC's policies. Let me know if you want to read about the whole experience, I wrote a lengthy writeup!).
Unfortunately, iOS 4 will hit the scene before Andy 2.2. Too much for Google's nip-slip!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or just install Froyo without rooting and get Flash over 2 weeks ago?

Jailbroken Color Nook Ebay?!!?!?!

You have GOT to be kidding me!
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Unlocked-Ja...469?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b723a68d
Until B&N pushes an update to unroot it...wow...
Here's the best part.
The options are just opening up for this hot holiday item, right now you can play a large amount of games and other locked out Apps Barnes & Noble don't want you turning their lower priced ereader into a full fledged android 2.2 tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2.2...lol..I should email the seller to show me a screen cap of 2.2 on there and running Flash.
Plus he mentions giving you access to parts of the android app store. Um...which part would that be exactly?? And all for only $400! Wow. Pity some poor sucker is going to fall for this.
Well, he's mostly right about the "full fledged android tablet" part
HeroHTC said:
2.2...lol..I should email the seller to show me a screen cap of 2.2 on there and running Flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He won't... cause these are unopened in original packaging and stuff...
devis said:
He won't... cause these are unopened in original packaging and stuff...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, you mean that he only buys them AFTER someone pays...
Pretty slick, but man I could NEVER do that to ANYONE.
Sad thing is, this creep is probably stalking these forums right now and even reading this post.
If he is, he better put some change in the Cyanogen tip jar.
Well, i can't really blame him though... he's only catering to the "ignorant, can't read simple directions" or the lazy bunch out there.
Ugh. You'd think that someone attempting to sell products would have a better grasp of grammar and spelling.
They don't exactly mention that they do anything more than just rooting the device. Some poor sap is going to buy one, receive it, fire it up and look for Angry Birds and cry. Like others have said, they'll think that it's running Android 2.2 and has access to Android Market. Fail.
He's from Milton, WI. I've been there.
lol, all his feedback is as a buyer, and some from the same vendor I believe (as feedback is a copy/paste) and he touts "100% feedback." Wow. I hope he loses money when someone complains and PayPal takes their money back.

Netflix on android

So when is netflix comin to Android? I mean its been months since the dumb post that they put on there blog. Early next year they said. Well that time is now and I'm still waiting. Now I have read all the comments left on that blog. Many sayin how the dmr can't be the problem that that is to easy of a problem to be the reason Android is left in the dust with movie streaming. And then I read post sayin that that is a huge problem and will take a long time to get worked out. Now I don't know any thing about dmr and programming so I don't know who to take sides with. But my real beef now with netflix is that its early next year and thet can't give us not 1 update. Most of the comments on the blog where customers just asking for a update. All we want is to not be left in the dark. And if netflix can't take the time to give us a stupid little update to show us that you do care about the people that pay for your BMW. That's jacked up. And they say that only newer phones will be compatible but by the time the app comes out our new phones are going to be outdated. It just the fact that netflix can't take the time to inform and reassure it customers is retarded and I am strongly considering leaving for that reason. Shoot I can watch about anything I want on Justin tv.
But dose any one other than me care or feel bothered by this?
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
that was one of the reasons i sold my android phone(there were other reasons too)
cwalton4077 said:
So when is netflix comin to Android? I mean its been months since the dumb post that they put on there blog. Early next year they said. Well that time is now and I'm still waiting. Now I have read all the comments left on that blog. Many sayin how the dmr can't be the problem that that is to easy of a problem to be the reason Android is left in the dust with movie streaming. And then I read post sayin that that is a huge problem and will take a long time to get worked out. Now I don't know any thing about dmr and programming so I don't know who to take sides with. But my real beef now with netflix is that its early next year and thet can't give us not 1 update. Most of the comments on the blog where customers just asking for a update. All we want is to not be left in the dark. And if netflix can't take the time to give us a stupid little update to show us that you do care about the people that pay for your BMW. That's jacked up. And they say that only newer phones will be compatible but by the time the app comes out our new phones are going to be outdated. It just the fact that netflix can't take the time to inform and reassure it customers is retarded and I am strongly considering leaving for that reason. Shoot I can watch about anything I want on Justin tv.
But dose any one other than me care or feel bothered by this?
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's all about the security, or lack there of on android. Netflix has to appease the movie companies that they have agreements with.
Exactly, in fact - I will go a step further and say that it seems very unlikely that it'll happen any time in the foreseeable future. The fact is, movie studios are very picky about content security *and* they are hesitant about mobile devices in general. A very open mobile platform with a large development community is not something the movie studios are likely to be huge fans of.
The only exception I could see is certain phones that are heavily customized such as HTCs and Samsungs getting Netflix as part of their custom software. And that would be a ways down the road. Yay for platform fragmentation. It's the double-edged sword of such an open platform. Open platforms get fragmented. Look at Linux itself on the desktop - fragmented beyond all belief. Which isn't necessarily bad. It's both it's best trait and it's worst.
netflix on android
Does any one know any type of hack or backwards way to view instant watch movies?
Likely not going to happen with the poor security.
I for one being a netflix user would love to see this app come to android. It would be one more reason to upgrade to a 4G phone.
I want netflix now
Swyped from my HTC HD2 using tapatalk
i go with the others, Netflix will never be on Android.. i would like it to be, but.. it won't. i think Verizon has something similar to it now? i may be mistaken though
That would be cool.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Ys if iphone 4g can have it android should!
Swyped from my HTC HD2 using tapatalk
I feel like since Netflix has a five or six device cap as it is they should be able to detect if your account is using an android device and only allow one or two of those to be designated devices.
Netflix on android would be awesome
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
I like using netflix on my old iphone 2g, but my evo has a 4.3 inch screen that just seems wasted unless I watch some netflix on it...
yeh it might take awhile before android gets netfllex.
Rumours are going on that Netflix is coming for android soon

SamsungJohn : A Question For You

I find this very curious, since January, I have been very vocal on the Samsung USA Facebook page as well as Twitter about the missing Froyo update. Today I went to check the Facebook page to find that somehow I had lost the ability to post anything.. shortly thereafter, I realized that I no longer "liked" the Samsung USA page. I did not do that myself, Samsung must have had that done (reported me for spamming/abuse?). Perusing the wall posts, I notice a distinct lack of people complaining about the 2.2 update.
I was not abusive, I did not swear or use foul language in any of my posts on that wall. I cracked a few jokes, sure, but nothing that could have been considered over-the-top. In fact, I waited until AFTER the promised "by the end of the year" deadline (promised to me on Twitter by @GalaxySSupport) to even being posting any complaints.
Is this Samsung's damage-control strategy moving forward? To try to stifle public outcry by booting us off of your pages and deleting our posts?
themirthfulswami said:
I find this very curious, since January, I have been very vocal on the Samsung USA Facebook page as well as Twitter about the missing Froyo update. Today I went to check the Facebook page to find that somehow I had lost the ability to post anything.. shortly thereafter, I realized that I no longer "liked" the Samsung USA page. I did not do that myself, Samsung must have had that done (reported me for spamming/abuse?). Perusing the wall posts, I notice a distinct lack of people complaining about the 2.2 update.
I was not abusive, I did not swear or use foul language in any of my posts on that wall. I cracked a few jokes, sure, but nothing that could have been considered over-the-top. In fact, I waited until AFTER the promised "by the end of the year" deadline (promised to me on Twitter by @GalaxySSupport) to even being posting any complaints.
Is this Samsung's damage-control strategy moving forward? To try to stifle public outcry by booting us off of your pages and deleting our posts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know this is very interesting as when trying to give the Vibrant a bad review (for the software not the hardware) on their website it will tell you that they are looking for different type of reviews and won't post the bad one.
swehes said:
You know this is very interesting as when trying to give the Vibrant a bad review (for the software not the hardware) on their website it will tell you that they are looking for different type of reviews and won't post the bad one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats insane. i'm really starting to dislike the samsung brand. buying a new tv soon too to replace my 5 year old samsung
Unless samsung comes out with something AMAZING (honeycomb for my Epic) to make up for all their lack with the galaxy S line, I will never buy another samsung product again.
SO MANY of my tech friends said "samsung does not support their phones, YOU WILL BE UPSET"
As I sit here the audio out ports on both my car and desk docks DO NOT WORK because they haven't released a year old 2.2 froyo.
Looks like my tech friends were right. The only reason my gps works is because of the hard working dev's here......and I have paid them for their work! I feel horrible for all the stock users in the world who have a **** gps thanks to samsung.
J3ff said:
Unless samsung comes out with something AMAZING (honeycomb for my Epic) to make up for all their lack with the galaxy S line, I will never buy another samsung product again.
SO MANY of my tech friends said "samsung does not support their phones, YOU WILL BE UPSET"
As I sit here the audio out ports on both my car and desk docks DO NOT WORK because they haven't released a year old 2.2 froyo.
Looks like my tech friends were right. The only reason my gps works is because of the hard working dev's here......and I have paid them for their work! I feel horrible for all the stock users in the world who have a **** gps thanks to samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel as if i should point out that my gps works just fine.
Sent from my non-rooted, stock eclair Epic.
swehes said:
You know this is very interesting as when trying to give the Vibrant a bad review (for the software not the hardware) on their website it will tell you that they are looking for different type of reviews and won't post the bad one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow. that left me stunned for a second.
swehes said:
You know this is very interesting as when trying to give the Vibrant a bad review (for the software not the hardware) on their website it will tell you that they are looking for different type of reviews and won't post the bad one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same happened to me with the Captivate on AT&T's website. Except mine was all hardware complaints.
My hardware is perfect
But sadly software is not! Unless they move away from carrier based updates this will be my last Samsung or Android based phone.
Remember Samsung when my phone crashes due to poor or out of date software or can't download something for the same reason I don't see the 3 mobile logo all I see is the Samsung logo.
This is all happening too close to the release of the Galaxy S 2 launch!
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
swehes said:
You know this is very interesting as when trying to give the Vibrant a bad review (for the software not the hardware) on their website it will tell you that they are looking for different type of reviews and won't post the bad one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, same thing happened to me w/ my Epic review. I was pretty honest that i loved the hardware but the software needed updating. Got a message saying my review did not match what they were looking for and was rejected. Pretty easy to have devices w/ 4 and 5 star aggregate scores on your website if you're controlling which reviews you accept samsung.
You guys should take some screenshots of this and send it around to sites like engadget. The more bad press we can get for samsung, the faster we see updates. Worked for the t-mobile guys after they very publicly accused samsung of holding back the update to sell their newer phone.
Hi Guys,
I am also a samsung owner, not the galaxy S series but a phone called the Samsung Spica i5700; not supported by Samsung anymore after they claimed the hardware was not capable to run Android 2.2 froyo, ehh! the devs over at samdroid have ported AOSP and CM builds of 2.2 froyo onto it and are as of now porting AOSP and CM of GB.
the point I have is samsung is pathetic in customer support, all they want is to sell the customers to buy there new devices, and when the samsung #nevergain hashtag was started by an xda member and the hashtag went BOOM into samsung's face they are here to regain some respect, for that they need to prove a point to us, we have already proven them wrong.
I think the way to froyo, is to keep the heat up till they break down and beg to give source away.
everyone should retweet this:
http://twitter.com/#!/vorathe/status/37634312098693120
Johnnie5000 said:
Same happened to me with the Captivate on AT&T's website. Except mine was all hardware complaints.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here, never hit the web in their eyes
What can I say that has not been said more eloquently by others.
GPS + Froyo for Captivate Update please. As that would make the phone much more desirable and usable, The immediate next thing I am going to do is Ebay that Piece Of S***. Seriously Never going to touch a samsung phone even with a barge pole.
Thank you Samsung for making the Galaxy S brand a pinnacle for quality, support and customer satisfaction.
P.S. I know this has been posted before and does not add ANYTHING, but had to vent.
What the hell is samsungjohn discussing with the xda people? I mean it's been fully 5 days now and absolutely nothing of substance has emerged. What is taking so long? I mean seriously, can someone give an update or something?
Im not really sure theres much to discuss... but yeah, IF the 'hello' part 2 posts WERE the big announcement, it would be nice if the XDA powers that be just posted 'Sorry, thats really all he had to say, he wants to meet devs at a music festival, thats it... he is gone now, go about your business'. I just really hope he doesnt think an 'open dialogue' is a HUGE announcement, and actually has something WE care about. He may just think that was huge because, well its his thing... his job... to us its like, yeah, another source for cut n paste responses... great... oh and one not on FB or Twitter! How convenient!
Whoa! Did this just get moved to 'off topic'???
Wow... its like Samsung Mobile with negative comments!
whatever... Guess its not technically about a phone.
muyoso said:
You guys should take some screenshots of this and send it around to sites like engadget. The more bad press we can get for samsung, the faster we see updates. Worked for the t-mobile guys after they very publicly accused samsung of holding back the update to sell their newer phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this one ! GOGOGO
Oh, that's terrible.

An Open Letter to Barnes and Noble

Greetings all, hope the weekend is going smashing for everyone. As we all know, B&N has been very... lax (obvious) in their promises to update the NC with more user-friendly capabilities. For lack of a better phrase, I've had enough. Today, 2-26-11, I sent B&N a rather abrasive email in the hopes to start some form of open discussion, express my opinion, and inform them that they've got some 'splainin' to do.
Below is the email I sent, although I have edited my name and phone number that I included, for security purposes. As a note, if the email I receive in return uses the phrase "we are working on it as fast as we can," "please be patient," or some other pandering jargon, I do plan to resend this every Saturday until I either receive a response that has some weight behind it, or receive a Cease and Desist writ from them.
Why? For the simple fact that I want them to keep their promise and provide us, the user, with the better experience that we are requesting.
I will continue to update this thread with any following information that comes my way.
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Hi, I'm curious as to when or, rather, if there is going to be an update to the Nook Color OS before the end of 2011 Q1. The reason why I'm asking is because if your company is having a hard time developing the update, there are people out there who have managed to make the NC more responsive, more usable, and give it a better feel than the overly simplistic, infantile-esque UI that it currently has. I'm also asking, because I purchased the NC for my wife and I under the assumption (as did many others, apparently) that your company would be prompt with updates, bringing more user capabilities, and a better experience, while keeping to the theme of "a reader, not an all-purpose tablet".
Honestly, while I know I can't return it to get my money back, I'm seriously considering selling it so I can get something that simply runs the Nook app, as it works better than the shoddily-thrown-together program running on the NC.
Make up your mind, please. Either show us some proof that you are planning on doing an update before the end of March, or just fess up already and let people stop getting their hopes up. After all, if visibly empty promises is what your company is good for, then why am I continuing to support you with my business?
~Trey Miller
(850) 555-5555
Avid student, reader, writer, and severely disgruntled customer
Saved for whatever happens later.
Wow... honestly i think that letter is the worst thing ive read. Honestly, i dont care that they havent updated it. Its rather a blessing how unlocked they left the device. Fact of the matter is that the Nook is a eReader, a highly over powered eReader, that they built and developed ontop of the android system for the ease of use and not having to build a entire custom OS.
Honestly the nook color is the best 250 ive spent in a long time. If i wanted a "tablet" i would have bought a gtab or galaxy. Its pretty common practice for companies nowadays to delay updating software. Honestly why update software when 1: it works.. pretty well too 2: technology is moving faster then software. why update a outdated device?
Its up to you and me and the android developers to keep old devices updated with new and fun software. Thats why so many developers do what they do without making a income off it while spending hours and hours on it. In the end, Barnes and Noble is a business that needs money and updating the nook is not going to bring in the big bucks, if any at all.
Sent from one of those missing Droids or Nook Color on HoneyComb
Your letter.
I assume in part you posted this here because you want feedback.
First, I am in no way affiliated with B&N. I am a user just like you.
I am extremely happy with the Nook.
I like it precisely because they made left it (probably unintentionaly) booting first to the SD.
This in turn has allowed the devs wide open to make bootable images that can be written to the sd.
I believe the company made some forward looking statements that said they wanted to do more with the device. So far in three months, they have released 3 builds. That's actually remarkable when you consider that unlike the developers here, they have to release rock solid well tested stable builds.
Nookie Froyo is really nice. No doubt CM7 and Honeycomb will soon be also...but in the end they both have more problems than an average user could reasonably accept.
Given that their system is so remarkably open, it is my opinion that there is really no better tablet in the ballpark of it on the price.
As a computer professional, I actualy recommended to my friends on facebook, thst they send B&N execs valentines heart candies expressing unending love.
At the end of the day, in my book, they need not hurry because they have given us the best of both worlds.
Take away the boot order....and I never would have bought it at all.
Meenwhile, at apple, they are taking the walled garden to a whole new level....which can only push up prices 30%....
You'll probably get the standard "Thank you for your email, we're working as has as we can email." Even if they were going to send a real email back, what are they going to respond to? Give specific examples of what your issues you have. "bringing more user capabilities, and a better experience, while keeping to the theme of "a reader, not an all-purpose tablet"", doesn't really mean anything.
Why does it matter how their UI is when you can put whatever UI on the thing when its rooted.
I took an hour and some odd time to drive to work and think about what I would say to the two of you in response to your statements.
For starters, Altimax, I'm sorry my grasp of the American English language disgusts you more than anything you have read (although I sincerely doubt that, due to your own grammatical mistakes). Upon reading your post, I realized that you had completely missed the point of my email, which was telling them to man up and do something, or revise the statement that NC spokespersons in the B&N stores tell people. As for why update an outdated device, gee, perhaps it's because they have repeatedly stated they were?
I fully respect the people here and everywhere else that have put so much time into making the device use more of its potential-- as you'll notice in my sig-line, I'm running a rooted NC-- but my entire point was, and still is, either they need to change their tune, or they need to provide something other than a "we'll be with you in a moment" statement.
Fattychance, I agree with you completely that it is a remarkable speed by which they are working. However, the people here on XDA have managed to, as you say, produce Nookie Froyo, are working on Honeycomb, etc etc, in the same time. If nothing else, the actual B&N dev team could take a page or thirty out of these lads' books and get some stuff done.
However, again, you have missed my point; both of you have.
I'm not looking for a tablet, or more "wow factor" or anything of that sort. They've got a rather infantile UI *thrown* on top of 2.1 as their reader software. Would it hurt to address that singular problem? Hell, as I mentioned, the nook apk runs smoother than their nook UI.
I admit, this looks like I'm simply whining about things I don't like. You know what? I don't care. I've seen more posts on these forums that focus on complaining to the dev teams here about how slow work is being done. I'm at least focusing on the people who get *paid* to do this, and asking "Where's the beef?" Where is the work you lot are promising is "just around the corner"?
Three months is more than enough for them to upgrade from eclair to froyo, give the device the few added things people were promised from day one. Am I asking too much? Hell no. I'm asking them to do their job.
why do you even care? with a little effort you can run pretty much anything on it. if others dont want to then so be it, thanks to the wonderful devs, the options are there. so why even waste your time writing letters and arguing with people on here. Barnes and Nobles did a great job with the NC. great hardware and an amazing cost. Dont harras them out of boredom.
madfatter said:
why do you even care? with a little effort you can run pretty much anything on it. if others dont want to then so be it, thanks to the wonderful devs, the options are there. so why even waste your time writing letters and arguing with people on here. Barnes and Nobles did a great job with the NC. great hardware and an amazing cost. Dont harras them out of boredom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Madfatter, why do I even care? Because my daddy always taught me that if you say something, you keep your word. Why should they (meaning B&N) be any different? Also, the nice thing about my job is that I've got this nifty thing called "free time" that comes along with the whole graveyard shift work, so I'm not even wasting my time. However, it's not just that, it's also the fact that, not everyone who owns an NC even comprehends what rooting means. I'm speaking for them, not for you and me and everyone else that is a techie.
I'm confused. You want something that runs the Nook app? So why don't you root it and run the Nook app on top of a normal Android ROM?
I have to agree with others here.. why do you care, I see you have rooted you Nook Color. Do you prefer (or are waiting on) that B&N deliver something better that what you can have? Get real,... is you rooted NC not enough? B&N does books, and quite well I might add, they don't do tablets. Although they do seem to have out done everyone else.
Product F(RED) said:
I'm confused. You want something that runs the Nook app? So why don't you root it and run the Nook app on top of a normal Android ROM?
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Click to collapse
*sigh* Tell me, F(Red), what makes you think I haven't? Like I told madfatter, I'm not doing this for me, I'm doing this for every person out there that either doesn't have the knowledge of how to root, doesn't have the courage to take the chance at bricking their device, or simply wants to hold the company accountable for a promise they made.
I posted this here because, as a community, XDA is supposed to be not only here to push tech to its limits and beyond, but also to get the most out of the tech. Well, I'm trying to get the most out of the tech for people who aren't ever going to root.
Trey_Miller said:
I took an hour and some odd time to drive to work and think about what I would say to the two of you in response to your statements.
For starters, Altimax, I'm sorry my grasp of the American English language disgusts you more than anything you have read (although I sincerely doubt that, due to your own grammatical mistakes). Upon reading your post, I realized that you had completely missed the point of my email, which was telling them to man up and do something, or revise the statement that NC spokespersons in the B&N stores tell people. As for why update an outdated device, gee, perhaps it's because they have repeatedly stated they were?
I fully respect the people here and everywhere else that have put so much time into making the device use more of its potential-- as you'll notice in my sig-line, I'm running a rooted NC-- but my entire point was, and still is, either they need to change their tune, or they need to provide something other than a "we'll be with you in a moment" statement.
Fattychance, I agree with you completely that it is a remarkable speed by which they are working. However, the people here on XDA have managed to, as you say, produce Nookie Froyo, are working on Honeycomb, etc etc, in the same time. If nothing else, the actual B&N dev team could take a page or thirty out of these lads' books and get some stuff done.
However, again, you have missed my point; both of you have.
I'm not looking for a tablet, or more "wow factor" or anything of that sort. They've got a rather infantile UI *thrown* on top of 2.1 as their reader software. Would it hurt to address that singular problem? Hell, as I mentioned, the nook apk runs smoother than their nook UI.
I admit, this looks like I'm simply whining about things I don't like. You know what? I don't care. I've seen more posts on these forums that focus on complaining to the dev teams here about how slow work is being done. I'm at least focusing on the people who get *paid* to do this, and asking "Where's the beef?" Where is the work you lot are promising is "just around the corner"?
Three months is more than enough for them to upgrade from eclair to froyo, give the device the few added things people were promised from day one. Am I asking too much? Hell no. I'm asking them to do their job.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they have a UI built for putting shortcuts to your books and magazines on your homescreens so you have easy access to your favorite books or favorite magazine, their reader UI is simple and easy to use and their music player although isnt the best music player out there it gets the job done. the average user wouldnt need any more than that and imo they did a pretty good job at turning android 2.1 into an ereader OS
Trey_Miller said:
Madfatter, why do I even care? Because my daddy always taught me that if you say something, you keep your word. Why should they (meaning B&N) be any different? Also, the nice thing about my job is that I've got this nifty thing called "free time" that comes along with the whole graveyard shift work, so I'm not even wasting my time. However, it's not just that, it's also the fact that, not everyone who owns an NC even comprehends what rooting means. I'm speaking for them, not for you and me and everyone else that is a techie.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree with you in that aspect that they should keep their word but i also disagree with the fact they they should update it to froyo or add anything to the user experience
non techies dont need these features in an ereader if its anything they(meaning B&N) should just fix bugs in their system
if they update it to froyo they will be requested to include flash 10.1 and all other goodies froyo includes and that can actually degrade the user experience more than enhance it
flash although necessary for a full web browsing experience it isnt required for a good one
flash kills battery faster than anything else even on wifi(steve jobs got this one right) and it can slow down your device big time(although it might not happen it still is a possibility)
if you want to request a feature for the average user you should request a youtube app or something, non techies will love youtube capabilities on their ereader and the youtube app will not degrade the user experience one bit
and i apologize for my grammar but i really dont care about grammar because this is the internet and on the internet grammar doesnt matter
Trey_Miller said:
*sigh* Tell me, F(Red), what makes you think I haven't? Like I told madfatter, I'm not doing this for me, I'm doing this for every person out there that either doesn't have the knowledge of how to root, doesn't have the courage to take the chance at bricking their device, or simply wants to hold the company accountable for a promise they made.
I posted this here because, as a community, XDA is supposed to be not only here to push tech to its limits and beyond, but also to get the most out of the tech. Well, I'm trying to get the most out of the tech for people who aren't ever going to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
again to people who dont root, its an ereader NOT a tablet
compare the NC to the Nook or the kindle feature to feature and i can guarantee you that the nook color has the most features for the tech
it has alot of unnessary features for an ereader but it has them so it can be the best in its category(ereader)
if you look at some reviews of this device you will notice that they all say that this device is a great contender to an actual tablet
Like I said, I'm not doing this for me, but for those that either don't know how, or don't want to take the risk. Yes, Flash is a battery-waster, a youtube apk would work good, etc etc. I'm not asking them to go out and re-invent the wheel, I'm just asking them to do what they said they would do. If all they do is make the UI a little less glitchy, update where you can load your own books and files onto the main screen, and toss a youtube app on there, I'll be proud as punch, happy as a pig in slop, take your pick at sayings.
As for your grammar luigi, I have no problem with it. I was merely calling him on his statement of "worst thing ever read".
Trey_Miller said:
*sigh* Tell me, F(Red), what makes you think I haven't?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fact that I'm not a mind-reader. Also, the way you worded your original post implies that you haven't. You said you're not looking for a tablet, but rather a single-purpose device. But that's not the point. If you're not happy with it, sell it. Most people are. We like that it's open and can be turned into a cheap multi-purpose tablet. There's a fine line between showing dissatisfaction and insult. Typing up a grammatically correct email that insults the developers is not the way to go about it. I hope you realize that they still have your money, whether or not you decide to sell it. So you might as well make use of it.
Trey_Miller said:
Like I said, I'm not doing this for me, but for those that either don't know how, or don't want to take the risk. Yes, Flash is a battery-waster, a youtube apk would work good, etc etc. I'm not asking them to go out and re-invent the wheel, I'm just asking them to do what they said they would do. If all they do is make the UI a little less glitchy, update where you can load your own books and files onto the main screen, and toss a youtube app on there, I'll be proud as punch, happy as a pig in slop, take your pick at sayings.
As for your grammar luigi, I have no problem with it. I was merely calling him on his statement of "worst thing ever read".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
again i also agree that they should update their ui but not to really add features but to fix glitches and bugs(maybe add a youtube app but im running honeycomb so this doesnt affect me to much due to me already having youtube capabilities) and about the load your own books point
if they allowed a user to do that they will lose money
now i dont know if they are selling the nook at a negative or at a positive income but i do know that their intention is to sell B&N books to users using the nook color, and allowing people to side load books onto their device means that pirates can load free books on their nook and use the nook app to read a book B&N had no profit on(im not saying everyone is a pirate but this gives the people who are the freedom to do so) so from a business stand point that would be a bad idea
now i do understand why this would be a requested feature but even if you had kindle books you bought if you could side load them whats stopping you from just buying kindle books and using it on your nook instead of buying B&N books
Trey_Miller said:
For starters, Altimax, I'm sorry my grasp of the American English language disgusts you more than anything you have read (although I sincerely doubt that, due to your own grammatical mistakes). Upon reading your post, I realized that you had completely missed the point of my email, which was telling them to man up and do something, or revise the statement that NC spokespersons in the B&N stores tell people. As for why update an outdated device, gee, perhaps it's because they have repeatedly stated they were?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may have missed something, but I did go and re-read Alitmax98's reply to you, and didn't see anything mentioning your grasp of the English language. I believe he was referring to the content of your letter, not the grammar or formatting. That would be petty. On a related note, I didn't see anything grammatically wrong with his which would warrant your criticism either.
You seem overly sensitive. It's always nice when a company does what they say, but your letter does come across as if your Nook is an unusable paperweight with the potential to harm children. It's really not that bad.
I suggest you take a deep breath, download a nice book, and relax. If you really want to take someone to task, go buy a Samsung Moment from Sprint...then your rage will be justified.
Hexapus, *chuckle* I appreciate your response. I fully admit that my email was rather prickly and hostile, hell I admit it in the first post. As to the english language, I purposefully 'misunderstood' it, as I have a low threshold for people who claim that an email is worse than some pieces of sellable "fiction" (Twilight, anyone?). The fact of the matter is, everyone and their neighbor is blowing words of adoration up B&N's collective arse for the reader, and anyone who complains is told to either suck it up or shove off. The entire purpose for the email was to get them to know that there was at least one voice out there that was saying, "Okay, I see what you have, but you promised all this other stuff, too. So what the hell is up?"
Is it unusable? To some extent, yes. I'm not talking about how it won't do my paperwork, feed me, and tuck me in (I suppose it *could* do all those, but whoever created the apk would have to be shot), I'm talking about how, every once in a while, I'd like to have a piece of technology that *doesn't* require me to have to rewrite the system just to make it work up to spec.
Luigi, you bring up a very good point about sideloaded pirated books. Although let me put this to you, if you're concerned that a person is going to sideload a book onto an open device that is easily rooted so that you can run the kindle apk along side the nook apk, not to mention half a dozen other things, and whatever else you might throw on there, your line of logic is just a little, mmm, off kilter.
But hey, whatevs. I'm going radio silent until I get a response either way. If anyone else wants to criticize me for speaking up, that's your perogative. Just as it's my perogative to call you an ignorant greedy arse for not thinking about those people who won't or can't root.
Everyone has a right to their opinion but not everyone is right all the time.
The users that aren't ready to put Nookie on an SD card...need that dumbed down UI.
Even if when they open up an app store and move to honeycomb...they will probably keep the UI crippled.
They aren't telling lies and they made it nice for those of us with the skills to do something more with it. It's really such a rare thing to have happen.
I want the Nook held up as an example of openness that helps fuel creativity and progress.
Does the tab have Honeycomb yet? Gingerbread?
Trey_Miller said:
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Hi, I'm curious as to when or, rather, if there is going to be an update to the Nook Color OS before the end of 2011 Q1. The reason why I'm asking is because if your company is having a hard time developing the update, there are people out there who have managed to make the NC more responsive, more usable, and give it a better feel than the overly simplistic, infantile-esque UI that it currently has. I'm also asking, because I purchased the NC for my wife and I under the assumption (as did many others, apparently) that your company would be prompt with updates, bringing more user capabilities, and a better experience, while keeping to the theme of "a reader, not an all-purpose tablet".
Honestly, while I know I can't return it to get my money back, I'm seriously considering selling it so I can get something that simply runs the Nook app, as it works better than the shoddily-thrown-together program running on the NC.
Make up your mind, please. Either show us some proof that you are planning on doing an update before the end of March, or just fess up already and let people stop getting their hopes up. After all, if visibly empty promises is what your company is good for, then why am I continuing to support you with my business?
~Trey Miller
(850) 555-5555
Avid student, reader, writer, and severely disgruntled customer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For starter, the NC is an eReader, and it is just functioning fine. Their app is amazing and work as expected.
What you did after rooting it is your problem, not NC. If you complaint that it doesn't work like a true tablet, then I have news for you. It is NOT.
If you need a tablet that function like it is a tablet out of the package, then go get a Xoom.
Trey,
Thanks for your post as it obviously got people thinking. The answers you seek are on the BN developer boards. I think they said June for the app store and software update. I know many non power users on Android and many of them hate it. The reason is, it does not function as well consistently as people expect it to. With the Nook, it does. This is important to many users and worth a wait in theirs and Barnes and Noble's mind. When the update comes, it will make the device smootther and give it more features. The froyo and Gingerbread ports here though wonderful, do not make it more stable. They have good devs, but I am not sure they are as good as the ones here. All this equates to more time for them to get it right. Our nagging will not speed up the process. You did buy a tablet from a company that makes books after all. If you want speedy updates, buy one from a computer company. Only, don't buy an Archos, they are notoriously slow with updates. On a lighter note, BN must have done something right. Look how much the interface of Honeycomb looks like the BN interface.

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