Barnes & Noble is rolling out a software update for its NookColor tablet device that will enhance its functionality and give it access to a wider variety of content from streaming video, music and apps to graphic novels and interactive books. In addition, any customer that buys a NookColor, Nook Tablet or Nook Simple Touch device online with a MasterCard will receive a free $25 B&N Gift Card and free shipping.
The NookColor v1.4 free software upgrade is available immediately for manual download here; and will be offered in a free automatic over the air update via wi-fi beginning next week.
The software upgrade of the $199 NookColor will give the device much of the functionality of the $249 Nook Tablet. The upgrade will give NookColor owners access to NetFlix and Flixter for TV shows and movies and Pandora, Rhapsody and more for music. In addition, the upgrade will make hundreds of new apps available for the NookColor as well as more than 300 magazines; graphic novels from IDW, Dynamite, Marvel graphic novels and Archie kids comics. The upgrade will also allow NookColor owners to read in portrait and landscape mode and will add fonts, PDF thumbnail views and pinch and zoom functionality to the device.
In addition, the device will now synch readers' books on all Nook devices through the Nook Cloud and with Nook Friends social reading software, NookColor owners can share comments, post to social media sites and borrow books through the B&N LendMe service.
