nook Update V 1.2 is Now Available!

[Kristin_Z]

We're confirming that the nook 1.2 update is now available!

We continue to optimize nook software to give our customers a great reading experience. In this, our second software update since we shipped nook in early December 2009, we are providing an improved reading and in-store experience, all key areas that our customers noted. nook v 1.2 will be made available to customers in a seamless over the air (OTA) update over approximately the next week, beginning today, and immediately by manual download.
 
Q. What's new in V1.2?

nook V1.2 continues to improve nook performance to enhance the overall reading experience and in-store connectivity for nook customers to enjoy exclusive content and promotions in Barnes & Noble stores. Key updates include:

• Enhanced in-store seamless connectivity to enjoy free Wi-Fi, with our    More In Store content and promotions exclusively for nook owners.
• Improved opening of eBooks and periodicals
• Improved response to Reading Now & Settings buttons
• Current reading page and bookmarks on all eBooks is properly saved when your nook is powered off
• Bookmarks display page number
• Eligible LendMe™ eBooks in My Library include a LendMe™ flag
• Easier navigation of daily subscription with issues rolled into one folder
• Improved “back” button functionality for navigating eBooks and  periodicals
• Personal files downloaded onto nook and displayed in My Documents can be sorted by author & title
• Overall system improvements and battery optimization

Q. How do I get nook software V1.2?

The V1.2 update will be distributed Over the Air (OTA) via B&N's Fast & Free wireless service and Wi-Fi, or if you want it right now you can get it as a manual download. Beginning today, we are sending OTA over the next week. If you want to get V1.2 immediately, follow the instructions for manual download here. If your nook is registered and has connectivity, it will automatically download the software and install it on your device, during the next week. Depending on your connection, the whole process takes 10-15 minutes via Fast & Free wireless and 5-7 minutes via Wi-Fi or 4-5 minutes for the manual download, during which time you should NOT turn your nook off. Once the software update is completed, your nook will automatically restart and display the Home screen. The software update will preserve your personal settings, including your registered account information, content, display settings, and Wi-Fi settings. Please note, your battery should be charged to 20% or higher before upgrading.

[RHWright]

V 1.2.0 downloaded to my nook about 20 minutes ago. Poked around a bit to see what was new (other than the look of the "buttons") and went to Settings to turn Airplane mode on.

Now the unit is stuck "on" and frozen. The touch screen isn't even going dormant.

Help!

Any ideas. I'm at work and really can't call CS right now. (If I have to I'll do it later.) Thanks.

[DemonicDuck]

sounds like an awesome update!

[DemonicDuck]

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RHWright wrote:

V 1.2.0 downloaded to my nook about 20 minutes ago. Poked around a bit to see what was new (other than the look of the "buttons") and went to Settings to turn Airplane mode on.

Now the unit is stuck "on" and frozen. The touch screen isn't even going dormant.

Help!

Any ideas. I'm at work and really can't call CS right now. (If I have to I'll do it later.) Thanks.

---

RHWright: mine got frozen once if you have a small screwdriver available take out the battery and then plug it into the wal you should then be able to turn it off and put the battery back in.

[RHWright]

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DemonicDuck wrote:

sounds like an awesome update!

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It was awesome. It fixed the problem with garbled title/author listings on my sideloaded files, navigation on the touch screen was going faster and not hanging up, until...

[Xandie]

Looks like exactly what I needed for my nook to be what I needed it to be! My only qualm is that I don't love the new main menu look - is there a way to change back to the original look? Otherwise, it's great, and that's just a minor personal cosmetic preferance.

Xandie

[Baturro]

Tried downloading it over the air. Then I get this: "Error downloading update". I tried about 6 times with same result. 

[RHWright]

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DemonicDuck wrote:

RHWright: mine got frozen once if you have a small screwdriver available take out the battery and then plug it into the wal you should then be able to turn it off and put the battery back in.

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That's what I was afraid of. I'd heard this tip for frozen nooks before. (Luckily, mine hadn't until this point.) I'm at work, so maybe I can bum a screwdriver off one of the IT guys.

Thanks

[SlaughterS]

I'm finding the touch screen much more responsive.  Very nice.

Can't wait to see what the battery optimzation ends up being.  If the original claim was 10 hours (which was about what mine got) then what is the claim for the new battery lifetime ?  15 hours ? 15 Days? 15 Months ?

We all know the life time will vary depending on how you use your nook - but what is the number marketing is throwing around over at B&N ? 

[Radarman123]

Just downloaded mine.  Was an automatic via via WiFI.  No forcing needed.

Seems to work OK.   I hope they have improved the battery life.

[Technowitch]

Ah, finally.  No more lost bookmarks.  Very happy about this much needed update.

BTW, I really appreciate the update progress bar on the bottom of the screen.

(on edit)  Initial impressions:  The first reboot took a very long time, but I refrained from intervening... eventually it came up okay.  (Advice:  Be patient, give it at least 10-15 minutes to complete the update and reboot.)  The touchscreen is far, far more responsive now and easier to navigate.  I actually do like the new UI look.

All my bookmarks from pre-update were retained -- and now don't have some weird code, but instead a page number.  Can finally sort My Documents by title or author, yay for that.

Well done!

[Radarman123]

Quote:

Can't wait to see what the battery optimzation ends up being.  If the original claim was 10 hours (which was about what mine got) then what is the claim for the new battery lifetime ?  15 hours ? 15 Days? 15 Months ?

_______________________________________

The original claims is "days"  - 10 days with the unit on airplane mode. 

[Jennyc87]

I cannot get my nook to wirelessly download the update! It's registered and everything. I'd do it manually, but I'll be at work for a while...boo. Any suggestions?

[Technowitch]

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Jennyc87 wrote:
I cannot get my nook to wirelessly download the update! It's registered and everything. I'd do it manually, but I'll be at work for a while...boo. Any suggestions?

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There are instructions in the Help section on how to side-load the update using your USB cable.

[icebike]

Some said putting on wifi works.  But if you have no wifi, your only option is to wait, unless you have a computer and your cable.  You could do a manual download as explained above.

[very-simple]

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RHWright wrote:

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DemonicDuck wrote:

RHWright: mine got frozen once if you have a small screwdriver available take out the battery and then plug it into the wal you should then be able to turn it off and put the battery back in.

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That's what I was afraid of. I'd heard this tip for frozen nooks before. (Luckily, mine hadn't until this point.) I'm at work, so maybe I can bum a screwdriver off one of the IT guys.

Thanks

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RHWright - try this first.  My nook has frozen a few times (3-4) since I got it, and I've never had to remove the battery.  This method has always been good enough for me.

Hold down the power button for at least 20 seconds.  Release.  Then quickly press the power button again.  Then wait a few seconds.  

My device has always restarted from frozen using this method - It may not work (the battery removal is what I would try next if this didn't work), but it's worth a shot if you don't have a handy screwdriver.

[andrewkatya]

Does my documents have cover flow yet? Would check myself but my nook is at home...

[MiniMischief]

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Jennyc87 wrote:
I cannot get my nook to wirelessly download the update! It's registered and everything. I'd do it manually, but I'll be at work for a while...boo. Any suggestions?

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Try this: Go to "My Library," make sure you are in your B&N LIbrary, and then press "Check for New Content."  This forced an update for me.  I'm about 40% right now.

[Dito]

I just finished installing my update via USB. Worked flawlessly. I'm impressed with how simple it was - just drop the file on your nook, unmount it, and it detects and installs automatically. Nice work there.

The change to the touchscreen graphics are something I'm neutral with. Clearly, the rounded rectangles are supposed to evoke the shape of the nook and look good. But the bold, solid buttons were unique and becoming iconic. Eh, doesn't really mean much to me.

The menu navigation buttons have added a subtle 3D shading effect, which looks more polished than the original. The menu also seems a lot faster, especially when going to Settings to change wallpaper or airplane mode.

Speaking of airplane mode, it worked fine over here. I toggled it on (wireless off), did a few things, turned it back off (wireless on), and connected to the B&N store without problems.

Scrolling through items displayed on the e-ink screen is noticeably faster. Of this, I approve.

You can indeed sort your own documents by Title or Author. Oddly, when sorted by author, they don't "group" like they do in the B&N library. I don't get that. But it's better than it was before, so on average I'm satisfied.

And yes, BOOKMARKS WORK. Maybe now everyone will stop screaming, planning to destroy their devices, threatening to set fire to B&N corporate headquarters, or using their nooks as blunt objects against helpless store personnel. 

And, hey - they met the date(s) they promised. I hope that also satisfies a few people.

All in all, a quality update, worthy of the 1.1.1 -> 1.2.0 numbering scheme.

(Disclaimer: it's probably still not perfect and some folks will still have issues. But I genuinely hope the level of anger and vitriol displayed on this board will decrease dramatically.)

-Dito

[mhibbs]

• Improved “back” button functionality for navigating eBooks and  periodicals

Just got my updated and went immediately to the WSJ to check and see if this worked like I hoped it would...and it does!  Now you can click a link to an article you want to read in depth....when you are finished reading, if you hit the back button it takes you BACK to the exact place you were when you clicked the link.  Huge improvement.