Nook Version 1.3 provides the unexpected

I wasn't even expecting an update but when I received an email about an update to my Nook yesterday I was excited to discover that they had added a web browser, albeit a beta version. Unfortunately the update isn't available over 3G so I downloaded the file via my PC and copied it to my Nook via USB. After disconnecting my Nook the update applied immediately and the process went flawlessly.

In addition to the web browser the update improved performance and improved the main menu, adding games, instant access to wifi and the music player. I could tell right away that page turns were faster. I never felt like the performance of the Nook was poor but this was obviously an improvement.

The browser only works when you're connected wirelessly. I'm hoping this is just for the beta but there was no mention of whether they would offer a 3G experience with the browser. The browser itself works wonderfully. I was able to easily use Gmail, facebook and digg.com. The main reading menu renders the full page while the beautiful color touch screen serves as a view onto a portion of the page which you can interact with using the touch screen. Bookmarks work just like books in that you can view them visually on the touch screen and scroll through them just like the list of book covers that you own.