Nook Color updated: Adds Nook Tablet apps like Netflix

By Jeffrey Van Camp December 12, 2011

Barnes & Noble Nook Color — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Barnes & Noble has released version 1.4.1 of its Nook Color software. The new update will attempt to level the playing field between the Color and the Kindle Fire, it’s closest price competitor at $200. Those who have a registered Nook Color should automatically get the update sometime this week. If you want the update now, you can get the update manually from this zip file on your PC. Afte rthat, you’ll have to connect your Nook Color to your PC using a USB cable.

Here are the new additions:

Netflix
Nook Comics
PagePerfect Nook Books – Books that retain their print layouts
Landscape and portrait reading
Built-in dictionary with direct word look-up feature
More font sizes
Performance enhancements – It should be faster
100 total changes

All of these changes seem to be an attempt to bring the features of the Nook Color up to par with B&N’s fancy new $250 Nook Tablet (our hands-on impressions). However, even with the upgrades, we can’t recommend you purchase a Nook Color over a Nook Tablet or Amazon Kindle Fire. The Color has an outdated single-core processor and is lags well behind the Kindle Fire in speed. At the sub-$300 level, the Nook Tablet is probably the best e-reading tablet you can buy. Still, if you’re a Nook Color owner, this should be a joyous day. You can finally read in two orientations!

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Jeffrey Van Camp

Former Digital Trends Contributor

As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…

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