Software updates tend to bring good things (with notable exceptions), and while the latest update to Barnes & Noble's Nook is packed with new features, there are some things that could be improved even further. Here's what to like and what to gripe about in Nook software version 1.3:
Basic Enhancements: At launch, the Nook was buggy and slow. B&N has been working on this, and the latest update includes even more improvements, such as faster page turns. Also, if you're at a Wi-Fi hotspot where AT&T's 3G won't cut it (say, an airplane), a Web browser now makes it possible to authenticate.
Games: Thumbs up to B&N for adding two obvious time-wasters, Chess and Sudoku, to the Nook. Amazon will likely add similar functionality with its app store later this year, but for now the Nook has the upper hand. I wonder when we'll see crossword puzzles.
Read In Store: What initially seems like a cool feature is actually sort of silly when you think about it. Barnes & Noble will now let Nook owners read books they don't own, for free, using the store's Wi-Fi -- for a maximum of one hour per day. Why the restrictions when you're surrounded by books that don't enforce time limits?
Menu Tweaks: With all the new features available, B&N has expanded the Nook's menu beyond a static screen. You can now drag a finger to scroll through the Nook's color touch screen, revealing the following new options: Games, Web, Wi-Fi and Audio. Yes, the music player has been given greater prominence.