On Friday, April 23, Barnes & Noble (B&N) announced software update version 1.3 for its Android-based Nook e-reader – bringing on for the device new features including a Web browser; games like chess and Sudoku; faster page turning; and the beta version of “Read In Store,” which will give the Nook users ‘free’ access to the B&N’s e-book library from any location.

Elaborating about the new features in an official blog post, Paul Hochman, manager of Content and Social Media at BarnesandNoble.com, said: “We’ve also made additional reading and device performance enhancements including improved page turn speed, faster access to previously opened e-books, enhanced color touch-screen navigation and more. The new features and additional enhancements are available with the updated Nook software now available via manual download at nook.com/update.”

Hochman further added that the registered Wi-Fi-enabled Nook e-readers will automatically download the software – a process that will take around 5-7 minutes - some time during next week.

While the introduction of faster page-turn speed and quicker book access addresses the criticism about the slowness and some unpolished features of the B&N Nook, the new announcement actually comes at a time when the Nook is competiting not only against the market leading e-reader, the Amazon Kindle, but also the new Apple iPad.  

Already, Nook, which could thus far be purchased only through B&N Website and bookstores, will also soon be available at Best Buy stores.