Barnes & Noble has updated the firmware of its Nook e-reader to v1.3. The update tweaks existing features and adds a few brand new ones.

The most exciting is the addition of a web browser, classified as "experimental", just like the one on the Kindle. It uses the e-ink screen, not the touch-sensitive color one at the bottom, but it will let you choose bookmarks from the LCD, as well as using its virtual keyboard to enter urls.

There are also chess and sudoku games, which both seem perfect for a slow-updating grayscale display. The chess game offers a computer-controlled opponent with three skill levels. This is one of those things that seems obvious once you hear about it, and we wouldn't be surprised to see chess on the Kindle in the future, if its non-Android OS is up to it.

There are also a few interface and menu tweaks, but the addition B&N seems most proud of might actually be the lamest, which is why I have shifted it to the end of this post. The Read in Store feature has been updated to let you read entire books when in an actual B&N store. You know, just like you can do with a real paper book. Why is this lame? From the blurb: "you're free to read any parts of any available eBook for **up to an hour** per day!" [emphasis added, excited exclamation mark in original].

Yeah, one measly hour. What is the point of limiting reading time when the person in the store can just go and pick up the freaking paper book? This, rather than being a feature is just a way to piss off Nook buyers. Way to annoy your most loyal customers, B&N.

UPDATE: A B&N representative got in touch to clarify that this one-hour limit is per-book, which should be plenty long enough to decide if you want to buy.

Despite this, the update looks to add a lot of extra stuff, and free. Your Nook should update itself over the next week when connected to Wi-Fi. If you're desperate to grab it right now, you can use the "Check for new B&N content" command the under "My Library" section, or download it to your computer from the update page.

New to NOOK: Version 1.3 Available Now! [Barnes & Noble]

Support and download page [Barnes & Noble]

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