How to Upgrade Your Nook Color's Software to Android 2.2 Froyo

Before, eReaders were only used to read eBooks. Not anymore.

As tablet computers become more and more advanced, eReaders like Amazon's Kindle, Sony's Reader and Barnes & Noble's Nook are forced to expand their capabilities beyond the basic bibliophilic needs. And the first to make significant headway is B&N's Nook Color.

Most of you know that the "NOOKcolor" has been running Google's Android mobile operating system for awhile now. But the full power of Android was never officially unleashed, which prompted some gutsy Nook owners to hack their Nook Color into a fully functional (and cheap) Android tablet.

But now you needn't worry about rooting your eReader, because B&N have finally released their much-anticipated software update (1.2.0) for the Nook Color.

This update gives you Android 2.2 Froyo, modeled specifically for B&N. Unfortunately, that means no Android Market. Instead, you can download hand-picked Nook Apps, which include the usual fare—Angry Birds, Epicurious, Facebook, Pulse, Twitter, etc. That aside, there is a complete web browser with Adobe Flash Player support, possibly the best new feature for Nook users.

To update your Nook Color, check out B&N's video guide below. Those with Wi-Fi will automatically be upgraded, but those without can get the manual update here.

If you're interested in expanding your Nook library, see how to download tons of free eBooks!

Photo by Lu Tianyu