Barnes & Noble, remember them? With all the hoopla going on with Amazon vs. the publishers, I nearly missed a report showing that the Barnes & Noble e-book reader is getting a much needed firmware update. Released as version 1.2, the new firmware will come with some impressive new levels of functionality. According to the article, new e-book reader models sold today will have the new firmware already.

What does this mean to you?

The Kindle needs this competition. Let’s be honest, the iPad is off in its own universe and not really set to be a direct threat to the Kindle, as it’s not even out yet. So the real battle for the time being is going to be between the Kindle and the Nook. Question is, who can keep the publishers happy?