The Barnes & Noble Nook just received a software update that brings the firmware version up to 1.1.  Basically, reboot your Nook to get the download to start or you can manually install it. Since the Nook has already been rooted, it's a little surprising that 1.1 didn't break root access, we guess the cat and mouse game has yet to start. According to nookdevs, it is safe to update your Nook to 1.1, you'll still have root access and still can root the Nook at 1.1.

Engadget says that the Nook is faster and basically improved all around. Page turning, the navigation screen, and entire experience is speedier. After using the Nook, the one thing that disappointed us was the speed, hopefully 1.1 really does fix that.

[via engadget]

We've already seen the Motorola Opus One reviewed on video, erm, guerrilla-style. Now come some leaked specs And it's mostly a middle-of-the-road device. Here goes:

• 3.1-inch HVGA (320×480) capacitive touchscreen
• 3-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash
• Accelerometer
• Proximity sensor
• WiFI b/g
• Bluetooth
• microSD card slot
• 2.5mm headset jack
• Home, Menu, Back, Speaker buttons are capacitive buttons with haptic feedback
• iDEN PTT & PTX
• Android location-based services, integrated into the iDEN GPS engine
• “Enterprise email”
• 58x118mm (no word on thickness)
• 100g weight
• 512MB Flash / 256MB of RAM
• 64k and 128k iDEN SIM card support
• A-GPS
• Motorola dual-mic technology noise-canceling for noisy environments
• Flash Lite v3.1.x
• A "Zeus" processor.

There you have it. The Opus One likely won't knock anybody's socks off, but neither should the pricetag. We're still looking for it eventually with Nextel. [via BGR]
 

What's that, you say? There's another Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 at the FCC? And this one sports the proper 3G bands for AT&T, Bell, Telus and Rogers? (Not to mention EDGE coverage.) Sho' 'nuff.

This isn't that surprising. When SE released the Windows Mobile-based Xperia X1, it did so in two versions: The X1 (outside the U.S.) and X1a (U.S.-only). And what do the X1 and X1a still have in common? Neither was picked up by a U.S. carrier, leaving the hard-core (and deep-pocketed) shelling out $800 for a nice piece of hardware with a so-so UI.

Will that happen with the X10? Or will it wind up on, say, T-Mobile? Stay tuned, folks.

[FCC via Engadget]

From the Forums is a great way for you, our readers, to see the hottest topics being discussed. But you must be a registered member and becoming a member is a simple process. So if you have not already already done so, head on over and register now!

• Matt Miller from Nokia Experts needs your help, be sure to stop by his thread and lend him a helping hand for week 2 of the Smartphone Round Robin!
• So you have your Moto Droid but surely you have it protected right? Let everyone know what case you went with to protect your new investment.
• You are on Sprint and currently own a Palm Pre but are considering a switch to the HTC Hero, this thread is for you. Give us the pros and cons of making that switch in hardware.
• There are a ton of Android weather applications on the market today, which one do you prefer and why?

See you on the forums!

It should really come as no surprise to anyone that Motorola is reportedly buying advertising time for the 2010 Super Bowl, given the gigantic TV push of late. And it's a pretty good guess we'll see more of the Droid, even though the content of the ad is not yet known. Stay tuned on Feb. 7 in Miami, people. [via Electronista]

As we march closer to a reported launch of the Android-powered Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, possibly on T-Mobile, we're starting to see pre-release units floating around, and Juelu from PocketPC.ch has got one. After the break, a quick hands-on video and a few pics taken with the Snapdragon-powered phone. [pocketpc.ch]

After being rumored once upon a time for AT&T, it looks like the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 will land on the magenta carrier, T-Mobile. The Xperia X10 FCC manual lists the device as having 3G Bands 1, 4, and 8--which are the bands for T-Mobile US AWS 3G. This does keep in line with what we heard recently but knowing the history of Sony Ericsson's Xperia line (and how US carriers never offered the X1), it's still semi-surprising to see actually happen. Though maybe since the Xperia X10 is a 'flagship'-type Android device, T-Mobile saw an opportunity to bolster their weakening Androind lineup (relative to Verizon & Sprint).

If true, the Xperia X10 has infinitely more chance of success in the US with a US carrier attached. Who's interested?

[via bgr] 

Week one of the Smartphone Round Robin is over and week two begins tomorrow. We've just scratched the surface here and already we've run the gamut from a Windows Mobile user examining webOS to a BlackBerry user having an encounter with the Droid. If you have a Smartphone need, we're pretty confident that the Round Robin will help you find out how to fill it.

We could go on, but there's egg nog to be spiked and presents to be wrapped, so hit up the updates page for a list of reviews by platform and hit this post up after the break for the best of Smartphone Experts this week.

Where there's an upcoming HTC phone, there's a current HTC ROM dump. And that brings us to this leak that reportedly shows the HTC Espresso's Sense UI with Android 2.1, ripped from the ROM and plopped onto a Hero. That bolsters the argument that the Espresso may be the successor to the Hero, but we'll just have to wait and see. A couple more pictures after the break. [Via HTCPedia]

Either the folks at NBC's "Saturday Night Live" are as nerdy as we are, or Engadget EiC Joshua Topolsky's visits on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" have been rubbing off. Either way, the SNL gang used the Google Nexus One to take a big swing at the iPhone (and AT&T) last night during "Weekend Update."

"It was reported this week that Google would soon launch its own cellphone as a challenge to the iPhone. Also a challenge to the iPhone? Making phone calls."

Now that's comedy! Peep the video after the break. [via Engadget]