As is now well described all over the ‘net, eReaders such as the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight (seriously B&N? Couldn’t you find a snappier name?) are just Android tablets with an eInk screen. As such, they’re ideal contenders for an extremely low-power general purpose tablet.
Getting root is simple enough, but to end up with a properly useable Android tablet there are a bunch of other tweaks that need to be followed. This post then is all about what else needs doing to achieve that end.
It’s worth noting that the Nook was at firmware revision 1.1.5 and that the nooter (the adopted name for software packages that perform the rooting process on a Nook) used will depend on the particular Nook in question and it’s firmware revision.
1. Rooted with this nooter.
2. Installed SearchMarket from AppBrain website. This is necessary since the Nook uses Android 2.1 (Eclair) and the search functionality in it’s Market app is not supported by Google’s newer Play store.
3. Install Nook Touch Mod Manager. This app allows one to repurpose the Nook’s built-in hardware and software buttons, making it easy to switch between the Nook’s software and the Android Home screen. It also means one can uninstall ButtonSaviour (an on-screen soft button app).
4. Install NookColor Tools to enable non-market app installs.
5. Disable update notifications in Market app settings. Android 2.1 is long in the tooth and one will not wish to update many of the installed apps to newer versions that might no longer support that OS version. Also might reduce power drain.
6. Install DropBox & DropSync. In a future post I’ll describe how I brought my eBook library under my control instead of Barnes & Noble’s.
7. Disable OTA upgrades. Crucial! The last thing you want is to lose root due to the device auto-upgrading it’s firmware.
8. Enable multitouch. This is of arguable benefit, but some folks can’t do without it. Instructions here and recompiled kernels here.
by edgar
26 Apr 2013 at 15:49
how to disable tiny notifications button on top of screen?
by admin
26 Apr 2013 at 16:54
Hi Edgar,
I’m afraid I don’t know how to do this; I recommend some searching in the excellent forums at http://www.xda-developers.com. They don’t suffer fools (i.e. you need to do your own research before asking questions) but there seem to be a good number of knowledgeable Android hackers there plus some who are familiar with the Nook Touch specifically.
Cheers,
Ian
by Kaus
07 Feb 2014 at 15:52
Hi, great article. Stumbled here searching for how to root nook glow light. Your post doesn’t mention if the glow light still works after rooting. Does it? Anything special to do to enable glow light after rooting?
Kaus.
by admin
07 Feb 2014 at 16:01
Hi Kaus,
Yes the glowlight still works in the standard fashion after rooting – a long press on the ‘n’ button.
Do take care though – my instructions were true for v1.1.5 Nook firmware, and no doubt the required nooter has changed. I would recommend a bit of rooting around (excuse the pun) on xda-developers.com for the correct rooting package.
Cheers,
Ian