Nook hacked, shown running Android 1.5
updated 06:25 pm EST, Mon December 14, 2009
Nook reader has Samsung CPU, stock Android
Barnes & Noble's Nook e-book reader has been subjected to a teardown and hack that reveals much of the bookseller's work on the device. It's now known by NookDevs that the Nook is running a stock version of Android 1.5 and is only customized primarily to mask the regular interface and optimize it for the device's unique dual-display design. Inside, it's known to use a Samsung S3C6410 ARM processor that could render OpenGL ES 2.0-level graphics and runs on a simple 2GB SanDisk microSD card.
It additionally has a Synaptics touch controller and a Sierra Wireless 3G modem for its AT&T network access.
Further exploration has also revealed that the software on the Nook can be easily rooted, or opened to give full access, using a computer running Linux and the Android SDK. Outside of opening the casing to remove the microSD card, the process is considered relatively simple and only requires a small file edit as well as establishing a shell connection from the SDK.
It's likely the Nook will be modified to support extra content or functions, though as of yet there haven't been any completed hacks to this end.
