- Jan 6, 2011
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The question has been raised several times as to which is the "best" ROM to run on the Nook Color. The answer there is no "best" ROM and it is a matter of personal preference.
Again, there is no "best" and the custom ROMs are updated frequently. Comparisons between ROMs will not be covered since the comparison would change as quickly as the ROM versions do. For the current information on a ROM check the sticky dedicated to that ROM in the Nook Color Technical section. Usually the first post of the sticky contains the change log for the ROM.
Now that we know there is no best ROM, here is a simple list of options to consider when choosing what to run on your Nook.
Versions of Android available are:
2.1 - Eclair. Does not support Flash.
2.2 - Froyo. Supports Flash.
2.3 - Gingerbread. Supports Flash.
3.x - Honeycomb (for tablets only). Supports Flash but Google has decided to withhold the source code meaning all builds not included by the device manufacturer are only preview builds.
4.0 - Ice Cream Sandwich. Does not officially support Flash but according to Adobe it will be the last version for which Flash is created. This newest release builds on the Honeycomb experience for tablets but applies it to all devices. It is not yet in widespread use.
4.1, 4.2 - Jelly Bean. Flash is no longer supported and cannot be found in the Google Play Store. There are however work arounds to get Flash if necessary.
Markets - none, B&N and/or Android Market. (For the purposes of this write up Android Market includes both the Google Market and Amazon App Store which together are the main Android app sources.)
Barnes & Noble ROMs:
All B&N ROMs must be rooted using either manualnooter or autonooter methods to unlock general Android features not supported by the default B&N setup. A home launcher is necessary for full functionality.
B&N 1.0.0 to 1.1.0 are Android 2.1 (Flash not supported). They include the Nook Color specific features for Magazines and "Read to Me" functions. These versions do not include the B&N or Android Market by default. Rooting enables the Android Market and leaves the "Read to Me" function intact.
B&N 1.2.0 is Android 2.2 (Flash is supported). It includes the Nook Color specific features for Magazines and "Read to Me" functions. This version only includes the B&N Market by default. Rooting enables the Android Market and leaves the "Read to Me" function intact.
B&N 1.3.0 is Android 2.3 (Same features as above).
B&N 1.4.x is Android 2.3 (Same features as above).
Custom ROMs:
These ROMs completely replace the B&N ROM. Rooting the Nook Color is not necessary to install or use these ROMs. They will remove the "Read to Me" function. Books, newspapers and magazines purchased from B&N can still be viewed through the B&N reader app available in the Android Market.
Generally these ROMs will all suport Flash and the Android Market unless otherwise noted.
Some custom ROMs may be booted from an SD card or setup to dual boot (stock or rooted B&N ROMs may also be used for dual booting) from eMMC (internal memory). Booting from an SD card means whatever is on your Nook Color internally will not be affected in any manner.
Android 2.2 ROMs include Nookie Froyo, Phiremod Beta 2 and Nookie Comb. Bluetooth is not supported.
Android 2.3 ROMs include CyogenMod 7 (CM7), Phiremod and Ultimate Droid (UD). Phiremod and UD are both based on CM7. Bluetooth is supported. Android tablet features are enabled (such as tablet style soft buttons).
Android 3.x (preview/experimental builds only). ROMs include Honeycomb v4, HoneyBunches and Honeycomb SDK port. Android Market may require work arounds to be supported. Android tablet features are enabled (such as tablet style soft buttons).
Android 4.0 ROMs include CM9 and was not officially released for the Nook but there are solid versions in the experimental stages.
Android 4.1 & 4.2 ROMs include CM10 and is not officially released for the Nook but there are versions in the experimental stages.
For comments or questions please see this thread http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/nook/14586-android-roms-nook-color-info.html
Additional info on http://www.androidtablets.net/forum...-android-visual-history-verge.html#post157796
Again, there is no "best" and the custom ROMs are updated frequently. Comparisons between ROMs will not be covered since the comparison would change as quickly as the ROM versions do. For the current information on a ROM check the sticky dedicated to that ROM in the Nook Color Technical section. Usually the first post of the sticky contains the change log for the ROM.
Now that we know there is no best ROM, here is a simple list of options to consider when choosing what to run on your Nook.
Versions of Android available are:
2.1 - Eclair. Does not support Flash.
2.2 - Froyo. Supports Flash.
2.3 - Gingerbread. Supports Flash.
3.x - Honeycomb (for tablets only). Supports Flash but Google has decided to withhold the source code meaning all builds not included by the device manufacturer are only preview builds.
4.0 - Ice Cream Sandwich. Does not officially support Flash but according to Adobe it will be the last version for which Flash is created. This newest release builds on the Honeycomb experience for tablets but applies it to all devices. It is not yet in widespread use.
4.1, 4.2 - Jelly Bean. Flash is no longer supported and cannot be found in the Google Play Store. There are however work arounds to get Flash if necessary.
Markets - none, B&N and/or Android Market. (For the purposes of this write up Android Market includes both the Google Market and Amazon App Store which together are the main Android app sources.)
Barnes & Noble ROMs:
All B&N ROMs must be rooted using either manualnooter or autonooter methods to unlock general Android features not supported by the default B&N setup. A home launcher is necessary for full functionality.
B&N 1.0.0 to 1.1.0 are Android 2.1 (Flash not supported). They include the Nook Color specific features for Magazines and "Read to Me" functions. These versions do not include the B&N or Android Market by default. Rooting enables the Android Market and leaves the "Read to Me" function intact.
B&N 1.2.0 is Android 2.2 (Flash is supported). It includes the Nook Color specific features for Magazines and "Read to Me" functions. This version only includes the B&N Market by default. Rooting enables the Android Market and leaves the "Read to Me" function intact.
B&N 1.3.0 is Android 2.3 (Same features as above).
B&N 1.4.x is Android 2.3 (Same features as above).
Custom ROMs:
These ROMs completely replace the B&N ROM. Rooting the Nook Color is not necessary to install or use these ROMs. They will remove the "Read to Me" function. Books, newspapers and magazines purchased from B&N can still be viewed through the B&N reader app available in the Android Market.
Generally these ROMs will all suport Flash and the Android Market unless otherwise noted.
Some custom ROMs may be booted from an SD card or setup to dual boot (stock or rooted B&N ROMs may also be used for dual booting) from eMMC (internal memory). Booting from an SD card means whatever is on your Nook Color internally will not be affected in any manner.
Android 2.2 ROMs include Nookie Froyo, Phiremod Beta 2 and Nookie Comb. Bluetooth is not supported.
Android 2.3 ROMs include CyogenMod 7 (CM7), Phiremod and Ultimate Droid (UD). Phiremod and UD are both based on CM7. Bluetooth is supported. Android tablet features are enabled (such as tablet style soft buttons).
Android 3.x (preview/experimental builds only). ROMs include Honeycomb v4, HoneyBunches and Honeycomb SDK port. Android Market may require work arounds to be supported. Android tablet features are enabled (such as tablet style soft buttons).
Android 4.0 ROMs include CM9 and was not officially released for the Nook but there are solid versions in the experimental stages.
Android 4.1 & 4.2 ROMs include CM10 and is not officially released for the Nook but there are versions in the experimental stages.
For comments or questions please see this thread http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/nook/14586-android-roms-nook-color-info.html
Additional info on http://www.androidtablets.net/forum...-android-visual-history-verge.html#post157796
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