Update: B&N nook in stock with firmware 1.2 coming soon

Readers here know that I love my B&N nook (see my latest thoughts and have yet to see an ebook reader that offers a better wireless experience with as much available supported content. I pre-ordered mine the day it was announced so have had it since the first shipments were made available. Others who ordered later had to go through different periods of availability, but after visiting the Barnes & Noble nook store I see that the nook is now in stock and available to anyone who wants to order one for $259.

The 1.1 firmware update gave us major improvements in performance and made my nook an even better device than it already was. The page turning is as fast as any other ebook reader. I just read over on Engadget that firmware 1.2 is coming very soon to the nook as well. We have no details on what this firmware 1.2 update will give us, but I will keep looking (and contact my Barnes & Noble contact) and post if I find out what this update provides.

UPDATE: It looks like the folks at Gizmodo were given a list of what is coming, along with the statement that we would see it come OTA today! You can read the Gizmodo article for the entire list of enhancements, but the particular ones that interest me are the improved "back" button functionality for navigating eBooks and ePeriodicals and personal files downloaded and displayed in My Documents can be sorted by author and title. I have my nook with me today and will be looking for the update.

UPDATE 2: Andrew posted on the availability and also has details on a handy in-store nook locator so you can actually go to a Barnes & Noble store and buy one in person after giving it a try.