US bookstore giant Barnes & Noble has announced that it has recorded 1 million app downloads via its new Android-based Nook Color e-reader just one week after it issued a software update that activated its apps store. The firm had previously said that the update was designed to transform the 7-inch Nook Color into “a full-featured Android tablet.” The device costs just US$249, which the firm claims makes it “the best tablet value on the market.” As well activating the apps store, the recent software update (version 1.2) also included “full-featured built-in email, enhanced Web experience and more exciting content for adults and children.”

The Nook apps store offers both paid-for and free apps. The top five paid apps were named as Angry Birds, Drawing Pad, Solitaire, Aces Jewel Hunt and Astraware Mahjong, while the most popular free apps were Fliq Calendar, Fliq Notes, Pulse, Nook Word of the Day and Fliq Tasks.

The firm said that approximately half of the paid-for titles were available for US$2.99 or less and the vast majority priced at US$5.99 or less.

“Our recent software update to Nook Color delivered the most requested tablet features by our customers, including the ability to shop for and download high-quality apps,” said Barnes & Noble CEO William Lynch.

Barnes & Noble’s move to launch its own apps storefront mimics the strategy of its book store rival Amazon, which launched its own Android-based store in March. However, Amazon’s store is not designed to work on its own Kindle e-reader and is available only on Android-based smartphones.