As a nook owner, I'd like to dispel the misinformation repeated several times by James in this thread. While B&N limits the 3G access to their site, there are no limits on the wifi connection. For example, I've browsed Amazon on my nook using the wifi connection at a B&N store.
Sorry, but I believe the thread of the conversation was talking about downloading BOOKS ie eBooks via wifi and/or 3G, not just "web browsing". Are you saying that the B&N web browser allows you to download books to your Nook from other than the B&N site? For example Kindle and Most desktop web browsers allow one to download a MOBI or ePub ebook via the web browser to one's computer or ebook reader and directly start reading that book. When I try this on the iPad I am told that I am not allowed to download that ebook. So, for example from a desktop computer or a Kindle I can directly download a book in MOBI or ePub format from the PG site to that computer and start reading, (just like most computers and web browswer allow one to download and read PDF files directly) but with an iPad I cannot. Here is a link to the B&N manuals for the Nook in case anyone wants to read for themselves what B&N says their product can do: http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pimages/nook/download/User_Guide_nook_v1_3. pdf