For other White PDN users who might not be frequenting the slatedroid forums:
Pandigital has changed the way they offer firmware updates. If you go to http://pandigital.net/Downloads website and choose your region, you will only be offered an option to download the firmware installer. The old firmware files are not available to the general public.
Once downloaded and launched, the firmware updater will guide you through the process of updating your firmware.
EDIT:
Now there are two options available for firmware. One is for the standard Novel 'reader' which is dated 11/19/2010 and the other is the new 'tablet' firmware which is dated 1/14/2011.
Apparently, the above is no longer true. The Pandigital novel updater no longer has an option to continue on with the standard 'reader interface'. Other users attempting to update their Novel from the standard reader are only given options to go to the latest 'tablet interface'.
For those curious about the new tablet firmware, Pandigitial now has a page about it:
Pandigital Android tablet Firmware
:EDIT
The 1/27 firmware will change the Novel reader into a 7' tablet. This means that it ends up being more of a standard Android tablet which allows more flexibility in its use.
However, you must note that this is a one-way upgrade and you will not be given the option of turning back and reloading the 'reader' firmware. But if you are looking for a straightforward way of turning the reader into a open android tablet and are not keen on the way of the 'hackers', then this is the way to go.
( * Side note: You can revert back if you are willing to locate older firmware files, remove the internal micro SD, and perform the manual firmware update at the risk of rendering your PDN useless.)
----------EDIT----------
Warning to new users:
The 1/27/2011 is the 'tablet' version which is the Android OS open for the user. It still has the B&N reader as an icon, but is meant for users who are willing to learn the new Android OS.
Also:
If you think there is any way you have bought a Novel that may have been tampered with (used from another owner, an open box special / returned & re-certified, etc.) be very careful attempting to go to the 'tablet' 1/27/2011 version. You will more than likely turn your Novel into a nice paperweight.
However:
It does appear that the original Novel 'ebook' firmware has gone the way of the dodo. Pandigital is moving forward with the 'tablet' interface for all White Pandigital models and if you are looking to update the firmware on your Novel, this is the only direction available to you.

Canadian Black PDN with the Kobo Reader
I purchased my B-Cnd PDN Dec 21, 2010. I did the FW update after first trying it out of the Box. At that time the firmware was a downloaded file called Polaris_Update.dat. There was no PC update file.
This FW update installed as instrucked and opened the B-PDN to allow app installs etc. It still was only And 1.5 but I believe the unit did get some performance enhancements as the touch screen seemed to be more responsive after. The firmware was dated 2010-10-15. In January I went back to the PDN web site to see if there were any further updates. On hitting the 'Update' for the Canadian PDN instead of downloading the file it wanted to do the PC update procedure only. So I went ahead and did the procedure.
On finishing I ended up with the installed firmware for the USA-PDN which has the B&N or Borders Reader(I can't remember which) with the apps just below the Reader. I tried the update again with the same results. Fortunately I still had my original update file 'Polaris_Update.dat'. So I reset the unit to factory specs and re-applied it after which I was back to normal FW update dated 2010_10_15.
I then checked a few days ago and discovered that there was a new update dated 2010_10_28 but again only available via the PC update process.
When the download was finished I had the file 'S64N_SLST_KOBO_P1_2010_10_10.dat' in the root of my internal PDN memory. I tried several times to initiate the update as per the instructions but it would not start. I thought I might not be doing it correctly. (Hold Vol + and the power button for approx 5-10 seconds). I then decided to rename the file to 'polaris_update.dat' and retry the process. It worked!
The 'About Reader' page now shows
HD Platform RD101-2GB-W
FW S64N_SLST_KOBO_P1_2010_10_28.
Kernel version 2.6.27 Kobo@Android
Adobe RMSDK: 9.1.0
I don't know what changes were applied but one thing I did noticed was the 'Notification area' at the top of the screen no longer shows 'Unknow SD card or invalid file format. It now displays 'The SD card is mounted sucessfully'. Note even though it claimed a problem prior to the update I had no issues unmounting/mounting the SD card and using it.
Everything else appears works as it did before.
Oops.
I had to re-actiavte the ADE DRM but now it claims I have reached my max authorizations for the current ADE account and it will not accept the activation. Bummer. So I have created a new account and I will have to use that for new purchases and downloads.
No issues with prior purchases as I practice removing DRM anyways.
John