E-ink writer

giuseppemag · 06-06-2010, 08:47 AM

Does anybody knows if there is some e-ink device that allows even rudimentary writing with an external USB keyboard?

I am the happy owner of both a sony prs600 and an irex dr1000s and I have really started to dread using one of my laptops: e-ink is more pleasant and the readers are truly portable (long lasting batteries for one); since I spend a lot of time writing in addition to reading, I would truly love to get writing back from a PC

GeoffC · 06-06-2010, 08:54 AM

Hi guiseppemag; welcome to MR -

That's a question I cannot answer, but initially I would say no if only because the eink devices may not have the necessary interface or power [ but I may be totally wrong ].

An expert will surely be along in due course...

again - welcome....

netseeker · 06-06-2010, 09:18 AM

PocketBook announced a Bluetooth keyboard for the PB302, though it isn't available yet. I guess it couldn't hurt to ask PocketBook for some details...

GeoffC · 06-06-2010, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netseeker

PocketBook announced a Bluetooth keyboard for the PB302, though it isn't available yet. I guess it couldn't hurt to ask PocketBook for some details...

oooo - smart ..... guess that's me wrong, again ....

luqmaninbmore · 06-06-2010, 11:35 AM

Isn't there a way to attach a USB keyboard to the iRex Illiad?

luqmaninbmore · 06-06-2010, 11:35 AM

Also, I believe the Entourage Edge also allows you to plug in a keyboard or use a BT keyboard.

LisaPT · 06-07-2010, 08:49 PM

Not an ebook reader or e-ink, but an AlphaSmart is basically a very nice keyboard with an easy to read, if small, screen. The battery lasts about forever, but it is rather old technology.

J. Strnad · 06-08-2010, 11:25 AM

Wouldn't e-ink be rather slow for writing? Wouldn't it flash with every keystroke? And that would pretty well kill the battery life advantage, wouldn't it?

Just speculating, here!

Kali Yuga · 06-08-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by giuseppemag

Does anybody knows if there is some e-ink device that allows even rudimentary writing with an external USB keyboard?

eInk, not that I know of. Basically, any device that uses eInk is pretty much an "ebook reader," not a "tablet computer." That's like expecting a bread knife to do everything a Swiss Army Knife can do.

You'll be better off using some kind of tablet.

Dulin's Books · 06-08-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Strnad

Wouldn't e-ink be rather slow for writing? Wouldn't it flash with every keystroke? And that would pretty well kill the battery life advantage, wouldn't it?

Just speculating, here!

no. all of the current e-ink displays and processors are capable refreshing just one spot /character.

there are plenty of devices now that let you search or take notes for instance and use a soft keyboard to type a letter/number at a time. other devices like onyx, irex and others have digitizers which allow you to write or draw by hand with a stylus without doing a full refresh.

Look at this TI platform used to show off its newest omap SOC http://e2e.ti.com/videos/m/applicati...ic/144328.aspx at just after 2:00

To answer the op- yes PocketBook at least has announced a keyboard that will be usable with their devices

BillSmithBooks · 06-08-2010, 08:24 PM

I love my Alphasmart...I've owned the very old AS 3000, the Dana and now I am the proud owner of a Neo.

they are great for writing on the go without any technical hurdles.

you can get older AS3000s and Danas on Ebay very economically.

Just type it in, connect a USB cable between the Alphasmart and your computer, open up your word processing program and hit send. They couldn't be easier.

And durable. Designed for the education market, they can take a pounding without being damaged.

www.AlphaSmart.com

andrewed · 12-09-2010, 07:42 AM

crystalfontz.com now offers full on linux ubuntu computer with 6" e-ink screen, touchscreen optional. out of the box word processing with regular usb keyboard. fricking ethernet for god's sake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2rfphDBV1o : thorough youtube demo of hardware, shows some software, including typing in spreadsheet program.

finally, finally, finally someone has done it. thank you crystalfontz. let the real digital writing begin.

luqmaninbmore · 12-09-2010, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewed

crystalfontz.com now offers full on linux ubuntu computer with 6" e-ink screen, touchscreen optional. out of the box word processing with regular usb keyboard. fricking ethernet for god's sake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2rfphDBV1o : thorough youtube demo of hardware, shows some software, including typing in spreadsheet program.

finally, finally, finally someone has done it. thank you crystalfontz. let the real digital writing begin.

Where is a finished, consumer ready computer offered? I see a bunch of boards.

andrewed · 12-09-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luqmaninbmore

Where is a finished, consumer ready computer offered? I see a bunch of boards.

you're right, it is an unenclosed developer platform, not a consumer-ready product. however, it is extremely trim, and it would not be difficult to build a case around it--or have one built. here is the exact link: http://www.crystalfontz.com/product/cfa910

traponk · 12-12-2010, 02:44 AM

If you root a Nook, you can add a word processing app that lets you type & save text, but i don't think there's any way to remove what you saved. It's called NookNotes. It's not perfect, and not quite what you're asking about, but it might be the closest thing there is.

06-06-2010, 08:47 AM	#1
giuseppemag Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: none	E-ink writer Does anybody knows if there is some e-ink device that allows even rudimentary writing with an external USB keyboard? I am the happy owner of both a sony prs600 and an irex dr1000s and I have really started to dread using one of my laptops: e-ink is more pleasant and the readers are truly portable (long lasting batteries for one); since I spend a lot of time writing in addition to reading, I would truly love to get writing back from a PC

12-09-2010, 07:42 AM	#12
andrewed typist Posts: 47 Karma: 139812 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Helsingborg, Sweden Device: Kindle 3	forget pocketbook. crystalfontz has done it. crystalfontz.com now offers full on linux ubuntu computer with 6" e-ink screen, touchscreen optional. out of the box word processing with regular usb keyboard. fricking ethernet for god's sake. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2rfphDBV1o : thorough youtube demo of hardware, shows some software, including typing in spreadsheet program. finally, finally, finally someone has done it. thank you crystalfontz. let the real digital writing begin. Last edited by andrewed; 12-09-2010 at 07:44 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Writer of Mahabharata	nethra	Writers' Corner	4	06-02-2010 05:08 AM
If you were/are a writer, you'd rather	Format C:	News	25	11-18-2009 11:09 AM
What's a new writer to do?	astrodad	News	11	12-01-2008 04:25 PM
At Last: Front-Lit E-Ink, Flexible E-Ink and ... E-Ink Watches!	NatCh	News	1	10-27-2007 10:50 AM
E Ink launches next-gen electronic ink: Vizplex	Alexander Turcic	News	34	07-17-2007 09:25 AM

06-06-2010, 08:54 AM	#2
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Hi guiseppemag; welcome to MR - That's a question I cannot answer, but initially I would say no if only because the eink devices may not have the necessary interface or power [ but I may be totally wrong ]. An expert will surely be along in due course... again - welcome....

06-06-2010, 09:18 AM	#3
netseeker sleepless reader Posts: 4,763 Karma: 615547 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Germany, near Stuttgart Device: Sony PRS-505, PB 360° & 302, nook wi-fi, Kindle 3	PocketBook announced a Bluetooth keyboard for the PB302, though it isn't available yet. I guess it couldn't hurt to ask PocketBook for some details...

06-06-2010, 11:35 AM	#5
luqmaninbmore Da'i Posts: 1,144 Karma: 1217499 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Baltimore Device: Toshiba Thrive, Kobo Touch, Kindle 1, Aluratek Libre, T-Mobile Comet	Isn't there a way to attach a USB keyboard to the iRex Illiad?

06-07-2010, 08:49 PM	#7
LisaPT Member Posts: 16 Karma: 12 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: sony reader PRS-600	Not an ebook reader or e-ink, but an AlphaSmart is basically a very nice keyboard with an easy to read, if small, screen. The battery lasts about forever, but it is rather old technology.

06-08-2010, 11:25 AM	#8
J. Strnad Guru Posts: 915 Karma: 3537194 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo, Kindle 3, Paperwhite	Wouldn't e-ink be rather slow for writing? Wouldn't it flash with every keystroke? And that would pretty well kill the battery life advantage, wouldn't it? Just speculating, here!

06-08-2010, 08:24 PM	#11
BillSmithBooks Padawan Learner Posts: 243 Karma: 1085815 Join Date: May 2009 Location: www.OutlawGalaxy.com, Foothills of NY's Adirondack mountains Device: My PC...using Puppy Linux (FBReader, Calibre, Kindle Cloud Reader,	I love my Alphasmart...I've owned the very old AS 3000, the Dana and now I am the proud owner of a Neo. they are great for writing on the go without any technical hurdles. you can get older AS3000s and Danas on Ebay very economically. Just type it in, connect a USB cable between the Alphasmart and your computer, open up your word processing program and hit send. They couldn't be easier. And durable. Designed for the education market, they can take a pounding without being damaged. www.AlphaSmart.com

12-12-2010, 02:44 AM	#15
traponk Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: rooted e-ink Nook	If you root a Nook, you can add a word processing app that lets you type & save text, but i don't think there's any way to remove what you saved. It's called NookNotes. It's not perfect, and not quite what you're asking about, but it might be the closest thing there is.