Firefox on e-ink display!

Penforhire · 01-20-2009, 12:54 PM

I saw this juicy bit of hacking reported over at Ars this morning (and not yet posted here?)

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...k-display.html

Alexander Turcic · 01-20-2009, 01:16 PM

Almost... I was just writing about it when you beat me to it.

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36867

Dylrob · 01-23-2009, 12:43 AM

Web browsing is one of the features I've wanted to see on an eInk device since forever. Sure the Kindle has it, but that browser appears too limited and, more importantly, it relies on the Sprint data service (which isn't available out where I live). I may be tempted to purchase whichever platform this would eventually be ported to.

Kosst Amojan · 01-23-2009, 09:06 AM

Truth is, I hope this doesn't catch on. All I want for my ebook reader to do is read books. If I wanted a device to surf the web, play mp3's, and store data I'd get a laptop...oh wait...

Look, every new feature they add to a reader simply increases the cost. If you want a one device do all get a tablet PC. But someday I'd like to be able to spend just $50 on some cheap e-ink device without all the frills

tompe · 01-23-2009, 10:27 AM

Adding a web browser will probably stimulate the development of web pages suitable for eInk devices. You might not want to browse as you do today. But I would really like to be able to read an ePub book with a browser on my eInk device and just clik on a word to get the wikipedia entry for it.

Dylrob · 01-23-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kosst Amojan

Truth is, I hope this doesn't catch on. All I want for my ebook reader to do is read books. If I wanted a device to surf the web, play mp3's, and store data I'd get a laptop...oh wait...

Look, every new feature they add to a reader simply increases the cost. If you want a one device do all get a tablet PC. But someday I'd like to be able to spend just $50 on some cheap e-ink device without all the frills

The problem with existing web capable devices is that they aren't very usable in daylight. My PDA phone is sorta visible, but only when I crank the backlight up to its maximum setting (which obviously kills the battery life).

If the device's OS is flexible enough, and it includes WiFi already, then why not upload a free browser like Firefox?

zelda_pinwheel · 01-23-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tompe

Adding a web browser will probably stimulate the development of web pages suitable for eInk devices. You might not want to browse as you do today. But I would really like to be able to read an ePub book with a browser on my eInk device and just clik on a word to get the wikipedia entry for it.

i would LOVE that.

pilotbob · 01-23-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

i would LOVE that.

I'm pretty sure you can do that on the Kindle.

BOb

zelda_pinwheel · 01-23-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I'm pretty sure you can do that on the Kindle.

BOb

maybe YOU can do that on the Kindle, but *i* can't.

pilotbob · 01-23-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

maybe YOU can do that on the Kindle, but *i* can't.

Dylrob · 01-23-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I'm pretty sure you can do that on the Kindle.

BOb

As I said before, the browser only works in areas with that bloody Sprint service. The lack thereof is one of only two things I can think of that France and North East Nevada have in common (the other being a sizable Basque population).

pilotbob · 01-23-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylrob

As I said before, the browser only works in areas with that bloody Sprint service. The lack thereof is one of only two things I can think of that France and North East Nevada have in common (the other being a sizable Basque population).

I guess then I am happy in live in civilization.

If you don't get a Sprint signal, I don't know how it will magically work with some other reader.

BOb

Dylrob · 01-23-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I guess then I am happy in live in civilization.

If you don't get a Sprint signal, I don't know how it will magically work with some other reader.

BOb

If it uses WiFi, or at least a wireless service that is available in the area (Alltel and Verizon in my case). I suppose the former is preferable, since none of the wireless providers give 100% national coverage.

zelda_pinwheel · 01-24-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylrob

If it uses WiFi, or at least a wireless service that is available in the area (Alltel and Verizon in my case). I suppose the former is preferable, since none of the wireless providers give 100% national coverage.

if it uses wifi, shouldn't it work all over the world, anywhere wifi is available ? (a lot more places than any single wireless telephone operator, i think. including france, btw.

).

pilotbob · 01-24-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylrob

If it uses WiFi, or at least a wireless service that is available in the area (Alltel and Verizon in my case). I suppose the former is preferable, since none of the wireless providers give 100% national coverage.

You need to get one of the femtocell things from Sprint. Then you can use it in you home. Or er, you could use a USB cable. I know that is soooo 2007.

BOb

01-20-2009, 12:54 PM	#1
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 1,845 Karma: 5514220 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle PW, PRS-650, iPhone 4, iPad 4	Firefox on e-ink display! I saw this juicy bit of hacking reported over at Ars this morning (and not yet posted here?) http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...k-display.html

01-23-2009, 12:43 AM	#3
Dylrob Murderous Mustela Posts: 6,006 Karma: 7839996 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sin City Device: Apple iPad (1st Gen) & iPod Touch (4th Gen)	Web browsing is one of the features I've wanted to see on an eInk device since forever. Sure the Kindle has it, but that browser appears too limited and, more importantly, it relies on the Sprint data service (which isn't available out where I live). I may be tempted to purchase whichever platform this would eventually be ported to. __________________ My ongoing experience with the Onyx Boox M92 - Episode 2: A Quick Peak Down The Rabbit Hole NEW! "All my life I've had this strange feeling that there's something big and sinister going on in the world." "No, that's perfectly normal paranoia. Everyone in the universe gets that."

01-23-2009, 09:06 AM	#4
Kosst Amojan Groupie Posts: 199 Karma: 19597 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington DC Device: Nook Simple Touch Reader	Truth is, I hope this doesn't catch on. All I want for my ebook reader to do is read books. If I wanted a device to surf the web, play mp3's, and store data I'd get a laptop...oh wait... Look, every new feature they add to a reader simply increases the cost. If you want a one device do all get a tablet PC. But someday I'd like to be able to spend just $50 on some cheap e-ink device without all the frills __________________ This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force. - Dorothy Parker

01-23-2009, 10:27 AM	#5
tompe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,505 Karma: 2150615 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Linköpng, Sweden Device: Nexus 7, Nexus S, iPad 2, Notion Ink Adam Qi, Kindle WiFi	Adding a web browser will probably stimulate the development of web pages suitable for eInk devices. You might not want to browse as you do today. But I would really like to be able to read an ePub book with a browser on my eInk device and just clik on a word to get the wikipedia entry for it. __________________ DRM is EVIL! /Tommy Persson

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01-20-2009, 01:16 PM	#2
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 16,251 Karma: 3572626 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Sony PRS-650	Almost... I was just writing about it when you beat me to it. http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36867

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