[Setebos]

I have a relative who has got quite advanced macular degeneration, who is now struggling to read at all. She has got to the point that she gets someone to tear pages out of books to enlarge them on a photocopier, but this seems to me to be sub-optimal from a technical point of view.

She has tried using an iPad, but didn't get along too well with it. I think the backlight was troubling.

Anyhow, I feel it might be worth trying an ereader, but my sense is that the experience needs to be as good as possible in order to be compelling, as this person is not a natural tech lover.

I therefore plan to acquire a device, and to set it up with the right tools before hand-over, to maximize the potential for acceptance.

I have never used an ereader, but have spent quite some time analysing the current state of the market (thanks to these fascinating forums and the enthusiastic members!).

My impression is that the market is not hugely profitable on the hardware side, and therefore moves rather slowly, but that we are on the cusp of some meaningful transitions in relation to processing power and, for the larger screen sizes, display resolution.

My plan is therefore not to spend a fortune initially, but to acquire an interim solution that could test the suitability of this type of device for my relative.

I am looking for the following characteristics:

1) Screen size. I don't know how big to get. I think the objective is to read books. Adaptable font sizes and styles are critical, because words seem to swim in and out of focus for her. Sometimes words are too small, sometimes they are too big, sometimes they are just invisible, so maximum flexibility is critical here. Within reason, a larger screen would seem to offer more scope for enlarging fonts, but the bigger screens don't seem to have made the high ppi transition yet, and don't have Carta screens. Basic quality in terms of contrast would seem the most important factor. Built-in light could be necessary, but I'm not sure - need to be able to turn it off in case it causes trouble. Weight could come into it also.

2) Audio support seems to me to be realistically necessary, as the disease undoubtedly will progress further.

3) I feel as though Android support could be quite important, to give a better range of available apps, perhaps more format adaptability etc. I like what I am hearing about Google Play Books with the Ivona TTS voices.

My preliminary conclusion is that I should consider the Onyx Boox i86 HDML Plus. Reasons are: quite large (8 inch) screen, built-in light (can you switch it off?), 250 ppi, Android and with sufficient hardware for basic apps, headphone jack and bluetooth for audio.

Possible downsides or questions include: Pearl screen that I have heard described as a bit "milky", blueish light, it's a Chinese tablet with all the normal QA and service issues, IR touchscreen (is this easy to use?), general interface issues (brightness controls, button navigation sub-optimal), software maturity\updates (is KitKat ready yet?)

In the longer term, I would hope to replace this with a 300 ppi Carta device with an i.MX 7 processor, possibly in 9.7 inches or even 13.3.

Any thoughts on the suitability of the i86 HDML Plus in the meantime? Is there anywhere I can actually buy it? I do actually have a Nook Simple Touch that I bought but have never used. Could I just use this to test the suitability of this class of device? I worry it is now too slow to provide a decent experience, or would have problems with app compatibility.

Any threads with app recommendations for the visually impaired?