MobileRead Forums - View Single Post

Johann Cat · 09-27-2018, 06:42 PM

I am testing a Likebook Mars and assume I do not have a buggy model, but the version I have does not allow much activity in an alternate launcher (Apex or Nova)–it seems designed to tie one to the minimalist Boyue launcher, which I have no interest in. This is utterly unlike the other Android (Boyue and Onyx) ereaders I have used; they have easily allowed different launchers, wallpapers, and customization. The Mars not only does not have Play, its ability to sideload is not great, and several apps (including ES File Manager) I have tried do not work well or consistently. The Amazon App Store doesn't really work, as the device apparently conceals permission codes that Amazon wants to "see" on the apps. The Mars also ties the SD card to the device (?) so that it is uniquely formatted to only work with the Mars; not helpful. I don’t work for the CIA; I am using this an a epub reader. One of the functions of a card is data swapping, and this doesn’t admit that. I’ll tinker with this a bit more, but I do not like it so far and am 70% sure I will return it. Not the way forward, this. Anybody have any advice about how to make this play nicer with Apex or Nova and custom wallpaper? I am used to treating these B&W Androids like any Android tablet, and they usually oblige happily, but this Mars acts very uptight and proprietary.

09-27-2018, 06:42 PM	#85
Johann Cat Member Posts: 21 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2014 Device: Kobo Aura HD; Kindle III; Kindle PWII; Boyue T62D; Onyx Boox i86	Doesn't Work Well with Alternate Launchers? I am testing a Likebook Mars and assume I do not have a buggy model, but the version I have does not allow much activity in an alternate launcher (Apex or Nova)–it seems designed to tie one to the minimalist Boyue launcher, which I have no interest in. This is utterly unlike the other Android (Boyue and Onyx) ereaders I have used; they have easily allowed different launchers, wallpapers, and customization. The Mars not only does not have Play, its ability to sideload is not great, and several apps (including ES File Manager) I have tried do not work well or consistently. The Amazon App Store doesn't really work, as the device apparently conceals permission codes that Amazon wants to "see" on the apps. The Mars also ties the SD card to the device (?) so that it is uniquely formatted to only work with the Mars; not helpful. I don’t work for the CIA; I am using this an a epub reader. One of the functions of a card is data swapping, and this doesn’t admit that. I’ll tinker with this a bit more, but I do not like it so far and am 70% sure I will return it. Not the way forward, this. Anybody have any advice about how to make this play nicer with Apex or Nova and custom wallpaper? I am used to treating these B&W Androids like any Android tablet, and they usually oblige happily, but this Mars acts very uptight and proprietary. Last edited by Johann Cat; 09-28-2018 at 08:31 AM.