Feeling defeated, seeking recommendations.

[AnnoyedDragon]

Hello, I'm totally new to e-readers so realise I have a lot to learn about them. Especially after purchasing my first one, only to return it after days of frustration; not fully understanding what it was I was buying...

I suffer from migraines which can be induced by bright lights, the blue light spectrum also disrupts my sleep. So having a front-lit device to read a book, check my mail and social media, read the news etc. was a no brainer. I'm invested in the Android/Google Play ecosystem, so not wanting to fragment my media; I started looking for an Android based e-reader.

I live in England and quickly found that the availability of e-readers is quite limited, I was deciding between the Inbook Obsidian or the OnyX Boox C67ML. I liked the idea of the higher resolution screen of the Onyx, but couldn't find a seller that didn't involve importing it. So settled on the Inkbook.

Experienced e-reader users know where I've gone wrong here...

It wasn't long before I found out it wasn't simply a matter of logging into my Google Play account and downloading books. The 1st day of frustration was spent trying to get the Google books app to work, it was on the included app market after all, only to learn that wasn't going to happen. After contacting support I was informed it wasn't supported. An Android OS based device that didn't support the official Android apps? I was baffled.

Day 2 of frustration was spent trying to get my Google Play downloaded e-books to open. I had followed Google's official guide to get them to work, but was having no luck, they stayed encrypted. I didn't understand what was going on, the description for the Inbook stated that it supported the Adobe DRM protection system. After contacting support again, I was informed they weren't supported either.

An Android based book reading device, which doesn't support Android book content... What next? Maybe an IPOD that doesn't support Itunes? Needless to say I was done, the device wasn't fit for the purpose which I had purchased it; so it has been sent back for refund.

Yes I'm to blame for not knowing what I was buying; just assuming it would be as straight forward as logging into my Google account and hitting download, like any Android phone or tablet. However it would have been nice if this was hinted at on the product page...

So I stand before you feeling defeated and asking for advice. Knowing what I was initially looking for, can people make any recommendations? I just want an e-ink device to read my Google Play books on, as well as some basic web browsing so I can read the news and check my social media before bed.

[Josieb1]

I don't use Google Play Books but I assume they are ePub. I also don't know anything about the devices you looked at but would a Kobo ereader be of use? You can take a look at the current crop in WHSmith and they are releasing a new one shortly. The Aura One, a 7.8 inch ereader. You can also buy them in Argos.

You could download the google play books to your PC, (google how to remove Adobe encryption, we can't discuss it here, but it's very simple) load them into Calibre, which is a free ebook library system that has its own forum on Mobileread, then use Calibre to send the books to the Kobo.

That's as far as my thinking goes, sorry.

Obviously that doesn't help with the tablet side of things.

[soulfuldog]

Originally Posted by AnnoyedDragon

So I stand before you feeling defeated and asking for advice. Knowing what I was initially looking for, can people make any recommendations? I just want an e-ink device to read my Google Play books on, as well as some basic web browsing so I can read the news and check my social media before bed.

The problem is, as you have found, any e-ink readers that try to be tablets (that you can browse the web with, check facebook, emails etc) aren't so easy to work with as a standard tablet, and they are certainly not readily available to buy in the UK. I think the OnyX Boox would have worked for you (Onyx is mentioned on the Adobe Digital Editions pages as being a supported device), but I wonder if you'd be better just settling on using a tablet or smartphone with those night-time apps like f.lux or twilight for your web & social media needs, and then just buy a standard e-reader for reading books? Something like the Kobo Glo HD would be fine, the soon to be released Kobo Aura One is bigger and better if that interests you.

The other option as already mentioned by Josieb1 is to learn how to remove the DRM from the books you buy from Google Play (its not particularly difficult and is a good way of 'protecting' your books - and then you would be able to load them onto anything that reads epubs, even the Inkbook would accept them.

[khalleron]

Since you're sensitive to blue light, you might want to check out the upcoming Kobo Aura One. It's light changes over the day to get redder in the evening and at night, and you can also adjust the color and brightness to suit you. It's waterproof and has public library integration.

You can also buy your books from any store that sells epubs, although the Kobo store is integrated into the device. Your Google Books would be compatible, although you'd have to download them to your computer and then sideload them (I recommend Calibre for that, or for pretty much anything required to manage ebooks).

[Josieb1]

Your best bet for social networking, emails, and web surfing is a tablet. The cheap Amazon ones have blue-shade which is very good but that wouldn't work for your Google Play books. But the £50 Fire (which is £40 ATM) and a Kobo ereader might be a good compromise. Or go for a proper android tablet and use Twikight of flux to minimise blue light. I use Twilight on my Samsung.

I don't think one single device will give you what you want. In your position I would buy the Amazon Fire, probably the 16GB version which is £50 right now, and a Kobo GLO HD ereader. Then I would google how to remove Adibe DRM and install Calibre on my PC, then load the Google play books into Calibre and then onto the kobo.

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by AnnoyedDragon

So I stand before you feeling defeated and asking for advice. Knowing what I was initially looking for, can people make any recommendations? I just want an e-ink device to read my Google Play books on, as well as some basic web browsing so I can read the news and check my social media before bed.

JosieB has a point that what you really want is two different devices - eink is too slow to be good at browsing or social media, while tablets are not very good for reading on, especially if you're sensitive to light.

A cheap tablet and cheap ereader combo seems to be your best bet.

[AnnoyedDragon]

Thank you for the responses. I think it would be a good idea to elaborate were I'm coming from.

I've actually already got a tablet, the Nexus 7 2013 edition, as well as an Asus Zenfone 2. Even on the minimum brightness with light filtering apps, when my head is in that state my tolerance is limited. Eventually I just have to turn it off and avoid technology, because any screen aggravates it. But eventually I get that internet itch to check something and my tolerance is tested again, my head getting worse the longer I look at it.

My standard setting for my desktop monitor is 0 brightness and 0 contrast and that's when I'm ok, to avoid aggravating my head. When it is aggravated even that's too bright and I'm messing with driver values. I'm on propranolol from the doctor to reduce the frequency of my bad heads but it's not a cure all.

I simply cannot read off a back-lit device for prolonged periods.

For the short time I had the Inkbook, I could feel the difference between the backlight being off and on its lowest setting. The e-ink display really made a difference, it absorbed the colour of whatever ambient lighting is in the environment and just blended in. There was also a noticeable difference in alertness when I finally put the device down to sleep, I wasn't spending ages trying to wind down after the last web browse of the day.

I actually found the internet capabilities of the device adequate. Obviously it's not a phone or tablet, but show it patience and you can access most of what you want to. I was able to read and respond on Facebook, check my mail, read and write comments on my news app, log into websites and download Epub books of user written stories. Most of what I do before bed was doable to an acceptable standard (at least to me) on the Inkbook, and I was surprised just how long the battery stayed at 100% during all this. If it wasn't for the fact that it refused to open Google Play e-books; I would have been happy with the device.

So I'm not looking for a tablet equivalent, I'm satisfied with the web experience that the device provided. It was only as an e-reader that is failed, which is pretty important for an e-reader. I'm uncomfortable with the idea of engaging in illegitimate activities, such as breaking DRM, just to be able to read my legally purchased books. It shouldn't be acceptable that people have to go to that extent; just to use an e-reader for its intended purpose.

So in that regard; is the OnyX Boox C67ML suitable? I ask that, but really I can only find one for sale and it has to be imported from the Netherlands... Needless to say if I'm going to have to import; I want to make absolutely sure it's the right one and not do anything impulsive.

[MickiTee]

Two suggestions. Firstly have a look in the Android Devices forum here at MR. There are a number of threads relating to Android e-ink devices including the OnyX Boox C67ML. There are also a number in this forum.

Secondly, have a look on Amazon. You might pay a little more than you would ordering from the manufacturer, but you wouldn't have to deal with the hassle of importing the reader as Amazon would do this and returns would also be easier.

You should also check which version of Android the device is running. I know that there are readers running 4.2 Jelly Bean and I think there's one running 4.4 Kitkat. Don't look at anything running Gingerbread - its just too old.

[AnnoyedDragon]

As much as I'd like an Android based device to read e-books on, the Onyx Boox C67ML isn't getting the best of reviews, which is down to Android being glitchy with e-ink screens. It simply isn't designed with them in mind so doesn't offer a quality experience, which is a shame. If it wasn't for the fact I'd be importing from the Netherlands; I may have been willing to try it, but that's a lot of wait for something I may just end up sending back. I got enough frustration out of the Inkbook.

I've taken people's advice and ordered a Kobo Glo HD, the Aura One was out of my price range. It may lack the other features I would have liked, but I can read e-books off it without provoking a migraine; which ultimately is what this device is needed for. I'll also look into Calibre if it's not straight forward getting the files on through Adobe Digital editions.

Thank you for all the feedback and suggestions.

[Freddie V]

IF all you want is an ereader get a 3rd gen Kindle. LCD screen, B&W and no glow. If you get an original case get the one with the LED in the corner of the case. You can put transparent tape as a filter over the lights to change spectrum if it affects you without much loss of light if you get the right transparency.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Freddie V

IF all you want is an ereader get a 3rd gen Kindle. LCD screen, B&W and no glow. If you get an original case get the one with the LED in the corner of the case. You can put transparent tape as a filter over the lights to change spectrum if it affects you without much loss of light if you get the right transparency.

First, e-ink readers (including Kindle Keyboard) don't have LCD screens. Second, the OP wanted something to read his/her Google Play books on. You cannot read Google Play books on a Kindle without converting.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

First, e-ink readers (including Kindle Keyboard) don't have LCD screens. Second, the OP wanted something to read his/her Google Play books on. You cannot read Google Play books on a Kindle without converting.

The same poster has posted in four or five threads within fifteen minutes, all reccing the K3 regardless of the needs of the user. Makes me wonder...

[JSWolf]

I agree that the Kobo Aura One is th best choice given that you can turn down/off the blue light.