Looking for eink android ebook reader

Justy · 12-29-2016, 01:04 AM

My Kobo Glo is starting to fail on me and I'm looking for a replacement. I want to keep the 6" screen size but gain android OS so that I can install FBreader Pro and keep my books sync'd across my devices. I'm looking at the Icarus Illumina E654BK, which comes with Google play, or the Boyue T63 JDRead which has a better screen but doesn't have Google play. How easy would it be to side load the readers, and calibre companion, I want onto the T3 without Google play? I'm not sure if Android OS is enough or if I need the Google environment too. What has your experience been?

Thanks!

Justy · 12-29-2016, 02:57 AM

Also, are any of these eink android readers able to display the Scribd app nicely? I would love to be able to read my own library and some of my Scibd library as well.

rwillmer · 12-29-2016, 10:30 AM

I've just bought the Icarus Illumina E654BK, specifically so I can read Scribd on an E-Ink device.

My initial impression is mixed. The problem is that although the Google Play store is there and it's easy to download the Scribd app, that Android just hasn't been designed to work well with e-ink screens.

The Scribd Android app is designed to give you a choice of fonts and background colours which don't work too well with the monochrome e-ink screen.

I've found one combination which works OK with the Scribd app, but it was a lot of trial and error.

So I think this device will become my reader for Scribd and non-DRM books; but it won't supersede my Kobo or Kindle. It seems to work best with ePub books from my existing library, but they'll need to be non-DRM.

I wanted to love it; but instead it's a "probably ok with limitations" feeling.

downeaster59 · 12-29-2016, 03:55 PM

I have a T63. I don't have Scribd, but you can sideload any app you like that's compatible with Android 4.2.2 - which is the version that the T63 runs. The T63 will run apps somewhat slower than a conventional Android tablet will, but I find it more than adequate for my reading apps. Moon Reader Pro works fine as does KOReader and Calibre Companion. Page turns are quick enough. If you use Moon Reader, choose the Outdoor theme. Instapaper looks fine as well. The 300 dpi display helps with some apps that are used to full color displays. Some color combos look okay, but others don't. It's hit or miss.

In one of the Android readers threads here at mobileread, one user (nightboy) has come up with a T6X Toolkit that rooted my T63 and installed Play Store with no issues, so it can be done if you want.

Overall, I'm very pleased with my T63. A couple of pre-installed apps have glitches that are annoying, but I just use apps that I installed. They all work fine.

AnemicOak · 12-29-2016, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justy

How easy would it be to side load the readers, and calibre companion, I want onto the T3 without Google play? I'm not sure if Android OS is enough or if I need the Google environment too.

Scribd can be dowloaded for sideload directly from the company at...
https://www.scribd.com/mobile/app/kindlefire

For Calibre Companion you'd need either a device with Google Play, since it phones home to check for a license on occasion, or to sideload the Amazon App Store and buy CC from there (so it can do the license check through Amazon).

As for "FBreader Pro" (I assume you mean Premium) not sure if GP would be required or not, but since it's a paid app it may do a license check like CC does.

Justy · 12-30-2016, 01:36 AM

Thanks for the info, I was leaning towards the T63 for the better screen. If it's really that easy to fit and add the play store, it sounds perfect for my needs.

downeaster59 · 12-30-2016, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justy

Thanks for the info, I was leaning towards the T63 for the better screen. If it's really that easy to fit and add the play store, it sounds perfect for my needs.

Just follow the instructions here to get your T63 rooted and Play Store installed. You can always post a question on that thread if anything seems unclear, or if you've never rooted a device before. All you need is a Windows computer.

One thing that the instructions don't explicitly say is that your T63 should be connected to your Windows computer before you start this procedure!

Justy · 12-31-2016, 12:24 AM

You guys are great! Thanks downeaster59 for the link to the instructions for rooting. I have taken the plunge and ordered the T63. I can't wait to start playing with it, when it gets here, I'm sure it's on a slow boat and not a jet plane. ☺

downeaster59 · 12-31-2016, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justy

You guys are great! Thanks downeaster59 for the link to the instructions for rooting. I have taken the plunge and ordered the T63. I can't wait to start playing with it, when it gets here, I'm sure it's on a slow boat and not a jet plane. ☺

Yes - if you ordered from Banggood, it may take 2-3 weeks to get the T63. I've ordered three or four devices from them over the last two years or so. I had trouble with only one, but their customer service was very good. I hope you enjoy your new T63!

12-29-2016, 01:04 AM	#1
Justy Fanatic Posts: 547 Karma: 27509 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Greater Vancouver Area, BC, Canada Device: Nexus 7, Sony Xperia z3 tablet, Kobo Glo, Boyue T63	Looking for eink android ebook reader My Kobo Glo is starting to fail on me and I'm looking for a replacement. I want to keep the 6" screen size but gain android OS so that I can install FBreader Pro and keep my books sync'd across my devices. I'm looking at the Icarus Illumina E654BK, which comes with Google play, or the Boyue T63 JDRead which has a better screen but doesn't have Google play. How easy would it be to side load the readers, and calibre companion, I want onto the T3 without Google play? I'm not sure if Android OS is enough or if I need the Google environment too. What has your experience been? Thanks!

12-29-2016, 10:30 AM	#3
rwillmer luzme.com Posts: 64 Karma: 8701 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Glo, iPhone, iPad	Icarus Illumina E654BK + Scribd I've just bought the Icarus Illumina E654BK, specifically so I can read Scribd on an E-Ink device. My initial impression is mixed. The problem is that although the Google Play store is there and it's easy to download the Scribd app, that Android just hasn't been designed to work well with e-ink screens. The Scribd Android app is designed to give you a choice of fonts and background colours which don't work too well with the monochrome e-ink screen. I've found one combination which works OK with the Scribd app, but it was a lot of trial and error. So I think this device will become my reader for Scribd and non-DRM books; but it won't supersede my Kobo or Kindle. It seems to work best with ePub books from my existing library, but they'll need to be non-DRM. I wanted to love it; but instead it's a "probably ok with limitations" feeling.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[Android] Calibre Companion on eInk Reader	ottischwenk	Calibre Companion	17	02-16-2018 09:21 AM
onyx BOOX‘s new android eink reader C65HD/C65ML is for user testing now!	batchaesir	News	15	02-25-2014 10:52 PM
Anyone else with a rooted Nook Simple Touch Android eink reader?	wedwo	Android Devices	1	08-12-2012 03:45 PM
Social ebook reader 6" eink	myracleboi	Which one should I buy?	9	04-21-2011 04:45 PM
Hanlin eBook Reader(eink) has been released	May	HanLin eBook	5	07-04-2008 01:38 AM

12-29-2016, 02:57 AM	#2
Justy Fanatic Posts: 547 Karma: 27509 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Greater Vancouver Area, BC, Canada Device: Nexus 7, Sony Xperia z3 tablet, Kobo Glo, Boyue T63	Also, are any of these eink android readers able to display the Scribd app nicely? I would love to be able to read my own library and some of my Scibd library as well.

12-29-2016, 03:55 PM	#4
downeaster59 Wizard Posts: 1,251 Karma: 2957301 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Rochester, NY Device: Boox Go 10.3, Kobo Libra 2	I have a T63. I don't have Scribd, but you can sideload any app you like that's compatible with Android 4.2.2 - which is the version that the T63 runs. The T63 will run apps somewhat slower than a conventional Android tablet will, but I find it more than adequate for my reading apps. Moon Reader Pro works fine as does KOReader and Calibre Companion. Page turns are quick enough. If you use Moon Reader, choose the Outdoor theme. Instapaper looks fine as well. The 300 dpi display helps with some apps that are used to full color displays. Some color combos look okay, but others don't. It's hit or miss. In one of the Android readers threads here at mobileread, one user (nightboy) has come up with a T6X Toolkit that rooted my T63 and installed Play Store with no issues, so it can be done if you want. Overall, I'm very pleased with my T63. A couple of pre-installed apps have glitches that are annoying, but I just use apps that I installed. They all work fine.

12-30-2016, 01:36 AM	#6
Justy Fanatic Posts: 547 Karma: 27509 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Greater Vancouver Area, BC, Canada Device: Nexus 7, Sony Xperia z3 tablet, Kobo Glo, Boyue T63	Thanks for the info, I was leaning towards the T63 for the better screen. If it's really that easy to fit and add the play store, it sounds perfect for my needs.

12-31-2016, 12:24 AM	#8
Justy Fanatic Posts: 547 Karma: 27509 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Greater Vancouver Area, BC, Canada Device: Nexus 7, Sony Xperia z3 tablet, Kobo Glo, Boyue T63	You guys are great! Thanks downeaster59 for the link to the instructions for rooting. I have taken the plunge and ordered the T63. I can't wait to start playing with it, when it gets here, I'm sure it's on a slow boat and not a jet plane. ☺

Advert

Advert