Replacing an openinkpoted Hanlin v3...

[MrKayMrKay]

Hello all,

I'm planning to replace my old friend for a brand new e-reader.
My ebooks are all epub format and properly stored in Calibre with every data available (Author, title, publisher, synopsis (most important when choosing a book, cover, date of publishing,...)

What I love on my current e-reader:
- light weight
- e-ink
- the status bar while reading (knowing your location within a book/chapter)

What I dislike:
- Refresh rate
- contrast
- the library's UI: only the file's name being displayed

What I'm looking for:
- faster refresh rate
- better reading experience (better contrast, readability,...)
- being able to consult the synopsis of any stored ebook (most important)
- books being displayed using epub tags and cover not their filename.
- a UI that tells about you reading progress (FBreader, iBooks style)
- OPDS compliant software
- choice of fonts and sizes
- light weight

What could be a bonus:
- Touch interface
- PDF support
- Bigger screen
- WiFi

Well, I think that's all.

I hope you guys go help me sort this out!

Cheers

K.

[fjtorres]

The closest you'll find to OI is the Pocketbook line, as they are Linux-based and run both FBreader and Coolreader 3, offer Adobe DRM support, and handle a few other doc types; rtf, html, doc, djvu, pdf... Book organization is dual, as it has both a folder-based bookshelf as well as an abstract, links-based customizable structure under Favorites. Both offer up text lists, thumbnail lists, and cover grid, as well as a search system. Dictionaries are available from most of the reading apps, plus the gui can be customized via themes. There is a readily available, though not throughly documented sdk, and several dozen user developed apps ranging from coolreader3 and a juiced-up FBreader to educational flash cards, to games. There is a killer chess game, sudoku, checkers, etc.
I favor the 5in PB360 for portability (it is exactly the size of a CD jewel case and comes with a hard plastic snap-on cover) but they also offer models in the six and ten inch range, some with pen-based interface.
If you have access to the Nook STR, it can be rooted to access its broader android capabilities and run FBreader and Coolreader3 as well as Kindle, Overdrive, Aldiko, and a variety of pdf viewers.
Other readers offer very good reading experiences but if you want something OI-like, but with enhancements, you probably want to look at those two options first.

Edit: all that refers to eink readers.
If you don't mind giving up the extreme battery life and a bit of extra weight to go with LCD, pretty much any android 2.1 or higher tablet will get you there and Aldiko 2.x will likely be your app of choice.

[MrKayMrKay]

Thanks FJ,
these readers looks very interesting indeed but it seems they rely on old e-ink technology since they do not mention pearl technology anywhere on their site.

The black flash each time a page is "turned" is definitively annoying especially when the refresh rate is so slow. I watched videos of kobos and Nooks and they seem to display real progress compared to my old reader and they're lighter too.

An old e-ink panel would be a "no go" since I already own such a technology.

I am really looking for an e-ink device since I own an iPad for web browsing/pdf reading and it does it pretty well but it is way too heavy to read for long periods and back lighting is, to me, an eye killer when used in a dark room.

A rooted Nook could be a great option but I'm not sure it could display books using epub tags...

Kobo touch seems also a serious contender.

And you seem so enthusiast about the PB that I will certainly consider this option if they do offer some pearl screens

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by MrKayMrKay

A rooted Nook could be a great option but I'm not sure it could display books using epub tags...

Kobo touch seems also a serious contender.

And you seem so enthusiast about the PB that I will certainly consider this option if they do offer some pearl screens

Could you clarify your concern about the Nook?
The Nook's native reader app supports epub as much as the Kobo...
With LCD out of the picture, you're going to have to scale back your wishlist, as no eink reader app to my knowledge supports OPDS. Some might have a browser that can connect to OPDS catalogs but integrated OPDS support is not a current feature.
Maybe some upcoming connected reader but none I've seen.

I will say this: there is more than one type of Vizplex and more than one type of Pearl and more than one way to use both. Paging speed in particular is not solely a function of the screen display. If you do a web search on "Pocketbook 360 and doom" you'll find a video of Doom playing on a vizplex screen. Bookeen has also demo'ed video on current gen eink to show off their display driver performance. On the pearl side, Amazon has their own set of tricks to increase Kindle perceived contrast beyond what other Pearl users have.

BeBook one has an older version that is slower and provides less shades of gray and less contrast than the newer versions. It also has a slower cpu and much less RAM than newer readers; these things make a difference, as does the software the readers use. For example, the Nook mitigates the black flash by only scrubbing the screen after each fifth page instead of after each page. This is something you can test on Openinkpot to see how much leftover debris you can stand. Other ereaders also let you control the scruhbing rate but default to the cleanest instead of the dirtiest.

Basically you need to decide which features most matter to you because no pearl-based reader can meet them or exceed openinkpot functionality.

If pearl is non-negotiable your best hope might be the Boox readers, and only some of those come with Pearl, so make sure you're getting one of those.

[JSWolf]

being able to consult the synopsis of any stored ebook (most important)

No eink reader has this that I am aware of.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

No eink reader has this that I am aware of.

Not the eink ones I know of.
Some of the software apps do, which is I suggested a tablet or hacked nook.
On android, Overdrive, fbreader, and Nook 2.5 do.
Probably others, too.

[MrKayMrKay]

Thanks guys!
I think the Nook Touch would be the right move then and the low price tag is quite appealing

I will focus on this one, rooted and with FBReader installed.

Now, I will have to find a way to get it, and that's an other story dudes since I'm not in the states.

Thanks again to you two, you were kind and helpful.

[fjtorres]

If you're going to look into the Nook Touch, check the Nook forum here for tips on apps, hacking, and international ordering.
Also, check this article and the videos referenced within:
http://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/201...ing-apps-list/

eReading Apps
Aldiko 2.0 – Works very well, one of the best ereading apps on the Nook Touch. Can read Adobe DRM ebooks, including library ebooks downloaded with the OverDrive app.
Kindle – The Kindle app works well. The only downside is that there’s extra black flashing when turning pages because the animated page-turns can't be turned off
Nook – The Nook Android app works okay. It’s rather slow at times. The main benefit it adds over the Nook’s base reading app is landscape mode
Kobo – The Kobo app is buggy. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t.
OverDrive – With this app you can use a web browser (Opera) to browse and download ebooks from the library directly to the Nook Touch
Google eBooks – This app works and has more features than the built-in app for the iriver Story HD.
Beam Reader – A paid PDF app with basic features.
ezPDF Reader – This is the best PDF app for the Nook Touch that I’ve tested. The one downside is excessive screen flashing
Moon+Reader
Cool Reader
FBReader
Mantano Reader

Also, if you can wait a couple weeks, keep an eye out for reports on the new Sony PRS-T1. There is a (small) chance it might be android based.

[MrKayMrKay]

Thanks again FJ,

I'm in no hurry since my Hanlin is still perfectly doing his job so I can wait
I've heard about the new Sony, but nothing about their characteristics

regards

MrKay