Recommended reader for hacking

hjalfi · 09-07-2015, 06:05 AM

So for ages I've been wanting a small netbook computer with an e-ink screen, for writing on. Recently in a moment of clarity I realised it'd be much easier to start with an e-reader and attach a keyboard.

So, can anyone suggest a useful reader I can buy cheaply of ebay and start mutilating?

My requirements are:

- USB OTG support (so I can attach a keyboard)
- Easy to replace the system software --- I have no interest in using it as a real e-reader, and want to put something as close as possible to stock Debian on it
- A reasonably brisk screen which can be driven in A2 mode

I'd rather like a Kindle DX, with its huge screen, but they don't do USB OTG, are stunningly expensive, and probably use an old (and slow) e-ink technology. I'm most likely best-off with an off-brand e-reader based around a standard and known chipset. I've heard good things about the Nook?

So, any suggestions?

HarryT · 09-07-2015, 06:27 AM

I'd suggest getting something like a Boyou T62. Standard Android device with an eInk screen which can be rooted, and any software you wish installed on it.

nhedgehog · 09-07-2015, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'd suggest getting something like a Boyou T62. Standard Android device with an eInk screen which can be rooted, and any software you wish installed on it.

... I would agree with that but I don't know if anyone got USB OTG working on that device. I certainly couldn't, even with other ROMs.

Adapting Debian to Eink devices could be quite troublesome but someone allready did it.
This could be helpful.
This too.

HarryT · 09-07-2015, 06:55 AM

Might consider the Onyx T68, in that case. USB OTG works fine with that.

hjalfi · 09-07-2015, 08:54 AM

I feel oddly attracted to the K3, with its externally accessible serial port... but I know that interfacing it to a keyboard would be infeasibly hard.

Regarding Debianising a device: provided it's rootable and supports Fastboot, it's simple enough to replace the userland partition, keeping the vendor kernel. That way I don't have to recompile the kernel, so I get decent hardware support.

(This assumes, of course, that devices like the eink screen are handled sanely. How are these normally dealt with? Framebuffer device with ioctls to do the update?)

davidfor · 09-07-2015, 10:07 AM

The Kobo ereaders might work for you. Most have an internal SD card that the firmware is installed to. Debian can be installed on at least the Aura HD. I don't know about USB OTG support. I remember some discussion on this a while ago, but I don't remember the result.

Rizla · 09-07-2015, 11:10 AM

The old Kindle DX is your best bet for a secondary screen. Big screen, and it should work. You will find at least one active thread on the subject on these forums. Everything else may not work. Maybe the 8" Onyx, but I'm not sure if it will still work as a secondary screen.

Rizla · 09-07-2015, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

The Kobo ereaders might work for you. Most have an internal SD card that the firmware is installed to. Debian can be installed on at least the Aura HD. I don't know about USB OTG support. I remember some discussion on this a while ago, but I don't remember the result.

It probably won't work. I wasted time trying to do it.

Rizla · 09-07-2015, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Might consider the Onyx T68, in that case. USB OTG works fine with that.

I think I read the functionality was disabled in later releases. Very iffy.

hjalfi · 09-07-2015, 11:35 AM

I see from the wiki page on the DX (https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kindle_DX) that the USB chipset supports OTG --- is this supported by the kernel? And is it present on all models? (And if so, is the socket powered?) As I'm going to have to get one off ebay there's no guarantee what I'll actually end up with.

A Kobo looks good, particularly as it looks like it's easy to build and flash my own kernel. It's a bit of a shame that the socket's not powered, though, because that will require an external battery to run the keyboard off.

eschwartz · 09-07-2015, 04:41 PM

Kindle_USB_OTG

It has come up for discussion before, no one has been sufficiently dedicated to get it working.
I think people may have gotten bluetooth up and running, though.

Rizla · 09-10-2015, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Kindle_USB_OTG

It has come up for discussion before, no one has been sufficiently dedicated to get it working.
I think people may have gotten bluetooth up and running, though.

This will only work on an older Kindle or if you open up a new Kindle and solder stuff. For most people, hacking and developing on Kindles is finished. It's becoming a thing of the past.

HarryT · 09-10-2015, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizla

I think I read the functionality was disabled in later releases. Very iffy.

Mine worked absolutely fine, at least with the mouse and keyboard I tried it with.

09-07-2015, 06:05 AM	#1
hjalfi Member Posts: 24 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: Kindle 3g	Recommended reader for hacking So for ages I've been wanting a small netbook computer with an e-ink screen, for writing on. Recently in a moment of clarity I realised it'd be much easier to start with an e-reader and attach a keyboard. So, can anyone suggest a useful reader I can buy cheaply of ebay and start mutilating? My requirements are: - USB OTG support (so I can attach a keyboard) - Easy to replace the system software --- I have no interest in using it as a real e-reader, and want to put something as close as possible to stock Debian on it - A reasonably brisk screen which can be driven in A2 mode I'd rather like a Kindle DX, with its huge screen, but they don't do USB OTG, are stunningly expensive, and probably use an old (and slow) e-ink technology. I'm most likely best-off with an off-brand e-reader based around a standard and known chipset. I've heard good things about the Nook? So, any suggestions?

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09-07-2015, 06:27 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I'd suggest getting something like a Boyou T62. Standard Android device with an eInk screen which can be rooted, and any software you wish installed on it.

09-07-2015, 06:55 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Might consider the Onyx T68, in that case. USB OTG works fine with that.

09-07-2015, 08:54 AM	#5
hjalfi Member Posts: 24 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: Kindle 3g	I feel oddly attracted to the K3, with its externally accessible serial port... but I know that interfacing it to a keyboard would be infeasibly hard. Regarding Debianising a device: provided it's rootable and supports Fastboot, it's simple enough to replace the userland partition, keeping the vendor kernel. That way I don't have to recompile the kernel, so I get decent hardware support. (This assumes, of course, that devices like the eink screen are handled sanely. How are these normally dealt with? Framebuffer device with ioctls to do the update?)

09-07-2015, 10:07 AM	#6
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	The Kobo ereaders might work for you. Most have an internal SD card that the firmware is installed to. Debian can be installed on at least the Aura HD. I don't know about USB OTG support. I remember some discussion on this a while ago, but I don't remember the result.

09-07-2015, 11:10 AM	#7
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	The old Kindle DX is your best bet for a secondary screen. Big screen, and it should work. You will find at least one active thread on the subject on these forums. Everything else may not work. Maybe the 8" Onyx, but I'm not sure if it will still work as a secondary screen.

09-07-2015, 11:35 AM	#10
hjalfi Member Posts: 24 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: Kindle 3g	I see from the wiki page on the DX (https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kindle_DX) that the USB chipset supports OTG --- is this supported by the kernel? And is it present on all models? (And if so, is the socket powered?) As I'm going to have to get one off ebay there's no guarantee what I'll actually end up with. A Kobo looks good, particularly as it looks like it's easy to build and flash my own kernel. It's a bit of a shame that the socket's not powered, though, because that will require an external battery to run the keyboard off.

09-07-2015, 04:41 PM	#11
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Kindle_USB_OTG It has come up for discussion before, no one has been sufficiently dedicated to get it working. I think people may have gotten bluetooth up and running, though.

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