Onyx Boox i86

[pureaxis]

Just got mine but I keep getting the error: "[app] could not be downloaded due to an error". Anyone has a remedy?

EDIT: Never mind, I reset the device and its fixed, weird :s

[Sweetpea]

Does nobody who owns the i86 also own a T68? I'd really love a side-by-side comparison of the two...

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by EldRick

Can anyone point me to an English dictionary for the i86?
The supplied one is an English-Chinese translation dictionary, which is not real useful to me.

Would this be of use: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ng.en_US&hl=en ?

For Android 2.3.3 and up and "Compatible with Moon+ Reader, FBReader and other applications via share button."

So, what's the verdict on the i86?

It sounds like the hardware is decent, but the software is rather lacking (I remember hating Android until 4.4).

The dictionary question above is a bit unsettling, for an ereader in 2015....

Would someone be able to read as on a Kindle or Kobo, basically by simply turning the device on, finding a book and enjoying it, or does it have enough quirks at this stage to be a hassle as a simple ebook reader?

[pureaxis]

Some initial thoughts:

Pros:
- Decent build quality (long press back button to adjust brightness is a nice touch), page turn buttons also better than expected.
- Good for reading PDFs and Epubs
- Good size for handheld use
- Great resolution for comics
- Bluetooth keyboard pairs nicely
- Satisfied with touchscreen responsiveness
- Apps work well for the most part, so far I tried gmail, rss reader, jotterpad, google drive, etc
- Built-in reader better than expected

Cons:
- Not a fan of the home launcher, too much empty space. I'd much rather have a small row of apps or widgets for wifi, orientation (no landscape option?), etc.
- A2 pretty much useless (font becomes so light it's unreadable)
- 500mb too limiting, I installed 5 apps and it took up 300mb already.
- Kindle app takes a long time to load (is there a work around?)
- Included apps kind of useless, like the clock and onyxscribbler
- Too easy to press the wifi toggle when pressing for notification on top bar
- No dictionary built in?

My main gripes are software issues, let's hope Onyx is on top of that (might take a while tho).

[EldRick]

It does have a built-in dictionary, just not one that I find useful. The support is there, I just need to find a dictionary file in the format it supports.

Other Pro - the weight is light and easy to hand-hold, unlike the M96.
Other Con - the lighting at the bottom of the screen is uneven.

[asiekierka]

Since I have programming skills and can thus tweak the software by hand (as well as like comics from time to time - making high res matter - as well as being tired of the tiny 6 inchers), will the i86 be a good choice?

[charlie - uk]

Originally Posted by mdp

I just created a new package of one of the latest versions of FBReader, renaming the "package" so that it can be installed along another version of the same (such as, along the one installed by Onyx as part of the system of the i86)

Since I did it, I also modified the source to enable two-column view in portrait mode also: if the i86 ain't big enough for that...

Please rename the file, removing the final '.zip' (that was needed to upload it)

You can install it with a standard

adb -d install FBReaderJ_ice-cream-sandwich_ALT.apk

after having enabled debugging in the settings.
I am sure there must be other ways: copying it in the memory and opening through the device should do...

Please note that FBReader has by default a grained texture set as a background wallpaper: it is just sensible on an EPD display to disable it; please go in
(menu) > Settings > Colours n Wallpapers > Background
and set it to 'Solid Colour'.
Do not forget to do it: you may not notice it immediately on greyscale

Also note: you can install your chosen fonts and have FBReader use them; default path is /mnt/sdcard/Fonts (you can find and edit the default paths in the Settings, first option row)

Enjoy!

Cheers for this, but when installed, settings & onboard file browser are a blank screen & the app refuses to go fullscreen, so it's impossible to change any settings or load any books, or view fullscreen....

[Phogg]

Okay, mine is ordered.

Which are the better .cbr and .cbz readers for manga on this?
I will need at least two different ones so my wife and I can each keep one bookmarked to what we are reading.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by seltzered

Question for owners: What hack/helper app/etc. are you doing to workaround the internal storage limitation to force apps onto the internal sd card and avoid the "insufficient storage available" issue when installing new apps?

I've moved as many apps to the sd card though the standard "settings>apps>move to sd card" method but am still bumping into the ~512mb internal storage limit which is really annoying. So far from what I'm reading most solutions will require root since this is android 4.0.

I installed 14 apps before running out of space. Isn't that enough?

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Does nobody who owns the i86 also own a T68? I'd really love a side-by-side comparison of the two...

I have the T68 and the i86. I kinda liked the T68 but it now feels like it was an early beta test for the i86. The smaller device has more touchscreen problems (but a better frontlight) and I had trouble when I reset the device when I loaned it one time.

[Papachris]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

I have the T68 and the i86. I kinda liked the T68 but it now feels like it was an early beta test for the i86. The smaller device has more touchscreen problems (but a better frontlight) and I had trouble when I reset the device when I loaned it one time.

Could you take a picture of both e-readers side by side, so that we can assess the level of contrast? I'd appreciate it. If you have devices based on the carta screen, it would be great if you could do the same with them and i86.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by EldRick

Can anyone point me to an English dictionary for the i86?
The supplied one is an English-Chinese translation dictionary, which is not real useful to me.

You may wish to try
https://code.google.com/p/quickdic-dictionary/
based on harvested open dictionary data sources.
But I have never tried it coupled with a text reader, I only use(d) it standalone.

BTW: though I have seldom looked around, I am yet to see a dictionary - data and interface - of the quality of the one on the Sony PRS devices.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by asiekierka

Since I have programming skills and can thus tweak the software by hand (as well as like comics from time to time - making high res matter - as well as being tired of the tiny 6 inchers), will the i86 be a good choice?

You want your device to behave exactly (with reasonable flexibility only) like you want, so you get a device with an open system, the ability to install software on it - moreover, possibly customized. Maybe, there is also a chance that you will want to use it in more or less unconventional manners: for instance for office automation documents editing, or secondary monitor, etc.
Then you are like me. There is an excellent chance the i86 is the device you are looking for.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by Papachris

Could you take a picture of both e-readers side by side, so that we can assess the level of contrast? I'd appreciate it. If you have devices based on the carta screen, it would be great if you could do the same with them and i86.

I don't have the T86 with me now, but I remember the screen contrast being identical (honestly though, to a very very brief and not 100% conscious assessment - which may have been lurking there as a question since I knew that their touch sensing overlays are different).

[mdp]

Originally Posted by charlie - uk

Cheers for this, but when installed, settings & onboard file browser are a blank screen & the app refuses to go fullscreen, so it's impossible to change any settings or load any books, or view fullscreen....

...and I just tested in an emulator and you are right. I did by the manual - knew what to change, packed the application and it did not report any error, published it. But I still use and old version, since it "just works". So, basically untested. Thanks for noticing, anyway - no feedback, I thought it worked...

Please find attached the one I use, just retrieved from my very device: