Reading Off a Motorla Xoom

MorganM · 04-09-2012, 03:26 AM

We picked up a Motorola Xoom over the weekend and I had a question about it. My hubby was interested in downloading a reading app like Kindle and reading on it. I warned him he might get a big headache as it's backlit.

Does anyone successfully read off a tablet with no probs at all?

HansTWN · 04-09-2012, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorganM

We picked up a Motorola Xoom over the weekend and I had a question about it. My hubby was interested in downloading a reading app like Kindle and reading on it. I warned him he might get a big headache as it's backlit.

Does anyone successfully read off a tablet with no probs at all?

I don't like it, but lots of people here claim they are fine with it (though the e-ink crowd is a clear majority). Just download the Kindle app, put some free PD books on it and try it!

ignacio ferrer · 04-09-2012, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorganM

We picked up a Motorola Xoom over the weekend and I had a question about it. My hubby was interested in downloading a reading app like Kindle and reading on it. I warned him he might get a big headache as it's backlit.

Does anyone successfully read off a tablet with no probs at all?

That is an old discussion: some people do, some people don't ...

jabberwock_11 · 04-09-2012, 03:42 AM

I own and use an Asus Transformer with the cool reader app which works well (I am using my tablet right now to read this forum and write this reply). The primary source of headaches comes from an overly bright screen in a dark room. I tend to prefer eink over lcd, but if you are conscious of the tablet's settings then you can reduce the issues that can come up.

There are night settings that can give you a darker background and reduce the lighting. I admit to still having problems with long term use of an lcd screen, but there is no reason that a tablet can't be used as the primary reading device.

JD Gumby · 04-09-2012, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorganM

We picked up a Motorola Xoom over the weekend and I had a question about it. My hubby was interested in downloading a reading app like Kindle and reading on it. I warned him he might get a big headache as it's backlit.

Does anyone successfully read off a tablet with no probs at all?

All depends: can you read for, say, 15 minutes or a half-hour of black text on a white background on your computer without your eyes starting to itch or feel tired? (go read a few long articles on Wikipedia and try not to let your eyes be distracted by other things to give them a rest) If so, you can handle reading on a tablet.

But since you already have the tablet, just install a reader and download a freebie somewhere to test. *shrug*

JSWolf · 04-09-2012, 10:20 AM

I can read with an iPad no problem. I use Bluefire Reader as it's the best app for reading ePub. There is an Android version.

Since you have a Kobo and that uses ePub, there's no reason to use the Kindle app. Use Bluefire and you can both read the same eBooks. Bluefire supports library eBooks and the same DRMed eBooks your Kobo can display.

MorganM · 04-09-2012, 08:03 PM

Thanks for all the replies.

Skydog · 04-09-2012, 10:00 PM

I have a Xoom with the Kindle reader app installed. The Xoom's 16:9 aspect ratio is ideal for reading - much the same dimensions as a HB book. That said, I only use it to read magazines or, on occasion, a technical publication or a book containing a lot of illustrations. Reading via backlight is not my preference but that is strictly one's personal choice. My prefered devices for reading are: is 1) Kindle DXG. 2) Kindle Touch, 3) Fire.

JSWolf · 04-09-2012, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skydog

I have a Xoom with the Kindle reader app installed. The Xoom's 16:9 aspect ratio is ideal for reading - much the same dimensions as a HB book. That said, I only use it to read magazines or, on occasion, a technical publication or a book containing a lot of illustrations. Reading via backlight is not my preference but that is strictly one's personal choice. My prefered devices for reading are: is 1) Kindle DXG. 2) Kindle Touch, 3) Fire.

But you have a Kindle device and a library in Kindle format. The OP has a Kobo Touch and ePub eBooks. So for the OP, using the Bluefire Reader app makes much more sense then using the Kindle app. That said, one thing I really dislike about the Kindle app is the forced large margins. Bluefire has very small margins and looks a lot better on the screen. Also, if there is an Android or iOS phone in the mix now or in the future, Kindle will not work well as the margins eat way way too much of the limited screen size.

This is not a put-down of the Kindle app. It's just that (IMHO) I feel that Amazon made a design choice that I feel doesn't work.

Skydog · 04-09-2012, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But you have a Kindle device and a library in Kindle format. The OP has a Kobo Touch and ePub eBooks. So for the OP, using the Bluefire Reader app makes much more sense then using the Kindle app. That said, one thing I really dislike about the Kindle app is the forced large margins. Bluefire has very small margins and looks a lot better on the screen. Also, if there is an Android or iOS phone in the mix now or in the future, Kindle will not work well as the margins eat way way too much of the limited screen size.

This is not a put-down of the Kindle app. It's just that (IMHO) I feel that Amazon made a design choice that I feel doesn't work.

In this case, the software is less important than the hardware and reading on a backlit device, IMHO. The OP can install whatever they prefer for reading. My point was that as nice as the Xoom is -- e-ink is better for reading, IMO.

BTW, my library is not exclusively Kindle format.

JSWolf · 04-09-2012, 10:37 PM

I'm sitting here with the TV on (LCD). I have the laptop on (LCD) reading MR. Neither is a problem. I have an iPad (LCD) that I use for reading. Again, no problem. I do have my 650 that I use for reading. No problem there.

One thing I find with the iPad is to turn down the brightness. That works.

MorganM · 04-09-2012, 10:53 PM

Hi,

The reader app is for my partner as yes I have a KT and my partner is not interested in a dedicated ereader.

I will have a look at the bluefire reader.

Just out of curiosity how does one change the ratio on the xoom?

Skydog · 04-10-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorganM

Hi,

Just out of curiosity how does one change the ratio on the xoom?

One cannot.

androm · 04-11-2012, 06:06 AM

I'd recommend installing a reader app which supports drm (BlueFire and Aldiko does). And if you also need an easy access to quality ebooks - try ub reader.

MorganM · 04-11-2012, 09:15 AM

I think I must be a fusspot. I have been through several android reader app and I don't like any of them. I just wanted something simple that allows drm too. I will just let my hubby choose and stick with my kt.

04-09-2012, 03:26 AM	#1
MorganM Fanatic Posts: 563 Karma: 1089963 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra H2o	Reading Off a Motorla Xoom We picked up a Motorola Xoom over the weekend and I had a question about it. My hubby was interested in downloading a reading app like Kindle and reading on it. I warned him he might get a big headache as it's backlit. Does anyone successfully read off a tablet with no probs at all?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Xoom 2 is here	kennyc	Android Devices	8	11-04-2011 07:31 AM
iPad over Xoom	jocampo	Apple Devices	57	05-13-2011 06:51 PM
Comics on XOOM	watchbot	Android Devices	9	04-18-2011 07:14 AM
Motorola Xoom	only4luca	Android Devices	108	04-04-2011 02:19 PM
Xoom, anyone get one?	rock	Android Devices	136	03-14-2011 04:15 PM

04-09-2012, 03:42 AM	#4
jabberwock_11 Addict Posts: 231 Karma: 1591305 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Savannah, GA USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Aluratek Libre Pro	I own and use an Asus Transformer with the cool reader app which works well (I am using my tablet right now to read this forum and write this reply). The primary source of headaches comes from an overly bright screen in a dark room. I tend to prefer eink over lcd, but if you are conscious of the tablet's settings then you can reduce the issues that can come up. There are night settings that can give you a darker background and reduce the lighting. I admit to still having problems with long term use of an lcd screen, but there is no reason that a tablet can't be used as the primary reading device.

04-09-2012, 10:20 AM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,192 Karma: 144286760 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I can read with an iPad no problem. I use Bluefire Reader as it's the best app for reading ePub. There is an Android version. Since you have a Kobo and that uses ePub, there's no reason to use the Kindle app. Use Bluefire and you can both read the same eBooks. Bluefire supports library eBooks and the same DRMed eBooks your Kobo can display.

04-09-2012, 08:03 PM	#7
MorganM Fanatic Posts: 563 Karma: 1089963 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra H2o	Thanks for all the replies.

04-09-2012, 10:00 PM	#8
Skydog Wizard Posts: 2,286 Karma: 7409537 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Circling Earth @ Mach .83 Device: Elipsa 2E, Sage, Libra Colour, Libra 2, Clara 2E, Oasis3, Voyage	I have a Xoom with the Kindle reader app installed. The Xoom's 16:9 aspect ratio is ideal for reading - much the same dimensions as a HB book. That said, I only use it to read magazines or, on occasion, a technical publication or a book containing a lot of illustrations. Reading via backlight is not my preference but that is strictly one's personal choice. My prefered devices for reading are: is 1) Kindle DXG. 2) Kindle Touch, 3) Fire.

04-09-2012, 10:37 PM	#11
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,192 Karma: 144286760 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I'm sitting here with the TV on (LCD). I have the laptop on (LCD) reading MR. Neither is a problem. I have an iPad (LCD) that I use for reading. Again, no problem. I do have my 650 that I use for reading. No problem there. One thing I find with the iPad is to turn down the brightness. That works.

04-09-2012, 10:53 PM	#12
MorganM Fanatic Posts: 563 Karma: 1089963 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra H2o	Hi, The reader app is for my partner as yes I have a KT and my partner is not interested in a dedicated ereader. I will have a look at the bluefire reader. Just out of curiosity how does one change the ratio on the xoom?

04-11-2012, 06:06 AM	#14
androm Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: none	I'd recommend installing a reader app which supports drm (BlueFire and Aldiko does). And if you also need an easy access to quality ebooks - try ub reader.

04-11-2012, 09:15 AM	#15
MorganM Fanatic Posts: 563 Karma: 1089963 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra H2o	I think I must be a fusspot. I have been through several android reader app and I don't like any of them. I just wanted something simple that allows drm too. I will just let my hubby choose and stick with my kt.