The e-reader "Androidified"... would you get one?

[Cyberman tM]

I would buy it, IF the market were open, instead of this pseudo-market where the manufacturer has to add apps.

It's one thing if the software is basically built into the hardware, but why give the option of having different software and at the same time restricting the ability to use different software?

Why would anyone want to rely on the manufacturer to supply updates and provide new software if they actually want to sell the hardware? What happens when the model goes out of production? We're stuck with old software and can't change it anymore.


Basically, why not just take an android tablet and put an eInk display on it? Reinventing the wheel rarely makes it rounder. Even if you try to remove one or two angles to make it roll smoother - you might end up adding more edges instead.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I just don't see it happening. But I'm not opposed to it happening or anything, so, hey!... here's to hoping I'm wrong and you get your wish.

It has already happened, with readers such as the Crema Shine (South Korea only), and one of the Boox Readers (Russia only). There are some other generic readers that try something like this, but they're half-arsed attempts, IMHO. They either lack a front-light, have an old 800x600 screen, run an ancient android version, or they just happen to run Android with a built-in reading app, and no market (which can sometimes be hacked onto it).

I'd like to see aan Android reader done right; and I really mean an Android reader, and not a pared down e-Ink tablet. The reason to choose Android as the OS has nothing to do with the fact that it is Android, but because there are quite a lot of reading apps in the Android Market already, that could be easily, or even immediately ported.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Cyberman tM

Why would anyone want to rely on the manufacturer to supply updates and provide new software if they actually want to sell the hardware? What happens when the model goes out of production? We're stuck with old software and can't change it anymore.

The manufacturer would only update the operating system (bug fixes, no new functions; as you basically never see the OS), the market app, and its own reading application. All the rest of the reading functionality would come from reading applications provided through the market, updated by their respective manufacturers, just like in Google Play.

[Istvan diVega]

Originally Posted by Cyberman tM

I would buy it, IF the market were open, instead of this pseudo-market where the manufacturer has to add apps.

As long as apps can be sideloaded I don't care what kind of market it has, or if it has any kind of market access at all. I would load my favourite reading apps, update them maybe twice a year and that's that. In fact I might prefer having no market at all.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

I'd like to see aan Android reader done right; and I really mean an Android reader, and not a pared down e-Ink tablet. The reason to choose Android as the OS has nothing to do with the fact that it is Android, but because there are quite a lot of reading apps in the Android Market already, that could be easily, or even immediately ported.

Perhaps you didn't understand me. This (^^^) is exactly what I meant when I said "I don't see it happening." I don't see the device you dream of (with the OS, the hardware, and all the features and the ecosystem you're craving) being sold to you by anyone. I mean surely you'd own it already if it had happened, right?

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Perhaps you didn't understand me. This (^^^) is exactly what I meant when I said "I don't see it happening." I don't see the device you dream of (with the OS, the hardware, and all the features and the ecosystem you're craving) being sold to you by anyone. I mean surely you'd own it already if it had happened, right?

Yes, I'd own it. While I'd make due with a 6 or 7 inch e-Ink tablet, I'd root it to be able to disable all the crap I don't need. If there is one thing that I utterly and vehemently hate with regard to current-day electronics, then it has to be the inclusion of so much stuff I don't need or want.

[alg2468]

It should have a replaceable battery.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Yes, I'd own it. While I'd make due with a 6 or 7 inch e-Ink tablet, I'd rood it to be able to disable all the crap I don't need. If there is one thing that I utterly and vehemently hate with regard to current-day electronics, then it has to be the inclusion of so much stuff I don't need or want.

If I hear of anything that comes close, I'll be sure to let you know!

[taosaur]

You're way over-thinking this thing. You're basically describing a Nook STR/Glow with up-to-date hardware and market access, screen size notwithstanding. It's possible we'll see such a thing within the next couple months, though I wouldn't bet on it, and you'll almost certainly have to root and sideload to get Android apps on it if they do release something.

[Ekaros]

Dunno, why not just have non-limited android device?

Have to see if Sony can get frontlight in next version of reader...

[DBDigital]

Personally I think what you described is a rooted Nook Simple Touch. Granted it has internal memory (and a light if you want) and good reading softare, but you can root it to make it what you want.

But to be honest what I think is the best e-reader is my Nook Classic. It did have a few short commings in the library orginzation aspect. But if you root it and add the nookdevs library app, all of those problems go poof. You have E-ink on the top and color screen for covers etc on the bottom. Swipe to changes pages or click the buttons on either side. As I said, to me it is the best E-reader (well once it is rooted).

The only downside is the lack of any development. Everyone has went on to newer full android tablets or the Nook Simple Touch (which is easier to develop for since there is only one screen). I wish I could find someone to fix one little glitch I found in the Nookdevs Library App (it doesn't show the description tag in the epub file like it should, it shows everything else but). But ah well I can live with that.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

The one thing I always see with regard to new e-readers is that people want the software to do specific things. One e-reader can have 20 custom fonts, the other has 20 settings for margins, while a third has 15 settings for line height. That sort of stuff. No reader has everything.

I've read that there are some nice reading applications for tablets, and that some people prefer a tablet for readin because of the choice of apps and their customizability.

Let's say, a manufacturer would do something like this:

• Create a line of e-readers: 5 inch, 6 inch, 7 inch, and 9.7 inch.
• Capacitive touch screen
• Front light, 30 settings, from completely off to as bright as a tablet.
• The reader has back/forward-buttons, but with a twist. You get 2 faceplates: one completely out of plastic, hiding the buttons, and a face plate that allows you to press them. (Rubber at the button positions, a clicking mechanism, whatever.)
• NO internal memory. Nothing, zilch. BUT, it will accept SDXC cards up to 2TB.

But most important:

It will run a completely stripped down version of Android, but you won't ever see the operating system. The reader itself would only provide the utter minimal stuff: WIFI connection, handling the front-light, setting page flash (between 0-10); basically, make the hardware usable. (Isn't that what an OS is supposed to do?) Everything, and I mean *EVERYTHING* related to reading would be left to the applications, from choosing reading fonts up to Facebook/GoodReads integration.

The manufacturer of the reader will have a marketplace, but with only one type of applications: reading apps. Anything else is not allowed. Comics, books, PDF's, an internet browser, etc... whatever. People who have a reading app in the Android store could probably port it quite quickly to the e-reader.

Not all reading applications may be free, and some could cost up to $10. The manufacturer itself will have a free reading application in the market, comparable to what a Kindle Paperwhite has to offer now; it won't be installed by default.

If you have only one reading application installed, it will start by default when booting the reader; if you have more than one installed, you can choose which one to start by default, or start none and present you with a choice when starting the device. This way, you could be reading a book in one application, and read a PDF in another.

Of course, this would be a high-end device, with a high-end price: the price will be between $150 and $300 depending on the size.

Would you buy this "Uber E-Reader"?

(People might say: But this is just an e-ink tablet, stripped of everything except a market to install reading applications? Yeah, you'd basically be right. That's why it's an Uber E-Reader, and not a generic tablet.)

The really hard part is imagining that this can be done and hasn't. I know it can be done, but the software people employed by eink ereader manufacturers seem to have a hard time doing this.

People have rooted their Linux and android based ereaders I think so that other reader apps can be run on them. Most are happy with the results but I don't hear any outcries of having the perfect ereader.

I would pay $300 for a much better ereader, although I am sure many couldn't or wouldn't and I am sure one can be built. We have PC applications that are free that do most of what you mention and more.

The stumbling block seems to be coupling existing software techniques such as consistent sorting, reliable page turning etc. with an eink screen. The only limitations to the eink screen that I can think of offhand are the slower update and the visible refresh this causes. The other limitations that eink readers have that tablet apps don't seem to be due to lack of competent programming knowledge. After all most eink readers do sort perfectly and turn pages perfectly, some rarely crash, and some crash all the time. Some have bells and whistles, and some don't.

Of course their may be something inherent in an eink screen that prohibits getting everything right these days, but my tablets do much more and many things consecutively and never seem to crash. My PC's crash occasionally, but I am inclined to push them to the limit in the multitasking category, and they don't crash or reboot 1/50th of the times my ereaders do.

I'd easily pay $500 for an ereader with the latest screen technology that was 100% reliable in the basic ereader functions.

Helen

[speakingtohe]

The reader has back/forward-buttons, but with a twist. You get 2 faceplates: one completely out of plastic, hiding the buttons, and a face plate that allows you to press them. (Rubber at the button positions, a clicking mechanism, whatever.)
NO internal memory. Nothing, zilch. BUT, it will accept SDXC cards up to 2TB.

Why would you want to hide the buttons or have no internal memory?
And the faceplate thing reminds me of cheap plastic watches that you can get different cheap plastic covers that will match your Prom dress or tuxedo color. Or were you being facetious
Helen

[Cyberman tM]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

The manufacturer would only update the operating system (bug fixes, no new functions; as you basically never see the OS), the market app, and its own reading application.

Bolded part is what troubles me - if the market app is not updated anymore - how do I get new software? Unless you meant a specific market for reading apps and Google play for default android apps?

Originally Posted by Istvan diVega

As long as apps can be sideloaded I don't care what kind of market it has, or if it has any kind of market access at all.

Good point.
If sideloading is possible, the market is less relevant.

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

The really hard part is imagining that this can be done and hasn't. I know it can be done, but the software people employed by eink ereader manufacturers seem to have a hard time doing this.

Indeed.
I don't really have any meaningful experience (having had only two devices), but what I've seen and come to understand from my Kobo makes me shiver every time I think about it.
(Apparently, the reading software re-reads the entire book/html file up to the current position whenever you turn the page! Which explains why running a book through Calibre helps - it splits it up into multiple files)

[grumbles]

Oh, I like this!

But it should have some internal memory, 2 - 4G as well as sufficient RAM to run the programs, say 512M - 1G. Android is probably not the best choice for this. After all, the whole purpose of Android is to get you to make money for Google through the Play Store. If you're not spending money, you are of no use to Goggle. Linux isn't a good choice either (I know Android is Linux) since there are too many different versions.

One of the BSDs would be a perfect choice. All that is needed is a program loader, a simple file manager and screen interface. Probably NetBSD, since it runs on almost everything. The BSD licence is friendlier to commercial/proprietary interests as well.

There is real potential for a very nice, useful piece of hardware there. A shame that it probably never happen.