Need a new reader :-(

[darryl]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I would strongly recommend avoiding Duokan and using KOReader. It runs under the KindleOS and is unofficially the official recommended alternative reader around these here parts.

No need to dual-boot which is a pain in the neck...

Dual booting is a pain in the neck, be it on a computer or other device. When I first switched from Windows to Linux many years ago I dual booted for quite a while and it is not an ideal solution.

I tried Duokan first simply because I was curious about it. It also installs easily and quickly with no jailbreak necessary, and is easily removed. I must say it works far far better than I expected. Interestingly enough, for those who value their privacy, I doubt that the device is "phoning home" when the Kindle OS is not running! Having said this, the fact that it is closed source is a big black mark.

I have read good things about KOReader, and will probably give it a try, though I expect to be busy in the near future trying to decide between a Kobo H2O and a Kindle Voyage for my reading needs in the immediate future.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The Kobo, on the other hand, is not ad-free. It always displays its "reading recommendations" to you on the home page, and there doesn't appear to be a way of turning that off.

There are no recs on my home screen.

Settings > Syncing and Updates > Kobo Notifications > Off

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by meeera

There are no recs on my home screen.

Settings > Syncing and Updates > Kobo Notifications > Off

Thanks - must have missing that setting.

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by kacir

However, ... I would have a really detailed look at Onyx Boox e-ink readers with full Android with Google Play if I was looking for a new e-ink reader right now.
They have 6" model and also 6.8" model with screen similar to Kobo H2O.

Make that 'similar to the Kobo HD'. The Boox T68 (which I assume you're talking about) has a Pearl screen, like the Aura HD. The H2O has the newer Carta screen. I must admit that in daily use, the difference is not that noticeable. I own both, and while the H2O does have better contrast when viewed side-by-side with the HD, I don't really notice it when simply using either of them.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by darryl

Dual booting is a pain in the neck, be it on a computer or other device. When I first switched from Windows to Linux many years ago I dual booted for quite a while and it is not an ideal solution.

I tried Duokan first simply because I was curious about it. It also installs easily and quickly with no jailbreak necessary, and is easily removed. I must say it works far far better than I expected. Interestingly enough, for those who value their privacy, I doubt that the device is "phoning home" when the Kindle OS is not running! Having said this, the fact that it is closed source is a big black mark.

I have read good things about KOReader, and will probably give it a try, though I expect to be busy in the near future trying to decide between a Kobo H2O and a Kindle Voyage for my reading needs in the immediate future.

Well, most people don't care about closed source, but since we both do, try this on for size -- Duokan uses the MobileRead Kindle jailbreak. Without accreditation.

It is of course categorically impossible to administer 3rd-party updates without one. Duokan simply bundles it all as one package, since that is all they have, whereas here, there are many packages and the jailbreak is only needed once.
(Note: Duokan also uses their own jailbreak certificate, IIRC, so you have to jailbreak twice. How utterly ridiculous! Hello -- sharing is caring.)

KOReader is open-source, some of their dev team are MR members, they direct you to our jailbreak, etc. They regard themselves as members of the community.
KOReader is also available for Kobo.

[jduvall]

Thanks for everyone's input! I am currently exploring kobo purchase /exchange options as it seems they sometimes have screen issues. Barring any complications I will likely start there and swap for a kindle if it is not to my likeing

[Moloko]

I've recently switched from Sony myself. I chose the H2O since the Voyage is/was having serious screen issues and I didn't want to risk and go through who knows how many replacements until I got a decent screen.

So far I like the H2O, it was pretty easy to set up and set Calibre to work with it. The only tweak I did was setting up Calibre, adding Kobo Touch Extended plugin and configure them to manage the shelves and set up collections based on my tags, as I had them set up on the Sony. It is very easy and you can find the instructions here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=193184

The plugin also converts the books to kepub when they are sent from Calibre to the device, so I don't need to have both epub and kepub saved on my PC or in my library.

I would've probably gone for the Voyage but for the screen and collections issues. I am happy I chose H2O though. As a note, it doesn't seem particularly sturdy but neither did the Kindles I saw.

[darryl]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Well, most peope don't care about closed source, but since we both do, try this on for size -- Duokan uses the MobileRead Kindle jailbreak. Without accreditation.

It is of course categorically impossible to administer 3rd-party updates without one. Duokan simply bundles it all as one package, since that is all they have, whereas here, there are many packages and the jailbreak is only needed once.
(Note: Duokan also uses their own jailbreak certificate, IIRC, so you have to jailbreak twice. How utterly ridiculous! Hello -- sharing is caring.)

KOReader is open-source, some of their dev team are MR members, they direct you to our jailbreak, etc. They regard themselves as members of the community.
KOReader is also available for Kobo.

You've convinced me. I'll give KOReader a try. It is trivially easy to acknowledge use of someone else's hard work. There is no excuse for them not doing so.

[jduvall]

My H2O arrived yesterday and its amazing! I know their CS gets a lot of flak but it was awesome for me. No issues with tracking (I had to email to get it but thats it)

The screen looks great! There is a slight shadow at the bottom near the lights but not bad enough to distract you