Onyx Boox Max2 Issues

[Jayjee]

Once again, I would have written almost the same as rogerpiano.
Most of the time I perform by heart, both as pianist and conductor, just some of the bigger works I need scores, and then I prefer the books (can't tell you why, and it might change in the future with my getting used to reading digital scores, and better hard- and software).
But like rogerpiano, I have a digital library of scores, and it is much easier and everything is accessible - for teaching, studying, practicing and rehearsing.
The limited office possibilities like calendar, google sheet, email and even slack (an organisational app to work together) are enough for me and more comfortable than on my smartphone.

Best,
Jan

[sogaiu]

Originally Posted by Jayjee

[*](2) the rotation app that is supposed to start with powerup is not starting and needs to be started manually

Would you mind elaborating on this point?

I'd like a convenient way to rotate the screen -- I don't know how to do this currently without starting an unrelated app (e.g. ReLaunchX, MX Player, or VLC) which provides the functionality as a side-effect.

[Randy11]

Originally Posted by Jayjee

After some weeks of use of the device, here a short resumé of my wishes / issues:
...[*](9) Neoreader - display dual page display in landscape rotation
- that is the only reason I am not using the stock app for my sheet music - I love the easiness of annotating in the app, but I need to be able to have two pages on display at the same time.

In the first Bootor's video for the Max Carta the dual page mode is shown for an E-PUB format. Isn't possible to a PDF format with an Max2 ?

[mdp]

Originally Posted by Randy11

dual page mode is shown for an E-PUB format. Isn't possible to a PDF format with an Max2 ?

Librera...
(EPUB, PDF ... DJVU, MOBI, FB2...)

EDIT: quite some effort was spent (and it is still spent up to these very days, and counting) to make it run well on the humble specs and hefty burdens of the MaxCarta, on the MAX2 it does its job to the fullest.

EDIT2: in the picture, in the toolbars, which I kept visible, see that icon at the bottom, at the end, representing two pages side by side numbered "2|3". The landscape view is also part of the settings.

[sogaiu]

Originally Posted by sogaiu

I'd like a convenient way to rotate the screen -- I don't know how to do this currently without starting an unrelated app (e.g. ReLaunchX, MX Player, or VLC) which provides the functionality as a side-effect.

As a supplementary remark, I gave Tap 'n' Turn a try but without success. IMO, this app provides a nice experience of managing when rotation should occur -- at least I've found it to work well on some other Android devices.

Perhaps it can be made to work?

[jimbohen]

Hi, I'm new here in need of hands on user info about the Max2 before I take the plunge. These aren't all deal breakers but I was hoping you would kindly answer.

1. Can it connect to the internet via a wired Ethernet connection, using the correct adapter cable of course? Rather than just via WIFI that's not always available?
2. Can it capture and move, copy and paste and or resize handwritten notes and drawings within a page or to another page?
3. Can the point of the stylus erase notes and drawings with precision?
4. Does it have a handwriting recognition app preloaded or is it compatible with any that can be downloaded? So handwriting can then be converted to text?
5. Is the 32GB version, currently available for sale on E-bay, the non-pro Max2? Whereas the 64GB version is the Max2 Pro which is not yet selling in the US?
6. Are there any other upgrades the Max2 Pro has such as a SD card slot?

I really appreciate your help with this!

[sogaiu]

Originally Posted by jimbohen

1. Can it connect to the internet via a wired Ethernet connection, using the correct adapter cable of course? Rather than just via WIFI that's not always available?

Would be nice, but I don't think so. I've only gotten the USB port to work with charging and adb.

2. Can it capture and move, copy and paste and or resize handwritten notes and drawings within a page or to another page?

I'd really like this too, but AFAICT, not in the bundled Notes app.

3. Can the point of the stylus erase notes and drawings with precision?

I haven't gotten the erasing to work with the stylus. May be someone else has a different experience.

4. Does it have a handwriting recognition app preloaded or is it compatible with any that can be downloaded? So handwriting can then be converted to text?

I'd like to know too

[jimbohen]

Thanks Sogaiu for your helpful, insightful answers. I suppose it's still a good product for an e-reader although it can't compare to tablets, detachables and convertibles in some ways as I was hoping it would. I may still go ahead and buy it once I sort out the apparent Max2 and Max2 Pro deception and confusion that abounds. Or maybe I'll opt for the new 2018 Samsung Notebook 9 Pen instead when it becomes available soon. I'm not really aware of any drawbacks with it aside from more eye strain, bulk, and weight, shorter battery life and a higher price compared to the non-pro Max2 at least? Whereas I suppose it's capable of all these functions I inquired about. Thanks.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by jimbohen

Can it connect to the internet via a wired Ethernet connection, using the correct adapter cable of course? Rather than just via WIFI that's not always available?

It should connect to the Ethernet - I do not see why it should not, since the setting is there in the original Android settings (which, for lack of an icon, I call through `adb shell am start com.android.settings`.
Wireless and Network > Ethernet

See pic.

The problem is, that for now I could not connect it through USB networking - which is certainly a problem. But it should be fixed in forthcoming firmwares.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by sogaiu

Would be nice, but I don't think so. I've only gotten the USB port to work with charging and adb.

But did you try?

[mdp]

Originally Posted by jimbohen

I suppose it's still a good product for an e-reader although it can't compare to tablets, detachables and convertibles in some ways as I was hoping it would.

As in?
Inb4 "Color. But you can use it proficiently outdoors."

[jimbohen]

Originally Posted by mdp

As in?
Inb4 "Color. But you can use it proficiently outdoors."

Yeah, color is a trade off since that's what causes eye strain I suppose. The bottom line is your giving up a lot to gain just a little. It's unfortunate it lacks so many note taking features when that's what it's designed for.

[Jayjee]

Originally Posted by sogaiu

Would you mind elaborating on this point?

I'd like a convenient way to rotate the screen -- I don't know how to do this currently without starting an unrelated app (e.g. ReLaunchX, MX Player, or VLC) which provides the functionality as a side-effect.

I use an app called "Rotation Control" that has the option to be started automatically at power up.
I have activated this option, but on power up, the app does not start.
I need to go in to applications, start it manually and then it stays in the accessible in the notification bar all the time (until reboot, of course).
A very small nuisance, since it is only a three taps per power up (and it could also be the app not registering the autostart correctly - I am no expert in android).

[linshi]

Hey guys! Does koreader work on your Max2? Mine seems not refresh.

[rogerpiano]

OK !! I managed to set up the bluetooth tethering!

1) Install BlueDUN
2) Install BlueVPN
3) In BlueDUN set the automatic activation when bluetooth is active
4) In BlueVPN (this step I missed) you have to set the access point according to the connection of your smartphone

Done! The Max2 browse with bluetooth tethering!

Internet browsing via bluetooth seems to me as fast as that via Wi-Fi. The only problem, in the integrated browser, is that at each loading the pop-up appears "Do you want to turn on the Wi-Fi?" which is really boring, but I think it's a problem that can be overcome.

Now I have to test the battery life with bluetooth tethering.