New "Mars" device from Likebook?

[eReader fan]

Originally Posted by romevi

Why on earth would anyone watch videos on e-ink?

The reason is I want to use the eReader as a tablet, and one of the few things I miss with the Mars is to be able to watch video on Mars if I need it, speaccilly on youtube. Also, if I want to travel a few weeks and I want to watch an old black&white movie it would be perfect to do it.

The sad thing is I can not do it with the Mars, but yes I can with the 1Ghz single core proessor of the Onyx N96ML.

Romevi, I think I remember you installed Arch Linux on the Mars. How it works? Its fluid?

[romevi]

Originally Posted by eReader fan

Romevi, I think I remember you installed Arch Linux on the Mars. How it works? Its fluid?

I did not install Arch on my e-reader. That would be insane!
I have it on my MBP. I was using it as an example that we nerds can be capable in installing the firmware ourselves to use Google Play "officially."

[Lparsons21]

Ereaderfan
Instead of trying to do videos on an eink device, why not get something like the FireHD 8? It would do a great job compared to any eink device I’ve seen.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[eReader fan]

Originally Posted by romevi

I did not install Arch on my e-reader. That would be insane!
I have it on my MBP. I was using it as an example that we nerds can be capable in installing the firmware ourselves to use Google Play "officially."

Sorry but what is a MBP?

Lparsons, yes sure, with a tablet will work without any doubt, but this is not what I want.

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by eReader fan

Sorry but what is a MBP?

Lparsons, yes sure, with a tablet will work without any doubt, but this is not what I want.

MBP= MacBook Pro, I believe...

[trence]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

MBP= MacBook Pro, I believe...

Downeaster, quick question for you. You have both the Nook GL3 and Mars, which would you say has a better night screen effect? I'm not sure if it's just my unit, but the Mars doesn't seem to get super orange. Which I actually like the strong orange, others may not.

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by trence

Downeaster, quick question for you. You have both the Nook GL3 and Mars, which would you say has a better night screen effect? I'm not sure if it's just my unit, but the Mars doesn't seem to get super orange. Which I actually like the strong orange, others may not.

For me, neither the Mars nor the Nook is super orange, but the Mars may be slightly better.

I just received an Onyx Boox Nova. The Nova is more orange than either the Nook or the Mars. Very noticeable.

[trence]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

For me, neither the Mars nor the Nook is super orange, but the Mars may be slightly better.

I just received an Onyx Boox Nova. The Nova is more orange than either the Nook or the Mars. Very noticeable.

How would you compare the two thus far? Worth selling the Mars on eBay and grabbing a Nova?

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by trence

How would you compare the two thus far? Worth selling the Mars on eBay and grabbing a Nova?

It's too soon for me to say, but give me a day or two and I'll be able to give you a better reply. I'll be asking myself the same question, as I really don't need both. Time for me to call it a night!

[sogaiu]

Originally Posted by romevi

Why on earth would anyone watch videos on e-ink?

When my eyes hurt, it's good enough for many a lecture

[FastFingers]

Originally Posted by trence

Downeaster, quick question for you. You have both the Nook GL3 and Mars, which would you say has a better night screen effect? I'm not sure if it's just my unit, but the Mars doesn't seem to get super orange. Which I actually like the strong orange, others may not.

It may not be super orange but it can go quite dim too. That also helps late night reading.

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by trence

How would you compare the two thus far? Worth selling the Mars on eBay and grabbing a Nova?

The two are quite similar in a number of ways. Choosing between the Mars and the Nova boils down to a few things, I believe. One needs to remember that the Nova is a little more expensive and keep that in mind.

1) Do you prefer less internal storage (16 gb) and a microSD card slot (the Mars), or more internal storage (32 gb) with no microSD card slot (the Nova)?

2) Do you want a stronger orange tint (Nova) or a weaker one (the Mars)?

3) Do you prefer a USB-C port (Nova), or microUSB (Mars)?

I like the home screen on the Mars better than the one on the Nova. Play Store is now better-integrated on the Mars, but the Nova is quite new. Updates could fix that issue soon, just as updates on the Mars have fixed some of its early bugs.

On the other hand, the Nova does not have the ghosting issue with third party apps that the Mars did at first. You can also optimize refresh rates for individual apps on the Nova.

Right now, which one would I pick?

Tough choice. Performance is very close between the two. For me, it boils down to two things. The heart of a device like this is its display. I like the warm tint of the Nova a little better than the warm tint of the Mars. Secondly, I like the fact that the Nova has more internal storage, even if it lacks the microSD card slot.

So, as of now, I'm leaning toward the Nova. However, I'll have a better feel once I actually read a whole book with the Nova.

The differences are not so great that I'd recommend to you to sell your Mars and get a Nova. But it would depend on what mattered most to you.

That's my best answer as of now.

[romevi]

Well, I went to test out videos just for kicks only to find out they don't play. Tried a couple of different browsers.
The progress bar movies, but there's no actual video showing. Weird.

[trence]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

The two are quite similar in a number of ways. Choosing between the Mars and the Nova boils down to a few things, I believe. One needs to remember that the Nova is a little more expensive and keep that in mind.

1) Do you prefer less internal storage (16 gb) and a microSD card slot (the Mars), or more internal storage (32 gb) with no microSD card slot (the Nova)?

2) Do you want a stronger orange tint (Nova) or a weaker one (the Mars)?

3) Do you prefer a USB-C port (Nova), or microUSB (Mars)?

I like the home screen on the Mars better than the one on the Nova. Play Store is now better-integrated on the Mars, but the Nova is quite new. Updates could fix that issue soon, just as updates on the Mars have fixed some of its early bugs.

On the other hand, the Nova does not have the ghosting issue with third party apps that the Mars did at first. You can also optimize refresh rates for individual apps on the Nova.

Right now, which one would I pick?

Tough choice. Performance is very close between the two. For me, it boils down to two things. The heart of a device like this is its display. I like the warm tint of the Nova a little better than the warm tint of the Mars. Secondly, I like the fact that the Nova has more internal storage, even if it lacks the microSD card slot.

So, as of now, I'm leaning toward the Nova. However, I'll have a better feel once I actually read a whole book with the Nova.

The differences are not so great that I'd recommend to you to sell your Mars and get a Nova. But it would depend on what mattered most to you.

That's my best answer as of now.

I really appreciate the in depth review. The warm tint on the Mars is like the only complaint I have, honestly. But for whatever reason, my eyes REALLY prefer the orange to white light. The Kobo Clara HD I used briefly had quite the orange light, and I guess that's the dragon I'm chasing in a 7.8 inch reader.

Storage space, USB type C are not much of an issue for me personally. I saw someone on a different board saying the Nova only charges with the charger that comes with it, not just any USB type C. Is that accurate to your experience?

Last thing, I hate to be a pain, but if at any point you could put the Mars and Nova side by side for a picture in warm mode that would be awesome. I'm in no hurry to sell the Mars, but that orange light might get me there.

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by trence

I really appreciate the in depth review. The warm tint on the Mars is like the only complaint I have, honestly. But for whatever reason, my eyes REALLY prefer the orange to white light. The Kobo Clara HD I used briefly had quite the orange light, and I guess that's the dragon I'm chasing in a 7.8 inch reader.

Storage space, USB type C are not much of an issue for me personally. I saw someone on a different board saying the Nova only charges with the charger that comes with it, not just any USB type C. Is that accurate to your experience?

Last thing, I hate to be a pain, but if at any point you could put the Mars and Nova side by side for a picture in warm mode that would be awesome. I'm in no hurry to sell the Mars, but that orange light might get me there.

I've just tried charging my Nova with the USB-C cable from my Dell Venue 8 Pro. Works fine.

Attached is a photo - left to right: Nova, Mars, Nook Glowlight 3. All have warm light activated.