Boox Nova Pro?

[Bob Willis]

Originally Posted by VitOne

Hello, I am a NovaPro user. I got mine from ereader.store around the 5th of March. I would like to share with you my experience and ask some questions.

I was using software version 2018-12-25_22-04_2.0.1_0d1b2fc (I think this should be version 2.0 of the firmware and not the 2.1). As suggested in the forum (thank to isaact33) I was able to updated changing language to Chinese (the first language that appears in the list). Now software version is 2019-03-18_17-23_2.1_4c8ffe0.

I was able to install GooglePlay with the older version of the firmware and it works also now. I didn’t have any particular problems with the firmware update and all my files (epub, PDF, etc) and apps (OneDrive, OneNote) work like before.

OneNote experience is terrible, I find it not usable with the Wacom Pen.

I have the following problems that I would like to discuss with you.

1) DICTIONARY: I tried to decompress many dictionary from the page http://download.huzheng.org, in particular JP and ITA ones. I decompressed the dicts folder of my NovaPro. For example I now have a folder named "stardict-jmdict-ja-en-2.4.2" that has 5 files inside it (.INDEX, .DZ, .ifo, etc). If I try to use this dictionary (and the other ones that I can see in the dictionary settings) the device will start "Searching" without results (I waited several minutes). I tried to restart the device but it still doesn't work. I have also checked and changed the “Preferred dictionary Setting” in the dict options menu (trying to mark/unmark the dictionaries). Could you please suggest me an install procedure and a dictionary that works? I am looking for Italian and/or Japanese dictionaries.

2) MANUAL: I was not able to find a manual for the NovaPro. Inside the box there was only a quick start guide in English and Chinese. Could you please tell me if you have a PDF manual that you could share?

Thank you for your support!

The Onyx Boox kindly remind that there will be some bugs if you update in Chinese version and change back to English version. It'd better wait for the official English update.

[VitOne]

Originally Posted by Hrod

I've yet to receive my Nova Pro but I found here a manual for the Nova Series:
https://www.boox.com/downloads/
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11eg...Sa7x-C4se/view

Thank you. I hope that a NovaPro manual will be also released soon.

Originally Posted by Question Mark

Personally, I find that Neoreader, the native reading app on Onyx devices, does not handle Japanese very well. Like many other reading apps, it puts any furigana immediately after each kanji rather than floating them above the kanji. This makes it challenging to look up kanji that have furigana associated with them.

I have also found that the dictionary function does not work well when you select multiple characters/hiragana when reading in the Neoreader app. Perhaps sideloading in specific Japanese fonts might help. Not sure.

Instead of Neoreader, I use Moon+ Reader Pro when reading in Japanese. It handles Japanese the best of any of the reading apps I have tried. The wonderful thing is that it handles furigana correctly.

Moon+ Reader also works well with the ColorDict and GoldenDict dictionary apps. They have a variety of dictionaries which you can install. You can then copy StarDict dictionaries to the dictdata folder which I believe ColorDict uses.

You can also set the dictionary in Moon+ Reader so that it will search other apps on a long press of the dictionary button after selecting a word.

I have Moon+ Reader set up so that a short press on the dictionary button will search the StarDict dictionaries which I have associated with ColorDict. A long press of the dictionary button will cause it to search for the term in one of my Japanese apps.

Thank you. I am testing right now Moon Reader and ColorDict. I hope

Originally Posted by Bob Willis

The Onyx Boox kindly remind that there will be some bugs if you update in Chinese version and change back to English version. It'd better wait for the official English update.
Attachment 170530

Thank you. I already installed the 2.1 firmware starting from the Chinese version. I will switch to the english/italian firmware as soon as it comes out.

[Question Mark]

Here is an excellent review of the Nova Pro on the 2.1 FW along with a video review of it:

https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/20...o-walkthrough/

[badtux]

Originally Posted by smargo

Hi all, considering buying Nova Pro. Question: how the following apps run on the device (if at all?
...
- Evernote

Evernote does run. You have to tweak the compatibility settings to flatten the contrast a bit and delay the animations, but when you do that everything works as expected.

I don't know about the news apps you mention, I always read the news on my (Android) phone.

[Michal Jancik]

Originally Posted by bit101

If anyone else has any other questions, I'm happy to answer.

Yes please !
What is the global quality of the screen, in your opinion?

- I heard, that the screen (contrast, clear font) is too fuzzy and not so good as other "eReader / eNotes" like: "Kobo Forma" or "Likebook Muses". Is True ?
* I thought, that with new device I'd hadthe right to the best screen as the previous series. For example :

Nova vs Forma :
It's a catch from youtube, I do not know, if you see the diference. But FORMA has the police more clean, go out of the screen.



- For example, for an ePub, is smooth, or blur behind the plastic screen ?
- Can not see the "reading location" (page number or % of reading ) while reading?

"Thank you" in advance for your possible answer.
*I come to order Nova Pro yesterday, I am more and more worried.

[Hrod]

The Nova Pro is my first e-reader and I can only compare it to reading a printed book or on a smartphone.
Screen is good and there is no fuzzyness.
There is ghosting though. I'm still on firmware 2.0.

Are there anywhere tips to optimize the Nova Pro or Boox?
A lot of tinkering seems needed. I understand that it's due to problems of compatibility of Android apps with e-ink.

The Neo Reader is quite good.

I activated Google Play and installed Kindle and Moon+ Reader. Kindle because the books I buy on Amazon have DRM and I have problems converting them to epub.

I can't turn the page on Kindle ; I have to tap on the center of the page to display the carousel and then swipe to display the next page. I've activated the Regal Fresh Mode and it works barely better.

The Moon+ experience is far better but far less than with Neo. The book cover remains noticeable on the background.

I like the Nova Pro and have still many things to discover about it.

Do you have any tips to optimize these two apps and the overall experience of the Nova Pro?
Thanks!

[johnnyb]

Got mine today, already packed it up and sending it back again. Maybe for some people but between a Kindle Voyage, an H2O and an iPad, there’s literally nothing that this device does better.

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by Hrod

The Nova Pro is my first e-reader and I can only compare it to reading a printed book or on a smartphone.
Screen is good and there is no fuzzyness.
There is ghosting though. I'm still on firmware 2.0.

Are there anywhere tips to optimize the Nova Pro or Boox?
A lot of tinkering seems needed. I understand that it's due to problems of compatibility of Android apps with e-ink.

The Neo Reader is quite good.

I activated Google Play and installed Kindle and Moon+ Reader. Kindle because the books I buy on Amazon have DRM and I have problems converting them to epub.

I can't turn the page on Kindle ; I have to tap on the center of the page to display the carousel and then swipe to display the next page. I've activated the Regal Fresh Mode and it works barely better.

The Moon+ experience is far better but far less than with Neo. The book cover remains noticeable on the background.

I like the Nova Pro and have still many things to discover about it.

Do you have any tips to optimize these two apps and the overall experience of the Nova Pro?
Thanks!

To fix the Kindle app problem, long press the Kindle app icon until a small window appears. Tap "optimize". In the list you now see, look for "Animation Timeout". Touch the line to the right of "Animation Timeout", and set it at 300. Now your Kindle book pages will turn normally.

[trence]

Got one of these, a Tablift stand for all surfaces, a small bluetooth remote off Gearbest and it's the perfect setup for reading in bed, IMO.

[Question Mark]

Originally Posted by johnnyb

Got mine today, already packed it up and sending it back again. Maybe for some people but between a Kindle Voyage, an H2O and an iPad, there’s literally nothing that this device does better.

Taking notes/sketching in direct sunlight? It would be a little difficult on your other devices.

I also like mine for being able to install certain specific dictionary apps. It makes reading in Japanese and Chinese much easier. Up until recently, I had found my KA1 to be the perfect device for reading Japanese. i have since found a method on the Nova Pro using Moon+ Reader which works even better. It is also easier to select words and phrases to work look up.

But, if your needs are different and the device does nothing to improve upon the tools you already have at your disposal, then, of course, not much reason to keep it...

[Hrod]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

To fix the Kindle app problem, long press the Kindle app icon until a small window appears. Tap "optimize". In the list you now see, look for "Animation Timeout". Touch the line to the right of "Animation Timeout", and set it at 300. Now your Kindle book pages will turn normally.

Thanks.
It works for the first page turning but not the following ones.
With A2 mode on, page turning works but the page legibility is really lessened (greyed with fuzzier font).

I have also an Uncertified Device notification: Manufacturer hasn't certified this device. I can install apps from the Play Store.
Did I miss something during the activation? Or Do I have to register the GSF Id of the NovaPro following the procedure here?

[bit101]

Originally Posted by trence

Got one of these, a Tablift stand for all surfaces, a small bluetooth remote off Gearbest and it's the perfect setup for reading in bed, IMO.

does your bluetooth remote work with the built in reader?

[bit101]

Originally Posted by johnnyb

Got mine today, already packed it up and sending it back again. Maybe for some people but between a Kindle Voyage, an H2O and an iPad, there’s literally nothing that this device does better.

All devices have their strong points. The Nova Pro has plenty of advantages over the devices you mentioned.

Kobo/Kindle: the Nova takes notes, sketches, runs useful apps for reading or managing content like pocket, instareader, dropbox natively. And has access to multiple app stores that let you install other apps you might find useful.

iPad: Nova has an eink screen which is subjectively better in many ways, and has drastically better battery life.

No doubt your other devices have other advantages over the Nova as well.

[LittleHouse75]

Anyone know if the Nova pro is any more friendly to wired keyboards than previous Onyx devices?

[bit101]

Originally Posted by LittleHouse75

Anyone know if the Nova pro is any more friendly to wired keyboards than previous Onyx devices?

I have not been able to get any wired keyboard or usb storage device to be recognized via the usb c port on the nova pro.