Cheap, e-ink, most compatible w/ Calibre books/plugins or can jailbreak

anoukaimee · 05-10-2020, 08:17 PM

Finally decided to replace my ancient Paperwhite 2.

It had been auto "upgraded" with the firmware that, according to what I've read in the Calibre forums, makes it more or less totally incompatible with the Kindle plug-in for Calibre, and totally un-rootable. The problem is that most of my books are from non-Amazon sources--I want to be able to organize them into groups (e.g., genres or form etc.).

It looks like the Calibre plug-in would be perfect, and I am not opposed to getting another Kindle per se--the price is right. I just don't want to worry about constant updates that break functionality that I need.

I have a lot of experience rooting android, so I can follow basic instructions if it is something that needs to be rooted. Price is very important to me: I'm pretty broke.

As far as specs, the Paperwhite 2 was actually just fine (though a bit more storage space would've been nice). This device is what I use to read fiction etc. at night, so something that is soft on the eyes is good/blue light "lite" is optimal. But price and compatibility w/ Calibre/ability to organize books is most important.

Does anyone have any suggestions? And I'm in the U.S.

Thanks much.

Sirtel · 05-10-2020, 11:14 PM

A Kobo is ideal for compatibility with Calibre and overall customization. No need to root/jailbreak. Can be patched to add customization options. Works with Calibre out of the box, you don't have to patch for that.

ottischwenk · 05-11-2020, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anoukaimee

Calibre
....
Does anyone have any suggestions? And I'm in the U.S.

Tolino - the operating system is Android 4.4.2 and there is an easy way to install other apps.
I don't know where in U.S. can get these devices.
I can recommend the Shine3 and the others.
I just can't recommend the Page2.
The Android app CalibreCompanion (for a fee) offers optimal collaboration with Calibre.
GAPPS is not possible.

JSWolf · 05-11-2020, 07:25 AM

I too will go with Kobo. The eBook organization is so much better then Kindle and nook. Plus integration with Calibre is very good.

ps67 · 05-11-2020, 04:40 PM

As stated before the best integration between calibre and a eReader is with a Kobo, You can manage Your collections, series, subtitle ecc. because Kobo database can be reached by calibre. And for patching and other amenities it doesn't need jailbreacking.

Also other eReader can have a good integration with calibre, for example Pocketbook: as I can read here it uses tag to create collections (instead of a dedicated column of calibre), but the integration with Kobo is more complete (and for Pocketbook I just read a complain about the impossibility of eporting annotations).

About price: from Kobo site:

Kobo Clara HD for $89.99 is valid from May 1, 2020 through May 14, 2020 at 11:59PM EST

https://us.kobobooks.com/products/kobo-clara-hd

ZodWallop · 05-11-2020, 11:14 PM

Definitely go for Kobo. You can get the Clara HD on sale at Walmart's website for $90 right now.

Kobo is the most compatible with Calibre as has been mentioned. The Clara has a 300DPI screen and a color changing frontlight. It also has 8GB of storage and I believe the Paperwhite 2 had 2GB.

anoukaimee · 05-12-2020, 03:10 AM

Thank you all! Going to go with the Kobo! A little queasy about leaving the comfortable realm of Amazon, but given their recent practices it's probably a good idea to wean myself off of it.

Great! Glad to hear about the sale before it ends. Appreciate your help.

ottischwenk · 05-12-2020, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anoukaimee

Thank you all! Going to go with the Kobo! A little queasy about leaving the comfortable realm of Amazon, but given their recent practices it's probably a good idea to wean myself off of it. .

Why go away from Amazon?
The Android Kindle app works on the Tolinos

JSWolf · 05-12-2020, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Why go away from Amazon?
The Android Kindle app works on the Tolinos

How is the Tolino firmware compared to the Kobo firmware?

stumped · 05-12-2020, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Why go away from Amazon?
The Android Kindle app works on the Tolinos

which makes me wonder, can a kindle app be sideloaded and made to work on a Kobo? I don't see the point myself, as it is so easy to convert books to epub instead, but some people like making devices do things they were not designed for

Quoth · 05-12-2020, 06:00 AM

I'd not have thought so as the Kobo doesn't have the Android VM needed to run an android app? Also to be useful it would have to support the Amazon DRM.

Is it possible to convert an ebook downloaded for the Windows Desktop kindle program?

As I have my Kindle and it's serial number, on the rare occasions I buy an ebook off Amazon, I chose download to PC and immediately convert it to epub2. I read all my Kindle books on my Kobo.

kacir · 05-12-2020, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps67

... for example Pocketbook: as I can read here it uses tag to create collections (instead of a dedicated column of calibre), ...

PocketBooks support hierarchical directories, so you just export your books from Calibre into hierarchical directories and you do not need to worry about Colletions or tagging. I also create a "catalog" in Calibre for the books I am about to export for PocketBook. A Catalog is a list of e-books with covers, blurbs, hyperlinked tags, series, authors ...

ottischwenk · 05-12-2020, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stumped

which makes me wonder, can a kindle app be sideloaded and made to work on a Kobo?

Not on a Kobo

Quote:

I don't see the point myself, as it is so easy to convert books to epub instead,

Oh, but this is not allowed!

Quote:

but some people like making devices do things they were not designed for

The Tolino Operating system is Android 4.4.2 and no system changes are necessery for installing Android apps.

JSWolf · 05-12-2020, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Not on a KoboOh, but this is not allowed!The Tolino Operating system is Android 4.4.2 and no system changes are necessery for installing Android apps.

And how is that a good idea when Kobo is the better choice?

ottischwenk · 05-12-2020, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

How is the Tolino firmware compared to the Kobo firmware?

Tolino builds Android 4.4.2 devices which boot into the Tolino App.
Kobo prodces simple eInk reader.
Thats the difference.
On my Tolinos Im using Calibre Companion, Alreader, Kindle App, GoldenDict, Kiwix, ...., but not the original Tolino reading app.

05-10-2020, 08:17 PM	#1
anoukaimee Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: USA Device: Kobo Clara, Pixel 6 (Moon Reader/Calibre Companion), Amazon Fire 10	Cheap, e-ink, most compatible w/ Calibre books/plugins or can jailbreak Finally decided to replace my ancient Paperwhite 2. It had been auto "upgraded" with the firmware that, according to what I've read in the Calibre forums, makes it more or less totally incompatible with the Kindle plug-in for Calibre, and totally un-rootable. The problem is that most of my books are from non-Amazon sources--I want to be able to organize them into groups (e.g., genres or form etc.). It looks like the Calibre plug-in would be perfect, and I am not opposed to getting another Kindle per se--the price is right. I just don't want to worry about constant updates that break functionality that I need. I have a lot of experience rooting android, so I can follow basic instructions if it is something that needs to be rooted. Price is very important to me: I'm pretty broke. As far as specs, the Paperwhite 2 was actually just fine (though a bit more storage space would've been nice). This device is what I use to read fiction etc. at night, so something that is soft on the eyes is good/blue light "lite" is optimal. But price and compatibility w/ Calibre/ability to organize books is most important. Does anyone have any suggestions? And I'm in the U.S. Thanks much. Last edited by anoukaimee; 05-10-2020 at 08:22 PM.

05-11-2020, 04:40 PM	#5
ps67 Guru Posts: 761 Karma: 7025686 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Italy Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Elipsa, Pocketbook Inkpad 4, Inkpad Color	As stated before the best integration between calibre and a eReader is with a Kobo, You can manage Your collections, series, subtitle ecc. because Kobo database can be reached by calibre. And for patching and other amenities it doesn't need jailbreacking. Also other eReader can have a good integration with calibre, for example Pocketbook: as I can read here it uses tag to create collections (instead of a dedicated column of calibre), but the integration with Kobo is more complete (and for Pocketbook I just read a complain about the impossibility of eporting annotations). About price: from Kobo site: Kobo Clara HD for $89.99 is valid from May 1, 2020 through May 14, 2020 at 11:59PM EST https://us.kobobooks.com/products/kobo-clara-hd Last edited by ps67; 05-11-2020 at 05:04 PM.

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05-10-2020, 11:14 PM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,983 Karma: 243829945 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	A Kobo is ideal for compatibility with Calibre and overall customization. No need to root/jailbreak. Can be patched to add customization options. Works with Calibre out of the box, you don't have to patch for that.

05-11-2020, 07:25 AM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,746 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I too will go with Kobo. The eBook organization is so much better then Kindle and nook. Plus integration with Calibre is very good.

05-11-2020, 11:14 PM	#6
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,499 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	Definitely go for Kobo. You can get the Clara HD on sale at Walmart's website for $90 right now. Kobo is the most compatible with Calibre as has been mentioned. The Clara has a 300DPI screen and a color changing frontlight. It also has 8GB of storage and I believe the Paperwhite 2 had 2GB.

05-12-2020, 03:10 AM	#7
anoukaimee Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: USA Device: Kobo Clara, Pixel 6 (Moon Reader/Calibre Companion), Amazon Fire 10	Thank you all! Going to go with the Kobo! A little queasy about leaving the comfortable realm of Amazon, but given their recent practices it's probably a good idea to wean myself off of it. Great! Glad to hear about the sale before it ends. Appreciate your help.

05-12-2020, 06:00 AM	#11
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,990 Karma: 111111255 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	I'd not have thought so as the Kobo doesn't have the Android VM needed to run an android app? Also to be useful it would have to support the Amazon DRM. Is it possible to convert an ebook downloaded for the Windows Desktop kindle program? As I have my Kindle and it's serial number, on the rare occasions I buy an ebook off Amazon, I chose download to PC and immediately convert it to epub2. I read all my Kindle books on my Kobo.