PocketBook-KOReader: a document reader for PDF, DJVU, EPUB, FB2, CBZ, ... (AGPLv3)

[bachvarov]

Hi,

I would like to report a koreader crash. When pocketbook is shutdown,without first manually exiting koreader, it crashes (see attached log). As a result metadata is not saved and each time metadata has to be indexed from scratch. As a workaround I always exit koreader, before shutting pocketbook down.

[pazos]

Originally Posted by bachvarov

Hi,

I would like to report a koreader crash. When pocketbook is shutdown,without first manually exiting koreader, it crashes (see attached log). As a result metadata is not saved and each time metadata has to be indexed from scratch. As a workaround I always exit koreader, before shutting pocketbook down.

There's no crash in that crash.log.

Also, pocketbook system send a EVT_BACKGROUND that makes possible for us to save settings. It is already handled in https://github.com/koreader/koreader....lua#L136-L141

There's also a handled auto shutdown event called EVT_EXIT.

So, with any recent version (2020.09+) all possibles scenarios are covered, IIRC, except you long press the home button and poweroff with KO in the foreground. If that's the case use the exit menu to poweroff or short press the home button to return to PB home and poweroff from there.

[Anghirrim]

Hello guys.

After more than 10 years using ereaders, I am now lurking to large screen readers.

Seems that if I want to go for a Pocketbook Inkpad3, I'll have to install KOReader to get the "night mode" fuctionality. I just installed and tried out Koreader on my Kobo Glo HD and am happy with it. So pretty confident now that I'll also be happy with KOReader.

For the Inkpad 3, latest firmware is 6.0.1, does anyone know where I can find some compatibility reports? OP says only up to 5.4.... so just curious.

Thanks,

[nhedgehog]

Working fine on my Inkpad 3 actual firmware. Only thing is pinch to zoom, which is mostly not working since those gestures are not recognized precisely enough.

[Anghirrim]

Originally Posted by nhedgehog

Working fine on my Inkpad 3 actual firmware. Only thing is pinch to zoom, which is mostly not working since those gestures are not recognized precisely enough.

Thanks for the feedback. I never use the pinch to zoom.

Did you ever have the opportunity to compare a Kobo and Pockebook devices?

For your Inkpad, what firmware are you running on? and are you happy with it?

regarding the frontlight, can you choose the shade/warmth? And how is the lowest level in complete dark, is it still strong, or just good to read? My wife is super sensitive about it, she can't sleep if the frontlight of my reader is too strong, even at lowest level.

On my current Kobo Glo HD, I use inverted screen and frontlight at 1% only....

Thanks,

[nhedgehog]

1) Kobo <-> Pocketbook devices: yes I have devices from booth companies, Pocketbook is my favourit, Kobo Glo HD is a fine piece of hardware too.
2) FW running the actual FW 6? on it, no complaints so far, but I'm using only the read function and not all the online tidbits. Reading mostly with KoReader.
3) Frontlight: Can switched off completely on ALL Pocketbooks. Regarding the lowest level: I'm satisfied but I'm not your wife . Shade warmth is a nice colour, can be adjusted.
4) You didn't ask but the screen is very sensitive so get a good cover for it, preferable not with a plastic hardcase since the pressure on the corners could be too much. My preference is something like this:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32993949459.html

[Anghirrim]

Thanks for the super fast feedback.

Good to know that Pocketbook and Kobo screens are of a comparable quality. While for the frontlight, seems all good then.

I have seen some complaints about how the screen can break easily yes... I don't like covers, I usually go without, but may have to get one then.

Thanks again for your valuable feedback.

I'll go check my last question, about how epubs can be sideloaded, but I guess I already have my answer as I saw some stuff about Calibre supporting pocketbook devices + the fact that KOReader accesses the device's internal storage.

[nhedgehog]

Sideloading: Aside from the library functions Pocketbooks have a file browser with folder view. Just copy the books whereever you like, create folders, subfolders etc. or use an external SD (IP3 not IP3 pro).
Regarding the screen, there have been some test validating that the PB screens don't break easier than the screens of other device but that doesn't mean that they can withstand reasonable force. Having opened most of the ereaders I own I would never use an e-ink device without cover. Those screens are really fragile.

[NiLuJe]

If you're actually asking about compatibility with third-party applications (in particular, KOReader, since that's where you're at), Kobo > PB. The PB port is only spottily maintained and a constant fight against PB quirks. The Kobo port Just Works (TM). (Not that we didn't have to fight against Kobo quirks, we did, but at least it's actively maintained ;p).

If you're looking for a droppable screen, Kobo Forma > all the things, as it has a plastic substrate, unlike nearly everyone else.

[rkomar]

Originally Posted by nhedgehog

Working fine on my Inkpad 3 actual firmware. Only thing is pinch to zoom, which is mostly not working since those gestures are not recognized precisely enough.

The firmware version 6 devices don't seem to have the GetTouchInfo() function anymore. Rather they use GetTouchInfoI(). They are pretty similar, except that you need to pass "par1" to GetTouchInfoI(). I also noticed some other strangeness on double tap events (only one set of points given), so you may need to deal with that, as well, if you use those.

[Ken Maltby]

Surprisingly, I would add the new Onyx Boox Note 2 (10.3") to the list of devices that are running KOReader, under Android 9, very well. It also has a Mobius flexible eink display.

Luck;
Ken

[Anghirrim]

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

Surprisingly, I would add the new Onyx Boox Note 2 (10.3") to the list of devices that are running KOReader, under Android 9, very well. It also has a Mobius flexible eink display.

Luck;
Ken

Yep, but Onyx devices are a bit pricey to me.. and tend to be farther than I want from a "simple" reading device.

But I agree that they look really nice

[Anghirrim]

Originally Posted by NiLuJe

If you're actually asking about compatibility with third-party applications (in particular, KOReader, since that's where you're at), Kobo > PB. The PB port is only spottily maintained and a constant fight against PB quirks. The Kobo port Just Works (TM). (Not that we didn't have to fight against Kobo quirks, we did, but at least it's actively maintained ;p).

If you're looking for a droppable screen, Kobo Forma > all the things, as it has a plastic substrate, unlike nearly everyone else.

Actually, I just want something that works, on which I could invert screen (white text on black background) and have a decent front-light adjustment.

The Invert screen can be achieved with the patched firmwares on Kobo pretty easily. However, KOReader is the only option to get t on Pockebook devices if I understood well.

I'm not specifically looking for a droppable screen, in 11 years reading almost exclusively on e-readers, I broke only one screen, and that' because the reader moved right under my butt while I was sitting (and the one who says that its my fault and not the reader's one... is fired ).

I am pretty cautious with my devices and am not worried about breaking it.

So yep, short list is:
- Kobo Aura One
- Kobo Forma
- PB Inkpad 3

I'll depend on what second hand option I'll find. On backmarket platforms, I was surprised to see that there are a very few only, and that they are sold within a day usually.

So preferably Kobo, if got a good opportunity, Inkpad 3.


Thanks all for your feedbacks!

[Frenzie]

Originally Posted by NiLuJe

(Not that we didn't have to fight against Kobo quirks, we did, but at least it's actively maintained ;p).

The quirks are mostly on a different level, imho.

[Anghirrim]

@NiLuJe

OK, took some time this morning and went into a mall for the first time since..... wow.... maybe a year.

Found the Vivlio version of Pocketbook Inkpad 3 as well as the Kobo Forma.

The Forma is a no go for me. I had some doubts about the shape while reading articles and tests about it. It is confirmed with real life hands on. It's super large and cannot be held easily with one hand only. The weird shape Kobo used for it is killing (to my opinion) all the benefit of a 8" vs 7,8" screen.

So now, definitely, depending on what I'll find, it'll be either Kobo Aura One, or PB Inkpad 3.


Back to KOReader on pocketbook... It runs on both stock PB firmware or Vivlio customized version right?

And I think I have read somewhere that one could replace the Vivlio firmware with the stock PB by just extracting the official firmware zip and trigger the update process?