One more Question - Android 8.1 in the Long Run...

jgbout · 03-09-2021, 07:19 PM

I was reading an article which criticized Likebook's choice of Android 8.12 instead of the Boox Android 10 in longevitity of support.

So, After paying $600, what is the expected life of one of these, considering how quickly Likebook puts out new models?

If you go outside the Likebook for apps (which I would, like gDocs, Word, some 3rd party writing apps) what's the risk of things becoming unuseable?

I know this is true of Android 10 devices too, but being 2 generations behind, how much concern should the Likebook be?

I'm not someone who buys new models as they come out to have new models. (well, not any more....)

jgbout · 03-09-2021, 08:13 PM

ps- as a side thought - how well does Alita update/support it's firmware in general compared to Boox ?

ottischwenk · 03-10-2021, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgbout

I was reading an article which criticized Likebook's choice of Android 8.12 instead of the Boox Android 10 in longevitity of support.

So, After paying $600, what is the expected life of one of these, considering how quickly Likebook puts out new models?

If you go outside the Likebook for apps (which I would, like gDocs, Word, some 3rd party writing apps) what's the risk of things becoming unuseable?

I know this is true of Android 10 devices too, but being 2 generations behind, how much concern should the Likebook be?

I'm not someone who buys new models as they come out to have new models. (well, not any more....)

Boox sold Android 6 models in 2019 - released Android 9 models early in 2020 and Android 10 in autumn.

I am still using Android 4.4.2 on one device and all installed applications still work - some (e.g. Calibre Companion) can no longer be updated (as soon as a higher Android version is required) and lose functions - e.g. with Dropbox login, because they changed the login mode.

Only applications that require higher Android cannot be installed.
I've only heard of one application that is supposed to ask for Android 7 when it is installed.

And to:

Quote:

ps- as a side thought - how well does Alita update/support it's firmware in general compared to Boox ?

Boox has never updated Android on existing devices (they released new devices as a result), while Likeboot updated their line of products from Android 6 to Android 8.1.
So it could be that Android updates are coming from Likebook, but not from Boox.

There is an (important) feature that has been added in Android 7, the split screen applications that require this can therefore only work from this version onwards.

But I am not aware of anything in the new Android versions that could be relevant for EInk tablets.

bazz2004 · 03-24-2021, 12:38 PM

ottischwenk - “But I am not aware of anything in the new Android versions that could be relevant for EInk tablets.”

This sounds right. The development of Android keeps smart phones secure and able to run the most popular apps. E-readers are not in the same category so it’s not worth the risk of updating them to a slightly more recent OS. The available reading apps will keep our Likebooks going until technology brings a better display than e-ink.

rantanplan · 03-24-2021, 12:59 PM

Two thoughts on that. Higher Android versions have better bluetooth support (e.g. low power mode for BT) and that would be a nice to have.

However, saying that security updates don't matter because those are ebook reader is not correct. Boox and Likebook devices are tablets with E-Ink displays. They rely on the installation on 3rd party apps. You connect to the internet with these devices. They should release Android security updates and there's nothing you can say that can invalidate this.

DaleDe · 03-24-2021, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rantanplan

Two thoughts on that. Higher Android versions have better bluetooth support (e.g. low power mode for BT) and that would be a nice to have.

However, saying that security updates don't matter because those are ebook reader is not correct. Boox and Likebook devices are tablets with E-Ink displays. They rely on the installation on 3rd party apps. You connect to the internet with these devices. They should release Android security updates and there's nothing you can say that can invalidate this.

New Bluetooth support requires hardware changes which are unlikely to be in the book reader anyway.

bazz2004 · 03-24-2021, 03:11 PM

By the time you've added a BT keyboard and headphones you will need a case to carry everything. No longer a tablet or e-reader but a bit of a mess. These are devices with issues that won't get solved. Google Play with an internet connection is useful to download a decent reading app but that's about it.

ottischwenk · 03-24-2021, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bazz2004

ottischwenk - “But I am not aware of anything in the new Android versions that could be relevant for EInk tablets.”

I use split screen on the Alita - this is only possible from Android 7

ottischwenk · 03-24-2021, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bazz2004

By the time you've added a BT keyboard and headphones you will need a case to carry everything. No longer a tablet or e-reader but a bit of a mess. These are devices with issues that won't get solved. Google Play with an internet connection is useful to download a decent reading app but that's about it.

Well, I don't like keyboards attached to the monitor, that's why I hate laptops - I think that's ergonomic crap.
I like the monitor separate from the keyboard, so tablets (Boox Note Air and Likebook Alita) with BT keyboards are very accommodating to my inclination - I have them with power supplies in comfortable buffalo leather briefcases.

Quoth · 03-24-2021, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bazz2004

By the time you've added a BT keyboard and headphones you will need a case to carry everything.

Where to? We are only allowed to the petrol station, food shop, fuel store and hardware shop. The Libraries haven't opened this year. Can't visit friends or relatives. No cafés.

My laptop needs a bag when I travel:
Reading glasses
PSU
Mouse (track pads and wobble sticks are ghastly)
headset for voip / viber / zoom/ music
USB cable for connecting gadgets or charging them.
anything else needed that doesn't easily go in a pocket.

I do think laptop screens should unplug and have a stand + cable option, because one advantage is the built in UPS. A snag with a separate screen.

bazz2004 · 03-25-2021, 03:39 AM

"Where to? We are only allowed to the petrol station, food shop, fuel store and hardware shop. The Libraries haven't opened this year. Can't visit friends or relatives. No cafés."

Don't be so fatalistic. It's not the world's end - yet! You can stay at home, use the laptop for all the stuff the e-reader will never do well and read whatever you like on the e-reader.

JSWolf · 03-25-2021, 05:24 AM

You are better off with Android 10 on an Onyx Boox Reader.

ottischwenk · 03-25-2021, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You are better off with Android 10 on an Onyx Boox Reader.

Not when I need a lot of storage space - Boox is very weak in this regard, even in the USB OTG area.

JSWolf · 03-25-2021, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Not when I need a lot of storage space - Boox is very weak in this regard, even in the USB OTG area.

And what are you going to do when the app you want to run needs Android 9 or 10 to run?

shalym · 03-25-2021, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And what are you going to do when the app you want to run needs Android 9 or 10 to run?

Is that really as big of an issue as you think it is?? What app are you looking at the won't run on Android 8.1? There are a lot of phones out there that are still running 8.1

Shari

03-09-2021, 07:19 PM	#1
jgbout Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 20210 Join Date: Feb 2021 Device: none	One more Question - Android 8.1 in the Long Run... I was reading an article which criticized Likebook's choice of Android 8.12 instead of the Boox Android 10 in longevitity of support. So, After paying $600, what is the expected life of one of these, considering how quickly Likebook puts out new models? If you go outside the Likebook for apps (which I would, like gDocs, Word, some 3rd party writing apps) what's the risk of things becoming unuseable? I know this is true of Android 10 devices too, but being 2 generations behind, how much concern should the Likebook be? I'm not someone who buys new models as they come out to have new models. (well, not any more....)

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03-09-2021, 08:13 PM	#2
jgbout Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 20210 Join Date: Feb 2021 Device: none	ps- as a side thought - how well does Alita update/support it's firmware in general compared to Boox ?

03-24-2021, 12:38 PM	#4
bazz2004 Groupie Posts: 197 Karma: 14745 Join Date: May 2020 Device: Boyue Alita	ottischwenk - “But I am not aware of anything in the new Android versions that could be relevant for EInk tablets.” This sounds right. The development of Android keeps smart phones secure and able to run the most popular apps. E-readers are not in the same category so it’s not worth the risk of updating them to a slightly more recent OS. The available reading apps will keep our Likebooks going until technology brings a better display than e-ink.

03-24-2021, 12:59 PM	#5
rantanplan Weirdo Posts: 835 Karma: 11003000 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Wuppertal, Germany Device: Kobo Sage, Kobo Libra 2, Boox Note Air 2+	Two thoughts on that. Higher Android versions have better bluetooth support (e.g. low power mode for BT) and that would be a nice to have. However, saying that security updates don't matter because those are ebook reader is not correct. Boox and Likebook devices are tablets with E-Ink displays. They rely on the installation on 3rd party apps. You connect to the internet with these devices. They should release Android security updates and there's nothing you can say that can invalidate this.

03-24-2021, 03:11 PM	#7
bazz2004 Groupie Posts: 197 Karma: 14745 Join Date: May 2020 Device: Boyue Alita	By the time you've added a BT keyboard and headphones you will need a case to carry everything. No longer a tablet or e-reader but a bit of a mess. These are devices with issues that won't get solved. Google Play with an internet connection is useful to download a decent reading app but that's about it.

03-25-2021, 03:39 AM	#11
bazz2004 Groupie Posts: 197 Karma: 14745 Join Date: May 2020 Device: Boyue Alita	"Where to? We are only allowed to the petrol station, food shop, fuel store and hardware shop. The Libraries haven't opened this year. Can't visit friends or relatives. No cafés." Don't be so fatalistic. It's not the world's end - yet! You can stay at home, use the laptop for all the stuff the e-reader will never do well and read whatever you like on the e-reader.

03-25-2021, 05:24 AM	#12
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	You are better off with Android 10 on an Onyx Boox Reader.

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