New Nook Glowlight 4?

[Renate]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

If it were tweakable...

Everything is tweakable.

Really dumb question: Are you seeing quad cores in:

$ cat /proc/cpuinfo

I'm not, but I've still got the original release on mine.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Renate

Everything is tweakable.
.

For ordinary users, who know nothing about coding or programming, or the internal workings of Android OS. I can patch my Kobos easily, with patches made by wiser people than I. Where are the patches for Nooks? I can't customize my Nook without learning to code, which I have no time nor inclination for.

[Pajamaman]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

For ordinary users, who know nothing about coding or programming, or the internal workings of Android OS. I can patch my Kobos easily, with patches made by wiser people than I. Where are the patches for Nooks? I can't customize my Nook without learning to code, which I have no time nor inclination for.

It's Android. You can root it and install an alternative launcher. I've done it with two generations of Nooks. I presume this one is similar. Somoneone above already mentioned running koreader, so I presume it's already worked out. It does not even coding. But yes, it is a bit heavier than Kobo patching. But even with Kobo you have to install a new menu system to run koreader. I'd say it's not much worse than jailbreaking a Kindle.

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

It's Android. You can root it and install an alternative launcher. I've done it with two generations of Nooks. I presume this one is similar. Somoneone above already mentioned running koreader, so I presume it's already worked out. It does not even coding. But yes, it is a bit heavier than Kobo patching. But even with Kobo you have to install a new menu system to run koreader. I'd say it's not much worse than jailbreaking a Kindle.

Yes, we're talking about a lot of Android stuff. But honestly, if you just want to install a few apps, you don't even need to root the Nook. My Nook is not rooted yet. Installing apps is at least as easy as jailbreaking a Kindle. The only hard part in this for me was finding out if I could access developer settings (and thus USB debugging) on the Nook. Once I found where that was hiding, I could install a launcher and other apps by ADB. What's even better about this is that future Nook updates won't, or shouldn't, affect those apps. If my Nook gets rooted, future Nook updates would (most likely) require that the Nook be rooted again, after each update.

I could do a step by step guide for how to install apps on the Nook Glowlight 4 if anyone is interested.

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by Renate

Everything is tweakable.

Really dumb question: Are you seeing quad cores in:

$ cat /proc/cpuinfo

I'm not, but I've still got the original release on mine.

Yep. Using your code shows four processors. The CPU-Z app also shows four cores.

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I wish there were patches for the Nook software, like Kobo has. I really like the look and feel of it. If it were tweakable to make up for B&N's shortcomings, I think the Nook criticism would stop.

Mostly, I'd like to be able to control series and shelves via Calibre. Nook has series, but it only works for content from B&N. And creating shelves in the device is a pain.

I haven't tried out the shelves feature yet. Still, my first impression is that the Nook software is a bit better overall than before. For one thing, it's less buggy. The GL4 isn't waterproof and the light doesn't get orange-y enough for what you'd like, but like you, I like the look and feel of the Nook, both hardware and software. I'll play around more with it and let you know.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

It's Android. You can root it and install an alternative launcher. I've done it with two generations of Nooks. I presume this one is similar. Somoneone above already mentioned running koreader, so I presume it's already worked out. It does not even coding. But yes, it is a bit heavier than Kobo patching. But even with Kobo you have to install a new menu system to run koreader. I'd say it's not much worse than jailbreaking a Kindle.

I don't want to install alternative apps, as I don't like most Android reading apps. And I don't use KOReader either. I'd like a way to customize the default reader, which no one seems interested in doing.

Oh well. It means I'm just going to stay away from Nooks.

[rcentros]

A YouTube comparison review between the GlowLight Plus (7.8") and GlowLight 4. I would like to see one of these comparing the the GL3 and GL4, but this review does compare the GL4 with a Kindle Voyage for size, so that gives me a decent reference.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Oh well. It means I'm just going to stay away from Nooks.

I haven't given up on trying to get a new font size added between position 3 and 4. Just sent another email making that request.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I haven't given up on trying to get a new font size added between position 3 and 4. Just sent another email making that request.

Well, that's not my only beef with them, unfortunately.

And as I'm not an Android fan either, I'm probably not going to buy another Nook... unless a miracle happens and B&N completely overhauls their software.

[Strether]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I haven't given up on trying to get a new font size added between position 3 and 4. Just sent another email making that request.

Good luck with that. I’d hoped with the new device they’d take care of that issue by releasing new firmware. Didn’t happen, of course. I’m thinking of selling my Glowlight Plus.

Jim

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Strether

I’m thinking of selling my Glowlight Plus.

Jim

I put mine up for sale too. I could have tried to swallow my other complaints, but a recent update really messed up the contrast. That I cannot swallow.

The funny thing is, the contrast seems to be messed up only on the 7.8'' Glowlight Plus, not on any other models.

[Renate]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

Yep. Using your code shows four processors. The CPU-Z app also shows four cores.

Hmm, interesting. If people buy one of these and never update they are left with a single processor and poor performance. I was wondering why people weren't complaining how slow this thing is. I presume that this was simply a case of getting something somewhat functional out the door and having the software catch up later.

My $0.02: Really like built-in page buttons? Fine, take the new Glow, maybe install 3rd party reader (although you'll have to remap the buttons in a keylayout to have something somewhat standard or hack your 3rd part reader to understand F9-F12).

Got $40 more and want a smaller bezel, a faster device and USB 3.0 for lightning downloads? Get an Onyx Poke 3.

Either way, if you have specific desires/needs you'll end up modifying. If you concentrate on one brand/model you won't have to go through this more than once (every couple of years).

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Renate

My $0.02: Really like built-in page buttons? Fine, take the new Glow, maybe install 3rd party reader (although you'll have to remap the buttons in a keylayout to have something somewhat standard or hack your 3rd part reader to understand F9-F12).

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. People not familiar with Android have no idea how to do that, among other things.

In the Kobo subforum, there are detailed instructions how to patch, how to install an alternative reader etc, that are understandable even to total noobs. But there is nothing similar for Nooks. If you want to do anything, you'll have to know your Android. Or be content with what you'll get out of the box.

Me, I'll just pass on Android-based readers, as I don't know the OS enough to hack it. I'll stick to my Kobos.

[Renate]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. People not familiar with Android have no idea how to do that, among other things.

Hmm? Well, cut us a bit of slack. This device has been out for four days now.

Edit: And I did tell you how to root it, although somebody ought to write out the procedure in longhand.