New Nook Glowlight 4? - Page 20

downeaster59 · 12-15-2021, 10:17 AM

Here's my page turn button report!

I've been trying to find a way to get the page turn buttons to work on third party reader apps I have installed on my GL4. I found that once I rooted my device, making the key changes that Renate made on her Nook (see above, post #279 and others) did the job for all but one of my third party apps. However, it took the physical button capacity away from the Nook stock reader, as it is looking for buttons coded F9-F12. How to have the buttons working all across the board?

I tried several approaches, but the only one that worked for me was an app called Key Mapper. It allowed me to simulate a screen tap on either the right or left side of the screen, or anywhere else. I set up my physical page turn keys so that short press works for the third party apps and long press (using Key Mapper) works for the Nook stock reader and the other third party app. I have my physical buttons operational across the board now.

It can be done!

ZodWallop · 12-15-2021, 04:43 PM

If I get a Glowlight 4, it'll likely be left stock. But out of curiosity, what third party reading app works best on an e-ink reader?

downeaster59 · 12-15-2021, 04:54 PM

Here are my top three. Depending on what day of the week it is or what I had for breakfast, I might give you any of these three as the one that works best, though you'd be happy with any of them: KOReader, Librera, Moon+Reader.

Renate · 12-17-2021, 06:52 AM

Just a suggestion: Be sure to retain/use the wimpy USB (2.0) Type C cable that comes with the new Glow. The mechanical soundness of the connector/housing on the new Glow is a bit wimpy. If you use a robust multiconductor USB (3.0) Type C cable you're going to stress the connector and it's going to die on you. The new Glow is only USB 2.0 anyway.

downeaster59 · 12-17-2021, 08:36 AM

For those who use Calibre -

The latest update includes a driver for the GL 4. It is designed to work when you connect the GL 4 to a desktop or laptop according to B&N's instructions, from the stock reader. Once the books are imported into your Nook, they can be accessed not only by the stock reader but also by any third party apps you may install.

Renate · 12-17-2021, 06:36 PM

Has anybody tried the cover? It's a bit of a fail. The top is a bit too big because a) it is, b) the cover slides to the right because the hinge allowance is too big. And of course the magnet on the cover doesn't actually shut it down.

On the plus side, between the added thickness of the back and trimming a bit of the thickness of the back of the clasp I got a very nice fit to my added hardware console jack.

ZodWallop · 12-18-2021, 01:53 AM

Went into B&N today and they only had a 3 and a Plus on display. This is a pretty busy store at the mall and I didn't want to be a pest, so I'll just go back at some other point.

Bought a book for the kid (The Wild Robot), so it wasn't a wasted trip.

downeaster59 · 12-19-2021, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renate

Has anybody tried the cover? It's a bit of a fail. The top is a bit too big because a) it is, b) the cover slides to the right because the hinge allowance is too big. And of course the magnet on the cover doesn't actually shut it down.

On the plus side, between the added thickness of the back and trimming a bit of the thickness of the back of the clasp I got a very nice fit to my added hardware console jack.

Yes, I have the cover. I chose black for mine. My cover has that same tendency to slide to the right. It's true that the magnet on the cover doesn't shut down the device when the cover is shut. Even with those annoyances, I like the cover on the whole. It has a good look and feel.

Renate · 12-19-2021, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by downeaster59

My cover has that same tendency to slide to the right.

I always take radical action. I tried putting a piece of 14 AWG THHN (that's wire for you folks) in the pinch zone. It works but I'd never have a way to glue/immobilize it. Instead, I used a hair elastic, one of the big ones, about 3" diameter. I ended up drilling holes to allow relief from the corner grippers.

Edit: You noticed that they used Velcro on the packaging for the case? If they had only expended that effort in the design of the case itself...

Scarpad · 12-23-2021, 03:15 PM

Just got one none on display and it felt like they the clerks were surprised when they found one under the counter. I just like a 6 inch reader when in bed and relaxing. Plus the crisp text never a fan of non recessed screens. I think I’m hyping to try to root it so I can put the kindle app on or I’ll have to try to convert my books. Never rooted before so Ot some googling to do

ZodWallop · 12-23-2021, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarpad

Just got one none on display and it felt like they the clerks were surprised when they found one under the counter. I just like a 6 inch reader when in bed and relaxing. Plus the crisp text never a fan of non recessed screens. I think I’m hyping to try to root it so I can put the kindle app on or I’ll have to try to convert my books. Never rooted before so Ot some googling to do

Whether you root or not, I'd recommend converting the Kindle books.

downeaster59 · 12-23-2021, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarpad

Just got one none on display and it felt like they the clerks were surprised when they found one under the counter. I just like a 6 inch reader when in bed and relaxing. Plus the crisp text never a fan of non recessed screens. I think I’m hyping to try to root it so I can put the kindle app on or I’ll have to try to convert my books. Never rooted before so Ot some googling to do

You can install apps without root, as long as you are okay about working with ADB. I installed some apps on my Nook GL4 and rooted it later. I can tell you now that the most recent Kindle app will not work on this Nook. I do not know why. It's possible that an older version of Kindle will work, but I have not tested this.

I recommend taking ZodWallop's advice and working with Calibre to convert the Kindle books. That will allow you to read Kindle books on the Nook stock reader, or any third party reader app you want to install.

fbrII · 12-29-2021, 02:21 PM

Just to add my two cents in. I have purchased and now own a lot of e-readers, actually too many to the degree that it's embarrassing. I bought the Glowlight 4 with low expectations, just wanting to support Barnes and Noble and hoping someday to not find out my only choice was kindle.

I have now read three books on the Glowlight 4 and happy to report it along with a Kobo Libra is one of my favorite readers. I really like it's simplicity, the screen contrast and most of all how it feels in my hand. I also read the earlier post's and made a request to B&N that they create more font sizes and get away from the practice of creating a separate small partition for side loading. But all in all I am very happy that I made the decision to buy. I do believe this will be a favorite for quite awhile.

ZodWallop · 12-29-2021, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fbrII

Just to add my two cents in. I have purchased and now own a lot of e-readers, actually too many to the degree that it's embarrassing.

I currently bounce back and forth between a Nook ST, a 6" Glowlight Plus and a Kobo Clara

Quote:

I have now read three books on the Glowlight 4 and happy to report it along with a Kobo Libra is one of my favorite readers.

Yeah, I really enjoy reading on my Nook. I'm lucky enough to be satisfied with the font sizes and I really like the new footer info. I use time left in chapter.

I also like the Nook UI. Especially the library.

Quote:

I also read the earlier post's and made a request to B&N that they create more font sizes and get away from the practice of creating a separate small partition for side loading.

How did you make your request? I sent an email to the address rcentros gave, but never heard anything back.

christianbk · 12-29-2021, 03:27 PM

I'm really enjoying this device, for much of the reasons recently mentioned. It is much snappier and zippier than the GlowLight Plus. And it feels really nice holding it.

I, too, like the simplicity of the software. It gives me a lot of what I look for (Kobo's pages left in chapter, which I adore).

Could it be improved? Absolutely. I'd like an actual "dark mode" if possible. Perhaps a little more fine-tuning on font size. And side-loading fonts for folks who want to do that.

For reading, personally, it's a no frills pure reading device that gets me what I want with some nice battery life to boot.

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12-15-2021, 10:17 AM	#286
downeaster59 Wizard Posts: 1,251 Karma: 2957301 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Rochester, NY Device: Boox Go 10.3, Kobo Libra 2	Here's my page turn button report! I've been trying to find a way to get the page turn buttons to work on third party reader apps I have installed on my GL4. I found that once I rooted my device, making the key changes that Renate made on her Nook (see above, post #279 and others) did the job for all but one of my third party apps. However, it took the physical button capacity away from the Nook stock reader, as it is looking for buttons coded F9-F12. How to have the buttons working all across the board? I tried several approaches, but the only one that worked for me was an app called Key Mapper. It allowed me to simulate a screen tap on either the right or left side of the screen, or anywhere else. I set up my physical page turn keys so that short press works for the third party apps and long press (using Key Mapper) works for the Nook stock reader and the other third party app. I have my physical buttons operational across the board now. It can be done!

12-15-2021, 04:43 PM	#287
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,480 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	If I get a Glowlight 4, it'll likely be left stock. But out of curiosity, what third party reading app works best on an e-ink reader?

12-15-2021, 04:54 PM	#288
downeaster59 Wizard Posts: 1,251 Karma: 2957301 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Rochester, NY Device: Boox Go 10.3, Kobo Libra 2	Here are my top three. Depending on what day of the week it is or what I had for breakfast, I might give you any of these three as the one that works best, though you'd be happy with any of them: KOReader, Librera, Moon+Reader.

12-17-2021, 06:52 AM	#289
Renate Onyx-maniac Posts: 3,948 Karma: 17500001 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Nook NST, Glow2, 3, 4, '21, Kobo Aura2, Poke3, Poke5, Go6	Just a suggestion: Be sure to retain/use the wimpy USB (2.0) Type C cable that comes with the new Glow. The mechanical soundness of the connector/housing on the new Glow is a bit wimpy. If you use a robust multiconductor USB (3.0) Type C cable you're going to stress the connector and it's going to die on you. The new Glow is only USB 2.0 anyway.

12-17-2021, 08:36 AM	#290
downeaster59 Wizard Posts: 1,251 Karma: 2957301 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Rochester, NY Device: Boox Go 10.3, Kobo Libra 2	For those who use Calibre - The latest update includes a driver for the GL 4. It is designed to work when you connect the GL 4 to a desktop or laptop according to B&N's instructions, from the stock reader. Once the books are imported into your Nook, they can be accessed not only by the stock reader but also by any third party apps you may install.

12-17-2021, 06:36 PM	#291
Renate Onyx-maniac Posts: 3,948 Karma: 17500001 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Nook NST, Glow2, 3, 4, '21, Kobo Aura2, Poke3, Poke5, Go6	Has anybody tried the cover? It's a bit of a fail. The top is a bit too big because a) it is, b) the cover slides to the right because the hinge allowance is too big. And of course the magnet on the cover doesn't actually shut it down. On the plus side, between the added thickness of the back and trimming a bit of the thickness of the back of the clasp I got a very nice fit to my added hardware console jack.

12-18-2021, 01:53 AM	#292
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,480 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	Went into B&N today and they only had a 3 and a Plus on display. This is a pretty busy store at the mall and I didn't want to be a pest, so I'll just go back at some other point. Bought a book for the kid (The Wild Robot), so it wasn't a wasted trip.

12-23-2021, 03:15 PM	#295
Scarpad Addict Posts: 310 Karma: 1013114 Join Date: Sep 2006	Just got one none on display and it felt like they the clerks were surprised when they found one under the counter. I just like a 6 inch reader when in bed and relaxing. Plus the crisp text never a fan of non recessed screens. I think I’m hyping to try to root it so I can put the kindle app on or I’ll have to try to convert my books. Never rooted before so Ot some googling to do

12-29-2021, 02:21 PM	#298
fbrII F. BluDevil Posts: 428 Karma: 1152548 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St. Louis Missouri Device: Pocketbook Inkpad3 pro, Kobo Libra, Kindle Paperwhite	Just to add my two cents in. I have purchased and now own a lot of e-readers, actually too many to the degree that it's embarrassing. I bought the Glowlight 4 with low expectations, just wanting to support Barnes and Noble and hoping someday to not find out my only choice was kindle. I have now read three books on the Glowlight 4 and happy to report it along with a Kobo Libra is one of my favorite readers. I really like it's simplicity, the screen contrast and most of all how it feels in my hand. I also read the earlier post's and made a request to B&N that they create more font sizes and get away from the practice of creating a separate small partition for side loading. But all in all I am very happy that I made the decision to buy. I do believe this will be a favorite for quite awhile.

12-29-2021, 03:27 PM	#300
christianbk Zealot Posts: 102 Karma: 2179144 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Washington State Device: At least one of each brand	I'm really enjoying this device, for much of the reasons recently mentioned. It is much snappier and zippier than the GlowLight Plus. And it feels really nice holding it. I, too, like the simplicity of the software. It gives me a lot of what I look for (Kobo's pages left in chapter, which I adore). Could it be improved? Absolutely. I'd like an actual "dark mode" if possible. Perhaps a little more fine-tuning on font size. And side-loading fonts for folks who want to do that. For reading, personally, it's a no frills pure reading device that gets me what I want with some nice battery life to boot.