New iPad mini announced

[The Old Man]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

As long as you still get updates or it runs the apps you use, then I agree with keeping it.

I have an IPad Pro 2020 that I do want to upgrade. But I'm not doing so because it still gets updates and runs my apps.

Well, broke down and ordered the Mini. I, also, had an older iPad in trade. Still expensive but I’ve got to try the new screen.

[enuddleyarbl]

Since I've given up on Kobo releasing any new 8" ereaders, I decided to give the iPad Mini a try. Just ordered it. Since I'm completely clueless about the apple side of things, I'm looking for input on how to sync the Mini with Calibre. I'm assuming I'll run Calibre Content Server and then sync with an ereader on the Mini. Does the Mini come with a decent ereader that will sync with Calibre Content Server? If not, what's still being maintained and does so? It's looking like any new software has to come from the Apple App Store. But, I think that will also require an Apple ID. Is that correct? No way to find some FOSS somewhere and sideloading it?

And, if those questions really don't belong here, just let me know and I'll start up my own thread.

[Gormagon]

Originally Posted by The Old Man

(...) from what I learned on YouTube the nano screen takes a lot of cleaning, thus the included cloth.

Well, I don't need to clean the matte screen of my NXTPAPER devices, except maybe when I touch them with real fatty fingers after I ate some oil-roasted peanuts. These screens aren't prone to fingerprints in my experience. It looks like this "nano structure" by Apple is different and less usable and much more expensive than the TCL screens.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by The Old Man

Well, broke down and ordered the Mini. I, also, had an older iPad in trade. Still expensive but I’ve got to try the new screen.

The problem is going to be that you'll really like the OLED screen and reading will go out the window as you watch videos, TV shows, movies, etc.

[The Old Man]

Originally Posted by enuddleyarbl

Since I've given up on Kobo releasing any new 8" ereaders, I decided to give the iPad Mini a try. Just ordered it. Since I'm completely clueless about the apple side of things, I'm looking for input on how to sync the Mini with Calibre. I'm assuming I'll run Calibre Content Server and then sync with an ereader on the Mini. Does the Mini come with a decent ereader that will sync with Calibre Content Server? If not, what's still being maintained and does so? It's looking like any new software has to come from the Apple App Store. But, I think that will also require an Apple ID. Is that correct? No way to find some FOSS somewhere and sideloading it?

No, the Mini does not come with an ereader that syncs with Calibre. It comes with a decent, but not great, reader called Books. Many epub readers available from their app store. Yes, you'll need an Apple ID. Kindle app available and you can use Send to Kindle. New app being discussed now in another thread called CalibReader that reads a Calibre library and looks promising. Personally, I use an app, one time fee, not expensive, called File Browser: Document Manager that will side load any epub you have in the cloud, flash drive, ipad, into any ereader. It also plays videos, music and even reads ebooks. Best utility app in the store.

Welcome to the Apple world. I have been using a Mini since they were introduced and love it. I'm sure other can, and will, give you advice.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by The Old Man

No, the Mini does not come with an ereader that syncs with Calibre. It comes with a decent, but not great, reader called Books. Many epub readers available from their app store. Yes, you'll need an Apple ID. Kindle app available and you can use Send to Kindle. New app being discussed now in another thread called CalibReader that reads a Calibre library and looks promising. Personally, I use an app, one time fee, not expensive, called File Browser: Document Manager that will side load any epub you have in the cloud, flash drive, ipad, into any ereader. It also plays videos, music and even reads ebooks. Best utility app in the store.

Welcome to the Apple world. I have been using a Mini since they were introduced and love it. I'm sure other can, and will, give you advice.

Books decent?

[The Old Man]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Books decent?

I try to be kind

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by The Old Man

I try to be kind

Calling Books decent is being silly.

There are enough good ePub reading apps that Books can bugger off.

[QuietShelfLife]

Originally Posted by enuddleyarbl

Does the Mini come with a decent ereader that will sync with Calibre Content Server? If not, what's still being maintained and does so?

I make BookShelves, so weigh this accordingly: it is one of the iPad apps that works with the Calibre Content Server. Start the server in Calibre, then in BookShelves add a catalog with http://<your computer's IP>:8080/opds. You can browse your library the way Calibre lays it out (authors, series, tags) and download books straight into the app. It is a one-way download, not a two-way sync: reading progress does not go back to Calibre. The free version holds 10 books, Pro removes the limit. getbookshelves.app

[peaceridge]

Originally Posted by The Old Man

I use an app, one time fee, not expensive, called File Browser: Document Manager that will side load any epub you have in the cloud, flash drive, ipad, into any ereader. It also plays videos, music and even reads ebooks. Best utility app in the store.

I can't find the File Browser: Document Manager, can you give more info so I can look at it? Thanks.

[The Old Man]

Originally Posted by peaceridge

I can't find the File Browser: Document Manager, can you give more info so I can look at it? Thanks.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/filebr...er/id364738545

[peaceridge]

Originally Posted by The Old Man

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/filebr...er/id364738545

Thanks so much.

[The Old Man]

Originally Posted by peaceridge

Thanks so much.

I should have added one comment. As you use this app you are likely to add videos, Music, etc. as well as ebooks and storage will fill up. When you backup the iPad to Apple cloud this app will be included, thus lots of GBs. From the main screen go to Settings, then to Admin Settings, scroll down to iCloud and turn off iCloud backup.