Onxy Boox Nova

[Alrayes]

Originally Posted by panoramix

Tried all this several times, but thanks anyway. Going to have to try a factory reset.

i only tried the play store after updating the firmware; by changing the system language to chinese then looking for the update as someone mentioned here.

then there is the GSF ID thing also; if i remember correctly i tried logging in first through the GSF ID in settings > application

but if i remember correctly it didnt work there and rebooted to check; then logged in through either google play app or the patcher can't remember.

to this moment the play store app seems working fine no problems.

if any of this helps

[Sonofrobot]

I just got mine. Couple of questions for those that have had theirs for awhile:
1. Why does it keep auto-disabling any apps I install? Can I turn that off?
2. How do I set what I am calling the home button to go...home instead of acting as a back button?

[elchamaco]

Originally Posted by Alrayes

i only tried the play store after updating the firmware; by changing the system language to chinese then looking for the update as someone mentioned here.

then there is the GSF ID thing also; if i remember correctly i tried logging in first through the GSF ID in settings > application

but if i remember correctly it didnt work there and rebooted to check; then logged in through either google play app or the patcher can't remember.

to this moment the play store app seems working fine no problems.

if any of this helps

But buyed apps appear as buyed? for me no.

[elchamaco]

Originally Posted by Sonofrobot

I just got mine. Couple of questions for those that have had theirs for awhile:
1. Why does it keep auto-disabling any apps I install? Can I turn that off?
2. How do I set what I am calling the home button to go...home instead of acting as a back button?

There is an option in application -> autofreeze newly install application.

I belive there is no way to change behaviour right now. Probably with some app to change the function, but i don't know if they work if device is not rooted. Or ask onyx to include as an option.

[Sonofrobot]

Originally Posted by elchamaco

There is an option in application -> autofreeze newly install application.

I belive there is no way to change behaviour right now. Probably with some app to change the function, but i don't know if they work if device is not rooted. Or ask onyx to include as an option.

Now my problem is that Google Play will not open after updating the firmware. It asks me to login again and I go through the whole process and then it just crashes. It keeps disabling Google Play services and I'm sure this is the problem. Any advice?

[downeaster59]

My Nova just arrived this afternoon.

First impressions: the Nova seems a little lighter than the Likebook Mars. Its light is more orange than the Mars. I'll need time with it to see if I like it better than the Mars' light.

I much prefer Onyx's "old" homepage, with the books you are now reading showing up there. The Note still had it - so much better than this.

Is there any way to set the Library so that the books I am now reading come to the top of the list? I can't find any. Very strange, and a first for any E-Ink device I have ever had - and I've had a few. I would like to see an update where the "old" home page was an option.

The refresh options can be set in the stock reader app. These settings don't seem to affect third party apps (like Moon Reader) but I'm not seeing ghosting there, either, in just trying a few pages of a couple of books. That's a big plus.

There's no "user setting" to allow you to pick what apps/icons you want along the side of the home page. I would change the "shop" icon now if I could.

The stock reader looks decent. Moon and Librera do well - page turns are smooth and quick.

This default setting where all user-installed apps are "frozen" is odd - but it doesn't prevent the apps from working. It must be a power saving feature to keep them from running in the background when not in use.

If you install a third party launcher - like Nova - you can access developer options, though there's no way to get to them in the stock launcher. You can in the Mars, though.

Does the November update (accessible only with Chinese selected) change anything I've mentioned so far?

Google Play Store works fine - except that my purchased apps don't show up as purchased. That could fix itself in time.

Once I get more familiar with what the Nova can do, I may try rooting it. But that will come only later.

Edit: Just downloaded the user manual for the Nova. Just discovered the feature where you can optimize third-party apps, including refresh options for each. Just long press the app icon in applications for this option to appear. Very nice.

Edit #2: I would like to be able to edit the default folders for scan settings under library settings. Can't see a way to do that yet.

Edit #3: Just figured out how to make recently-read books come to the top of the Library list. I still prefer the old home screen, though!

[Balto]

Hi downeaster59, Ive been reading your comments regarding the Likebook Mars (how you got one from the first batch) and how they made you wait for your Nova, glad you got it . I believe you are the first person here with both of them, I realize you just got it today but could you give like a first impression comparison?

I am about to buy the Likebook Mars unless I find a good reason to wait for the Nova. I mainly want to use it to read research papers (PDF) not trying to watch youtube or anything crazy on it. How do you like the Mars after all the updates? are there still many issues with it?

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by Balto

Hi downeaster59, Ive been reading your comments regarding the Likebook Mars (how you got one from the first batch) and how they made you wait for your Nova, glad you got it . I believe you are the first person here with both of them, I realize you just got it today but could you give like a first impression comparison?

I am about to buy the Likebook Mars unless I find a good reason to wait for the Nova. I mainly want to use it to read research papers (PDF) not trying to watch youtube or anything crazy on it. How do you like the Mars after all the updates? are there still many issues with it?

A very quick comparison between the two - some of which was in my last post:

The Nova weighs less and has a more orange warm light. The Nova has 32 gb of internal storage, while the Mars has 16 gb. However, the Mars has a microSD card slot; the Nova does not.

The Mars has a home screen where you can see the book(s) you just read. Oddly, Onyx has done away with the home screen in version 2.0 of their firmware. I haven't found a way yet to make the book(s) I am currently reading appear at the head of the library list.

Both devices allow you to optimize third party apps, but the Nova has more optimization options.

The stock reader apps are about the same on the two, in terms of options. They aren't bad - they both handle pdfs well - but you'll do better with another Android reader app like Moon or Librera. Page turns seem quick and smooth on both, with maybe a very slight edge to the Nova.

Both have 300 dpi displays, so screen quality is pretty much the same.

Can't say anything about battery life for the Nova yet.

As for the Mars, the recent updates have fixed the problem of no refresh in third party apps, as well as a couple of other glitches. You will hear varying opinions about the Mars, but it works well overall for my uses. I use it for reading eBooks and also for third party apps that are reading-based. I don't care at all about video, audio, Bluetooth keyboards, or manga on an E-Ink device, so I can't tell you anything about them. I would be fine recommending the Mars if it meets your needs.

My first impressions of the Nova are positive. The lack of a home screen is my only complaint thus far.

[raintr33]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

My Nova just arrived this afternoon.

Edit: Just downloaded the user manual for the Nova. Just discovered the feature where you can optimize third-party apps, including refresh options for each. Just long press the app icon in applications for this option to appear. Very nice.

Edit #3: Just figured out how to make recently-read books come to the top of the Library list. I still prefer the old home screen, though!

Hi downeaster59,

Can you share the link to download the user manual? Thanks.

[eReader fan]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

A very quick comparison between the two - some of which was in my last post:
...

Hey Downeaster59, Thanks for the comparission. Even if you don't care about the video do you think it's possible for you to just install an app for youtube and try to play a video? Just to look if it is possible to do it with the fluent video and thhe audio syncornized. There is the official youtube app or you can try a mod of it called Youtube Vanced. Also if you can try it with the web browser it would be great for me. Please

It is possible to change the pps appeared on the lateral home screen of the homepage?

I have the Mars and need this info to make the decision of returning it or not.
Thanks!

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by raintr33

Hi downeaster59,

Can you share the link to download the user manual? Thanks.

Here you go!

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by eReader fan

Hey Downeaster59, Thanks for the comparission. Even if you don't care about the video do you think it's possible for you to just install an app for youtube and try to play a video? Just to look if it is possible to do it with the fluent video and thhe audio syncornized. There is the official youtube app or you can try a mod of it called Youtube Vanced. Also if you can try it with the web browser it would be great for me. Please

It is possible to change the pps appeared on the lateral home screen of the homepage?

I have the Mars and need this info to make the decision of returning it or not.
Thanks!

Sure - I'll try a couple of videos. I can't say I'll get to that tonight, but probably tomorrow. I'll let you know how they go.

I don't see any way (yet) of changing the home page at all. (I'd love to.) I'll keep looking!

Edit: just tried two YouTube videos on the stock browser. One a cartoon, the other live action. The picture quality, especially for the cartoon, was quite good. However, both videos moved in slow motion - maybe only half of their intended speed.

I'll try more tomorrow.

[downeaster59]

A word of advice - do not try to install YouTube. It will ask you to update Google Play services. DON'T!! For some reason, the Nova keeps disabling the updated Google Play Services. Even when I rolled back the update, it still disables it. I'll have to do a factory reset and do it all over again.

[eReader fan]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

A word of advice - do not try to install YouTube. It will ask you to update Google Play services. DON'T!! For some reason, the Nova keeps disabling the updated Google Play Services. Even when I rolled back the update, it still disables it. I'll have to do a factory reset and do it all over again.

Many many thanks for that first approach!! I will wait for your experiences.

YouTube app is always a undesired thing in your life. Much better the YouTube Cancer app I told before. No Google, no ads and background playback.

Can you try again the YouTube webpage with Firefox Rocket and with Chrome?

[oranges]

one thing I noticed today with my Nova is there is uneven lighting from top to bottom.

it is a subtle gradient, with the top being the brightest and the bottom being the darkest.

any current Nova owners have this? I have my brightness at about 75% with the blue light on