Onyx Boox M96

[Randy11]

Originally Posted by wassup182

de and the Arta Tech version available from Amazon?

The device's configuration isn't the same than http://ereader-store.de. I let you search the differences, I haven't take care of this because I have a M92 and if I buy a new Onxy 's device, I'll use http://ereader-store.de.

Originally Posted by wassup182

Have you had good experiences with ereader-store.de?

For me, it's very good. Booxtor (http://ereader-store.de) have made many things for some users.

[fozzedout]

Originally Posted by MrPLD

I was contemplating using the BOOX M96 as a form of a word processing system for people who have a vision issue known as scotopic sensitivity, essentially looking at a normal LCD/TV is rather painful and difficult to work with for more than a few minutes. eInk naturally offers a much nicer viewing experience for these people and as such I’m contemplating using the M96 with external keyboard and either a web-based text input or Android/Linux editing app ( LyX would be nice, but perhaps a bit heavy for the M96, though maybe usable via X over SSH to another machine ).

Has anyone done something similar before that you’re aware of?

Okay, this in its rudimentary form does work.

I have a Bluetooth keyboard for my Nexus 10, which pairs with the M96.

I then installed Writer from the play store, which is a very basic and light weight word processor, and it works wonderfully with the keyboard.

Things you'll need though:
* rotation locker - to make the screen landscape
* a Google dictionary, otherwise virtually every word is underlined as a spelling mistake
* A stand for the M96 while you type

As long as you can resolve these, you have an e-ink typewriter/word processor at your finger tips!

[MrPLD]

Originally Posted by fozzedout

Okay, this in its rudimentary form does work.
Things you'll need though:
* rotation locker - to make the screen landscape
* a Google dictionary, otherwise virtually every word is underlined as a spelling mistake
* A stand for the M96 while you type

The First & last shouldn't be a problem ( book holder ), though I do wonder what I'm going to do when she wants to keep using her IBM M keyboard

Many thanks for replying, it's been something that I've been chasing for quite a while. I had been hoping a 13.3" newer (than Pearl) eInk Android based device would come out, but things are stretching on too far now and it's time to make the 9.7" compromise.

How's the update/refresh rate, though that's a far far lesser concern?

[fozzedout]

I found it more than acceptable, but then I'm quite forgiving when I'm using something outside of it's design.

The reason for using Writer is that it uses the text itself to do its formatting, so you are not having to select text and then click an icon for bold, italic, heading etc. As such, it becomes a very fast for handling and dealing with formatting, and you can just worry about getting on with writing.

There is a problem with using Writer though: all the files are just plain text files, and there is no export feature, so the formatting style could be an issue, when you use formatting like *italic*, and **bold** and ***italic and bold*** in plain text, it will cause headaches when you get it to an actual word processor.

I'll try other word processing packages later, and I'll take a video so you can see them all in action.

[MrPLD]

Fozzedout,

Given that currently my writer-wife can't tolerate more than 10 minutes on her existing DELL 24" setup I think that being able to just get the stories out of her head on to a computer / storage via the eInk tablet is going to be a massive relief.

I wouldn't worry about getting fancy. In fact, plain text is what we want/prefer here because we just import it in to LyX or a LaTeX framework and then generate our print-ready works from that. About the only thing we'd maybe use is the dictionary, but again, a lot of the time I just handle that in the LyX processing phase.

Now it's time for me to stirr up some dollars and buy myself one of these units ASAP.

[fozzedout]

I'll do it anyway, because I think actually finding good productivity programs that work and work well with the M96 is a good thing.

There were two other things I've discovered this morning:

* The fat stylus nib can actually be removed (just pull it out), and that has improved my accuracy tremendously with me being a lefty - writing no longer has ridiculous aiming issues.

* Write by Stylus Labs works very well with the pen, and seems to be stable. Zooming needs work, but yeah, I think it beats the built in scribble app because it gives you customizable lines or grids to write along!

edit: and there is a LaTeX editor for android, so I'll see if that works with the M96

[MrPLD]

Originally Posted by fozzedout

edit: and there is a LaTeX editor for android, so I'll see if that works with the M96

Oh very nice. Now I'm going to start hitting you with questions... do you know if there's the ability to run X over SSH on the M96? In short, it'll let me run the apps on the main computer, and the M96 simply becomes a dumb-terminal. I doubt it'd be very efficient though because it'll probably be a fight between the optimal eInk update techniques and the X protocol. I'm thinking realistically the best route is the plain-text editor, or as you've indicated, some sort of LaTeX editor (LyX on Android would be a delight but I doubt that's going to happen, though it would be on perhaps the M92+Linux )


Again, many thanks, you're finally giving us a glimmer of hope in what has been a frustrating 18 months.

[fozzedout]

As I don't have any linux boxes that has an x server running, I'm afraid you'll have to experiment for yourself - there is an X Server on the play store though.

Another thing that could be experimented with is an SSH terminal to a linux box, which is something that I do have and can try (I have a linux vps) - then you have the whole power of the linux command line at your finger tips!

Does anyone have any suggestions for making the M96 cover into a stable stand?

[MrPLD]

Originally Posted by fozzedout

As I don't have any linux boxes that has an x server running, I'm afraid you'll have to experiment for yourself - there is an X Server on the play store though.

Well, since that exists then that'll be a pretty good option for me to explore, thanks.

[fozzedout]

Okay, on my lunch break I've checked these:

JotterPad (Writer)
Text editor, works in the same way as Writer for formatting, but also supports standard shortcuts, such as Ctrl+B for bold, but it is still, at the end of the day, just a text file.
Okay in update speed, and can just about keep up, but the screen gets pretty ugly if you are typing fast.

WPS Office Word Processor
Nice clean, fully fledged word processor, however does not seem to support keyboard shortcuts for formatting. All formatting has to be done through the pen, selecting the text and then selecting format style, which is hideously slow to perform.
Fast update speed, and keeps up with fast typing.

Google Docs Word Processor
Simple word processor, with all basic functionality there and in one place to use. Supports keyboard formatting shortcuts.
Sloooow update speed. It really lags behind with updating the screen when typing fast. Possibly because it's saving the document online between each keypress?

[wassup182]

After much research I probably buy the M96. Are you all satisfied with its build quality?
Can you recommend a reading Lamp and an SD card for it? How fast does the Read Rate of the SD Card need to be?

[MrPLD]

Originally Posted by fozzedout

Okay, on my lunch break I've checked these:

JotterPad (Writer)

WPS Office Word Processor

Google Docs Word Processor

Very interesting that the update speeds are so varied, I honestly would not have anticipated that, given that I would have thought all the rendering would have been handled at another level in the system, as opposed to being influenced by the app itself ( barring any substantial load ).

Looking forward to getting one. Tried signing up to that .de store you referred me to but the registration just died on me, will try again soon.

[fozzedout]

Originally Posted by wassup182

After much research I probably buy the M96. Are you all satisfied with its build quality?
Can you recommend a reading Lamp and an SD card for it? How fast does the Read Rate of the SD Card need to be?

I'm very pleased with my M96.

To me it feels okay, a fairly solid construction, and it is fairly light.

It isn't perfect - one issue is the screen is not flush, so it is very thin where the screen is, which I dislike, I'd prefer a flush device. Also, the base is thicker than the top and sides, so it isn't a uniform design, this again, I dislike.

My only other gripe is the charger - it's mini instead of micro USB, so I have to carry around both the mini and micro leads when I take my phone and the M96 out for a while.

I've not installed an SD card yet, I've yet to see a need for it (I don't have much installed).

I have no need for a night light - sorry, I can't help you there!

My purpose for mine is that it is far easier to read in daylight and doesn't reflect overhead lights as opposed to my Nexus 10, so I prepare any sermons on my Nexus 10, and then can preach from my M96 without a glaring screen shining up at me (all the docs goes through Dropbox, so no need to worry about storage space).

Hmmm, if it was lacking anything, I'd say it was a microphone to go with the speaker (I haven't actually tried the speaker since I found there wasn't a microphone)

I hope this helps!

[wassup182]

Thanks for your reply. With that Black Friday +15% offer on the M96 I guess Ill just wait until next year.

[arturoaa]

Hello, I have a problem with the M96, when I check the bluetooth, the M96 started a loop of "Starting up", I have tried in you short time menu appears
-install system update, begins, but not time
-factory data reset, not enough time
always continues with the "Starting up"
-reset
-exhausted battery
continuing with the "Starting up".

Any comment is appreciated.
Best regards.