Choosing a frontlit ereader

[OneiroDancer]

Originally Posted by kacir

Please notice that I haven't suggested that you buy PocketBook Ultra.

@kacir, yes, I understood that, but since there does not appear to be a reader which satisfies my requirements, I guess that could be a reasonable compromise... better than giving up on the no-kindle requirement ;-)

So I will look for a Touch Lux 2, if I find it I suppose it will also be cheaper than Touch Lux 3 :-D

[John F]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Even though there are indeed indeed multiple Kindle formats, I only use one of them (KF8), so the fact that there are others is irrelevant to me. It's not a case of needing to use different formats on different devices. There's only one Kindle app that you can't side-load KF8 files to (the iOS one), but I don't use that.

I assumed since you've been around so long, you probably had a bunch of mobi files still. Sorry for the assumption.

...
Because until you pointed it out to me yesterday, I was unaware that the kepub renderer didn't have the issue with hyperlinks. How, as a matter of interest, does it solve the problem? Does it make the hyperlinks larger in some way, or does it just use a different algorithm for detecting whether there's a hyperlink in the vicinity of where you're tapping the screen?

I don't know what they are doing, but I like it. I very seldom have a problem selecting footnotes, even on very small links.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by John F

I assumed since you've been around so long, you probably had a bunch of mobi files still. Sorry for the assumption.

I did at one point, but they all got converted several years ago. Now I just keep ePub and KF8 formats in my Calibre library. Makes life easier (because I can edit KF8 files, but not old Mobi ones).

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Because until you pointed it out to me yesterday, I was unaware that the kepub renderer didn't have the issue with hyperlinks. How, as a matter of interest, does it solve the problem? Does it make the hyperlinks larger in some way, or does it just use a different algorithm for detecting whether there's a hyperlink in the vicinity of where you're tapping the screen?

Probably the latter, as the links themselves are of normal size. I didn't know the difference between the two either, which explains why I never really understood your problem with the touch screen, as I (even fat-fingered as I am ) never had much of a problem. But I use (Touch Extended Driver-generated) kepubs.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by OneiroDancer

Sorry, I know I am missing the basics, but... kobo uses another format yet? I wasn't aware of that! Then it would surely need some tweaking to read epub, I also don't want the hassle of dealing with a third format...

You install a patch or add some text to a config to make epubs display as you want them to. It's no big deal. If that's more than you want to do, you shouldn't consider Android.

Originally Posted by OneiroDancer

Also, I discovered that most Open Android devices have a ridiculous battery life, comparable to the ones of smartphones, which would be unacceptable for me.

You have to go in and rename some of the system .apk files, generally the ones associated with telephone services. Alternatively you install an app that forces the device to deep sleep.

Originally Posted by OneiroDancer

So, I'd better rephrase my needs: a fronlit ePub reader comfortable for everyday usage as a reader, and allowing me to install a few custom apps (e.g., calibre companion). For the sake of discussion, let's say I remove the requirement of a low price.

I am beginning to think that there is no such a device, is it?...

Sure there is, but you may need to do a little work. It depends on what you are able or willing to do.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by OneiroDancer

I see. Still, with a decent firmware, the OS could simply tell the device to go into "very low-power sleep mode" when specific apps are running. But I understand that nobody implemented such a feature, so "there is no such device" is still the correct summary. Well, my most urgent need is that of a new ebook reader (I lost my faithful Sony PRS-t1 a few weeks ago), so I think I'll simply look for a good e-reader...

Get a Sony off of Ebay. The T2 is better than the T1. You can still get new ones.

[OneiroDancer]

Originally Posted by Rizla

You install a patch or add some text to a config to make epubs display as you want them to. It's no big deal. If that's more than you want to do, you shouldn't consider Android.

You have to go in and rename some of the system .apk files, generally the ones associated with telephone services. Alternatively you install an app that forces the device to deep sleep.

Sure there is, but you may need to do a little work. It depends on what you are able or willing to do.

I have a long experience with Linux and some experience with Android (having rooted a few phones), I think I may be able to do a lot, but I haven't so much time, so I cannot do research but only copy what others have done. As long as customization have been studied by somebody else and documentation can be found, I should be able to do it. I haven't got the time to build my own firmware, so maybe the question may be rephrased as follows: what is the reader that has been best hacked?

(from what I read around, it seems that PocketBooks are a good choice even in this regards, aren't they?...)

Originally Posted by Rizla

Get a Sony off of Ebay. The T2 is better than the T1. You can still get new ones.

Yes, I know, but I would really like to get a frontlit reader, and Sony didn't produce one... ;-)

[dordale]

Originally Posted by OneiroDancer

Yes, I know, but I would really like to get a frontlit reader, and Sony didn't produce one... ;-)

Actually Sony did produce a front lit reader--the PRS700. I believe it was the very first frontlit ebook reader ever produced.
That being said, I would not recommend it--even if you were able to find a used one. The display wasn't very good and it wasn't very well received. I think that the failure of the 700 is one reason Sony never produced another front lit reader.

[HarryT]

"Not well received" is an understatement. It was like reading through dense fog! The light diffuser had a disastrous effect on screen clarity.

[dordale]

Originally Posted by HarryT

"Not well received" is an understatement. It was like reading through dense fog! The light diffuser had a disastrous effect on screen clarity.

Very true! My husband had one--I had the Sony PRS505 at the time and chose to stay with that even though I would have liked a lighted reader. I didn't upgrade until Sony came out with the 650--which even though it didn't have a frontlight, I loved it. Finally bit the bullet a couple years ago and bought a Kindle PW and last year I received a Kobo Aura HD for my birthday. Love both of them and wouldn't go back to an unlighted reader now.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by OneiroDancer

I have a long experience with Linux and some experience with Android (having rooted a few phones), I think I may be able to do a lot, but I haven't so much time, so I cannot do research but only copy what others have done. As long as customization have been studied by somebody else and documentation can be found, I should be able to do it. I haven't got the time to build my own firmware, so maybe the question may be rephrased as follows: what is the reader that has been best hacked?

(from what I read around, it seems that PocketBooks are a good choice even in this regards, aren't they?...)



Yes, I know, but I would really like to get a frontlit reader, and Sony didn't produce one... ;-)

Kobo is the best hacked. The patching for epubs etc has been done by others. No development involved for the user. You search for the thread pertaining to the patch for the version of FW you are using. No big deal. You could have done it several times in the time you spent on this thread. And me, for that matter.

[kacir]

Originally Posted by OneiroDancer

So I will look for a Touch Lux 2, if I find it I suppose it will also be cheaper than Touch Lux 3 :-D

If you manage to get Touch Lux 1 - the 623 model, THAT one is even better - has audio and built-in Ivona TTS with lots of voices available for download. The rest of hardware specs is very similar. And price might be even better

[OneiroDancer]

Originally Posted by Rizla

You could have done it several times in the time you spent on this thread. And me, for that matter.

Yes, but first I had to understand what choices I had, that's why I opened and followed the thread... and if you felt that replying here was a waste of time, you may have simply not participated. And I would have lost a very important piece of advice, for which I am grateful.

Message removed by user.

[ZodWallop]

You could look into the Nook Simple Touch w/Glowlight and root it. Though I had trouble finding a decent used one last time I looked. And those I found invariably had the 'screen tear' issue. Still, it's an option.