Is the iLiad the best ?

zeuskeu · 03-07-2008, 04:19 AM

Hi,

I need an e-paper support for reading online information (website). For the moment I have an iRex iLiad, and I see it's possible with this device to do this (with minimo and wireless).

But I need to know, is an another e-paper device better to do webBrowsing ? Witch one can to do that too ?

Thx and sorry for my bad english.

HarryT · 03-07-2008, 04:21 AM

No eInk device is especially good for web browsing - the slow refresh rate of the screen tends to cause problems.

If wireless web browsing is important for you, I think you'd be far better off with a laptop or a tablet PC.

zeuskeu · 03-07-2008, 04:23 AM

I know but I need to use an e-paper device. The iLiad is the better for that ? the refresh time is not a problem.

HarryT · 03-07-2008, 04:34 AM

Yes, the iLiad is probably the best. I don't think you're going to find it a very satisfactory experience, but try it for yourself and see!

wallcraft · 03-07-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeuskeu

But I need to know, is an another e-paper device better to do webBrowsing?

The only E-Ink device with acceptable web browsing is the Kindle - when it is in range of its cell phone network. The best web browser for the iLiad so far is Webkit with midori as a front end, see Webkit Browser (Safari's Engine) with Beta Release. This is only beta code, but my main problem with it is a lack of bookmarks - which may be inherited from midori.

Note that the Kindle's browser is also Webkit-based.

HarryT · 03-07-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallcraft

The only E-Ink device with acceptable web browsing is the Kindle - when it is in range of its cell phone network.

What makes the Kindle better than the iLiad for web browsing, wallcraft? I would have thought that the touch screen of the iLiad was a considerable "plus" when it came to browsing - I'm guessing that without a touch screen, the Kindle has to rely on controls having input focus in order to navigate - how does it manage on the numerous sites which don't work like that?

wallcraft · 03-07-2008, 10:10 AM

I agree that the iLiad should be a better platform for web browsers, but so far none of the actual implementations on the iLiad have been very useful in practice.

The Kindle browser has two modes: default (simple), and advanced (with some CSS support). Even the "simple" is good enough for many sites. I have screenshots of the feedbook site on the Kindle: default mode and advanced mode.

The way the Kindle gets round the lack of a pointing device is to use the its select wheel to identify one "line" (or multi-line segment) of the display, and then bring up all the selectable items in that line to choose from. It relies on the web browser "knowing" what elements could be selected. There probably are web pages where this would not work.

HarryT · 03-07-2008, 10:15 AM

Thanks for the clarification. I was wondering whether the Kindle could handle navigation interfaces such as imagemaps, which take you to different parts of a site according to what pixel coordinates on a graphic one selects.

Alisa · 03-07-2008, 03:37 PM

I find the web browsing on the Kindle to be pretty iffy, myself. It's great for getting content and the occasional Wikipedia or Google search. I think it really depends on the site you're trying to navigate. Some sites are painful and others work quite well. Sites designed with mobile access in mind are usually a lot better.

If I think of the Kindle and the Iliad on a spectrum between reading device and tablet PC, Kindle is more on the reader end than the Iliad. As a reader, the Whispernet adds a lot to the experience. If you think of it like a tablet PC, you will be disappointed. If I wanted to look at websites all the time and needed e-ink, I'd go with the Iliad or find a way to grab the content I wanted and convert it (which would probably be easier on the battery anyway).

DaleDe · 03-07-2008, 04:44 PM

There is a great user community adding programs all the time to the iLiad. I suspect a better browser will be in the offering soon for the reader. I am amazed at all the tools that are available. You should browse the iLiad forums and see what is really going on. There is also a lot of data on the wiki about this device.

Dale

03-07-2008, 04:19 AM	#1
zeuskeu Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: iLiad	Is the iLiad the best ? Hi, I need an e-paper support for reading online information (website). For the moment I have an iRex iLiad, and I see it's possible with this device to do this (with minimo and wireless). But I need to know, is an another e-paper device better to do webBrowsing ? Witch one can to do that too ? Thx and sorry for my bad english.

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03-07-2008, 04:21 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	No eInk device is especially good for web browsing - the slow refresh rate of the screen tends to cause problems. If wireless web browsing is important for you, I think you'd be far better off with a laptop or a tablet PC.

03-07-2008, 04:23 AM	#3
zeuskeu Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: iLiad	I know but I need to use an e-paper device. The iLiad is the better for that ? the refresh time is not a problem.

03-07-2008, 04:34 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Yes, the iLiad is probably the best. I don't think you're going to find it a very satisfactory experience, but try it for yourself and see!

03-07-2008, 10:10 AM	#7
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	I agree that the iLiad should be a better platform for web browsers, but so far none of the actual implementations on the iLiad have been very useful in practice. The Kindle browser has two modes: default (simple), and advanced (with some CSS support). Even the "simple" is good enough for many sites. I have screenshots of the feedbook site on the Kindle: default mode and advanced mode. The way the Kindle gets round the lack of a pointing device is to use the its select wheel to identify one "line" (or multi-line segment) of the display, and then bring up all the selectable items in that line to choose from. It relies on the web browser "knowing" what elements could be selected. There probably are web pages where this would not work.

03-07-2008, 10:15 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Thanks for the clarification. I was wondering whether the Kindle could handle navigation interfaces such as imagemaps, which take you to different parts of a site according to what pixel coordinates on a graphic one selects.

03-07-2008, 03:37 PM	#9
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	I find the web browsing on the Kindle to be pretty iffy, myself. It's great for getting content and the occasional Wikipedia or Google search. I think it really depends on the site you're trying to navigate. Some sites are painful and others work quite well. Sites designed with mobile access in mind are usually a lot better. If I think of the Kindle and the Iliad on a spectrum between reading device and tablet PC, Kindle is more on the reader end than the Iliad. As a reader, the Whispernet adds a lot to the experience. If you think of it like a tablet PC, you will be disappointed. If I wanted to look at websites all the time and needed e-ink, I'd go with the Iliad or find a way to grab the content I wanted and convert it (which would probably be easier on the battery anyway).

03-07-2008, 04:44 PM	#10
DaleDe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,470 Karma: 13095790 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Grass Valley, CA Device: EB 1150, EZ Reader, Literati, iPad 2 & Air 2, iPhone 7	There is a great user community adding programs all the time to the iLiad. I suspect a better browser will be in the offering soon for the reader. I am amazed at all the tools that are available. You should browse the iLiad forums and see what is really going on. There is also a lot of data on the wiki about this device. Dale

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