Calibre for 1st gen iPad mini?

lburg801 · 07-11-2018, 10:47 PM

I'm looking for a way to provide ebooks to my grandchildren (live in the boonies far from any library) without having to root a Nook. I do not want devices that connect to Amazon or any other retailer.

I read an article that suggested using a 1st gen iPad mini as a dedicated e-reader. They say there are apps, in addition to the Kindle app, for reading epubs, too.

I would prefer using Calibre; the children could use the reader without knowledge or worry about the format of the book.

Does anyone know if this is possible? Are older versions of Calibre available (assuming the current ver likely would need a more powerful os)?

Thanks!

AnemicOak · 07-11-2018, 11:00 PM

There isn't a version of Calibre that runs on tablets or mobile devices. There is an app called Calibre Companion which can interface with Calibre on a computer to transfer books via a direct wireless connection or the Calibre content server, but it doesn't contain a reading app.

Some of the more popular non-store reading apps (for DRM free content) for iOS that I can think of would be MapleRead, Marvin, Hyphen & tiReader. All of them do ePub. tiReader is supposed to do a bunch of formats, but I'm unsure how well it handles all of them.

BetterRed · 07-11-2018, 11:08 PM

Calibre doesn't run on the iPad/iPhone operating system - IOS. It runs on Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

There's an IOS version of the Calibre Companion app, but as its name implies its dependent on having access to the calibre library management application. Here's the MR Calibre Companion forum.

If you look in the MR Apple Devices forum you'll find info about reader apps.

Tip: make sure you look in the sticky threads at the top of those forums

BR

ilovejedd · 07-11-2018, 11:46 PM

Unless you already own a 1st gen iPad mini, I would suggest a different device. Even navigation is very slow on it. Also, the way iOS works, each application is sandboxed and there's no direct access to the file system. I would recommend an Android tablet of some sort.

lburg801 · 07-12-2018, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

There isn't a version of Calibre that runs on tablets or mobile devices. There is an app called Calibre Companion which can interface with Calibre on a computer to transfer books via a direct wireless connection or the Calibre content server, but it doesn't contain a reading app.

Some of the more popular non-store reading apps (for DRM free content) for iOS that I can think of would be MapleRead, Marvin, Hyphen & tiReader. All of them do ePub. tiReader is supposed to do a bunch of formats, but I'm unsure how well it handles all of them.

I've never owned an Apple device. I was interested because it would have been relatively inexpensive and in color. Thank you!

lburg801 · 07-12-2018, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Calibre doesn't run on the iPad/iPhone operating system - IOS. It runs on Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

There's an IOS version of the Calibre Companion app, but as its name implies its dependent on having access to the calibre library management application. Here's the MR Calibre Companion forum.

If you look in the MR Apple Devices forum you'll find info about reader apps.

Tip: make sure you look in the sticky threads at the top of those forums

BR

Thank you. I think I will stay away from Apple devices. The cost factor and color viewing seemed attractive, but , , ,

lburg801 · 07-12-2018, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Unless you already own a 1st gen iPad mini, I would suggest a different device. Even navigation is very slow on it. Also, the way iOS works, each application is sandboxed and there's no direct access to the file system. I would recommend an Android tablet of some sort.

Can Calibre be installed on an Android tablet or would I still need to use reading apps?

Thanks for your help.

theducks · 07-12-2018, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lburg801

Can Calibre be installed on an Android tablet or would I still need to use reading apps?

Thanks for your help.

Same things apply to Android devices as Apple devices. They are COMPANION devices (just less pricey

)
You still need a Windows / MAC / Liniux box to host the Library

ilovejedd · 07-12-2018, 10:07 AM

There is no Calibre on Android but there are a number of ebook reader apps available. There's Calibre Companion on Android and this version is actually more advanced than the iOS one.

However, there are usually plenty of ways to transfer books from Calibre (on Linux/Mac/Windows) to Android tablets (USB, SD card, wireless, cloud storage). You also have access to the file system similar to your computer. Lack of file system access can be a deal breaker for some users that they wouldn't even consider iOS.

Note, I do use iOS devices for reading (primarily with Marvin) but I've learned to work around its limitations. I use Calibre's Content Server or Dropbox to transfer content.

lburg801 · 07-12-2018, 11:46 AM

I'm learning.

BetterRed · 07-12-2018, 07:57 PM

It's important to note that Calibre Companion itself is NOT a reader. If you use it you'll still need reader apps, and you may need more than one, e.g. I have different reader apps for comics, ePubs and PDFs.

BR

lburg801 · 07-12-2018, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

It's important to note that Calibre Companion itself is NOT a reader. If you use it you'll still need reader apps, and you may need more than one, e.g. I have different reader apps for comics, ePubs and PDFs.

BR

Thank you. I understand, and it will be a bit of a problem with the younger kids. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a Calibre app?!!!

lburg801 · 07-15-2018, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Unless you already own a 1st gen iPad mini, I would suggest a different device. Even navigation is very slow on it. Also, the way iOS works, each application is sandboxed and there's no direct access to the file system. I would recommend an Android tablet of some sort.

Thanks to you and everyone who responded. I am choosing either an 8" (probably) or 10" Lenovo tablet and will use an sd card.

Any recommendations for android reading apps for drm free content?

Regards
lb

theducks · 07-15-2018, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lburg801

Thanks to you and everyone who responded. I am choosing either an 8" (probably) or 10" Lenovo tablet and will use an sd card.

Any recommendations for android reading apps for drm free content?

Regards
lb

Moon+ Pro

DoctorOhh · 07-15-2018, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Moon+ Pro

07-11-2018, 10:47 PM	#1
lburg801 Enthusiast Posts: 48 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: none	Calibre for 1st gen iPad mini? I'm looking for a way to provide ebooks to my grandchildren (live in the boonies far from any library) without having to root a Nook. I do not want devices that connect to Amazon or any other retailer. I read an article that suggested using a 1st gen iPad mini as a dedicated e-reader. They say there are apps, in addition to the Kindle app, for reading epubs, too. I would prefer using Calibre; the children could use the reader without knowledge or worry about the format of the book. Does anyone know if this is possible? Are older versions of Calibre available (assuming the current ver likely would need a more powerful os)? Thanks!

07-12-2018, 11:46 AM	#10
lburg801 Enthusiast Posts: 48 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: none	Thanks folks! I'm learning.

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07-11-2018, 11:00 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	There isn't a version of Calibre that runs on tablets or mobile devices. There is an app called Calibre Companion which can interface with Calibre on a computer to transfer books via a direct wireless connection or the Calibre content server, but it doesn't contain a reading app. Some of the more popular non-store reading apps (for DRM free content) for iOS that I can think of would be MapleRead, Marvin, Hyphen & tiReader. All of them do ePub. tiReader is supposed to do a bunch of formats, but I'm unsure how well it handles all of them.

07-11-2018, 11:08 PM	#3
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,565 Karma: 26954694 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Calibre doesn't run on the iPad/iPhone operating system - IOS. It runs on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. There's an IOS version of the Calibre Companion app, but as its name implies its dependent on having access to the calibre library management application. Here's the MR Calibre Companion forum. If you look in the MR Apple Devices forum you'll find info about reader apps. Tip: make sure you look in the sticky threads at the top of those forums BR

07-11-2018, 11:46 PM	#4
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,111 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	Unless you already own a 1st gen iPad mini, I would suggest a different device. Even navigation is very slow on it. Also, the way iOS works, each application is sandboxed and there's no direct access to the file system. I would recommend an Android tablet of some sort.

07-12-2018, 10:07 AM	#9
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,111 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	There is no Calibre on Android but there are a number of ebook reader apps available. There's Calibre Companion on Android and this version is actually more advanced than the iOS one. However, there are usually plenty of ways to transfer books from Calibre (on Linux/Mac/Windows) to Android tablets (USB, SD card, wireless, cloud storage). You also have access to the file system similar to your computer. Lack of file system access can be a deal breaker for some users that they wouldn't even consider iOS. Note, I do use iOS devices for reading (primarily with Marvin) but I've learned to work around its limitations. I use Calibre's Content Server or Dropbox to transfer content.

07-12-2018, 07:57 PM	#11
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,565 Karma: 26954694 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	It's important to note that Calibre Companion itself is NOT a reader. If you use it you'll still need reader apps, and you may need more than one, e.g. I have different reader apps for comics, ePubs and PDFs. BR