Which is most hackable?

quicksilver · 12-23-2009, 01:56 PM

I already have a PRS-500 but I can't hack it the way I want.

I'd like a device that will allow me to easily create applications that transfer data back and forth from PC-device.

Any ideas?

pilotbob · 12-23-2009, 01:59 PM

Really any device that mounts as a storage device (which is most of them). and even if you do that you won't need to hack them.

Of course, calibre already includes code that allows you to manipulate data on the prs-500. It is open source so you could use it to base your app on... as long as it is open source or private. calibre comes with a windows driver it uses to communicate with the PRS-500.

BOb

quicksilver · 12-23-2009, 02:24 PM

I should have been more specific with my requirement

Data transfer between PC and any E-ink device is obviously easy - or else we'll be stuck forever trying to upload our ebooks! But, what I want is being able to have full control of the data transfer so I can 1) Grab data automatically from PC and push it onto the device quickly 2) Full control of what is displayed on the device

It seems like iLiad has a strong "hacker" community. Any other suggestions?

Rootman · 12-23-2009, 04:28 PM

Well it looks like the Nook MAY be the device for you, based on Google's open source Anderoid it probably has the most potential. While other devices may alos be as hackable the Nook will probably arise with the largest fan bas and therefore the largest hacker community. Time will tell.

quicksilver · 12-23-2009, 05:46 PM

The Nook won't do as I'll be cracking open the device right when I get it. I want to hack it, and then I want to change the outer-shell. My project is to be a working prototype for my school project, so I don't want something too expensive!

wallcraft · 12-24-2009, 06:13 AM

OpenInkPot on a Hanlin V3 may be what you are looking for. It uses SSH via USB as its standard method of communicating with a PC, and the complete firmware if open source and you can add your own applications (no need to patch the firmware, just add the new binaries via SSH).

PocketBook devices are also relatively open to hacking.

quicksilver · 12-24-2009, 10:34 AM

I heard that Openinkpot disables the USB as mass storage device functionality. Does this make it harder to quickly push content to the device?

Thanks for the replies so far guys! It's been really helpful.

wallcraft · 12-24-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quicksilver

I heard that Openinkpot disables the USB as mass storage device functionality. Does this make it harder to quickly push content to the device?

OpenInkPot does not export the filesystems via USB. This means that you can't drag and drop files to/from the device. However applications such as WinSCP allow you to copy files and sync filesystems between the PC and Hanlin. The speed is not great, but that is primarily because of the USB 1.1 hardware on the Hanlin.

quicksilver · 12-24-2009, 11:07 PM

Right, most E-ink devices use low-speed USB 1.1. This is bad news for my project, but since it's only supposed to be a simple prototype I'm sure nobody will mind

How about the iLiad? It seems that you have one. Isn't that the de facto device to hack with?

Forkosigan · 12-25-2009, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quicksilver

Right, most E-ink devices use low-speed USB 1.1.

Pocketbook has USB 2.0.

wallcraft · 12-25-2009, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quicksilver

How about the iLiad? It seems that you have one. Isn't that the de facto device to hack with?

There are certainly more 3rd party apps ported to the iLiad than any other device. It can also be setup with a SSH deamon. The way that the iLiad's standard interface interacts with the filesystem is unique, but could be used to advantage if you don't mind being iLiad-specific.

quicksilver · 12-25-2009, 11:22 AM

Thanks for mentioning the Pocketbook. It matches my needs nicely. Although I wish it has a bigger community like the iLiad.

Right now, my top choice is the Pocketbook, followed by the iLiad.

Merry Christmas guys!

12-23-2009, 01:56 PM	#1
quicksilver dude Posts: 51 Karma: 628 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Nook	Which is most hackable? I already have a PRS-500 but I can't hack it the way I want. I'd like a device that will allow me to easily create applications that transfer data back and forth from PC-device. Any ideas?

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12-23-2009, 01:59 PM	#2
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	Really any device that mounts as a storage device (which is most of them). and even if you do that you won't need to hack them. Of course, calibre already includes code that allows you to manipulate data on the prs-500. It is open source so you could use it to base your app on... as long as it is open source or private. calibre comes with a windows driver it uses to communicate with the PRS-500. BOb

12-23-2009, 02:24 PM	#3
quicksilver dude Posts: 51 Karma: 628 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Nook	I should have been more specific with my requirement Data transfer between PC and any E-ink device is obviously easy - or else we'll be stuck forever trying to upload our ebooks! But, what I want is being able to have full control of the data transfer so I can 1) Grab data automatically from PC and push it onto the device quickly 2) Full control of what is displayed on the device It seems like iLiad has a strong "hacker" community. Any other suggestions?

12-23-2009, 04:28 PM	#4
Rootman Groupie Posts: 181 Karma: 478 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Android & FBReader	Well it looks like the Nook MAY be the device for you, based on Google's open source Anderoid it probably has the most potential. While other devices may alos be as hackable the Nook will probably arise with the largest fan bas and therefore the largest hacker community. Time will tell.

12-23-2009, 05:46 PM	#5
quicksilver dude Posts: 51 Karma: 628 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Nook	The Nook won't do as I'll be cracking open the device right when I get it. I want to hack it, and then I want to change the outer-shell. My project is to be a working prototype for my school project, so I don't want something too expensive!

12-24-2009, 06:13 AM	#6
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	OpenInkPot on a Hanlin V3 may be what you are looking for. It uses SSH via USB as its standard method of communicating with a PC, and the complete firmware if open source and you can add your own applications (no need to patch the firmware, just add the new binaries via SSH). PocketBook devices are also relatively open to hacking.

12-24-2009, 10:34 AM	#7
quicksilver dude Posts: 51 Karma: 628 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Nook	I heard that Openinkpot disables the USB as mass storage device functionality. Does this make it harder to quickly push content to the device? Thanks for the replies so far guys! It's been really helpful.

12-24-2009, 11:07 PM	#9
quicksilver dude Posts: 51 Karma: 628 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Nook	Right, most E-ink devices use low-speed USB 1.1. This is bad news for my project, but since it's only supposed to be a simple prototype I'm sure nobody will mind How about the iLiad? It seems that you have one. Isn't that the de facto device to hack with?

12-25-2009, 11:22 AM	#12
quicksilver dude Posts: 51 Karma: 628 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Nook	Thanks for mentioning the Pocketbook. It matches my needs nicely. Although I wish it has a bigger community like the iLiad. Right now, my top choice is the Pocketbook, followed by the iLiad. Merry Christmas guys!

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