Calibre library android app. Is it worth it?

[clittle]

Hi,

What does the Calibre android app do?

I use the browser on my tablet to connect to the Calibre server on my PC and download books.

Does the android app do more than that? Is it worth it?

Thanks

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by clittle

What does the Calibre android app do?

No idea. The "Calibre" android app isn't developed or distributed by the author of calibre and as such is not a supported product in this forum.

Originally Posted by clittle

I use the browser on my tablet to connect to the Calibre server on my PC and download books.

Does the android app do more than that? Is it worth it?

If you are able to get books from your PC to your tablet then I would guess that the android app will not be worth it to you.

[clittle]

Thanks for the feedback.

Supported or not isn't really the issue.

I'm asking for the knowledge and experiences of other users.

[GeneS]

For my money ($2.99), it's worth it. It is easy to set up, and provides a nice menu for selecting books to download from the PC. When the app is run, you receive a menu allowing you to sort your listing of available books. Next comes the sorted booklist. Selecting one of the books results in a nicely formatted page providing a cover image and other metadata (assuming it's in your calibre database). If all you want is a list of books, then it may not be worth it to you.

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by GeneS

For my money ($2.99), it's worth it. It is easy to set up

That sounds like a plus, but if the OP already has the content server working then it's a wash.

Originally Posted by GeneS

and provides a nice menu for selecting books to download from the PC. When the app is run, you receive a menu allowing you to sort your listing of available books. Next comes the sorted booklist. Selecting one of the books results in a nicely formatted page providing a cover image and other metadata (assuming it's in your calibre database).

I'm curious, how is this any different then the existing content server menus, searches and nicely formatted pages with covers and metadata from your library?

[GeneS]

Originally Posted by dwanthny

I'm curious, how is this any different then the existing content server menus, searches and nicely formatted pages with covers and metadata from your library?

The information is very similar to what I see when I use the browser on my desktop. On my Asus tablet, the only information I get when accessing the database through the Asus browser is a booklist with thumbnails -- no metadata. Trying to download a book via the Asus browser has been hit or miss for me. More often than not, it's miss. On the other hand, accessing and downloading the calibre content using the Calibre Library app has been very successful. Admittedly, if one can access the metadata via the browser and downloading is successful, then it's probably not worth the purchase.

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by GeneS

The information is very similar to what I see when I use the browser on my desktop. On my Asus tablet, the only information I get when accessing the database through the Asus browser is a booklist with thumbnails -- no metadata.

Does the ASUS tablet automatically force the /mobi view (sounds like what you're describing) or is this something you can control and view the standard content server page if desired?

Originally Posted by GeneS

Trying to download a book via the Asus browser has been hit or miss for me. More often than not, it's miss. On the other hand, accessing and downloading the calibre content using the Calibre Library app has been very successful.

It sounds as if it was definitely worth the price to you. Thanks for the feedback.

[peaceridge]

What about a tablet that is not recognized by Calibre when attached to the pc? I have a Sony S and it shows up without a drive letter, thus Calibre can't recognize it (I, too, am using Dropbox). The Sony S does recognize my pc wifi, but I've had wifi recognition problems with other gadgets (such as my printer). Does the Andriod app recognize such?

[clittle]

Originally Posted by GeneS

The information is very similar to what I see when I use the browser on my desktop. On my Asus tablet, the only information I get when accessing the database through the Asus browser is a booklist with thumbnails -- no metadata. Trying to download a book via the Asus browser has been hit or miss for me. More often than not, it's miss. On the other hand, accessing and downloading the calibre content using the Calibre Library app has been very successful. Admittedly, if one can access the metadata via the browser and downloading is successful, then it's probably not worth the purchase.

Thanks for the info. That's very helpful.

I have an Asus tab also (eepad transformer101) and use the Opera browser to access the Calibre server on my PC. I see all the metadata. Don't know why you don't? What browser are you using? You might want to try try Opera or Dolphin (which I think would work as well).

Hmmm I just tried the stock Android browser and it doesn't show all the info.

With Opera I get two extra buttons for each book (top line, far right): Details and Permalink. Both yield more info.

Note: In Opera, it may be necessary to use the Desktop user agent. It's not the default. I always you that setting so I'm not sure if it's needed. To set, go to: User/Settings/Advanced/User agent/Desktop

HTH,

CL

[gweminence]

I use it. It was worth 3 bucks to me. As stated, there are free ways of doing the same thing, but this makes it less cumbersome.

[SirBC]

Originally Posted by peaceridge

What about a tablet that is not recognized by Calibre when attached to the pc? I have a Sony S and it shows up without a drive letter, thus Calibre can't recognize it (I, too, am using Dropbox). The Sony S does recognize my pc wifi, but I've had wifi recognition problems with other gadgets (such as my printer). Does the Andriod app recognize such?

If you are using Dropbox, take a look at Calibre2OPDS. I use this on Dropbox and my family members can browse and download ebooks in a nicely formatted presentation. It's quite slick. Works well on my ASUS Transformer Prime tablet. You can see a test catalog here:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/958355/Demo....log/index.html

[GeneS]

Originally Posted by dwanthny

Does the ASUS tablet automatically force the /mobi view (sounds like what you're describing) or is this something you can control and view the standard content server page if desired?

I'm not sure, but believe the answer is yes (i.e., mobi view). I haven't seen an option to obtain the standard content server page, but also haven't dedicated much time to researching it.

[GeneS]

Originally Posted by clittle

What browser are you using? You might want to try try Opera or Dolphin (which I think would work as well).

Hmmm I just tried the stock Android browser and it doesn't show all the info.

With Opera I get two extra buttons for each book (top line, far right): Details and Permalink. Both yield more info.

I use the stock Android browser and mine also fails to show all info. Because the Calibre Library app works so well for me (and since I've already purchased it) I think I'll just stick with it. Thanks.


Followup: Just tried to Opera browser; much nicer than the stock browser. I probably would not have purchased the additional app had I tried Opera first. Nevertheless, the Calibre Library app works very well.