Looking for a reasonably private e-reader / note taker

[hurikanc]

Hello, I just recently tamed my smartphone somewhat by hindering ~most of its tracking features, started turning it off a lot and leaving it at home.
Now I'd like an e-reader that would not reintroduce all the spying features.

I will only read documents/books without DRM, probably PDFs and EPUBs and will not use any subscription/library service with it.
It would be nice if I could write down a thought on it and manage it all easily over USB.
I will not be connecting wirelessly.

I'm hoping my needs are fairly reasonable. Please point me in the right direction. Thank you!

Budget up to 200 €, but I'm flexible, see below.

--

My weighted priority list:
(bigger number = proportionally more important)

weight 100 - Not LCD: A must. E-paper-like only (easy to read).

weight 100 - Can be used “offline”: A must. No way I that I’d not be able to use it without internet access.

weight 100 - No phoning home or it can be disabled:
This is a must. I’m OK with having to disable “the feature”, by switching something off in a menu or a “confirmed/working” community hack if the choice is respected.
Do we have any evidence / suspicion these devices try to to phone home even if the wi-fi / bluetooth is set to off? For example, not respecting user’s choice and secretly searching for open, public networks to gain a connection, force the user to “log-in” every once in a while to continue using it or constantly resetting the “wireless off” decision? That would absolutely be unacceptable for me, but I’m OK with it if I can choose my preference.

weight 60 - Has good support for common formats: at least PDF, EPUB, some sort of plain text.
Does reading PDF’s require a big screen? I saw some comments regarding this in other threads. I think PDFs will be common in my use case.

weight 40 - Has good battery life: If the battery time is around 8h for 50% brightness usage (as I've heard), I'm OK with it.

weight 40 – Has note taking: I'm OK wit it having only "on screen keyboard" as long as notes are in a plain text-like format and easily transferable to a computer via USB. A "markdown"-like format would be a big plus.

What would my budget need to be to have a enjoyable "sketch" note taking support / wacom layer? Does that mean that handwriting (non cursive being acceptable) can be converted "on device" to letter characters/font in a non proprietary format? Does it work even if the language of the note is not English or is it heavily reliant on a dictionary (being confused if word is not found in dictionary)? If all that works fine I think I might consider going up to 350€-ish. But firstly I want a good reader, and onscreen keyboard note taking is acceptable if in a plain text format.

weight 30 - Has lit display: I’d like to have it, but I’d sacrifice it if my other requests can be met without it.

weight 20 - Has no Bluetooth:
I’m OK with it being present as long as “Phoning home can be disabled” is satisfied.

weight 10 - Has no Wi-Fi:
I’m OK with it being present as long as “Phoning home can be disabled” is satisfied.

weight 10 - Has no first time registration:
I’m OK with it needing a registration as long as it’s a one time thing and the info can be faked (temporary email address etc), not tied to my purchase address...

weight 10 - Should not be super slow to use: Up to 1 second to display a page is OK, up to 10s to opena a reasonably sized document.

weight 5 - Not having Android:
I have nothing against Android as long it is not phoning home.
How hard/easy is on these ereader Android devices to check if google services are installed? Can these devices be connected via adb and services/apps disabled?
If there's a device with a "community" software / mod / project for it - it would be welcome.

weight 1 - Has SD card support: Nice to have, but I've already seen not many include that.

Thank you very much for the help and your precious time!

[hurikanc]

Also, when accessing files / notes via USB I don't want to use any proprietary software, but something like Calibre is OK. This greatly helps me with computer OS compatibility since I don't run Windows / Os X.

And I'm hoping to find the device in Europe, but I'm flexible.

Thanks!

[ottischwenk]

This device fulfills almost all of your wishes and I had best experiences with this Spanish store.
10.3 inch devices are more expensive

[hurikanc]

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

This device fulfills almost all of your wishes and I had best experiences with this Spanish store.
10.3 inch devices are more expensive

Hi, thank you for the suggestion, I will look into it, but I'm curious to what degree are these customizable since "Google play" icon on the home screen is the first thing I saw in a random review I opened. What makes this more private that a smart phone? Is it very minimal on services installed or is there a hacking/moding possibility or even some existing moding guides? Thank you!

[hurikanc]

Hi, thank you "ottischwenk" for the suggestion, I will look into it, but I'm curious to what degree are these customizable since "Google play" icon on the home screen is the first thing I saw in a random review I opened. What makes this more private that a smart phone? Is it very minimal on services installed or is there a hacking/moding possibility or even some existing moding guides? Thank you!

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by hurikanc

Hi, thank you "ottischwenk" for the suggestion, I will look into it, but I'm curious to what degree are these customizable since "Google play" icon on the home screen is the first thing I saw in a random review I opened. What makes this more private that a smart phone? Is it very minimal on services installed or is there a hacking/moding possibility or even some existing moding guides? Thank you!

Google Frame can be deactivated / activated in the user settings - this also deactivates / activates the Play Store.
I activate it when I want to install an app and deactivate it because it increases power consumption.
The same applies to WiFi and Bluetooth.

I own this device - if you have any questions ...

You are in Europe in the Euro Zone? In which state?

[hurikanc]

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Google Frame can be deactivated / activated in the user settings - this also deactivates / activates the Play Store.
I activate it when I want to install an app and deactivate it because it increases power consumption.
The same applies to WiFi and Bluetooth.

I own this device - if you have any questions ...

You are in Europe in the Euro Zone? In which state?

Oh I see, thanks! Do you have root access by any chance or were you able to enable developer options or have tried "adb" to your PC? Since Google Framework has many services I was wondering if you verified what was running or being disabled after the "deactivate option"? You know, to be sure it's off.

Yes, in EU just beneath you, in SI :-)

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by hurikanc

Do you have root access by any chance

No

or were you able to enable developer options

Yes

or have tried "adb" to your PC?

No, I didnt try

Since Google Framework has many services I was wondering if you verified what was running or being disabled after the "deactivate option"? You know, to be sure it's off.

I didnt check.

[hurikanc]

Ok, thank you. I'll see what other suggestions I get and decide...

Do you or anyone else by any chance know which brand is "in generally" most open (to user choice/modding)? How are Kobo's?
Thanks

[Pajamaman]

Onyx Boox are similar to Likebooks. Most people consider Boox to be slightly superior to Likebook, but Likebook are a little cheaper. I'm not sure what size you want. Onyx do a 6" Poke which will be closer to $200. Both Onyx and Likebook do a 7.8" model. These Chinese models are locked down and hard to impossible to root, but have heaps of built-in functionality. They both probably dial home to some Chinese corporation. They are very good devices. Pretty sure you can connect to Onyx via adb, but have to jump through loops. These chinese Android devices are odd beasts, but very good too.

Alternatively, you could get a Kobo. You have to register it, but just use a fake email, then turn off wifi. It is possible to install a note taker, but it will be primitive compared to an Android device. Kobos come rooted out of the box. They are Linux, not Android. You can install Koreader for pdf.

Nooks are much cheaper and can be rooted. They are Android. have to register it, but just use a fake email, then turn off wifi. You can get one in your price point from ebay, 6" or 7.8". Really nice screen. You can root it and install nookmananger, then install an android note taking app, etc. They are far less powerful than an Onyx/Likebook, but much cheaper, and the screen is great. You can install Koreader to read pdf. You can definately connect it via adb.

[hurikanc]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

Onyx Boox are similar to Likebooks. Most people consider Boox to be slightly superior to Likebook, but Likebook are a little cheaper. I'm not sure what size you want. Onyx do a 6" Poke which will be closer to $200. Both Onyx and Likebook do a 7.8" model. These Chinese models are locked down and hard to impossible to root, but have heaps of built-in functionality. They both probably dial home to some Chinese corporation. They are very good devices. Pretty sure you can connect to Onyx via adb, but have to jump through loops. These chinese Android devices are odd beasts, but very good too.

Alternatively, you could get a Kobo. You have to register it, but just use a fake email, then turn off wifi. It is possible to install a note taker, but it will be primitive compared to an Android device. Kobos come rooted out of the box. They are Linux, not Android. You can install Koreader for pdf.

Nooks are much cheaper and can be rooted. They are Android. have to register it, but just use a fake email, then turn off wifi. You can get one in your price point from ebay, 6" or 7.8". Really nice screen. You can root it and install nookmananger, then install an android note taking app, etc. They are far less powerful than an Onyx/Likebook, but much cheaper, and the screen is great. You can install Koreader to read pdf. You can definately connect it via adb.

Great info, thank you! Will investigate.

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by hurikanc

Do you or anyone else by any chance know which brand is "in generally" most open (to user choice/modding)? How are Kobo's?

I've only had bad experiences with Kobo, but only up to Glo HD - then I gave up Kobo completely.
Especially with updates: 1-3 bugs fixed, but 1-4 bugs created.

Tolino is also built by Netronix and the updates are also from Kobo-Rakuten. But the software was originally developed by Deutsche Telekom based on Android 4.0.4.
After the takeover by Kobo Rakuten, Android 4.4.2 was updated and it is possible to install additional Android applications with a trick.

In terms of hardware, the Kobo and Tolino are the same, but very modestly equipped. 1 GHz single CPU, 512 MB / 8 GB

Pocketbook is better there - but I have no experience with that.

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

Nooks are much cheaper and can be rooted.

Nooks are not available in the Euro Area.

[Pajamaman]

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Nooks are not available in the Euro Area.

Onyx Refurb / new on ebay. I'm not in the USA and can get them. Like kobo, onyx is not super powerful. Onyx and likebook are very powerful in comparison. They are more than just ereaders. Handy for big pdfs.

Kobo hardware has apparently greatly improved and is comparable to kindle . Personally I prefer android because of app choice.

[Pajamaman]

EDIT. NOOK Refurb / new on ebay. I'm not in the USA and can get them.