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Open Book Touch: open-source e-reader

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41–50 of 59 posts

Re: Open Book Touch: open-source e-reader

#41
post #4

I really liked their comparison matrix, it's honest about what it does and what it doesn't do. I'll probably go with Kobo + Koreader when my current ereader gives up the ghost, but given that 4" ereaders seem to be all the rage these days, I wish them success.

I imagine it’s going to be a negative for them but dimensions comparisons would be interesting

Re: Open Book Touch: open-source e-reader

#42

> Cyrillic scripts like Russian and Ukrainian are supported via GNU Unifont, along with Arabic and Hebrew. So much for proper typography... I guess it's still useful for an ocasional Cyrillic word inside an English text, but reading a book set in GNU Unifont is not going to be a pleasurable experience.

Kickstarter gadgets aren't meant to be useful, they're meant to tick boxes and look good on Kickstarter.

Re: Open Book Touch: open-source e-reader

#43

I was thinking about getting a xteink x4 and run biscuit on it. Does anyone know how it compares to open Book touch?

Xteink doesn’t have a front light or touchscreen. It can’t keep time. A lot of people dislike the stock firmware. The battery isn’t user-replaceable.

Xteink is smaller, thinner, and magnetic. It’s cheaper and available today. It has physical buttons. There’s a ton of firmware options and community around it already. Some firmwares have apps and games beyond reading if that interests you. Community firmwares vastly open up available file formats.

Both are some form of open, although Xteink probably less so given some models are locked. Both will require some hunting for DRM free ebooks. Both run ESP32 chips, the Open Book touch running a more powerful dual core one.

I love my X3. The size and magnetic feature means I always have it on me for a quick read whenever a moment strikes.

Re: Open Book Touch: open-source e-reader

#44

6 inches is the bare minimum for an e-reader lol

I had this opinion before I actually used a smaller device. I now have xteink x3 which is 3.7” and it’s just awesome. After a couple of minutes it disappears in my hand like I forget I’m even holding a device. I wouldn’t use it for graphical novels but for regular books it’s just perfect

Re: Open Book Touch: open-source e-reader

#46

4.3” screen, that’s a dealbreaker. That is a real shame.

Agreed. Half the thickness and ~2x the screen size and it would've been an instant buy. 2x the screen size and same thickness and I'd have to think about it.

As is I'll keep my eyes peeled for future versions, I really like the concept, and deal-breaker might be fixed in the future

Re: Open Book Touch: open-source e-reader

#47
post #26
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah...I stick with my Kindle Oasis for the buttons. I'll wait until/if this gets them; otherwise would have been a no brainer purchase.

The Xteink 4 has button. Else PocketBook are the kings of buttons (and well placed at that).

I haven't pulled the trigger on the Xteink because of the back/front light missing, but probably will when they're back in stock. I'll check out the pocketbook as well...thanks for the tip.

Re: Open Book Touch: open-source e-reader

#48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh ok but why do they block the Ali ones then? I don't think they're on Amazon here in Spain. And if I have to order from China I'd greatly prefer Ali express because they have good consumer protection. And yes I meant front light sorry. I didn't know that one won't have buttons.

I was just looking into it, with coupons and ongoing sale, it is possible to buy the Chinese version for about 7,500 JPY (45 USD) on Aliexpress, while on the official website (and Amazon) it is 13,900 JPY. I am not sure if this applies everywhere. While there is an "unlock" option, it seems it is strongly implied that you should stick to mainstream custom firmware or risk getting stuck with a firmware forever [0]. [0…

I understand, I just wonder why they do this. Why lock their stuff down so much? Especially if they offer other channels that don't have this limitation.

Re: Open Book Touch: open-source e-reader

#49

I was thinking about getting a xteink x4 and run biscuit on it. Does anyone know how it compares to open Book touch?

Xteink doesn’t have a front light or touchscreen. It can’t keep time. A lot of people dislike the stock firmware. The battery isn’t user-replaceable. Xteink is smaller, thinner, and magnetic. It’s cheaper and available today. It has physical buttons. There’s a ton of firmware options and community around it already. Some firmwares have apps and games beyond reading if that interests you. Community firmwares vastly op…

Thanks for the response. I’ve first thought of getting the x3 but then I realized how small it is. What’s your experience? Is it too small? Would you read a whole book on it?

Re: Open Book Touch: open-source e-reader

#50

I almost bought an xteink the other week but held off due to lack of a frontlight option. I instead resurrected my nook simple touch (2011) with this project [1] from XDA forums, its made it infinitely more usable and still has good battery life. [1] https://xdaforums.com/t/nst-g-the-phoenix-project.4673934/

I have one. Do not bother. It is too small. I did write my own software for it which was a fun exercise but it remains idle because it is just too small to enjoy reading from.

The correct size is 6" or so diagonally.

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