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FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

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Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#21

Post by WillAdams »

BeetleB wrote: post #17
idle_zealot wrote: post #15

I got an Xteink X 4 a few weeks ago and it's a very cute device. While I'm a fan of the hardware what's been really fun is noodling around with building some custom firmware and sync architecture to optimize content for the device's extremely limited CPU and Memory. That's meant a custom format for images and metadata that match the device's hardware and interface needs and an automatic ingest pipeline for building t…

It saddens me that most of the ebook world is leaning towards smaller screen sizes. My reader is 8", and I think that's just the right size. I like a decent sized font, and I don't like continually scrolling. Surprisingly, the original promise of "low battery use" isn't panning out. My ereader's battery doesn't last that long, although I can live with it. Once you switch to large size color eink screens, the battery…

I rather liked my Sony PRS-505 and 600 for their 6.1" screen and that it would fit in a (large) shirtpocket.

My Kindle Paperwhite and Scribe Coloursoft go weeks between charges.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#22

Post by lachiflippi »

jagged-chisel wrote: post #13
Mr_Eri_Atlov wrote: post #4

Interesting to see XTEINK here; hopefully it means they will be more open to community software initiatives.

What are the limitations with XTEINK currently? I have an X3 and an X4 and both simply use whatever firmware you give them.

They disabled the ability to USB flash on every device not bought from their official store.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#23

Post by t1234s »

Are there any instances from the closed e-book system (kindle, nook, etc..) where you paid for a book and the book was either updated to a revised version or just removed from the device because of the content in the book?

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#24

Post by jjice »

t1234s wrote: post #23

Are there any instances from the closed e-book system (kindle, nook, etc..) where you paid for a book and the book was either updated to a revised version or just removed from the device because of the content in the book?

Yep. The infamous case in my mind were the Roald Dahl updates. I believe there were a few more cases that got news coverage a few years back, but I don't recall, so don't quote me.

https://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/ronald-dahl-...

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#25

Post by loremm »

dominotw wrote: post #16

xteink seems to be everywhere these days. Did it really "kill doomscrolling" for anyone?

it is pretty fun I was surprised. It's just nice it's so pocketable. I thought it'd be too small but I turn the font up so I am constantly flipping and I don't seem to notice. The page flips are fast

But also, I didn't understand how much the lightness is amazing. A kindle is light and one handable but it's noticable, this is so light I just can hold it up. I've heard in the ultralight mouse (for gaming), there's a point you just feel like you're moving your hand and don't notice the mouse. This is how I feel for this and it's worth something

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#27

Post by jjice »

dominotw wrote: post #16

xteink seems to be everywhere these days. Did it really "kill doomscrolling" for anyone?

Maybe, but I feel like those are all just overwhelming trend/clickbait nonsense videos/articles. E-readers are awesome, but I bet the amount of people that have truly replaced their social media habits with ebooks out of nowhere is near zero.

Also, for anyone that wants to cut doom scrolling, just delete your accounts and delete the apps for the services you're not using in a way you like. In many cases, it's that simple.

Love e-readers though. I've carried one with me (when I had a reason to expect at least 30 minutes of downtime) for a few years now and it's a lot more convenient than the paperbacks I used to lug around.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#29

Post by VonGallifrey »

fudged71 wrote: post #11

I've used CrossPoint on X4. I'm not sure how this is related (CrossPoint is linked in the footer)

It reads to me like FreeInk is the e-book reader and e-Paper SDK, and CrossPoint is the firmware that uses FreeInk.

I currently use CrossPoint, so I wanted to install this, but when I clicked the GitHub button, it just linked to the CrossPoint Firmware.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#30

Post by the_gastropod »

t1234s wrote: post #23

Are there any instances from the closed e-book system (kindle, nook, etc..) where you paid for a book and the book was either updated to a revised version or just removed from the device because of the content in the book?

There was that famous 2009 case of Amazon remote deleting George Orwell's 1984 and Animal Farm from Kindles.
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