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FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

freeink.org

31–40 of 176 posts

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#31
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, first instance I know of was from back in 2009, https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/jul/17/amazon-ki... and the kind of thing keeps happening over the years. It'll continue to happen since you aren't paying for a book. You're paying for a license to read the book for as long as the publisher/owner allows you to do so and they can revoke the permission at any time.

I still find it hilariously ironic that the first instance that was widely reported (as far as I know) was it happening to 1984.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#32
post #5

I got an Xteink X4 a few weeks ago and love it. I've tried out a few different firmwares but haven't settled on one yet. I love the screen and how simple the interface is. It's kind of a pain in the butt getting my Kindle books on there, but worth the effort. It's also encouraging me to buy books outside of the Amazon ecosystem. I've been getting more stuff from Humble lately.

My favorite at this point is Witch reader (https://github.com/jpirnay/witchhunt-reader). All the features of Cross-point, with better book rendering, and more features. I've tried a lot of the various alternatives, and keep coming back.

If you want all your book series displayed together, AALU (https://github.com/dawsonfi/aalu) might be worth a look.

And Crosspoint OS itself is still really nice.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#33

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

From my understanding this is the next iteration of OpenX4 E-Paper Community SDK - an sdk made by some of the core contributors of CrossPoint that abstracts the hardware of eink devices.

Huge props to the devs, that haven't just embraced people forking their repo - but have actually put in a lot effort to make it easier for anyone that wants to develop on these platforms.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#34
post #7

Please port this OS to older Kindles that Amazon no longer supports.

Or Kobo, given how shit the stock firmware is and how little the hardware has changed over a considerable period of time. Should be easy-peasy.

Nickel, the stock firmware on Kobo, is pretty decent. KOReader is better, though. The Kobo is a pretty hackable device. I pair my Kobo Clara BW with BookFusion, which gives me portability between any KOReader device, Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#37
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Yes, I too had a Sony ereader for years, and it was nice fitting it in my jacket pocket.

But the reality is that most book pages are larger than 6", and if I found myself preferring the book because of the size, what's the point of an ereader? I first switched to 7", which was better, but not good enough. 8" is great, though.

> Scribe Coloursoft go weeks between charges

How many hours will the battery last while on? And how does that compare to a similar sized tablet?

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Is that true? I heard for the X3 the pogo pin cable they ship has 2 pins not 4 but you can buy one and it will transfer data and let you flash custom firmware.
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