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FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

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Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#61

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.

How big of a problem is this? I did get my X4 from somewhere else, but I was still able to change firmware. I think it just adds a hurdle to make it less trivial for unscrupulous resellers to install crapware.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#62
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…

The Remarkable tablets are pretty big and have a large community.

Fair point.

I was looking into them recently, and can't recall why I ruled them out.

I think it may have been because of the size of their color tablets - either too small or too large.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#63
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…

Pay respect to Aaron Swartz, and go download whatever you need. I hear Anna's got an archive, or there is some Z Lib somewhere. If buying isn't ownership, downloading isn't stealing.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#64
post #60
post #38

A Kobo ereader is as open as I need it with koreader installed. The Kobo Libra 2 black and white is the best ereader I have ever had. (not the color version,,unfortunately a step back in reading quality for normal reading)

remarkable / remarkable2 also work with KOReader. KOReader provides a very good ereader experience - can import dictionaries, export word lists (ie it tracks words you look up), and supports numerous ebook formats and lets you modify the padding/margins/layout. A very good piece of open source software

It is very good except the UI could really use some love IMO. I use it on all my kindles but it really took some doing to get there in terms of getting comfortable with using it.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

How big of a problem is this? I did get my X4 from somewhere else, but I was still able to change firmware. I think it just adds a hurdle to make it less trivial for unscrupulous resellers to install crapware.

It used to be more of a problem back when not every popular firmware had a way to reflash from SD/via OTA, because you could get stuck on a firmware with no way to flash out of it. The current solutions work pretty well, though I still stay far away from non-stable releases, just in case.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#66
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?

Kindle regularly removes sideloaded books if it decides you didn't purchase them from Amazon. Allegedly it's due to an incompatibility between the Kindle DRM and the way Calibre tricks the Kindle into displaying book covers for sideloaded files, but it's still annoying. The solution is to leave the device in airplane mode.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=340936

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#67
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.

Is there a non-annoying way to get Libby books onto it? It's a step or two with a Kindle, but it would be cool to have them on a more portable device

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#68
post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> most of the ebook world is leaning towards smaller screen sizes These are seriously niche devices. They're currently trendy but the Kindles of the world probably have something like 98% of the market.

Yes, but except for the Scribe, even the Kindle readers are too small! Kobo had an 8" ereader. People loved it (except for the battery life). But there's no sign they'll make more of them.

Would love to see the Fulu Foundation start designing open hardware like this and producing it with CrowdSupply. Like if the Apache Foundation made hardware.

https://www.fulu.org/

https://www.crowdsupply.com/

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#69
post #51

I really like my Boox e-reader because I can install any android app on it. I run Storyteller on it and it syncs position to my storyteller server. So i can listen to the audiobook on my iPhone and then pick up reading on my Boox from where I was listening.

I also really like Boox. I'm on my 2nd Boox product now having upgraded from my old Max Lumi so that I could get colours.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#70
post #51

I really like my Boox e-reader because I can install any android app on it. I run Storyteller on it and it syncs position to my storyteller server. So i can listen to the audiobook on my iPhone and then pick up reading on my Boox from where I was listening.

I've always wanted something like Storyteller for non-Amazon devices. Thanks!
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