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FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

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Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#81

Post by andrewmutz »

imzadi wrote: 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 the only way to use it to break the DRM? I wish there was a path to being able to use all these devices with kindle ebooks legally

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#82

Post by johanyc »

gnatman wrote: post #77
lachiflippi wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Not true. I just bought an x4 on amazon and flashed crosspoint with no issues.

I think it's just the Chinese market ones

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#83

Post by dugite-code »

wernerb wrote: 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)

Even without koreader a kobo is refreshingly open to tinkering. Getting root and ssh access is just a matter of renaming a file on the disk.

I got the colour after being on an old paperwhite for many years so thankfully it's a big step up for me.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#84

Post by LamaOfRuin »

mikepurvis wrote: post #78
poulpy123 wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ask amazon and Kobo to open their system if it's so important for you. The devs have probably more interesting things to do than playing wack-a-mole with a multi-billion organisation

I'm not knocking the devs for the choice to target open hardware, only remarking that that choice signals the project is for hackers, not regular consumers.

I would say that there is no such thing as firmware targeted for regular consumers. Regular consumers do not know what firmware is.

I am still disappointed that there is no kindle sized hardware that this can run on, but I think that has to do with manufacturers rather than firmware developers.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#85

Post by hart_russell »

wernerb wrote: 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)

I’m scared of installing koreader on my kobo. Right now my kobo syncs to my calibre web server seamlessly. Does koreader have the ability to sync your library to a calibre web instance?

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#86

Post by sushid »

fastball wrote: post #10
mootdentures wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I also got one a few weeks ago! I love how pocketable it is. I tried different firmwares too and ended up settling on CrossPoint. So far it's been the most stable and the UI feels more intuitive than the others (for me at least)

Did you try FreeInk? I was debating which (between CrossPoint and this) to flash my new X3 with.

Not parent commenter but I've been loving CrossInk after trying CrossPoint for a few days

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#89

Post by qingcharles »

pnw wrote: post #66
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?

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

It also strips off all the covers from your sideloaded books if you give it Internet access. Mine's had the radio off since I got it, for this reason.

Re: FreeInk: Open ecosystem for e-readers

#90

Post by hollandheese »

smeej wrote: post #52
BeetleB wrote: 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…

Which reader do you have? I've been looking everywhere I can think of for a good 8-inch device, but I need it to run Android. Heck, I even tried looking into tablets with traditional screens and am having trouble turning up anything serviceable. I have a 6" screen and it's too small. I got a 10.3" one and it was too large. But I'm starting to suspect those of us who primarily want to read are the only ones who want 8…

Viwoods AI Paper mini and Supernote Nomad if you want 8” Android. They’re primarily focused on the writing experience but they will run most Android apps and Koreader.

The downsides are that they are expensive and the Nomad does not have a front light.

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