Hi people,
Just wondering if you guys tried other readers?
I guess not all of them will work fine due to turn page animations and stuff (I didn't root mine yet).
The kobo one looks pretty slick, and you can import books into their library (though I'd prefer it to work with Calibre).
Well, just to gather some advices!
I find the stock reader to have the best contrast, so I usually use it. Aldiko works fine, but the black of the letters seems more washed out and the background is more white than the "grey" of e-ink.
Success so far with Ezpdf to read pdf (duh) and repligo.
I guess someone commented before that you can't get zoom and orientation change via software. Ezpdf changes orientation and repligo gets zoom.
I want both!!!
Will try epub this afternoon, and comics later on...
Great, thanks for the hints.
Could someone try Kobo? Looks really slick on my Nook Color, I wonder how it rates on the Touch.
Moonreader+ and Coolreader work well and page turns can be made with the hardware buttons. Kindle reader works well too.
I use Calibre and Calibre Library to get books onto the device. Mostly read with the 'stock' reader though.
disabling touch page turns
Do any of the alternative reader apps have the option to disable touch screen page turns, using only the hardware keys? I'm open to non-app software suggestions as well, but I can't really change my reading habits to stop using my finger.
I'm looking for a better reader me too.
After some weeks, what reader you recommend for epub?
Is there one that can read also lit files?
And for pdf?
Many thanks
I've tried a bunch of readers and went with Mantano Reader, available through the droid market: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mantano.reader.android.trial&feature=search_result. This is for a 7 day trial. I like being able to pick the dictionary the program uses and the app is nice. I've been talking with the company about adding touch key support for our Nooks and I believe they might do it with the next update. It's not cheap, it's $8.00 but displays book info and IMHO worth the purchase price.
There is no player that is compatible with the lit format?
Both repligo and ezpdf accept hardware button, and have zoom and orientation change via menus (even though some of them need some guessing, as menus wording is white or missing - I don't know which). Droid comic viewer is a winner too, light and fast (with cbz - as cbr tend to be quite slow).
best reader
Hi, after some testing, I would highly recomend coolreader, due to a few functionalities that other readers lack:
- it's aware you are using nook touch so:
- it has screen refresh options, with the configurable number of refreshes before the full refresh. No more black screen during refresh, refresh is even better that in original B&N reader. No other reader can do that !
- it knows you have four hardware keys, and, it can remap them to anything ! also double and long click, so you can have up to 12 actions assiociated with the hardware buttons.
- screen has 9 tap zones, also configurable, including touch and long touch
- a nice small title bar, you can have some useful info as clock here
- current reading book screensaver buid in. Just have to choose it as any other nook screensaver. Curren book cover copied automatically to the csreensaver directory after opening a book. Simple, but lot of fun.
- registers itself to the android as the EPUB reader, so you can open book directly from B&N library, which is still the best library for nook touch I think.
- plus all other functions as fonts, dictionaries etc..
it's not perfect of course - little slow book opening, no DRM and PDF support. But can still read a lot of formats, as rtf, and doc. even docx.
kefir135:
Very nice review. I've been using CoolReader as well for the past week or so and have come to many similar conclusions. Your review pointed out a few features I was unaware of until now, too:
kefir135 said:
- registers itself to the android as the EPUB reader, so you can open book directly from B&N library, which is still the best library for nook touch I think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never thought of this! I agree the B&N library has the best "browseability". I don't really mind CoolReader's book list/browser, but two things annoyed me right from the start:
1. I had to open EACH book individually to get the covers to show up in the CoolReader library browser.
2. The CoolReader library listings would simply NOT hold the sort order I had given them (e.g., by author, title, etc.).
Other than that, though, I agree with your conclusion. And the HUGE selling point for me is the CoolReader has -- as you stated -- the refresh control. I don't like the slowness of having every page blink BLACK on each turn. It might be a total refresh and won't allow ghosting, but it simply doesn't look good to me.
Thanks again for your thoughts!
Nomad Reader is also very good.
It supports partial refresh, Nook's page turn buttons and you can adjust the contrast.
mdall said:
Nomad Reader is also very good.
It supports partial refresh, Nook's page turn buttons and you can adjust the contrast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently came upon this app as well when I noticed that it mentioned the Nook partial refresh capability (which is why I like CoolReader). I'll have to give this one a try. Thanks for the recommendation!
kefir135 said:
Hi, after some testing, I would highly recomend coolreader, due to a few functionalities that other readers lack:
- current reading book screensaver buid in. Just have to choose it as any other nook screensaver. Curren book cover copied automatically to the csreensaver directory after opening a book. Simple, but lot of fun.
- registers itself to the android as the EPUB reader, so you can open book directly from B&N library, which is still the best library for nook touch I think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have installed CoolReader on my rooted NTR, but the default reader that opens when selecting book from Nook library is still Nook reader. And screen saver is still taking from the current book opened in Nook reader. Is there any other step I have to do to achieve what you told above? Thank you.
The main reason that I use the stock reader is the page numbering - it seems like all of the other readers change the "number of pages" and "what page am i on" based on the current font selection. Stock reader must be able to determine what the "true" page number is so it feels more like a printed book.
I tried CoolReader but there were too many options - and besides the aforementioned page number issue, I didn't like the status bar at the top.
I really have no complaints with the stock reader...
spedinfargo said:
The main reason that I use the stock reader is the page numbering - it seems like all of the other readers change the "number of pages" and "what page am i on" based on the current font selection. Stock reader must be able to determine what the "true" page number is so it feels more like a printed book.
I tried CoolReader but there were too many options - and besides the aforementioned page number issue, I didn't like the status bar at the top.
I really have no complaints with the stock reader...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Status bar can be hide. I like the feature in the CoolReader that I can double tap the word then search the colordict dictionary.
thangnh said:
I have installed CoolReader on my rooted NTR, but the default reader that opens when selecting book from Nook library is still Nook reader. And screen saver is still taking from the current book opened in Nook reader. Is there any other step I have to do to achieve what you told above? Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my case nook asks me which application should open the book chosen in Library application. Maybe you have selected "Always use this app" in this dialog earlier. Try to install another reader or remove and install cool reader again.
Regarding the screensaver, cool reader stores the book cover in a screensaver directory. Just open nook settings and select Current book screensaver.
millertary said:
Do any of the alternative reader apps have the option to disable touch screen page turns, using only the hardware keys? I'm open to non-app software suggestions as well, but I can't really change my reading habits to stop using my finger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use fbreader, then customize the zones of the touch screen to disable any action on touch.
ace7196 said:
You can use fbreader, then customize the zones of the touch screen to disable any action on touch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the same applies for coolreader too.
Related
I was wondering if there was some other eReader out there that I could install on my rooted NC. The one that comes with the NC is pretty basic I was also hoping that I could find one that has text-to-voice.
Any advice ?
The only one I know that can do text to voice is called Wordplayer but it's a pretty clunky app.
You can try Moon Reader which is pretty good and has a fancy 3d page turning affect.
But my ultimate recommendation is to stick to the build in app since no other app will have access to B&N purchased stuff. And if you don't use B&N, you should return your nook.
Pinesal said:
And if you don't use B&N, you should return your nook.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the recommendations I will look those apps up. I would never return my NC. Even tho I don't use the B&N store I have 100's of books that are ePub and work perfectly well on my Nook. B&N is not the only source for books.
Cheers
FBReader is what I use.. I didn't like Moon+ because it's WAY too easy to flick when I want to turn; and I don't like flicking to scroll personally.. I like to just tap and let it change the page..
I've found the B&N Book app is slow as balls, has anyone else noticed that? I have some epub's that load fine on my computer, Moon+, FBReader... but they take 2+ minutes to open in the B&N reader app.
I'll just keep using FBReader. If I actually have some B&N books (buy or borrow from wife) I'll use the built-in but otherwise.. Oh, and for night reading, I like white on BLACK with the brightness down, TYVM. No more white on grey.
FYI, this is how I set up FBReader:
First off, you gotta have Softkeys working so you can hit the menu button as the notification/status bar is hidden by default. I personally set the Softkeys tool to Double-click home button and launch Softkeys, works pretty well when I need to access it.
So then hit the Menu, pick the More option, then the Settings option. Fiirst thing I do is to make it easier to get to settings and such, I go into Appearance and check Show status bar. Then in the Scrolling options, I uncheck everything. That makes it scroll on tap, and scrolls "up down", ie: you tap the bottom half of the screen anywhere, and it scrolls down. top half anyway, scrolls up. If you like the left/right (like the Nook app does), leave the "Horizontal Scrolling" option checked.
As for book locations, you guys might have a place you put them.. I left it /sdcard/Books and just put my epubs there for now. I might revise this later so the Nook app and FBReader are looking in the same place.
Pinesal said:
And if you don't use B&N, you should return your nook.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for telling us how to use our stuff.
Thibor69 said:
Thanks for the recommendations I will look those apps up. I would never return my NC. Even tho I don't use the B&N store I have 100's of books that are ePub and work perfectly well on my Nook. B&N is not the only source for books.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, of you have a source of free ebooks then that's cool. But if you are buying books, B&N should be your first stop. They built the awesome tablet and some suspect that he hardware is subsidized by book sales. Just a recommendation. I mean if you can find book cheaper somewhere else, I guess the choice is obvious.
Thibor69 said:
Thanks for the recommendations I will look those apps up. I would never return my NC. Even tho I don't use the B&N store I have 100's of books that are ePub and work perfectly well on my Nook. B&N is not the only source for books.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forget using the B&N store. If your going to buy a book i'd recommend Amazon solely based on their whispersync.
As far as ereaders apps, i have tried most of them. FYI the smoothest browser i've found so far has been Opera 10. With skyfire being second and dolphin HD third although its pretty slow. My current favorites ereaders are Aldiko, and the Amazon Kindle reader. Both run much smoother on the nook than the stock app.
Aldiko: It will read several different types and will allow you to import epub files directly which is great if your have a lot of epub books. I like the layout of the books a little bit better than fbreader but thats a personal preferance. Fb reader has a lot of the same features. They both allow you to change the brighness of the screen on the fly but sliding your finger vertically along the left side of the page. I think thats a great feature that i wish more apps would incoporate.
Amazon Kindle:
I use this a little bit differently. If you have an account with them it allows you to use their whispersync. This basically syncs up the page number you are on across different devices, this works for books you already have not just ones you buy from them. This allows me to read things on my nook and on my phone without having to chase down my current position in the book on each device. I also like that it offers a sepia background option.
Importing books you already have or books from other sources is a little more involved with the kindle app. I use a free program called calibre to convert my ebooks, any format, to a .mobi format. Then you have to copy them onto the sd card of each device you want to read them on. Dropbox is your friend with this.
If you buy the book off amazon you don't have to go through this as you can just download them from amazon. But i'm not one to buy books really so i have to go through all the steps.
Anyway good luck, this post got long quickly.
A side note, sightly off topic: The NC can view any epub or txt file uploaded to your SD card., so even if you don't get your material from B&N you can still use the NC very well.
http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/nook/3902-side-loading-books-not-buying-frm-b-n.html#post22438
Aldiko is my personal favorite. (epub format)
Hi, I have rooted nook touch and now want to find a handy google reader app.
I have tried the following apps:
newsrob: This is the app that is closest to what I want except that the cons is unacceptable.
pros: font is large and clear. plenty of configurable functions (sync, display, etc.)
cons: no on screen pagedown/up button and the page scroll is very unresponsive. Often need
4 - 5 times try for a scroll.
greader pro:
pros: plenty of configurable functions (sync, display, etc.), screen zoom in/out
cons: font is dim. no on screen pagedown/up button and the page scroll is unresponsive, a bit better than newsrob?
easyrss:
could not remember clearly the pros and cons. Still not handy though.
google reader website:
tried several browser but the font is small. page scroll is hard though.
I found that the biggest problem for google reader apps on nook touch is that
the page down/up is difficult.
I want an app or web browser solution that satisfies:
large/clear font
on screen pagedown/up button.
Thanks.
I went with newsrob because of the font size changes. I only tried a few others including google reader. I found the site http://fulltextrssfeed.com/ useful for getting the full article rss feed address instead of just the summary. It is nice way of gaining the full article to read when you are away from wifi.
I will stick with newsrob until I find something better.
do you have the problem of unresponsive page scroll?
I've been working with the dev to use the NST page up/down, so here it is. Note it does not sync with Google Reader, but it's easy enough to grab the OMPL file from the site and download it via dropbox/etc.
Enjoy
It's my favorite by far so far (for the NST). Note scrolling with the finger still has issues...seems to be a screen issue with our device. Hard keys are better anyways
ace7196 said:
I've been working with the dev to use the NST page up/down, so here it is. Note it does not sync with Google Reader, but it's easy enough to grab the OMPL file from the site and download it via dropbox/etc.
Enjoy
It's my favorite by far so far (for the NST). Note scrolling with the finger still has issues...seems to be a screen issue with our device. Hard keys are better anyways
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a bit confused. Is the apk you are offering modified to allow use of the hard-keys? Or are you just saying that you like this app even though it does not currently have hard-key compatibility but that you hope that hard-key use is forthcoming by this dev?
[update]
I downloaded the apk. Hard keys do not seem to be working.
[update 2]
I spoke too soon. Since I'm right handed I tend to only use the right side hard keys.
The left side hard keys work but, the right side hardkeys do not work. Left side's better than nothing!
I've been testing several google reader apps, and here is a quick comparison of the best ones I've found for the NST:
NewsRob
Pros:
- Works with side buttons (for both article and page switch).
Cons:
- Annoying article list bug: when you go back from article view, the article list is not at the same scrolling position it was before.
- Free version forces to sync all your google reader feeds.
- Font sizes are less than ideal.
SparseRSS
Pros:
- Simple and lightweight.
- ace7196's build have support for left side buttons.
- Free and open source.
Cons:
- Also have the article list bug.
- Doesn't sync with google reader and doesn't support folders.
GoodNews
Pros:
- Works with side buttons (sometimes needs pressing twice).
- Only app I've found that doesn't have the article list bug.
Cons:
- Offline sync doesn't download images and is quite slow.
- Interface is not very e-ink friendly (you can tweak the apk files, though. I removed most ugly color gradients)
For now, I am sticking with GoodNews and only missing offline images feature, but it is very nice anyway.
I use gReader, its contrast is not great, but can sync with google reader and can adjust font size
marspeople said:
GoodNews
Pros:
- Works with side buttons (sometimes needs pressing twice).
- Only app I've found that doesn't have the article list bug.
Cons:
- Offline sync doesn't download images and is quite slow.
- Interface is not very e-ink friendly (you can tweak the apk files, though. I removed most ugly color gradients)
For now, I am sticking with GoodNews and only missing offline images feature, but it is very nice anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you post the modified apk? I would like to try GoodNews. Thanks
sugarwaterdown said:
Could you post the modified apk? I would like to try GoodNews. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go. It seems the developer will soon launch a 4.0 beta version, which I am eager to try.
official google reader app?
I just got a nook touch and used official google reader app last night, that seems to be pretty good. Has font size settings and the text is very readable, not grayed out like some websites in the browser.
Page-like reading?
Hi, I've been following this post for a while. I love my NST but I would really like to have a RSS reader that allows me to read in a page-like format, scrolling with the e-ink screen sucks and google currents and feedly do offer a page-like reading experience (much closer to an e-book) but both require newer version of Android. I've tried every other application out there without much luck so if anyone has some suggestion I'd really appreciate it.
Daniel
Hi,
I really would love to have Pulse News on the Nook and you can even install it. But probably due to the fact that it uses Flash for its animations, the app crashes right after the splash screen where I presume the Flash starts.
I noticed on my HTC that you can disable Flash in the Pulse-settings. Is it somehow possible to modify the settings without starting the app? Or maybe make an APK where Flash is disabled by default or something like that.
I have Pulse installed on mine, only that it's an older version of it that I download somewhere. Try some apk's, one for sure will work but the market version won't.
I still like SparseRSS the best, simple and fast.
Two issues:
-Frequently get "error: broken pipe" or "error: line 2.."
This probably happens to 1 out of every 10-20 feeds, so after the refresh is done, I have to individually refresh each one that returned an error.. a hassle.
-No folders - any plans for folders in the future? Hard to use when you follow 50 rss feeds
philofellow said:
Hi, I have rooted nook touch and now want to find a handy google reader app.
I have tried the following apps:
newsrob: This is the app that is closest to what I want except that the cons is unacceptable.
pros: font is large and clear. plenty of configurable functions (sync, display, etc.)
cons: no on screen pagedown/up button and the page scroll is very unresponsive. Often need
4 - 5 times try for a scroll.
greader pro:
pros: plenty of configurable functions (sync, display, etc.), screen zoom in/out
cons: font is dim. no on screen pagedown/up button and the page scroll is unresponsive, a bit better than newsrob?
easyrss:
could not remember clearly the pros and cons. Still not handy though.
google reader website:
tried several browser but the font is small. page scroll is hard though.
I found that the biggest problem for google reader apps on nook touch is that
the page down/up is difficult.
I want an app or web browser solution that satisfies:
large/clear font
on screen pagedown/up button.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi philofellow
i dont know have anybody told you that
NewsRob.4.8.7.Pro
can download full article
and the font is big enagh
and you can use the physical button to scroll pagedown/up
is that you need?
my english is poor
thank you
desc4d said:
Hi, I've been following this post for a while. I love my NST but I would really like to have a RSS reader that allows me to read in a page-like format, scrolling with the e-ink screen sucks and google currents and feedly do offer a page-like reading experience (much closer to an e-book) but both require newer version of Android. I've tried every other application out there without much luck so if anyone has some suggestion I'd really appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly an RSS aggregator solution for the NST, but you can use Calibre on your desktop to read RSS feeds and create an .epub from them. You can then set Calibre to email it to you, or create a dropbox script, or something similar on your desktop so you can retrieve the files remotely.
I'm doing this for several newspaper "subscriptions".
The big plus is that I can use the native B&N reader with all its associated features.
Newsrob has very small font. Is there a way how to make it larger?
Is it so small that you can't see it? Or is it as small as the smallest font for reader?
how to scroll down a article in sparse rss? I can't swipe and the side buttons neither work. thanks for a hint.
Runs now fine, sorry for spamming.
Has anyone tried rssdemon?
edit2: rssdemon is perfect for the nst!
brendan10211 said:
Is it so small that you can't see it? Or is it as small as the smallest font for reader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the font used in the list of unread items is too small and probably cannot be changed. I can change the font while reading particular item but not the font used in the list.
I recently got my NST and I simply love it. So much lighter and easier to carry than my Nook Color... So my question is: is there an alternate library app available? Something that has a bookshelf display like the B&N app, but can launch any ereader program I specify? Reason being, Fbreader is my reading app of choice, but it does not show up as a launch option from the B&N library. But when I launch epubs from something like ES file manager, the option to use Fbreader pops up. I would love to be able to select my book from a bookshelf and launch into Fbreader if possible... any advice would be great!
I use cool reader and I am asked to choose a reader when opening a book from B&N library. Are you sure that you didn't set the stock reader as default previously?
There are a few in development, such as EpubBrowser and eBookLauncher. Both have their own problems, some are just features that have yet to be implemented, others are severe and cause the screen to flash continuously even in the screen saver. I'm thinking the eBookLauncher will go farther though.
cceerrtt said:
I use cool reader and I am asked to choose a reader when opening a book from B&N library. Are you sure that you didn't set the stock reader as default previously?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had the same experience with cool reader, but for some reason I don't like the font quality. It doesn't look really sharp like real type to me. Also, it seemed to add big line spaces between paragraphs on some of the books I was reading. I have Fbreader, cool reader, mantano reader currently loaded, but fbreader does not show up as a choice when I launch from the B&N bookshelf.
Googie2149 said:
There are a few in development, such as EpubBrowser and eBookLauncher. Both have their own problems, some are just features that have yet to be implemented, others are severe and cause the screen to flash continuously even in the screen saver. I'm thinking the eBookLauncher will go farther though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I like these too, the issue is that I am really happy with the customizations I made with my go launcher setup, I really just want a library bookshelf like the B&N one....
Personally I think that the native Reader.apk is just fine.
This thread started about alternative libraries.
I have a Library.apk replacement that I've been working on.
It probably only suits me, though.
I don't keep a lot of books on my Nook, just a handful.
I don't use bookshelves.
I don't care for cover thumbnails since they are not supplied with many books.
I do care about lending expiration dates for books from my library. It shows those.
How many books do you folks keep on your Nooks?
Renate NST said:
How many books do you folks keep on your Nooks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anywhere between 3 and 15 at a time. Not many, and most I'm never going to read, I just keep them there because I 'want' to read them.
Hi, i find standard library.apk almost perfect too, but i wish a way to incorporate the calibre description for sideload books like those purchased trough B&N site
someone has succeded?
rawos said:
Hi, i find standard library.apk almost perfect too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I hate Library.apk. It's Reader.apk that I can live with.
It's Shop.apk that show you the info on books.
It's responsible for that really lame screen when you hit "More" on the Reader screen.
That's the one where it can only tell you the local file path of the book that you're reading.
This is through my own Library.apk, which replaces Home.apk and Shop.apk also.
You can either long click on a book in the search list or hit "More" in Reader.
Since I play it straight with library books, I like to know when they expire.
Just to show you all the stuff going on under the hood.
Here is a diagram of all the intents used in Home/Library/Reader/Shop.
Oh! It reduced it to nothing, even when you click on it.
The full version (3000 x 1250 pixels) is attached as a zip.
Here's a better version of the intents of the B&N reader stuff.
derelict said:
I've had the same experience with cool reader, but for some reason I don't like the font quality. It doesn't look really sharp like real type to me. Also, it seemed to add big line spaces between paragraphs on some of the books I was reading. I have Fbreader, cool reader, mantano reader currently loaded, but fbreader does not show up as a choice when I launch from the B&N bookshelf.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tested quite a number of apps and I really like that Cool Reader has an incredible amount of options to configure how it looks. In the image you can see how I configured it, totally minimally.
Cool Reader does a great job of reflowing the text with justification, hanging punctuation, hyphenation, kerning... I have not found any other app that could do this. The photo is what Cool Reader made from a simple textfile. And it even supports the buttons of the NST without any hacking.
But as you said, the rendering quality of the font is not that great. You can add custom fonts, on the photo it is the Windows version of Garamond (strangely, Adobe Garamond Pro looks significantly worse).
For the moment I am sticking with the default reader app and use it on PDFs that I prepared manually on my PC. That way I get really good type (using Garamond Pro). But of course that is more work.
Was liest du?
Renate NST said:
Was liest du?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafka_on_the_shore
Renate NST said:
Personally I think that the native Reader.apk is just fine.
This thread started about alternative libraries.
I have a Library.apk replacement that I've been working on.
It probably only suits me, though.
I don't keep a lot of books on my Nook, just a handful.
I don't use bookshelves.
I don't care for cover thumbnails since they are not supplied with many books.
I do care about lending expiration dates for books from my library. It shows those.
How many books do you folks keep on your Nooks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So... newby here. I love my nook touch glow, but i hate the library, i wish i can see more info, (series, autor, genre), any sugestions? pretty please?
Well, my app is just a boring list of books, about 15/page, sortable a couple of ways.
A long press brings up some metadata, including when the library book expires.
I've never run into series, so it doesn't do that.
I've modified Reader.apk so that it uses the "Back" button, handy for returning directly to the library.
After seeing the screenshots of some of the nice graphical libraries folks have produced, I'm loath to oversell my app.
It's really quite minimal.
Renate NST said:
Well, my app is just a boring list of books, about 15/page, sortable a couple of ways.
A long press brings up some metadata, including when the library book expires.
I've never run into series, so it doesn't do that.
I've modified Reader.apk so that it uses the "Back" button, handy for returning directly to the library.
After seeing the screenshots of some of the nice graphical libraries folks have produced, I'm loath to oversell my app.
It's really quite minimal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. You are so kind. Since I dont know almost anything about android progamming, (and english isnt my first languaje) I hoping you can help me (or point me somwhere) to do this. I tried to remap the buttons but when i did replace the android.policy.jar i bricked my nook (glow) so i had to restore it.
I also wish i could have a quick way to navigate the library, (like lists) or something because a i like to read 3 or 4 books at the same time.
Any Ideas? I tried relaunch but its to slow...
Anyway, Im rambling.... thanks!
A quick response:
Yes, the android.policy.jar is incompatible between the Touch and the Glow.
I use edited smali which causes the "n" button to go directly to the launcher.
With that, the QuickNav, the buttons at the bottom never appear.
I think that you need the QuickNav to turn on the glow, correct?
Renate NST said:
A quick response:
Yes, the android.policy.jar is incompatible between the Touch and the Glow.
I use edited smali which causes the "n" button to go directly to the launcher.
With that, the QuickNav, the buttons at the bottom never appear.
I think that you need the QuickNav to turn on the glow, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, well the n button also turns off/on the light, but i would like anyway to put shortcuts ther for another apps, like cool reader, because the way i have it its just to much fuss to change readers!!! any suggestions!!!
I like the look and feel of the standard library app, but I hate the way you have to search through it. I have all my metadata set up but you can't access it. FBreader does allow the reading of tags, but I'm not sure if I like the gui yet.
Which apps support metadata?
1. It is posible?
2. How?
3. What you can edit in library.apk?
Yes, I have my own Library.apk (that's in a thread here somewhere).
No, it's nowhere as flashy as your version but it serves my needs.
It just uses a basic list but it displays library expiration dates which are important to me.
You must change the whole library.apk? or configure someting in /data/data...
You have to write your own application, or coerce somebody into doing it.
Somebody do it !!!
I actually stopped by to see if there was anything out there like what the OP is asking for, either a custom ROM or launcher or even just a better library app. I'm honestly kind of shocked that there isn't something like this out there. I guess devices like this don't get a ton of home brew mods like phones do?
Headcase_Fargone said:
I actually stopped by to see if there was anything out there like what the OP is asking for, either a custom ROM or launcher or even just a better library app. I'm honestly kind of shocked that there isn't something like this out there. I guess devices like this don't get a ton of home brew mods like phones do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I finally dumped the stock B&N reader and library after losing shelves too many times and wanting to read PDFs. I've replaced both with Mantano Reader, which works well on the NST, and handles epubs and PDFs nicely. I've used Nook Touch Tools to remap my QuickLaunch Libary buttons to take me to the Mantano home screen and I never even see the B&N stuff anymore.
Mantano also has a for-fee cloud sync service that I'm using to keep reading positions and collections consistent between several devices.
I think now I've got a Mantano Simple Touch reader.
bobstro said:
I finally dumped the stock B&N reader and library after losing shelves too many times and wanting to read PDFs. I've replaced both with Mantano Reader, which works well on the NST, and handles epubs and PDFs nicely. I've used Nook Touch Tools to remap my QuickLaunch Libary buttons to take me to the Mantano home screen and I never even see the B&N stuff anymore.
Mantano also has a for-fee cloud sync service that I'm using to keep reading positions and collections consistent between several devices.
I think now I've got a Mantano Simple Touch reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent you a PM on this, you've got me curious. Do the hardware buttons work with this reader? I take it you just launch Mantano whenever you reboot the device and stay in it? Any shortcomings?
Headcase_Fargone said:
Sent you a PM on this, you've got me curious. Do the hardware buttons work with this reader? I take it you just launch Mantano whenever you reboot the device and stay in it? Any shortcomings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the left buttons work. You can't customize them, but they do work. Lower is forward, upper is back.
I replaced the B&N Library option with Mantano on the QuickLaunch menu using Nook Touch Tools. It provides pretty much the same functionality. I also pointed the recent read button to Mantano. Now I don't see the B&N reader or library at all.
On 1st boot, I am in ADW until I launch an app. After that, I pick from my most used (Mantano, Maildroid, Calendar Pad, Astrid Tasks, Orientation) off the QuickLaunch menu.
There are any number of things that annoy me about the stock B&N reader.
I've been writing my own reader app from the ground up.
It's missing a lot of features, but it's still become my standard reader.
I have a lot of technical references in PDF.
At least my reader will allow me to see them in landscape mode fit to width.
The app has adjustable overscan to get rid of the paper margins.
For EPUBs, there are 17 font sizes, 30 margin sizes, 21 line spacings.
EPUBs or PDFs can be viewed in either orientation.
The app is eInk smart but runs on standard cell phones too.
I assume that you plan on making this app available to the community at some point. When you are ready for other users to test, I would be glad to volunteer.
Yes, as soon as I get rid of the worst bugs, I'll let this loose.
It doesn't have text search or word lookup or annotations or bookmarks.
From MY perspective, bookmarks would be priority #1, followed by dictionary look up. I have never used annotations or word search, though I am sure others have.
Just my $0.02. Other's opinions will vary.
From MY perspective, dictionary look up would be priority #1, and never bookmarks, as I am Russian speaking person. I have never used annotations or word search.
Just my $0.02. Good luck in your efforts.
I'm still working on this.
One of the things I found most lacking was good navigation on large PDFs.
It can get a bit hairy dealing with the table of contents on some PDFs.
Sometimes a page number is more specific than a TOC entry and sometimes it's the other way around.
Will you be supporting mobi files as well ?
It seems it's hard to find a nice reader that support both epub and mobi ...
No, it will not read MOBI.
MOBI is a really stupid format based on database files for Palm OS.
EPUB is a halfway reasonable format.
HTML based reflowable text and a table of contents.
What more do you need?
Of course, all the manufacturers (like Kindle) are pushing for whiz-bang HTML5 formats.
Renate NST said:
No, it will not read MOBI.
MOBI is a really stupid format based on database files for Palm OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) I really liked Palm
just kidding, nostalgia kicked in
2) I already have some books in MOBI format, that's why I'm asking.
Yes, I know I can convert them to EPUB ...
Thanks!
Finally ready for a super pre-alpha preview.
Very short user manual:
Hit the right screen edge or PAGEDOWN for forward a whole page
Hit the left screen edge or PAGEUP for backward a whole page
Hit the top screen edge for the navigation menu
Hit the bottom screen edge for table of contents view
Hit the middle of the screen when viewing PDFs to go down a chunk of one page
(These 4 edges are actually the edges of the page view.
When the TOC is showing, the left edge will be somewhere in the middle of the screen.)
There are separate config dialogs for EPUB and PDF.
In TOC view, the +/- are indicators and not controls.
The app tries to keep everything as compact as possible.
TOC scrolls with a drag, selects with a push on a chapter title, dismisses with a bottom push in the page side.
You can call up navigate, page forwards and backwards while the TOC is showing.
A single empty square and the title indicates that the PDF has no TOC.
The eInk special handling only works with 1.2.1 software.
If you are using nofresh/fast refresh/whatever, then no guarantee nor interest in what it will do.
It may be self-delusion, but it seems to me that the text is clearer than the stock reader?
You can just install this as a regular app.
You can set it as default for EPUB or PDF separately.
Unless you're me, you shouldn't get rid of the stock reader just yet. :cyclops:
Hmm, I'm not sure if it will handle Last Reading Point correctly if you are using the stock library.
Oh! It will list all the fonts on your system, but it won't handle the fonts that the underlying library files don't like.
Renate NST said:
Unless you're me, you shouldn't get rid of the stock reader just yet. :cyclops:
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First problem: On my nook it didn't show up in adw so I can't run it
richardcoop said:
On my nook it didn't show up in adw...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it wouldn't, would it?
The stock reader doesn't show up there either.
For an application to show up in a launcher its AndroidManifest.xml would have to have:
Code:
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
File viewers normally don't have that, they are invoked by other intents.
Use your "Last Read" icon, a library application or a file manager to open an EPUB or a PDF.
Renate NST said:
Finally ready for a super pre-alpha preview.
I
It may be self-delusion, but it seems to me that the text is clearer than the stock reader?
You can just install this as a regular app.
You can set it as default for EPUB or PDF separately.
Hmm, I'm not sure if it will handle Last Reading Point correctly if you are using the stock library.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Think the text is clearer!
Doesn't remember the Last Reading Point for me but not using the stock library.
---------- Post added at 10:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 PM ----------
Also, looses my place when the screen saver kicks in.
Thanks for the good work Renate. I think the display is better than other epub/pdf readers and maybe stock reader too. As most of my reading is done with my Glow version in bed, a "Night Mode" switch for white font on black background would be great if possible?
Thanks again.
richardcoop said:
Also, loses my place when the screen saver kicks in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the integration between a reader app and a library app is close.
Tracking of last point is usually done in the library app.
I was planning on adding a single LRP directly in the reader for files that aren't tracked in the library.
Is it possible to run this on an Android 2.3.4 installation or its code assumes a Nook?
The reason I ask, is because I have a Kobo Glo with android installed, and I would like to check it there, if it is e-Ink optimized.
The problem with supporting eInk is that the interface classes in Java are all different.
Even in the Nook 1.1, 1.1.5. 1.3 are incompatible with 1.2.1
(Notice that the latest 1.3 on the white Nook uses an older scheme than the 1.2.1)
They all use android.hardware.EpdController in /system/framework/framework.jar
I have no idea what the Kobo is using.
I can guarantee that the application posted above will do no special eInk handling as it checks the system build fingerprint for compatibility.
If you are using Nook 1.1.5 or 1.3 it will also not do any special eInk handling.
The application should work on any device if you copy over these two library files:
/system/lib/libpdfhost.so
/system/lib/libbndeviceinfo.so
I have this app running on my (old) Kyocera Rise (cell phone).
It should run (without any special eInk handling) on your Kobo.
Anything further would require research and programming.
Renate NST said:
Hmm, I'm not sure if it will handle Last Reading Point correctly if you are using the stock library.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not handle Last Reading Point correctly when using the stock library.
Great work! I used this for all of 10 minutes and the potential is evident. With some more of your excellent development work you will have a real winner on your hands.
Question, as this obviously will not read books with B&N DRM, is there some way to make this reader the default when using your library app and allow the stock reader to be the default when using the stock library? Perhaps a setting in your library app to use either the "device default" (stock or other) reader or Temblast Reader specifically when a book is selected.
With regard to the text being clearer than the stock reader, I don't notice a difference. However, I am using the Tweaked Modded ROM, which states:
"Forced all rendering to be done on the GPU." I noticed the text was darker using this ROM when I first installed it. Perhaps your reader essentially does the same thing? This might account for the those who notice the text being clearer when using your reader.
David0226 said:
"Forced all rendering to be done on the GPU."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, that's not what I explicitly did, but maybe it's effectively what I did.
Font display doesn't seem as good as stock reader upon closer inspection.
For PDF reader I still use two particular versions of Repligo and ezPDF-Reader both: fast, full of options and pinch in-out for zoom on txt/image based files and more, opening all pdfs.
The epub reader is suffering on some files with wrapping longer lines so I get remainder lines with two or three words, unless fonts are much smaller even with little margins so back to AlReader and FBReader I'm afraid.