Related
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.
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.
Has anyone tried this app to see how well it works?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.nightwhistler.pageturner.ads
I found it to work great between my Nexus 7 and my Galaxy Nexus, and I'm wondering if it's worth nootering my Nook for
For anyone willing to try it out, you simply import the epub file on both devices, then after reading on one, from the other, with the book open, press menu and "sync reading progress". After that, I think it stays synchronized between the two devices as best I can tell.
Keep in mind for testing that the sync uploads and downloads don't appear to be instant so it might take a few minutes for changes to get pushed, which is fine by me.
I spent a long time trying to find a good solution for a reader app that would stay synced between devices and I found this one to be the best! Hope it works well on the Nook!
Just installed, when i open it, it just flashes and go back to launcher screen.
Tried it also, same result. It's a pity... Sounded promising.
can anybody get a logcat of the app crash? I'm going to point the dev to this thread..
i never did a logcat before, i hope its right.
just opened ddms, opened logcat, then go to pageturner and opened, this is the result:
http://pastebin.com/h4JXacPg
wont you be better of using fbreader and fbsync plugin.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.asd.fbsync&hl=en
PageTurner for Nook Touch
I've been working on getting PageTurner to work with the Nook Touch.
The changes aren't in the main PageTurner build, but you can get a preliminary test build here:
http://www.projectgus.com/files/pageturner/PageTurner.apk
Please let me know if you find any issues. The PageTurner author Alex hasn't reviewed the changes yet, but in theory he's happy to merge them - so at some point the Google Play versions (PageTurner Pro, etc.) will also support Nook Touch.
Source is at
https://github.com/projectgus/PageTurner/tree/nook_touch
Changes for Nook Touch:
* Fix segfault at startup (seems no OpenType font support on Nook Touch.)
* Support hardware buttons for page forward/back (direction configurable in Settings.)
* Better defaults (disable animations, bigger font, etc.)
* Workaround broken Nook theming, so no white-on-white text in dialogs.
* Disable the shelf background image.
installed and it work \o/
I have not test all function for the moment. but try all this week
Envoyé depuis mon GT-N7100 avec Tapatalk
I'm quickly chiming in as the author of PageTurner... I don't own a Nook myself so I can't test it.
I have been coordinating with projectgus to see which changes are needed for the app to support the Nook without compromising other devices.
In the mean-time please post your experiences, either here or in the PageTurner forums or Github page... especially if something doesn't work right or crashes the app, I'd like the hear it.
NightWhistler said:
In the mean-time please post your experiences, either here or in the PageTurner forums or Github page... especially if something doesn't work right or crashes the app, I'd like the hear it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi NightWhistler,
For my part I've been using PageTurner on my NST daily with no crashes. I'm loving being able to read on my Nook and seamlessly switch to my phone. Battery life seems very good also, even with the wifi left on.
I have some commits for the comments you gave me on github, I just want to test them a tiny bit more and then I'll push them.
I did change my font from Gentium Book Basic to Droid, I got eyestrain reading on my Nook with Gentium. It might just be me, or it might be the sub-par font rendering on e-ink displays (Android libskia still has anti-aliasing enabled but the screen doesn't render it well.) My eyes are fine with Droid, and I still use Gentium on my phone!.
I noticed one weird thing, which is PageTurner seemed to forget my (local, not synced) book position one time. I noticed because I opened the book on a tram so I didn't have wifi available to do a networked sync. I'll try to reproduce this and let you know, I don't think it's Nook related.
Great e-reader in general. I'm looking into the possibility of making an update that removes everything from my Nook apart from it (because I don't really use it for anything else.) It's not really necessary though, works fine for me now.
Cheers,
Angus
Have posted a second test build, incorporates Alex's latest changes and should fix the bug I mentioned above (PageTurner Nook sometimes forgetting where you were up to if the sync server was unavailable.)
http://www.projectgus.com/files/pageturner/PageTurner.apk
Commits also pushed to github. Comments & bug reports from NST users very welcome.
Just installed on my nst. Unfortunately I need an access key to test the sync feature.
I'll try it for awhile and see how it does before deciding...
Thanks for paying attention to NST users though!
Hmm, I can imagine that you'd like to test the sync feature before deciding if it's worth paying for.
On Google Play you can do that by using the ad-supported version, but there is no ad-supported version of the dev build yet.
Here's the alternative though: you can e-mail me at [email protected] and I'll send you a trial key for free that expires after a week.
If more people are interested in this I can set up something more formal / automated for it.
dtexan said:
Just installed on my nst. Unfortunately I need an access key to test the sync feature.
I'll try it for awhile and see how it does before deciding...
Thanks for paying attention to NST users though!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NightWhistler said:
Hmm, I can imagine that you'd like to test the sync feature before deciding if it's worth paying for.
On Google Play you can do that by using the ad-supported version, but there is no ad-supported version of the dev build yet.
Here's the alternative though: you can e-mail me at [email protected] and I'll send you a trial key for free that expires after a week.
If more people are interested in this I can set up something more formal / automated for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't mind, I'll send you an email asking you for a temporary code to try it on my nook before deciding if I should buy it
albertocalle said:
If you don't mind, I'll send you an email asking you for a temporary code to try it on my nook before deciding if I should buy it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, smart thinking
I've formalized it a bit now, all the temp keys have an automatic lifetime of 30 days... that should give you enough time to try it out.
I would like to ask that you grab the APK file from the beta folder on the site. There's a link at the top of my dev blog (I'm not allowed to post links here).
That's the beta build I'm currently testing... it should be pretty stable, but I want to get as many bugs out as I can before putting it in the Google Play Market.
Thanks for the app it works really well, syncing on my phone tablet and nook simple touch. Is there a way of changing it so the screen updates fully every six page turns as in stock nook app.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA Premium HD app
ian929 said:
(...) Is there a way of changing it so the screen updates fully every six page turns as in stock nook app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't own a Nook myself right now (any pointers on webstores that will ship one to the Netherlands are very welcome!), so I can't really implement that behaviour at the moment.
If someone can send me a patch for it I'll gladly accept it
A new NST on eBay goes for about £55 including postage to you.
There is a post in android development regarding a custom kernel and fast mode there may be some info that is useful to you there.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA Premium HD app
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.
Edit: Sorry, I had to remove this app when it was brought to my attention recently and I found it was NOT the appI had thought it was :-( It does NOT display properly on the NST/G. Still looking for the one I remember and if I find it I will update this post.
I stumbled across a brief reference to this app buried in another thread from long ago and thought I'd bring it back into the light. Market apps for crossword puzzles seldom work well on the NST, many of them having issues with partially disappearing keyboards.
The app attached below is actually from the Nook Color! It installs and runs just fine on the NST (probably NSTG as well). It has a nice, clean UI--with a custom keyboard that doesn't disappear. Puzzles can be selected by difficulty level.
The drawback: there seems to be no way to get more puzzles. But for casual use, it's great--and the price is right
This app appears to work on the Glowlight Plus also. However, it seems to be pixel mapped, so it appears very small on the higher resolution screen.
are there any services that generate hints?
Great idea! I will gladly support any effort to port/fork/customize/make such app better.
On my Glow3...
Renate said:
On my Glow3...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've actually learned a few things since my original post (shocking!). Just a cursory inspection of the apk file reveals the stored puzzles in res/raw. There appear to be 100 of them and they are actually in a known format (.puz)!
I've not tried adding anything yet (it's probably not that simple), but here is a site with lots of information about obtaining .puz files for use in Across Lite (a puzzle creating and solving platform): https://communicrossings.com/crosswords-sources-web-sites
Maybe I'll pursue this. I do actually have a very old Crossword app that works well across all my devices and can download new puzzles daily from a variety of sources. I don't even recall where I got it but it has clearly been "modified" in some fashion by someone. Most features work on the NST except for updating the list of puzzle sources. For some reason this fails on the NST although it works on other devices. Probably an SSL issue. But as there are quite a few sources in the "old" list, it's fine for the NST where I don't generally spend a lot of time doing puzzles. But it's there when I need a break from reading or just idle entertainment waiting in a doctor's office, etc.
Edit: I lied. There are actually 189 puzzles (easy, medium, hard, themeless).
nmyshkin said:
I've actually learned a few things since my original post (shocking!). Just a cursory inspection of the apk file reveals the stored puzzles in res/raw. There appear to be 100 of them and they are actually in a known format (.puz)!
I've not tried adding anything yet (it's probably not that simple), but here is a site with lots of information about obtaining .puz files for use in Across Lite (a puzzle creating and solving platform): https://communicrossings.com/crosswords-sources-web-sites
Maybe I'll pursue this. I do actually have a very old Crossword app that works well across all my devices and can download new puzzles daily from a variety of sources. I don't even recall where I got it but it has clearly been "modified" in some fashion by someone. Most features work on the NST except for updating the list of puzzle sources. For some reason this fails on the NST although it works on other devices. Probably an SSL issue. But as there are quite a few sources in the "old" list, it's fine for the NST where I don't generally spend a lot of time doing puzzles. But it's there when I need a break from reading or just idle entertainment waiting in a doctor's office, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the crossword app that works across all of your devices same as the one attached to the first post of this thread? You have my support in doing this man. We think similar in approaching the problem. I would also have started from the file type and then go further. I need to look up that platform and attached link. Say if you need any help with this. I need to check crosswords in my language and is there any available site to download them. It might be futile effort for NST without keyboard change. As for SSL problem it starts to be such pain in the a$$ that someone is going to lose patience and find the way to solve it by programming or find the way to obfuscate it through NST as dashboard and any newer phone as server for example. That was also one of the approaches I proposed for missing GPS. Now I rarely need GPS on NST however making it better in terms of book and newspaper device I am all for it.
SJT75 said:
Is the crossword app that works across all of your devices same as the one attached to the first post of this thread?
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Click to collapse
No, that app of questionable origin is different.
SJT75 said:
You have my support in doing this man. We think similar in approaching the problem. I would also have started from the file type and then go further. I need to look up that platform and attached link. Say if you need any help with this. I need to check crosswords in my language and is there any available site to download them. It might be futile effort for NST without keyboard change. As for SSL problem it starts to be such pain in the a$$ that someone is going to lose patience and find the way to solve it by programming or find the way to obfuscate it through NST as dashboard and any newer phone as server for example. That was also one of the approaches I proposed for missing GPS. Now I rarely need GPS on NST however making it better in terms of book and newspaper device I am all for it.
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Click to collapse
I started to look at this and got a couple of surprises. First, on initialization the app creates one binary file in the data folder. That's all. So any puzzle substitution/updating would have to be done by taking the app apart and then putting it back together with apktool. Not very convenient, but I suppose if you did a good number of puzzles at once it might be worthwhile.
However the real surprise was looking at the app running. It's nothing like I remember! So I'm not sure what I'm looking at now. Maybe I've got yet another crossword app among my files. Better download from the earlier post and see... Although the package does say com.encore.crossword. But the short of it is that the app I was looking at is a no-go on the NST. The puzzles are half-hidden behind the keyboard and no amount of persuasion in either word or gesture (rude or not) will convince the puzzle to scroll up.
Edit: nope, it's the same app I posted earlier in this thread so long ago. It seems impossible but there it is. I wouldn't have posted it if I had seen how it was bolluxed up on the NST. I have no explanation.
Huh. Your 15 x 15 looks better than mine.
I did a once over trying to fix the app.
I chopped down the keyboard a bunch.
Still, the whole layout is a mess.
Renate said:
Huh. Your 15 x 15 looks better than mine.
I did a once over trying to fix the app.
I chopped down the keyboard a bunch.
Still, the whole layout is a mess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I did a little fiddling but could not convince it to show the entire grid as accessible along with the keyboard. It really must be coded just for the Nook Color/Tablet display.
I am baffled as to its appearance. I am getting older, but its nothing at all like I remember. I never would have posted if it had looked that way when I first tried it. But its definitely an app from the Nook Color, that much is evident from the package name. Just a mystery.
From little bit I have read about this ancient version of Android what nmyshkin reported about behavior of the application led me to believe that is developed as NDK app. I believe it is easier to make new app starting from scratch if you gathered enough knowledge about that crosswords file type and if download sources are not behind paywall. I would start with calculating size of standard on screen keyboard and then put rest of the screen for use by the crossword. It might be little small that way although but if field input is letter sized from some regular NST font I believe it can be squeezed. Other option might be that you do not make keyboard input at all but select input square and then use gesture in input field resembling writing. You would also need erase button. Then you would have more space for crossword but had to program input interface for the app. IIRC Opera does support gestures so maybe you could get the idea how to make that interface there.
Since the thread contain nonworking app can we consider it as place for discussion about either rigging that one or finding or developing new one for NST?
You already mentioned modified keyboard so I guess changing crossword layout is not out of question too. I didn't check .puz file type so obviously I have no idea about it but I did skim little through the site nmyshkin posted here. There are also other options there so it might be good to consider them also. Firstly using browser with JS woodoo. I do not know much about that but I have gained an impression you have previously make some good stuff using similar approach. Second option is using .PDF file type for puzzles. It might work considering that NST have some limited PDF reflow ability. Maybe that can allow us to adjust crossword layout? Problem is that it seems like it is slightly abandoned file format for puzzles although it was possible to have even interactive ones in that format. Can"t say what the term interactive means. Hint, letter reveals or something else. If it means connection to a server on net that will most likely be to big bite for old NST in the future.
Just a stray thought inside puzzle letters shown are real letter font used on NST or pictures generated in app?
Looked little about crossword file format. It seems that .puz is albeit old and easier to view/change using tools as simple as Notepad somehow proprietary. On the other hand it is claimed that .jpz is more versatile but even if it is so it seems to be some hybrid between Java and XML.There is also third format .ipuz that is completely free but as I understand it is originally for Mac which I do not have. Now if I delve into this what is the opinion of others? Consider it as a poll. 1, 2 or 3?
The New York Times apparently uses .puz
I'd give that some weight.
NYT links to this download: https://www.litsoft.com/across/alite/download/index.html
That file format seems to be (mostly) documented here: https://code.google.com/archive/p/puz/wikis/FileFormat.wiki
It could be edited by hand but there are binary parts and checksums.
Edit: Well, I take that all back. NYT (just yesterday!) stated that they are dropping .puz format.
NYT Games No Longer Available on Across Lite as of Aug. 10 (Published 2021)
Starting next week, we will no longer provide downloadable .puz files.
www.nytimes.com
I understand that up until now adoption by influential publisher (which regularly paid to owner of file format for software and rights to use) kept .puz in game. Format is simple and already have been reverse engineered by others which irked rights owner to the point of threatening with lawsuits left and right. They should have invested more in development of format and software instead. Second format .jpz is supposedly better but had so far lagged in adoption on the market.
Ha, ha!
Cross words over New York Times puzzle change
The US-based publication is cutting third party support for its popular crossword puzzles.
www.bbc.com
Well I can anticipate two things. First its a good time to start torrent search for old crosswords files archives. Second is that I believe we can find alternative sources on the link nmyshkin posted earlier. Still that doesn't resolve dilemma which file type is a way to go. Based on previous statement Rennate made on other topic I presume she would like .ipuz as open and free standard.
Just a link to share. If someone need old crosswords it appears someone already had made a database. link