[NST/G] R.I.P. WeatherACE for the Nook Simple Touch - Nook Touch Themes and Apps

Another one bites the dust.
It took awhile for Wunderground's API to actually die, but it finally did and I used my last data point yesterday. None of the other APIs in the app (OpenWeatherMap, Norwegian MET, Yahoo) have worked for awhile. I tried the obvious with OWM and N-MET, getting new API strings, decompiling the app, replacing the APIs and stitching it all back together. But no joy. The data structures in the new APIs are probably different and that's way beyond me. The jiggered app ran, but it was unable to gather data from anywhere (other than what my location is).
Too bad. Nothing left like it, AFAIK.

Yeah, I'm bummed. Weather Ace was one of the few apps that had nice widgets appropriate for the eInk screen.

scotte9999 said:
Yeah, I'm bummed. Weather Ace was one of the few apps that had nice widgets appropriate for the eInk screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I came across this: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.jsharkey.sky/
It works, which is rare for something so old, but the widgets are butt-ugly on the NST
Looks like I'll be researching changing colors, etc. So far it looks like the icons could be easily replaced, but the most offensive part is the widget background which is a 9-patch png (of course...).
The WeatherACE developer is a nice fellow but it would be ridiculous to contact him over this. So we move on.

nmyshkin said:
I came across this: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.jsharkey.sky/
So we move on.
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Click to collapse
Indeed. I spent some time yesterday exploring web-based widgets, thinking we could just point the browser at a URL, but most widgets use HTTPS and Javascript, neither of which are the strong suit of the NST, even with Opera Classic instead of the native browser.

Did this work?

disTrck33 said:
Did this work?
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Click to collapse
Depends on what "this" is.
I eventually wrote my own weather widget app for the NST/G: https://forum.xda-developers.com/nook-touch/themes-apps/app-nst-weather-widget-t3946270
This works.

nmyshkin said:
I came across this: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.jsharkey.sky/
It works, which is rare for something so old, but the widgets are butt-ugly on the NST
Looks like I'll be researching changing colors, etc. So far it looks like the icons could be easily replaced, but the most offensive part is the widget background which is a 9-patch png (of course...).
The WeatherACE developer is a nice fellow but it would be ridiculous to contact him over this. So we move on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link said USA only . There is a weather app that can be used for Europe which uses yr.no site for data. It runs on my tablet and should work with Android 1.5+. Nothing special but good enough. Might require some customization to e-ink display though. That needs to be checked.

SJT75 said:
Link said USA only . There is a weather app that can be used for Europe which uses yr.no site for data. It runs on my tablet and should work with Android 1.5+. Nothing special but good enough. Might require some customization to e-ink display though. That needs to be checked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't remember the US restriction, but all of the potential apps I looked at back then looked terrible on the NST or required network location. That is why (shameless promotion...) I eventually worked up my own Weather widget/app just for the NST. It lacks many bells and whistles but will work for any locale that OWM has stations. And, if I say so myself, looks pretty good on the NST.

nmyshkin said:
Another one bites the dust.
It took awhile for Wunderground's API to actually die, but it finally did and I used my last data point yesterday. None of the other APIs in the app (OpenWeatherMap, Norwegian MET, Yahoo) have worked for awhile. I tried the obvious with OWM and N-MET, getting new API strings, decompiling the app, replacing the APIs and stitching it all back together. But no joy. The data structures in the new APIs are probably different and that's way beyond me. The jiggered app ran, but it was unable to gather data from anywhere (other than what my location is).
Too bad. Nothing left like it, AFAIK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app is not dead.
I working on adding more weather sources. Atm, the app has 5 weather sources worked correctly - NOAA (USA only), OpenWeatherMap, Norwegian MET (yes, its back to work again, I switched WeatherACE to the their new API), Weatherbit.IO (new weather sources that added to WeatherACE in last build 1.12.30) and Forecast.IO (they are not provide new keys atm). Currently I working on 2 more weather source.
As for Wunderground, they were bought by IBM. The lowest price for weather data from IBM is around of $10000 per year, for a limited set of data. They also provide some weather API for people that provide them data from personal weather stations, but its just current and few days weather and no hourly data forecasts...
So, please check the app again.

mycodefab said:
The app is not dead.
I working on adding more weather sources. Atm, the app has 5 weather sources worked correctly - NOAA (USA only), OpenWeatherMap, Norwegian MET (yes, its back to work again, I switched WeatherACE to the their new API), Weatherbit.IO (new weather sources that added to WeatherACE in last build 1.12.30) and Forecast.IO (they are not provide new keys atm). Currently I working on 2 more weather source.
As for Wunderground, they were bought by IBM. The lowest price for weather data from IBM is around of $10000 per year, for a limited set of data. They also provide some weather API for people that provide them data from personal weather stations, but its just current and few days weather and no hourly data forecasts...
So, please check the app again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's not dead. In fact, I run it on most of my devices. I really appreciate the clean-looking widgets and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good weather app with widgets.
Sadly, in the context of this forum, it is "as good as" dead since the old version that would still run on Android 2.1 can't connect to any of the weather services any longer
I'm sorry if Google-bots picked up this posting and are making it seem like the app is non-functional. I've edited the post title so that maybe in the future that will be corrected.

nmyshkin said:
No, it's not dead. In fact, I run it on most of my devices. I really appreciate the clean-looking widgets and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good weather app with widgets.
Sadly, in the context of this forum, it is "as good as" dead since the old version that would still run on Android 2.1 can't connect to any of the weather services any longer
I'm sorry if Google-bots picked up this posting and are making it seem like the app is non-functional. I've edited the post title so that maybe in the future that will be corrected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... What version of WeatherACE you use on the old device? Its too bad that I didnt used VCS (version control system) in the time (like I do it now). But I still have backups of source code of some really old versions of the app. The oldest is 1.6.2, then 1.7.4, 1.80, etc.
Not sure if Google will allows me to make it (uploading to Google Play will not be possible for sure), but I could try at least. If everything depended on me, the application would continue to support android 2.1 (or 2.3 was in the very first version, I don't remember exactly). Unfortunately, Google constantly demands to gradually raise the minimum API, and with it, support for older devices decreases.

mycodefab said:
Hmm... What version of WeatherACE you use on the old device? Its too bad that I didnt used VCS (version control system) in the time (like I do it now). But I still have backups of source code of some really old versions of the app. The oldest is 1.6.2, then 1.7.4, 1.80, etc.
Not sure if Google will allows me to make it (uploading to Google Play will not be possible for sure), but I could try at least. If everything depended on me, the application would continue to support android 2.1 (or 2.3 was in the very first version, I don't remember exactly). Unfortunately, Google constantly demands to gradually raise the minimum API, and with it, support for older devices decreases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I completely understand that. It's why I said in post #3 that it would be silly to contact you about this. I still remember how promptly and helpfully you responded to a question I had about more recent versions of the app I was running on my tablet. But restructuring an app that, in Android terms, is nearly an archaeological artifact, is not, I'm sure, a simple matter.
In any case, it looks like this version (1.4.4) is earlier than anything you may still have source code for.

nmyshkin said:
And I completely understand that. It's why I said in post #3 that it would be silly to contact you about this. I still remember how promptly and helpfully you responded to a question I had about more recent versions of the app I was running on my tablet. But restructuring an app that, in Android terms, is nearly an archaeological artifact, is not, I'm sure, a simple matter.
In any case, it looks like this version (1.4.4) is earlier than anything you may still have source code for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems like the last version that support Android 2.1 and 2.2 is version 1.7.4 and I have sources for it. The changes log for 1.7.4 has mention about such fixes "Hotfixed crash on devices with android 2.1 - 2.3.X for weather alerts"." The version support WeatherACE API for external apps/widgets/early verions of tasker plugin, weather alerts and Forecast.IO source.
Luckily, there is a place where you can get almost any version of this app https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=511055&st=0 The last spoiler in the start post has links to my posts with most of the versions of WeatherACE. So, if you will have time, please try 1.7.4 from the post https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=511055&view=findpost&p=32402422
If 1.7.4 will work for you. I could try to build it from the sources I have. In case it will build correctly, it will not be so hard to update support for OpenWeatherMap and Norwegian MET.NO weather sources. Probably I also could add support for Weatherbit.IO.

mycodefab said:
Seems like the last version that support Android 2.1 and 2.2 is version 1.7.4 and I have sources for it. The changes log for 1.7.4 has mention about such fixes "Hotfixed crash on devices with android 2.1 - 2.3.X for weather alerts"." The version support WeatherACE API for external apps/widgets/early verions of tasker plugin, weather alerts and Forecast.IO source.
Luckily, there is a place where you can get almost any version of this app https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=511055&st=0 The last spoiler in the start post has links to my posts with most of the versions of WeatherACE. So, if you will have time, please try 1.7.4 from the post https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=511055&view=findpost&p=32402422
If 1.7.4 will work for you. I could try to build it from the sources I have. In case it will build correctly, it will not be so hard to update support for OpenWeatherMap and Norwegian MET.NO weather sources. Probably I also could add support for Weatherbit.IO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be amazing. Unfortunately I get a 404 error when I try to download the app. I always get the error on that site. Not sure if you have to be logged in or what. I'll keep searching for the correct version.

nmyshkin said:
That would be amazing. Unfortunately I get a 404 error when I try to download the app. I always get the error on that site. Not sure if you have to be logged in or what. I'll keep searching for the correct version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please try http://mycodefab.com/files/WeatherACEv1v7v4.apk

mycodefab said:
Please try http://mycodefab.com/files/WeatherACEv1v7v4.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much. I tried this version on two NSTs, one with Network Location enabled and the other without. It works on both to the extent I can judge without any weather data being fetched. No sudden crashes or odd behavior. The map at the initial setup is blank, but that was the case in 1.4.4 (something to do with e-ink and the assumptions for default themes, I guess). Anyway, the map does not matter if you can type in your own geocoordinates which is what I did on the device without Network Location.
So this looks like a good candidate.

nmyshkin said:
Thanks so much. I tried this version on two NSTs, one with Network Location enabled and the other without. It works on both to the extent I can judge without any weather data being fetched. No sudden crashes or odd behavior. The map at the initial setup is blank, but that was the case in 1.4.4 (something to do with e-ink and the assumptions for default themes, I guess). Anyway, the map does not matter if you can type in your own geocoordinates which is what I did on the device without Network Location.
So this looks like a good candidate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, thanks. In case you have DarkSky API key (the app know it as Forecase.IO, it was an old name of the DarkSky API) please use it with the version 1.7.4, the app version support the weather source. Once purchased by Apple, DarkSky (Forecast.IO) no longer give out free keys. But any old keys continue to work atm, as far as I know.
Building a new version with updated support for weather sources will take some time. As usual, most problems in the case are not related with app itself, but with other libraries. For example, a library that provided map does not support Android 2.1 anymore, so probably I will need to completely remove map from the app. Google libraries related with analytics and ads - also does not support old android versions anymore. I will work on it this weekend.

nmyshkin said:
Anyway, the map does not matter if you can type in your own geocoordinates which is what I did on the device without Network Location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need GPS.

nmyshkin said:
So this looks like a good candidate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, seems like its done http://mycodefab.com/files/WeatherACEv1v7v4v2.apk Hope it will work, because I dont have Android 2.1 devices to test. In case of problems, I will try to find something.
The version support 2 weather sources - OWM (open weather map) and Norwegian MET.NO.
Limitations:
1. Removed weather map and adding locations via map. I cant find any android weather libraries that support Android 2.1 devices.
2. Removed ads for same reason.
3. Weather icons limited to the small set of icons inside the app + 1 custom icon set.
As for custom icon set, its mostly same as for latest versions of WeatherACE, just a bit different directory for images. Directory is "Android/data/mycodefab.aleph.weather/files/custom/icons/". It use same format as for the latest versions. So, for example, for "clear sky in day" condition it will use "d_100.png" file, "clear sky in night" will look for "n_100.png" file, "overcast" will use "d_104.png", etc.
In case the version of the appt will start, but not show the weather after weather info update, please get to Menu->Settings->Advanced->Weather Sources. Here you could see Active weather sources on the top. Tap on it. Uncheck OpenWeatherMap and Norwegian MET, tap OK. Enter Active weather sources again. Set check OpenWeatherMap and Norwegian MET, tap OK. It will recheck availability of sources for existing locations and will update the weather info.

mycodefab said:
OK, seems like its done http://mycodefab.com/files/WeatherACEv1v7v4v2.apk Hope it will work, because I dont have Android 2.1 devices to test. In case of problems, I will try to find something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the app on both devices (with and without Network Location). Unfortunately it does not want to run
There is immediate funny business as the package shows in the file manager as a generic "package" icon rather than the app icon. Also, the package name (and generic package icon) are displayed in the launcher rather than the app icon and name.
I've attached a section of a logcat for trying to open the app. I don't know whether it has information that is helpful.
It may or may not have any bearing on what you have done, but as you're already going way beyond any expectations, I would suggest that leaving the app alone except for fixing the weather sources would be more than enough. I can understand your desire to have things "right". I have that same problem , and I do appreciate it, but maybe without so many changes there would be a better chance of the app still working, which is what it did even now, except for the access to weather sources. Of course, it's probably not that simple.
Thanks for your efforts.

Related

Is anyone using andnav2?

For offline browsing? I download the mapnik_us pack and have it stored on the SD according to instructions but andnav doesn't seem to be using them and I have no clue how to force it to do so. It is marked in the options as the default. I'm trying to get some offline apps I can poke around on (I don't need routing) and perhaps give me my GPS location on said maps and andnav would be fine if it would display the damn maps. Perhaps I need to create my own maps for the area? I saw that is possible. Any suggestions or alternatives? Pretty please
There's an application that is able to create custom offline maps for andnav2. See TrekBuddy Atlas Creator.
Andnav2 only supports offline use for map-sources that allow such use. That does unfortunately not include google-maps. Oterwise andnav just calculates which map-tile(s) it needs to display and grabs them from the sdcard if they are there, if not it has to get them from a server. For all openstreetmap-variants it will keep downloaded tiles indefinitely. It's left up to the user to clean out the storage-space if necessary.
Maps are store on the sdcard in /sdcard/andnav2/tiles. Here you find directories for the different map-sources. Some examples are:
cloudmade
cyclemap
mapnik
openpistemap
osmarender​
At the next level there are directories for the various zoom-levels (resolutions) numbered from 0 upwards.
The map-creator will create an appropriate tilepack for the chosen area and resolutions from a choice of map-sources. Although it strictly speaking is a breach of the AUP it is actually possible to grab map-tiles from google and store them on the phone in one of the mentioned directories. I grabbed google's topo (terrain) maps for my local area and placed them in the openpistemap directory which otherwise is a type of map that is irrelevant to my area/use, and that works very well for my bike/hiking trips.
I know its in Beta but too many force close crashes for me...
Plus the postcode db is too incomplete. ( and I know its because its costs a lot for the data)
phel21 said:
There's an application that is able to create custom offline maps for andnav2. See TrekBuddy Atlas Creator.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
. Since I don't know for certain if any of the us mapnik tiles that i downloaded, it's likely that I'm going to have to create them as you mentioned, which is fine. I just find it odd that nothing was displAyed regardless of zoom level even when I had the program set to use the maptiles. At least this way Ican do what you did since I do a lot of biking as well.
megaoptimus said:
. Since I don't know for certain if any of the us mapnik tiles that i downloaded, it's likely that I'm going to have to create them as you mentioned, which is fine. I just find it odd that nothing was displAyed regardless of zoom level even when I had the program set to use the maptiles. At least this way Ican do what you did since I do a lot of biking as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too, I do biking and would love to have an off data plan option for on the back roads kind of thing. Tried doing the andnav 2 and made maps with the buddy utility but couldn't figure out how to get things going on the device. Any tips would be welcome.
clfxjoe said:
Me too, I do biking and would love to have an off data plan option for on the back roads kind of thing. Tried doing the andnav 2 and made maps with the buddy utility but couldn't figure out how to get things going on the device. Any tips would be welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you copy a tile from the wikipage of andnav, you've got to make sure you delete the _benelux, _us, _manhattan,... in the mapname starting with "mapnik"
For example if the map is called "mapnik_us" rename it to "mapnik". Everything works fine out here with the Benelux tile (although extra mapping is always welcome)
if you've got more than one tile installed, change the one you don't use at that time back to "mapnik_us" and the on you will use to "mapnik".
hope it helps
I tried AndNav2 and it did not really work for me. My problem was that every time I tried to set a desination it seemed to work but the would always try to route me back to my home address. I might try it again another day when a few more of these bugs are fixed but at the moment using Google Maps is better.
Update for AndNav2 In US?
A brief update since I kept stumbling on this thread.
Andnav2 isn't available via Market in the US and the current group at code.google.com/p/andnav/ isn't posting the .apk yet.
I looked, but couldn't find any APK, so pulled the source and built it. Hopefully it'll save some of you the effort. AndNav2 version 0.8.8.2.1 is attached.
A US server isn't available in this build, but I wanted andnav2 for when I travel and don't have data coverage (in Europe) so hopefully it'll work well for that
Where is your attachment?
I posted the binary here andnav2-download.blogspot.com
pkunk123 said:
A brief update since I kept stumbling on this thread.
Andnav2 isn't available via Market in the US and the current group at code.google.com/p/andnav/ isn't posting the .apk yet.
I looked, but couldn't find any APK, so pulled the source and built it. Hopefully it'll save some of you the effort. AndNav2 version 0.8.8.2.1 is attached.
A US server isn't available in this build, but I wanted andnav2 for when I travel and don't have data coverage (in Europe) so hopefully it'll work well for that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

A Top 100 Android Freeware List

Hey there,
I have tried to gather the best freeware applications Android has to offer, with descriptions, links back to the developer's websites and QR codes that leads directly to the Market. It's about a 100 apps divided in various categories.
I'm curious what you guys think of the guide? Would your Top 100 list differ a lot from mine? I hope some of you will have use for it!
Here's the URL if you want to check it out:
The Ever-Growing List of Awesome Android Applications
If you can think of any more applications that should be on the list, please let me know
Thanks
-- Lars
As a new Hero-user (on my third week now), I must say one thing: Thank you so much!! =)
Thanks! Glad someone liked it, at least
A bunch of new apps have been added to the collection, and if anyone knows of a great app that's not included - please let me know.
Nice work!
There's a quite a few top lists, and some are better than others, both in content and layout, but I always discover some new apps worth checking out. I very much like that the entire list is visible on one page, with short descriptions.
Would like to point out that Think Android's AppManager (both free and pro versions) has been renamed to AppMonster.
phaelox said:
Nice work!
Would like to point out that Think Android's AppManager (both free and pro versions) has been renamed to AppMonster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure? Because I couldn't find a free version of AppMonster, but AppManager is still available?
Thanks, helped a lot.
MapleDouglas said:
Are you sure? Because I couldn't find a free version of AppMonster, but AppManager is still available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The creators of the app announced the name change on their website: http://think-android.com
"App Manager" has been renamed to "AppMonster" in market a while ago now (but it depends on what country you're in). If I search for App Manager it only shows apps with similar names, not the app by Think Android.
Androlib now only shows AppMonster in some -not all- non-English markets, namely Chinese, Czech, Italian, Japanese, Russian. And even then in some markets only the Pro and in some only the Free versions. I think Androlib is not that up to date.
http://www.androlib.com/r.aspx?r=appmonster
AppBrain correctly shows the app as "AppMonster": http://www.appbrain.com/search?q=appmonster
Far too much use of the word "awesome", but a nice list, thanks for your efforts.
phaelox said:
"App Manager" has been renamed to "AppMonster" in market a while ago now (but it depends on what country you're in). If I search for App Manager it only shows apps with similar names, not the app by Think Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. I was tricked by AndroLib.com, initially, since it didn't show any results for AppMonster when I did a search.
@knightnz I try to use the word "awesome" with caution, but I like to alliterate
I've added a new section to the guide with the top free Android live wallpapers
Did I fail to include any good ones?
Apologies for my criticism, but a pure list is not so useful in my opinion; I mean, there's Google for that.
It would be much more useful if this was a ranking, where users can vote their best 10 apps, for example.
Super great lists. Few worthy ones:
1) ColorDict: Universal dictionary reader for Wordnet, data downloaded to local memory (SD Card) for offline view
2) RealCalc: Best replacement calculator
3) Uninstaller: to uninstall apps. Phone's manage application way too slow
4) KeePassDroid: android keepass for storing logins and passwords. If setup with Dropbox or sugarsync, then can sync between phone and computer.
5) Call History: detail call logs better than what 1.5 offer with ability to back up.
6) Moto Phone Portal : access phone by wifi in same network using browser. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=574677
7) xScope GL : Another web browser with much better functionality. Free version limited to number of favs.
8) Skyfire beta : surprisingly fast enough and only option available to view web based videos until Flash 10 lands.
Did I miss K9 or it's not on the list???
Hi again,
I've done some major updates to the Android apps guide, and it now includes all the top widgets and live wallpapers as well. I've also removed some outdated software, and added blue borders to the very best applications so they're easier to spot.
All apps, widgets and live wallpapers are free
Cheers

Crossword Puzzles

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$$ that someone is going to lose patience and find the way to solve it by programming or find the way to obfuscate it through NST as dashboard and any newer phone as server for example. That was also one of the approaches I proposed for missing GPS. Now I rarely need GPS on NST however making it better in terms of book and newspaper device I am all for it.
SJT75 said:
Is the crossword app that works across all of your devices same as the one attached to the first post of this thread?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, that app of questionable origin is different.
SJT75 said:
You have my support in doing this man. We think similar in approaching the problem. I would also have started from the file type and then go further. I need to look up that platform and attached link. Say if you need any help with this. I need to check crosswords in my language and is there any available site to download them. It might be futile effort for NST without keyboard change. As for SSL problem it starts to be such pain in the a$$ 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

R.I.P. Yalp Store

So the last (?) PlayStore access app for Android 2.1 bites the dust, apparently. The Search function died sometime last month and now log-in is impossible. The most recent version, 0.46, was done at the beginning of 2019. Word has it that the developer has abandoned the project.
Is there an alternative?
---------- Post added at 10:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:40 PM ----------
nmyshkin said:
So the last (?) PlayStore access app for Android 2.1 bites the dust, apparently. The Search function died sometime last month and now log-in is impossible. The most recent version, 0.46, was done at the beginning of 2019. Word has it that the developer has abandoned the project.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just installed Yalp Store fork from F-Droid.
Even ist says it's. Not compatible with my device, the app works perfect with yalp store built-in credentials.
XtraWater said:
Is there an alternative?
---------- Post added at 10:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:40 PM ----------
I just installed Yalp Store fork from F-Droid.
Even ist says it's. Not compatible with my device, the app works perfect with yalp store built-in credentials.
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Click to collapse
Assuming this is what you are referring to: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.github.kiliakin.yalpstore/
I cannot at this time confirm your experience. I have been unable to successfully log in with this new forked version.
nmyshkin said:
Assuming this is what you are referring to: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.github.kiliakin.yalpstore/
I cannot at this time confirm your experience. I have been unable to successfully log in with this new forked version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Choose another device.
XtraWater said:
Choose another device.
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Click to collapse
Mmm...you might have saved me some time by telling me which one worked for you. I eventually found that choosing HTC Desire would allow a log-in, but this raises other issues. Originally the Yalp Store would filter out apps that were not for Eclair (or at least list them as "incompatible"). This does not happen if you are spoofing another device that is running who knows what version of Android.
Also, Search is broken. It reverts to a search of the device (Library and Shops) rather than the PlayStore. Not helpful.
Finally, although you can use the "category" option to look at apps (with no idea which might actually be compatible...), you cannot download anything. At least I couldn't. I got an error each time I tried.
So....a lot of work for the new developer to make this functional for the NST. For a lark I installed the last version of the original Yalp Store on my Tablet running 8.1 and was surprised to see that it actually worked without any funny business. So whatever happened to it seems to have affected legacy devices, but not more current OSes.
nmyshkin said:
Mmm...you might have saved me some time by telling me which one worked for you. I eventually found that choosing HTC Desire would allow a log-in, but this raises other issues. Originally the Yalp Store would filter out apps that were not for Eclair (or at least list them as "incompatible"). This does not happen if you are spoofing another device that is running who knows what version of Android.
Also, Search is broken. It reverts to a search of the device (Library and Shops) rather than the PlayStore. Not helpful.
Finally, although you can use the "category" option to look at apps (with no idea which might actually be compatible...), you cannot download anything. At least I couldn't. I got an error each time I tried.
So....a lot of work for the new developer to make this functional for the NST. For a lark I installed the last version of the original Yalp Store on my Tablet running 8.1 and was surprised to see that it actually worked without any funny business. So whatever happened to it seems to have affected legacy devices, but not more current OSes.
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Click to collapse
I used galaxy 7 edge. However, can't login anymore today at all.
Including Aurora store not able to log in.
I guess this is a war against Huawei that might eventually lead to the death of aosp at least for gapps people. Imagine gapps flashing on top of clean aosp becoming useless as none of these apps would not be able to log in etc
darfri said:
Including Aurora store not able to log in.
I guess this is a war against Huawei that might eventually lead to the death of aosp at least for gapps people. Imagine gapps flashing on top of clean aosp becoming useless as none of these apps would not be able to log in etc
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Click to collapse
I don't want to speak out of turn because I could not do the sort of programming required for these efforts. However, I do run the 8 gb version of the Nook Tablet using the microG project components. It works very well including maps, and uses so few resources you can even use the actual Playstore app instead of one of the other apps which seem to be either abandoned or in need of repair. Unfortunately, KitKat is the lower limit for microG, but it sure makes a difference, especially on a device struggling with memory issues.
At least F-droid have in descriptions of application requirements that state minimal version of Android it can be run from on my tablet it is so. I hope that is also the case with f-droid run from NST. If I had to choose device name for spoofing purposes on that YALP application my bet would be some of the phones running Eclair. Last were some Motorola phones from 2015 as far as I recall. Since on my NST social and even shop stopped working properly I am more and more leaning to go through the road taken by many and ditch original software and start tweaking and tinkering with the device. Eclair is so old that I do not know is there many application left to work with but in case this thread escaped attention I will leave link here. https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=698851
SJT75 said:
At least F-droid have in descriptions of application requirements that state minimal version of Android it can be run from on my tablet it is so. I hope that is also the case with f-droid run from NST. If I had to choose device name for spoofing purposes on that YALP application my bet would be some of the phones running Eclair. Last were some Motorola phones from 2015 as far as I recall. Since on my NST social and even shop stopped working properly I am more and more leaning to go through the road taken by many and ditch original software and start tweaking and tinkering with the device. Eclair is so old that I do not know is there many application left to work with but in case this thread escaped attention I will leave link here. https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=698851
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Run" and "work" are not always the same thing. The original Yalp Store stopped working in the mid 0.4x series. It could not log in, even with your Google account, probably due to SSL issues. The fork of the Yalp Store can log in but search is broken and download does not work. Search defaults to a device search rather than a search of the PlayStore and attempts to download an app from the Categories results in a crash. I've sent results to the developer but there does not seem to be a lot of change going on there (the app does work on the NST CM 11 ROM). It's pretty moot as there is not a lot in the Market any longer that will work on the NST. It's "easier" in the long run to do your homework and then search for the app you think will work using Apkpure or similar.
If Social and Shop have stopped working on your device you probably have not updated to 1.2.2.
nmyshkin said:
"Run" and "work" are not always the same thing. The original Yalp Store stopped working in the mid 0.4x series. It could not log in, even with your Google account, probably due to SSL issues. The fork of the Yalp Store can log in but search is broken and download does not work. Search defaults to a device search rather than a search of the PlayStore and attempts to download an app from the Categories results in a crash. I've sent results to the developer but there does not seem to be a lot of change going on there (the app does work on the NST CM 11 ROM). It's pretty moot as there is not a lot in the Market any longer that will work on the NST. It's "easier" in the long run to do your homework and then search for the app you think will work using Apkpure or similar.
If Social and Shop have stopped working on your device you probably have not updated to 1.2.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True about that. Should and will are two different verbs meaning. Interesting info about that app is still working but under different ROM. Just for the sake of making things clear all custom made things here on the forum are still based on Eclair and there were not any Android upgrades through custom ROM to preserve compatibility with B&N software?
About your Nook page say that I have version 1.2.2 of software. Remember that I have NST in untouched never modified condition that has active over the air active update as designed by B&N. So it might be that something gone wrong during update and I need to do it again manually from SD card or through computer. Shop behaves odd. It allows me to search for a book but does not allow me to download. Social do not connect at all.
I am just sifting through different apps looking for those that might be possible to use on NST. I have seen in F-droid repository two YALP stores. One from the original author that is not updated for over a year and second one labeled fork which is not updated for over nine months period. To add to confusion OP mentioned version 0.46 which is not the latest version original author placed in repository (his latest version is 0.45). Still forked version with that number exist sort of labeled 0.46-legacy IIRC. So what is exactly version up used that stopped working? Even an info about non-working app is good sometime to avoid loosing time on very much likely fruitless effort.
SJT75 said:
I am just sifting through different apps looking for those that might be possible to use on NST. I have seen in F-droid repository two YALP stores. One from the original author that is not updated for over a year and second one labeled fork which is not updated for over nine months period. To add to confusion OP mentioned version 0.46 which is not the latest version original author placed in repository (his latest version is 0.45). Still forked version with that number exist sort of labeled 0.46-legacy IIRC. So what is exactly version up used that stopped working? Even an info about non-working app is good sometime to avoid loosing time on very much likely fruitless effort.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's a mess over there. You have to go to the github to access older versions of the original Yalp Store. So you can see there that the developer of the "fork" just picked up with version 0.45 and carried on. The "legacy" refers to a simpler UI such as can run on Android 2.1, for example, as even the original developer started branching out, eventually releasing two versions of the app each time. Actually it was after the app tried to become a little more fancy that it began to have trouble on the NST (surprise). It's been quite awhile since I ran the app on the NST but I suppose somewhere in my original post about the Yalp Store the version is mentioned (probably started with 0.39, if memory serves, and then moved along as login failed when Google changed things; at one time I think I got as far as 0.43)
One issue with the "fork" (besides the fact that "fork" is in the screen display name...) on the NST is that Search is broken. It defaults to a device search rather than a PlayStore search. Not sure if this was ever a problem with the original. I'll have to download a few versions and see. Also, even if you wade through the categories and select an app that way, it crashes when you try to download.
All that said, those are definitely NST issues since the most recent version of the "fork" runs fine on the CM 11 sdcard-ROM for the NST (including Search and download)
nmyshkin said:
Yeah, it's a mess over there. You have to go to the github to access older versions of the original Yalp Store. So you can see there that the developer of the "fork" just picked up with version 0.45 and carried on. The "legacy" refers to a simpler UI such as can run on Android 2.1, for example, as even the original developer started branching out, eventually releasing two versions of the app each time. Actually it was after the app tried to become a little more fancy that it began to have trouble on the NST (surprise). It's been quite awhile since I ran the app on the NST but I suppose somewhere in my original post about the Yalp Store the version is mentioned (probably started with 0.39, if memory serves, and then moved along as login failed when Google changed things; at one time I think I got as far as 0.43)
One issue with the "fork" (besides the fact that "fork" is in the screen display name...) on the NST is that Search is broken. It defaults to a device search rather than a PlayStore search. Not sure if this was ever a problem with the original. I'll have to download a few versions and see. Also, even if you wade through the categories and select an app that way, it crashes when you try to download.
All that said, those are definitely NST issues since the most recent version of the "fork" runs fine on the CM 11 sdcard-ROM for the NST (including Search and download)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for reply with all quality info there! Does github work on NST or have done cloning/compiling elsewhere and sideload app to NST? Interesting issue with search on NST. It looks to me like B&N manage to pull another fast one on us like they did with "nonexistent" browser. I believe that somehow they screwed search through basically invoking any search attempt to link to their search library/shop application instead. Probably author in early versions used his search function but later decided to exploit some inbuilt Android/Google option that B&N screwed with. That might be the reason why on running the app through CM11 ROM from flashcard everything works as author intended/expected to work had NST be ordinary Android device. Now question remains...is that search function still there on NST but "hidden" and can it be somehow re-enabled or some heavier work lies on that road?
SJT75 said:
Thanks for reply with all quality info there! Does github work on NST or have done cloning/compiling elsewhere and sideload app to NST? Interesting issue with search on NST. It looks to me like B&N manage to pull another fast one on us like they did with "nonexistent" browser. I believe that somehow they screwed search through basically invoking any search attempt to link to their search library/shop application instead. Probably author in early versions used his search function but later decided to exploit some inbuilt Android/Google option that B&N screwed with. That might be the reason why on running the app through CM11 ROM from flashcard everything works as author intended/expected to work had NST be ordinary Android device. Now question remains...is that search function still there on NST but "hidden" and can it be somehow re-enabled or some heavier work lies on that road?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So here's a run-down of what still "works" on the stock NST:
Only one version of the original Yalp Store passes every test but one. Version 0.35 succeeds in log-in (with your own Google account--no version successfully logs in with a generic Yalp Store account), Categories successfully brings up lists of apps and you can download/install from these lists. Search shows in light grey within the field "applications" and an initial search string brings up a number of more specific items, but no matter which you select it always returns "no apps".
As to the "fork", you can log in with a Google account, but Categories is blank, and Search shows in light grey within the field "Search NOOK(R)" and will dutifully check the Library, Shops, Social, etc. Totally useless.
So it seems the most nearly working is 0.35 of the original app series. Presumably the API for getting search information from the PlayStore is no longer correct. However, it may be possible for someone clever (more clever than I) to reverse engineer or cross engineer versions. Since we know the "fork" versions work on a non-NST ROM, it seems the API or whatever for Search is currently valid in them. Why they default to device search remains a mystery.
I should add that I did not try device spoofing in any of my tests. Too many variables for my brain. It may be that changing the apparent device ID would bring up apps in Categories which is otherwise blank. But using Categories to select apps is painful. A working Search is essential or the app is pretty useless.
nmyshkin said:
So here's a run-down of what still "works" on the stock NST:
Only one version of the original Yalp Store passes every test but one. Version 0.35 succeeds in log-in (with your own Google account--no version successfully logs in with a generic Yalp Store account), Categories successfully brings up lists of apps and you can download/install from these lists. Search shows in light grey within the field "applications" and an initial search string brings up a number of more specific items, but no matter which you select it always returns "no apps".
As to the "fork", you can log in with a Google account, but Categories is blank, and Search shows in light grey within the field "Search NOOK(R)" and will dutifully check the Library, Shops, Social, etc. Totally useless.
So it seems the most nearly working is 0.35 of the original app series. Presumably the API for getting search information from the PlayStore is no longer correct. However, it may be possible for someone clever (more clever than I) to reverse engineer or cross engineer versions. Since we know the "fork" versions work on a non-NST ROM, it seems the API or whatever for Search is currently valid in them. Why they default to device search remains a mystery.
I should add that I did not try device spoofing in any of my tests. Too many variables for my brain. It may be that changing the apparent device ID would bring up apps in Categories which is otherwise blank. But using Categories to select apps is painful. A working Search is essential or the app is pretty useless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm...well nice to know what is working. Interesting that YALP spoofing does not work but you can login using your credentials. I was under impression that nothing in the line of Gapps works now on NST due to changes implemented by big G..gle. Since other methods like G-droid, Aurora store etc.are out of option due to their android version incompatibility it seems that sideloading through SD card and PC is only option left viable. That present another problem of search for a right app on web through PC but it seems like a topic for another thread. I believe that we also opened here another rabbit hole of messed up search on NST which is if I remember well been observed in several situation/application. On my side I think that two things I found. First apparently working search in B&N Shop does not have to mean anything as it seems that it simply goes through internally downloaded DB of their Shop. My request for download never delivers anything and it seems that internet connection to B&N servers is down. Interestingly later I received e-mail from B&N claiming that my books are ready for delivery. I will investigate this and report back about outcome but it seems that there is someone on the other end of my request sending listening and filing the intent but from some reason unbeknownst to me they do not send the requested file. Maybe they opted for another method of delivery in case of such outdated devices due to possible security problem/flaw? We will see.
While researching about Opera browser something came to my attention and I have to ask about it and this look as good place as any. I remember that people here managed to use Amazon app to download applications to NST that I have no information is it still working. However I stumbled upon an info about something called Opera store. Since Opera is still working on NST if the ancient version allows using Opera Store that might be interesting option? Has someone checked that out?
SJT75 said:
While researching about Opera browser something came to my attention and I have to ask about it and this look as good place as any. I remember that people here managed to use Amazon app to download applications to NST that I have no information is it still working. However I stumbled upon an info about something called Opera store. Since Opera is still working on NST if the ancient version allows using Opera Store that might be interesting option? Has someone checked that out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had always thought the Opera Store was for Opera extensions and addons, but you made me take a look.
Supposedly the URL is apps.opera.com, but this redirects to something called the "Bemobi Mobile Store" (using the Opera logo). The site loads fine in Opera Mini on the NST, probably Opera Mobile as well, although I did not try.
I looked at a few apps just to see what would happen. There didn't seem to be any check on the Android version. In each case I tried, tapping on the "Download" button took me to the Android Market agreement (i.e., the PlayStore entry) so whatever is going on there, it doesn't seem to be an actual "store" as much as a listing of apps with referral to the PlayStore (where, of course, the NST cannot go). There may be exceptions. Obviously I didn't try everything.
In the long run, there is very little point in some kind of Market access for the NST. If you want to try something you need to track it down. There are all kinds of sites like Apkpure, etc., that can be sources for old versions of apps. The other day I came across a huge listing of Android 2.1 apps (by an XDA member, as it happens) and most of them had dead PlayStore links. But with a version number and a little searching I had little trouble finding the few that sounded interesting.
I had hope that Opera tried to make their version of store like Amazon did or at least manage to make their online browser based version of Aurora which considering what they do with Opera Mobile wouldn't be that hard to achieve. Nevermind sideloading for the win it is!

Latest AlReader and RelaunchX

Two apps that I use on my NST (glowlight) are AlReader and RelaunchX, for which there are still relatively recent apk's to be found. I haven't seen them mentioned here a lot, so here's the link to the latest Alreader that still works on Android 2.1 (hard to find if you don't speak Russian):
http://4pda.ru/pages/go/?u=http://a...340035&usg=ALkJrhhH03h-JtOUNtSq7Dy0YRE5zt-deQ
And here's ReLaunchX, a fork of ReLaunch:
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.gacode.relaunchx/
I just fixed my Nook after it stopped working with the 1.2.2 update that I hadn't installed yet, so I'm updating it with some recent apps that still work on it.
Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk
STEELBAS said:
Two apps that I use on my NST (glowlight) are AlReader and RelaunchX, for which there are still relatively recent apk's to be found. I haven't seen them mentioned here a lot, so here's the link to the latest Alreader that still works on Android 2.1 (hard to find if you don't speak Russian):
http://4pda.ru/pages/go/?u=http://a...340035&usg=ALkJrhhH03h-JtOUNtSq7Dy0YRE5zt-deQ
And here's ReLaunchX, a fork of ReLaunch:
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.gacode.relaunchx/
I just fixed my Nook after it stopped working with the 1.2.2 update that I hadn't installed yet, so I'm updating it with some recent apps that still work on it.
Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is also an English version of the Alreader website with app downloads: http://www.alreader.com/?lang=en
nmyshkin said:
There is also an English version of the Alreader website with app downloads: http://www.alreader.com/?lang=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true, but despite what it says there, the version up for download there is not actually compatible with Android 2.1. I had to use Google translate on their support forum to find the above version.
Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk
STEELBAS said:
That's true, but despite what it says there, the version up for download there is not actually compatible with Android 2.1. I had to use Google translate on their support forum to find the above version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you are correct. I've been trying out v. 1.7.7, which is that same as in your link.
I like it a lot except for two minor issues: the TTS does not work (a very minor issue) on the NST, although if you install the app on another device with native audio support it does work properly, and (more significantly for me), there is no way to address the Library directly. Unlike the author of FBReader, this author has made all of the various activities private so there is no way of accessing them from outside the app. I've been looking at the Android Manifest in the decompiled app, trying to decide if this can be "fixed". I've seen references to dealing with this issue before but now when I want then I can't locate them
nmyshkin said:
Yes, you are correct. I've been trying out v. 1.7.7, which is that same as in your link.
I like it a lot except for two minor issues: the TTS does not work (a very minor issue) on the NST, although if you install the app on another device with native audio support it does work properly, and (more significantly for me), there is no way to address the Library directly. Unlike the author of FBReader, this author has made all of the various activities private so there is no way of accessing them from outside the app. I've been looking at the Android Manifest in the decompiled app, trying to decide if this can be "fixed". I've seen references to dealing with this issue before but now when I want then I can't locate them
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Ah, yes... Well, I would never use the NST for TTS, so that's no problem for me. As for the library... I take it you mean in the underlying code? Out of interest: what would you use it for? I basically use ReLaunchX to locate the book I want (in my own directory-based library) and open it with Alreader.
The one thing I wish Alreader would provide, myself, is a cover image of the current book to use as a screensaver on the Nook. But that's a minor issue.
STEELBAS said:
Ah, yes... Well, I would never use the NST for TTS, so that's no problem for me. As for the library... I take it you mean in the underlying code? Out of interest: what would you use it for? I basically use ReLaunchX to locate the book I want (in my own directory-based library) and open it with Alreader.
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I have to confess that I hate Relaunch. I use a more traditional Android structure, including ES File Explorer, but that's not a nice way to browse for books. On two devices I have the B&N system and on one for experimentation I have removed all that and am trying out different readers. I miss the Library.
The one thing I wish Alreader would provide, myself, is a cover image of the current book to use as a screensaver on the Nook. But that's a minor issue.
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Ah, but it does! Take a look in /media/screensavers and you will discover that it has created a new folder and there is a cover image there for the book you are currently reading. All you need to do is select that folder from the NST Settings app.
nmyshkin said:
I have to confess that I hate Relaunch. I use a more traditional Android structure, including ES File Explorer, but that's not a nice way to browse for books. On two devices I have the B&N system and on one for experimentation I have removed all that and am trying out different readers. I miss the Library.
Ah, but it does! Take a look in /media/screensavers and you will discover that it has created a new folder and there is a cover image there for the book you are currently reading. All you need to do is select that folder from the NST Settings app.
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Aaaaah. Here I was looking all over for that folder, but for the place where you'd expect it. Well. Great, then.
I never really used the B&N Library app in the first place, I always immediately rooted my Nook and browsed for books in the directory structure, so that helps... Also my meta-data is always a mess so using a real library app wouldn't really work well for me, anyway.
STEELBAS said:
Two apps that I use on my NST (glowlight) are AlReader and RelaunchX.
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You probably have more experience with AlReader than I do so I thought I'd pose a question which I have not been able to answer.
Is there a way to center the page number in the status bar? I don't have any of the other stuff showing in the status bar but I do want to see the page number, even in full screen. What I don't like is to see it floating at some small indentation from the left margin. You can center the title/author in the Header (which I do not have visible in full screen), but why not the page number? I think the answer is perhaps that the developer wanted to cram in all the other possibilities in the status bar and so each has a certain space allotted to it. I hope not.
I've pored through the settings xml file for AlReader but I can't make sense of much of it. Too many obscure abbreviations. I can't even find the line for centering the title/author in the Header.
Any ideas?
Edit: I made a tiny bit of headway, identifying variables in the xml file that control some aspects of the header and footer. However, as sometimes happens with these files, when you make a change and save the file, the values have reverted back if you return for another look. I'm assuming that the master data must be held in a database so I'll look at that tomorrow.
Edit-Edit: Nope, nope and nope. The databases are all about books. So the values are hidden in the app itself (library files or jars perhaps, who knows?). I spent way too much time squinting at the smali files from the decompiled app but it's just all so much mush to me. Not even a hint that resembles English as to how items are positioned. It's a pity that one of the choices in the Header was not "page". If that were true I'd switch the Header with the Status bar and the problem would be solved. The "page number/chapter" I find useless. Oh well....nothing is perfect.
External library app
I have a ton of bookmarks for NST/G stuff that I was reorganizing this morning and in the process came across this app: https://forum.xda-developers.com/nook-touch/themes-apps/library-app-t2823169
I haven't put it through the wringer yet, so to speak, but it looks reasonably good and books open in whatever the default reader is. If it's reliably functional it may serve as a general library app for whatever reader one chooses. Perhaps worth a look.
I'm trying to install v1.77 on NSTG 1.2.2 but I got error: Parse Error
try the
mrhamed said:
I'm trying to install v1.77 on NSTG 1.2.2 but I got error: Parse Error
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Try the attached. It works for me.

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