Related
This is a question about if there is a library/reading application for android that is as good as the library and epub support of the stock nook color application (i find the android market nook application lacking in a lot of areas). This is the only thing holding me back to stock 1.2 instead of CM7...
numus said:
This is a question about if there is a library/reading application for android that is as good as the library and epub support of the stock nook color application (i find the android market nook application lacking in a lot of areas). This is the only thing holding me back to stock 1.2 instead of CM7...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search the threads. This has been discussed many times. You can start here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1169284&highlight=reader
I find Aldiko to be even better than the stock app. The library system is easier to manage, it's incredibly easy to import books, and the brightness is controlled by sliding your finger up or down the left side of the screen. Also has a convenient night mode if you're like me and read often in the dark.
I've been holding off installing CM7 on the internal flash of my Nook for just this reason. The stock library/reader apps are quite nice, and none of the apps available on the market really match it. There are several decent ones, but none are as slick and simple as the stock Nook software.
Lately, though, I've been using CM7 on SD card more often, and using FBReader for my reading app. It's a very nice reader, but is a bit lacking in the library management area. But it's got some nice features (can use any TrueType font, brightness adjustment returns to normal when you leave the app, it automatically returns to the place you were in the book like the status bar icon on the stock firmware).
Someone linked above the thread I started about this as I'm in the same boat. I had two problems with Aldiko - it won't "library" in place, leaving two copies of every book on your sd card and I had a book that was cutting off sentences and not displaying right. I know it's only one book, but it was the only reader that had an issue.
For me, I think I've mostly settled on Moon Reader. Nothing's perfect, but this one seems to be the best balance.
Been using Aldiko (the latest version) and seems to be working very well.. Don't like the fact that it wont autoscan and update from my library storied ont he EMMC (that is were calibre likes to put my books it seems)... Otherwise it is a pain to navigate to the emmc library and update from it but it is possible. Only downside is there is no way to create a shelf of books you want to display.. it is either display everything, or recently opened. Also liked in moon+ that it gave the brief book description in list display...
doncaruana said:
Someone linked above the thread I started about this as I'm in the same boat. I had two problems with Aldiko - it won't "library" in place, leaving two copies of every book on your sd card and I had a book that was cutting off sentences and not displaying right. I know it's only one book, but it was the only reader that had an issue.
For me, I think I've mostly settled on Moon Reader. Nothing's perfect, but this one seems to be the best balance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I prefer the Nook app because of the way the text is formatted, but I agree with dc, Moon Reader is a good alternative.
I am considering buying one of these but would like to try it out in a store before I buy it. Does anyone know of a US retailer that stocks them?
I am mostly curious about the following things:
1) How good is it for taking notes in college/university classes? Can you rest your palm on the screen while using the stylus?
2) Is there a way to view the notes taken on pdf on a computer?
3) Is it pretty solid feel wise? Or does it feel like it will fall apart after a couple years?
4) How much bloatware comes on it and is it hard to remove via rooting?
5) Does the screen go dark enough for comfortable reading in dimly lit rooms?
Thanks for the info.
the notes are great, I use Quill, as it works nearly perfect, in the app i have turned on pen input only and jot tons and tons of notes all day long.
You can export the notes to various files, while im not sure about PDF there is certainly a format that can be read on your desktop
Like all lenovo products i've had its built to last like an enterprise system should be. as long as you take care of it it will last a long time past EOL
Bloatware isnt too bad, theres still some stuff lenovo managed to get into the system pretty deep (like the status bar wheel widget thing.) but its never bothered me that much as it only comes up at the home screen.
screen brightness works great in dim rooms, i tend to read books by a small lamp in bed most of the time with minimal strain.
I purchased mine from lenovo direct so I dont know about any local retailers.
Thanks for the info. However when I asked about notes on PDFs I should have clarified a bit. I was asking about their PDF viewer that lets you take notes on the PDF document and weather that can be exported to something useful.
Also I thought of one more thing: If I have my notes backed up with something like spideroak, can the notes be converted on a computer? I ask because I am worried about taking a semesters worth of notes on it then having it die and there being no way to read them without getting a new tablet.
FearTheCron said:
Thanks for the info. However when I asked about notes on PDFs I should have clarified a bit. I was asking about their PDF viewer that lets you take notes on the PDF document and weather that can be exported to something useful.
Also I thought of one more thing: If I have my notes backed up with something like spideroak, can the notes be converted on a computer? I ask because I am worried about taking a semesters worth of notes on it then having it die and there being no way to read them without getting a new tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ezPDF allows you to fill out pdf forms, underline, strikeout, and add freehand drawings as well as circles/squares/etc. It should do what you're looking for.
https://market.android.com/details?id=udk.android.reader&feature=search_result
and if you have the file saved as a pdf on your sd card you should be able to open it with any pdf reader (pc or otherwise).
The quill note taking app he mentioned allows you to export your notes to sdcard pdfs
Thanks for the info.
One last thing: has anyone used connect bot or another ssh client on this? I am curious if the keys on the keyboard folio such as escape quotes tild and whatnot all send the proper characters. I had a bluetooth keyboard for my N1 a while back that sent some weird unicode characters for the quotes making terminal usage very difficult.
https://market.android.com/details?id=berserker.android.apps.sshdroid&hl=en
I have used SSH droid with WINSCP worked like a charm, I'm by no means an experienced user with SSH, i just used it to dig around the file system.
SSH droid is a server for the android device, I am asking about using a client on the android device.
My bad, I left my brain at home today... I will test it for you this evening and let you know if the client works with the keymapping
Cool thanks, I look forward to hearing your results.
Update: I just ordered one, so if its too much of a bother don't worry about testing the connect bot thing. My shiny object syndrome overwhelmed my frugal side. Can't wait to get my hands on it.
It works like a charm tested with Moba SSH home 1.22 and connect bot, all the keys from the folio map properly and I haven't seen anything odd at this point, also SSH'd into a couple of Access points over my VPN at work with the TPT to test as well.
Congrats on the TPT! you're gonna love it!
Unfortunately the keys do not map properly, escape is still connected to "back" in the android os and ctrl is connected to "menu". Does anyone know if there is some way to map these to their proper functions?
Thanks
S
I have read that it's possible to use google books on the NST (or NTG) but i can't find it in the market place. and every time i try and side load the apk i get INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER_SDK. I downloaded google play books 2.3.5 apk which is supposably built for 2.1. I thought the NST/NTG was on 2.1 (or is it 2.2?) so im curious why this doesn't work... anyone care to comment?
If i just have the wrong version please let me know the correct version to use.
You can try apktool-ing the apk and see what version it specs in AndroidManifest.xml.
You could modify the version and see if it crashes.
We're running Eclair, 2.1, API level 7 on the Nook Touch.
Any luck OP?
EDIT:
Tried this one: http://www.iapktop.com/google-play-books-2-4-3.html since it said compatible with 2.1, but I had no luck.
Then I tried this one: http://www.iapktop.com/google-books-1-4-5.html and it looks to be working! I saw my library in the window and I have it downloading one of my books now for reading to test.
EDIT2: AAaaaaand... works. Perfectly I might add. The only thing that doesn't work is the side buttons don't switch pages. I think because they are bound to PAGE_NEXT or something. Changing them to Right and Left arrow should do it.
EDIT3: Yep. A quick change to the keylayout lets me page with the right hand buttons. It does break the ability to page in the stock reading app though with those buttons. For now I'm leaving it with paging in Google books with right side buttons and paging in Nook with left side buttons. I'll probably go all in later.
What I did was edit /system/usr/keylayout/TWL4030_Keypad.kl and switch RIGHT_NEXTPAGE to DPAD_RIGHT and then switched RIGHT_PREVPAGE to DPAD_LEFT.
Hopefully that makes sense. If not I can probably make it easier for you by pulling the file itself, but I figure I'd try to "teach a man to fish."
Dynamic button remapping; getting rid of page-turn animation
(Interested lurker speaking. I don't have a NST, but a rooted Sony PRS-T1, which is similar, but running Android 2.2. Please take what I say with a grain of salt.)
The latest version of Google Play Books that does not require 3D hardware (for its carousel view and its page-turn animation) and that is available for older Android versions appears to be version 1.5.4.
I'm using that version on the PRS-T1, but was annoyed by its flickering slide animation when turning pages. If you're comfortable with the Android SDK and apktool, here's a hack I did to remove that animation:
mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187741
The problem of different Left/Right key bindings for different apps plagues the PRS-T1 as well. This led me to look for a solution to remap these buttons dynamically, depending on which app was currently running in the foreground. Here's my hack for the PRS-T1, which a semi-experienced developer could port over to the NST. I'd be happy to accept patches.
mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187054
github.com/altruizine/pgdn
(Sorry for not posting direct links – I'm not allowed to post links yet.)
altruizine said:
(Interested lurker speaking. I don't have a NST, but a rooted Sony PRS-T1, which is similar, but running Android 2.2. Please take what I say with a grain of salt.)
The latest version of Google Play Books that does not require 3D hardware (for its carousel view and it page-turn animation) and that it available for older Android versions appears to be version 1.5.4.
I'm using that version on the PRS-T1, but was annoyed by its flickering slide animation when turning pages. If you're comfortable with the Android SDK and apktool, here's a hack I did to remove that animation:
mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187741
The problem of different Left/Right key bindings for different apps plagues the PRS-T1 as well. This led me to look for a solution to remap these buttons dynamically, depending on which app was currently running in the foreground. Here's my hack for the PRS-T1, which a semi-experienced developer could port over to the NST. I'd be happy to accept patches.
mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187054
github.com/altruizine/pgdn
(Sorry for not posting direct links – I'm not allowed to post links yet.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's awesome! I only just got this device last night so haven't got too far into hacking it, but I have plenty of other Android experience. I'll see if I can replicate.
Sent from my HTC One S using xda premium
So close!
ViViDboarder said:
Then I tried this one: .iapktop.com/google-books-1-4-5 and it looks to be working! I saw my library in the window and I have it downloading one of my books now for reading to test.
EDIT2: AAaaaaand... works. Perfectly I might add. The only thing that doesn't work is the side buttons don't switch pages. I think because they are bound to PAGE_NEXT or something. Changing them to Right and Left arrow should do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for posting this!
I installed the1-4-5 apk without incident and all my books synced beautifully, including where I left off in them. I was pretty sure I was home free at this point but I've found that the actual content of the books never loads. I get the spinning loading icon off into infinity.
This is the way for all my books. Looks for all the world like it should work fine but just never loads the actual content.
I've tried a system reboot, scanning around between pages, fussing with text size/line spacing and same outcome.
I tried the 2-4-3 apk and got a parsing error when i tried to open the package.
This is so close I can taste it. Any ideas anyone?
Thank you
Update:
I found that if I toggled on "Original pages" in the book options the content would load. After I did that once I could switch back to "flowing text" and adjust as needed.
Update 2:
I still intermittently have issues with book content loading. Probably once per day the loading icon displays indefinitely. The flowing text/original pages workaround I listed before was likely a flook, I haven't been able to find a way to reliably get around this problem. It's terribly annoying.
Update 3:
I tried using the refresh option on the library view prior to loading my book this time and it popped up immediately afterward. I'll continue to experiment with this to see if it works consistently.
Update 4:
That's unreliable as well. There doesn't seem to be any good way to prompt my book to actually load the content of the book. Super annoying.
Version 1.0.16
jorgenric said:
Thank you so much for posting this!
I installed the1-4-5 apk without incident and all my books synced beautifully, including where I left off in them. I was pretty sure I was home free at this point but I've found that the actual content of the books never loads. I get the spinning loading icon off into infinity.
This is the way for all my books. Looks for all the world like it should work fine but just never loads the actual content.
I've tried a system reboot, scanning around between pages, fussing with text size/line spacing and same outcome.
I tried the 2-4-3 apk and got a parsing error when i tried to open the package.
This is so close I can taste it. Any ideas anyone?
Thank you
Update:
I found that if I toggled on "Original pages" in the book options the content would load. After I did that once I could switch back to "flowing text" and adjust as needed.
Update 2:
I still intermittently have issues with book content loading. Probably once per day the loading icon displays indefinitely. The flowing text/original pages workaround I listed before was likely a flook, I haven't been able to find a way to reliably get around this problem. It's terribly annoying.
Update 3:
I tried using the refresh option on the library view prior to loading my book this time and it popped up immediately afterward. I'll continue to experiment with this to see if it works consistently.
Update 4:
That's unreliable as well. There doesn't seem to be any good way to prompt my book to actually load the content of the book. Super annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is an older version that I found somewhere on the web. It is version 1.0.16...I installed it and it seems to work excellently so far. The bug where version 1.5.4 often never loads the book doesn't seem to be present. :cyclops:
finitary said:
Here is an older version that I found somewhere on the web. It is version 1.0.16...I installed it and it seems to work excellently so far. The bug where version 1.5.4 often never loads the book doesn't seem to be present. :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may have to give this a shot. I am frequently annoyed with this bug. Thankfully the books I'm reading actually fit perfectly on the screen when viewing the scanned versions.
Just wanted to bump and see if you're still getting good results with that version of Google Books. I haven't switched yet (started reading something on Kindle) but I'm about to start a new book on Google Play.
Seems to work!
finitary said:
Here is an older version that I found somewhere on the web. It is version 1.0.16...I installed it and it seems to work excellently so far. The bug where version 1.5.4 often never loads the book doesn't seem to be present. :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just loaded up the 1.0.16 version and the book loaded right up where as 10 minutes ago it stubbornly refused. I'm not going to get my hopes up yet but I'll try and remember to give an update after some more use. Thanks for the post!
goodereader.com has version 1.5.2 for download. Worth a try.
Success!
jorgenric said:
I just loaded up the 1.0.16 version and the book loaded right up where as 10 minutes ago it stubbornly refused. I'm not going to get my hopes up yet but I'll try and remember to give an update after some more use. Thanks for the post!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems to be working consistently with this version of reader.
jorgenric said:
Seems to be working consistently with this version of reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! Thanks for the update.
Finally got around to rooting my Nook Touch, as I wanted to utilize the syncing feature of Google Play Books. They now let you upload your own epub files to your library, and I have been reading mainly on my phone or Nexus 7 as a result.
Unfortunately it looks like the 1.0.16 version does not support user uploaded books. All of my purchased books appear, but none of the many I uploaded. 1.5.2 and 1.5.4 both have the book not loading issue.
Anyone have any thoughts or other versions to try? Would love to get this working.
urinsane said:
Finally got around to rooting my Nook Touch, as I wanted to utilize the syncing feature of Google Play Books. They now let you upload your own epub files to your library, and I have been reading mainly on my phone or Nexus 7 as a result.
Unfortunately it looks like the 1.0.16 version does not support user uploaded books. All of my purchased books appear, but none of the many I uploaded. 1.5.2 and 1.5.4 both have the book not loading issue.
Anyone have any thoughts or other versions to try? Would love to get this working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat. I can see my uploaded library in play but it's not loading the book. I think it has loaded the book but it's not ending the load part of the function. Just guessing.
Hope we can get this worked out.. This would help me tremendously being able to read on the N2T and sync across my computer and Nexus.
*update For some strange reason this started working for about a minute. Book I'm reading synced right to the exact page. Exited and went back in to see if it would still work and it went back to the looping circle page. It's so close I can taste it.
*update Managed to get 1.5.2 working but only in offline mode only. I've noticed the more pages the book has the slower it is to load, but it's loading none the less 9/10 times. Progress, so it is possible to get this working.
ForSquirel said:
I'm in the same boat. I can see my uploaded library in play but it's not loading the book. I think it has loaded the book but it's not ending the load part of the function. Just guessing.
Hope we can get this worked out.. This would help me tremendously being able to read on the N2T and sync across my computer and Nexus.
*update For some strange reason this started working for about a minute. Book I'm reading synced right to the exact page. Exited and went back in to see if it would still work and it went back to the looping circle page. It's so close I can taste it.
*update Managed to get 1.5.2 working but only in offline mode only. I've noticed the more pages the book has the slower it is to load, but it's loading none the less 9/10 times. Progress, so it is possible to get this working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not really sure what version I am using now but it loaded once on my NST. However, the next time I tried loading a book it took forever to load (and I eventually closed the app). It might have to do with memory... Who knows... The funny thing is that once it has loaded the book it works like a charm. Really fast (I would say as fast as the native app). The only thing that don't work are the hardware buttons but it was quite expectable.
enekomh said:
I'm not really sure what version I am using now but it loaded once on my NST. However, the next time I tried loading a book it took forever to load (and I eventually closed the app). It might have to do with memory... Who knows... The funny thing is that once it has loaded the book it works like a charm. Really fast (I would say as fast as the native app). The only thing that don't work are the hardware buttons but it was quite expectable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any updates? Looks promising....
Here's a link to an old version that worked for me (I later uninstalled it,finding better sources for books).
nmyshkin said:
Here's a link to an old version that worked for me (I later uninstalled it,finding better sources for books).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry meant the 1.5.2 or up version. I have uploaded books on Google Play that I hope to read.
I'm also searching for this solution. I have tried the older versions, but there doesn't seem to be a solution. Best I've got is installing an old Google Drive apk, and downloading from there. Box also works, but it's Drive for me.
Hello all and merry Christmas,
I am really interested in getting a nook ereader and I would like to known which is the best one to get for rooting? Im leaning towards the nook simple touch glowlight i like the feel of the back and the fact that it is lighter than the simple touch and has page turn buttons unlike the glowlight.
I also have a question regarding apps, I want the nook to use aldiko and pocket for reading books and articles. I notices many threads talking about the fact that you need modded apks to run on the nook. So my question is how do those apps run (aldiko and pocket) since these will be the main apps I use it is important that they run well I prefer the ereader to any tablet as I would be using it before I sleep. I appriciate any imput thanks in advance
Hello,
Aldiko does work. It will even open Barnes and Noble books. Ypou do not need to hack applications to run on the nooks, you just need to find versions which are useable.
The last version of Aldiko I found (I only searched for a second) which works is 2.0.1. The buttons do not turn the pages out of the box, but I bet you could get them to work.
As for pocket, it would need to be hacked because it came out after android 2.1. However, read it later should work. It is a stripped down version from the same company (actually, it was the predecessor).
The other issue is fonts and animations. Animations do not work well on this type of screen. And fonts are easier to read if they are actually black on white or vice versa. This is not an issue with Aldiko as IIT allows custom fonts, but could be for read it later.
Finally, know that there is a new net with glowlight and it seems the rooting may not be as easy as the other nooks. Poke around in the boards here to find more about that issue.
Good luck,
~Leko
Go forth and work toward your salvation with diligence.
lekofraggle said:
Hello,
Aldiko does work. It will even open Barnes and Noble books. Ypou do not need to hack applications to run on the nooks, you just need to find versions which are useable.
The last version of Aldiko I found (I only searched for a second) which works is 2.0.1. The buttons do not turn the pages out of the box, but I bet you could get them to work.
As for pocket, it would need to be hacked because it came out after android 2.1. However, read it later should work. It is a stripped down version from the same company (actually, it was the predecessor).
The other issue is fonts and animations. Animations do not work well on this type of screen. And fonts are easier to read if they are actually black on white or vice versa. This is not an issue with Aldiko as IIT allows custom fonts, but could be for read it later.
Finally, know that there is a new net with glowlight and it seems the rooting may not be as easy as the other nooks. Poke around in the boards here to find more about that issue.
Good luck,
~Leko
Go forth and work toward your salvation with diligence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok thanks man I dont think the animation thing will be a problem
So I was thinking of writing a replacement home for my nook touch, as I have a little bit of android development experience under my belt from my previous smartphone. I like the design of the stock home screen, because i mostly use my nook for reading. I never use the B&N store to get books though, so the "popular books" (top 5 of the BN top 100 or whatever) and "new" book sections mean nothing to me...
I'd replace the "new book" part with a random book from the library (in a "pick from a hat" fashion) each time the home is viewed, and replace the "popular books" area with books from a "to read" list the user can determine.
Is this something anyone else would be interested in too, and is there somewhere I can find nook-specific stuff for programming it? (the B&N development page is offline as of discontinuation of the nook color)
tinferbrains said:
So I was thinking of writing a replacement home for my nook touch, as I have a little bit of android development experience under my belt from my previous smartphone. I like the design of the stock home screen, because i mostly use my nook for reading. I never use the B&N store to get books though, so the "popular books" (top 5 of the BN top 100 or whatever) and "new" book sections mean nothing to me...
I'd replace the "new book" part with a random book from the library (in a "pick from a hat" fashion) each time the home is viewed, and replace the "popular books" area with books from a "to read" list the user can determine.
Is this something anyone else would be interested in too, and is there somewhere I can find nook-specific stuff for programming it? (the B&N development page is offline as of discontinuation of the nook color)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm intrigued by this idea. Right now I only see the B&N home screen when I reboot unless I do a long-press of the "n" button. I can foresee the day when those two areas you mention will both be out of luck. In fact, I can foresee the day when just about any app that will run on the NST, but needs to access information from a remote server, will no longer be able to do so.
I have a different suggestion for the "new reads" section. It's probably impractical but what about displaying meta data for the current book there? Of course, the print would have to be on the small side--maybe you'd need to be able to scroll. I've always missed the ability to display this info in the library for side-loaded books (by double-tap). Books from Calibre can have the data as part of the epub file already, there's just no way to access it.
For me, the "what to read next" section could just be a random selection of what's in the library. Or maybe that's a better place for the meta data display.
Just some thoughts. Sounds like an interesting project.
Edit: the more I thought about it, the sillier my suggestion seemed! Your idea is best. I look forward to seeing how it develops.
nmyshkin said:
I'm intrigued by this idea. Right now I only see the B&N home screen when I reboot unless I do a long-press of the "n" button. I can foresee the day when those two areas you mention will both be out of luck. In fact, I can foresee the day when just about any app that will run on the NST, but needs to access information from a remote server, will no longer be able to do so.
I have a different suggestion for the "new reads" section. It's probably impractical but what about displaying meta data for the current book there? Of course, the print would have to be on the small side--maybe you'd need to be able to scroll. I've always missed the ability to display this info in the library for side-loaded books (by double-tap). Books from Calibre can have the data as part of the epub file already, there's just no way to access it.
For me, the "what to read next" section could just be a random selection of what's in the library. Or maybe that's a better place for the meta data display.
Just some thoughts. Sounds like an interesting project.
Edit: the more I thought about it, the sillier my suggestion seemed! Your idea is best. I look forward to seeing how it develops.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like your ideas. Pulling the metadata into the new reads spot might be cool, and random books may be easier than the user-determined list... who knows?