Guys, I read my local paper on my bus journey home each day, it's usually over 40 pages and can be 30-110Mb in size (depending on adverts and photos)
I've tried all the free readers and the only one that works without crashing is the free office app that came with the Tab, however this doesn't have a way to jump a few pages, for example, if I'm on page 20 and nearing home I want to jump to the back page to read the sports pages before I get off, with the office app I have to swipe right to the end
Is there anything out there that can handle the paper and also be able to jump around pages (and preferably, one that is nice to look at and maybe even animates turning pages!)
if anyone has any paid PDF viewers, can you try the paper and let me know how it handles it? (todays happens to be the smallest so far at 21Mb though I'll be putting tomorrows there in 16 hours so it depends when you read this as to which you download)
www.maffmace.co.uk/YEP.pdf
Thanks
EzPDF reader is my favorite, does everything you need and is updated frequently by the developer.
http://www.appbrain.com/app/ezpdf-reader/udk.android.reader
Unfortunately there is no PDF annotation tool available for Android yet...
I've been using RepliGo Reader to handle some of my larger PDFs and find it satisfactory. It has a nice Reading View, supports Bookmarks, lets you go to any page you want, and select text for copying to another app. If the PDF has been set up properly, selecting the Bookmarks option shows a Table of Contents for fast moving around larger documents. It even handles the Adobe DRM files, which is one of the main reasons I use it. So far it has opened everything I have thrown at it, which is not the case with some of the other PDF readers I have tried. There is no fancy page animation, just a solid and usable app.
daniel.weck said:
EzPDF reader is my favorite, does everything you need and is updated frequently by the developer.
http://www.appbrain.com/app/ezpdf-reader/udk.android.reader
Unfortunately there is no PDF annotation tool available for Android yet...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried that, it doesn't like large PDF's
Maris_ said:
I've been using RepliGo Reader to handle some of my larger PDFs and find it satisfactory. It has a nice Reading View, supports Bookmarks, lets you go to any page you want, and select text for copying to another app. If the PDF has been set up properly, selecting the Bookmarks option shows a Table of Contents for fast moving around larger documents. It even handles the Adobe DRM files, which is one of the main reasons I use it. So far it has opened everything I have thrown at it, which is not the case with some of the other PDF readers I have tried. There is no fancy page animation, just a solid and usable app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will give that a go, thanks
I'm currently reading a graphically-rich 12MB book with 740 pages, and RepliGo Reader really lacks the zoom + navigation features that make the reading experience acceptable. On top of that, large books take *ages* to load, the font kerning is often wrong (weird character spacing), and the page refresh logic is really distracting (transition from blurry bitmap to fine text in scalable vector graphics mode).
That's why I recommended the cheaper, but more full-featured ezPDF Reader.
I hope you eventually find what you need
Cheers, Dan
daniel.weck said:
I'm currently reading a graphically-rich 12MB book with 740 pages, and RepliGo Reader really lacks the zoom + navigation features that make the reading experience acceptable. On top of that, large books take *ages* to load, the font kerning is often wrong (weird character spacing), and the page refresh logic is really distracting (transition from blurry bitmap to fine text in scalable vector graphics mode).
That's why I recommended the cheaper, but more full-featured ezPDF Reader.
I hope you eventually find what you need
Cheers, Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you try it with the newspaper I've linked to?
I've just uploaded todays which is 40 pages and 65Mb (av 1.6Mb per page) which is about normal each day and will be more challenging than a book that's on average 0.016Mb per page
the pages in the 20's are most difficult as they have adverts and classifieds in them
www.maffmace.co.uk/YEP.pdf
ezPDF is one of the best I've used so far
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
tried them all, repligo is the fastest page render by far.
bubblebob said:
ezPDF is one of the best I've used so far
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
le3ky said:
tried them all, repligo is the fastest page render by far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how do they cope with the paper I've linked to above?
that's all I'll be using it for
www.maffmace.co.uk/YEP.pdf
mmace said:
Guys, I read my local paper on my bus journey home each day, it's usually over 40 pages and can be 30-110Mb in size (depending on adverts and photos)
I've tried all the free readers and the only one that works without crashing is the free office app that came with the Tab, however this doesn't have a way to jump a few pages, for example, if I'm on page 20 and nearing home I want to jump to the back page to read the sports pages before I get off, with the office app I have to swipe right to the end
Is there anything out there that can handle the paper and also be able to jump around pages (and preferably, one that is nice to look at and maybe even animates turning pages!)
if anyone has any paid PDF viewers, can you try the paper and let me know how it handles it? (todays happens to be the smallest so far at 21Mb though I'll be putting tomorrows there in 16 hours so it depends when you read this as to which you download)
www.maffmace.co.uk/YEP.pdf
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried the Adobe Android app?
Might also want to look into turning it into an epub. Download Calibre for your PC/Mac, let it do the conversion, and can even be setup to automatically pull down news sources and convert them to the format of your choice, and sync them to your device of choice.
Just to reiterate a bit, Calibre rocks.
For epub readers, I'm really fond of Aldiko. And Perfect Viewer is also a nice app for CBZ, PDF, etc (though the UI could use a bit of work).
mmace said:
how do they cope with the paper I've linked to above?
that's all I'll be using it for
www.maffmace.co.uk/YEP.pdf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded the paper and tried it with the free Adobe Reader app from the Market and it works fine. All graphics and text are there. If you use the "Continuous Scroll" you can quickly scroll through a birdseye view of the pages until you find the one you want to view. The "Fit to Screen" view does what it says and a double-tap on an article or text area will zoom it to an easily readable size. It also supports pinch to zoom if you need a different size. Long-pressing the screen brings up a scrollbar across the bottom and some other options.
RepliGo Reader also renders all but the very first page for some reason, but it is a paid app, and for a newspaper, the Adobe Reader does just as nice a job for free.
I tried to take screenshots of the various menu options and choices, but neither app will let me create one. No such thing as a long-press on the back button because they immediately go back until they exit.
Hope this info helps.
Croak said:
Have you tried the Adobe Android app?
Might also want to look into turning it into an epub. Download Calibre for your PC/Mac, let it do the conversion, and can even be setup to automatically pull down news sources and convert them to the format of your choice, and sync them to your device of choice.
Just to reiterate a bit, Calibre rocks.
For epub readers, I'm really fond of Aldiko. And Perfect Viewer is also a nice app for CBZ, PDF, etc (though the UI could use a bit of work).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I've tried the official Adobe Reader and it never even renders the 1st page, it just crashes the Tab after a minute or 2 of trying
I will look into the ebook thing, thanks
Maris_ said:
I downloaded the paper and tried it with the free Adobe Reader app from the Market and it works fine. All graphics and text are there. If you use the "Continuous Scroll" you can quickly scroll through a birdseye view of the pages until you find the one you want to view. The "Fit to Screen" view does what it says and a double-tap on an article or text area will zoom it to an easily readable size. It also supports pinch to zoom if you need a different size. Long-pressing the screen brings up a scrollbar across the bottom and some other options.
RepliGo Reader also renders all but the very first page for some reason, but it is a paid app, and for a newspaper, the Adobe Reader does just as nice a job for free.
I tried to take screenshots of the various menu options and choices, but neither app will let me create one. No such thing as a long-press on the back button because they immediately go back until they exit.
Hope this info helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried the official one and it had trouble loading any pages at all and crashed each time
Croak said:
Just to reiterate a bit, Calibre rocks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or not. I have a few PDF books i bought from Manning, and Calibre fails flat on face on those files. Yes, it does convert them - but all pictures are destroyed during the conversion and because of the signature at bottom of every page, it makes the final epub file even worse.
Only if there would be a reader which could read both epub and pdf formats in one app.
faugusztin said:
Or not. I have a few PDF books i bought from Manning, and Calibre fails flat on face on those files. Yes, it does convert them - but all pictures are destroyed during the conversion and because of the signature at bottom of every page, it makes the final epub file even worse.
Only if there would be a reader which could read both epub and pdf formats in one app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just tried it to convert today's 120Mb paper to an 80Mb ePub, just uploading it now to test
Trying to import todays paper into Aldiko and it's said "Importing Books..." for over 20 minutes now, it;s only an 80Mb book, I think this software has failed at the first hurdle
Any other "decent" ePub readers out there?
mmace said:
Hi, I've tried the official Adobe Reader and it never even renders the 1st page, it just crashes the Tab after a minute or 2 of trying
I will look into the ebook thing, thanks
I've tried the official one and it had trouble loading any pages at all and crashed each time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry these apps didn't work for you. I didn't have any crashes using the link you provided with either app on my Tab (T-Mo version, not rooted). I'm out of ideas at this point. I even tried it on my Nexus One and had no problems. Sorry.
Maris_ said:
Sorry these apps didn't work for you. I didn't have any crashes using the link you provided with either app on my Tab (T-Mo version, not rooted). I'm out of ideas at this point. I even tried it on my Nexus One and had no problems. Sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe it's because yesterdays paper was so small?
can you try again now?
I just uploaded today's which is 120Mb
www.maffmace.co.uk/YEP.pdf
Hope it's not my Tab
I've also done an ePub, www.maffmace.co.uk/YEP.epub which is 80Mb
Converting a PDF with rich column layout (like newspapers or magazines) into an EPUB is a terrible idea. EPUB is designed for reflowable text, not for pixel-perfect ("fixed layout") documents.
I noticed that ezPDF provides "intelligent" navigation features, to automatically move from one column to the next, in order to mimic the human reading flow (eye movement). Unfortunately some PDFs (including the 60MB example kindly provided in this thread for testing) are badly formatted and do not indicate the correct reading flow.
By the way, this unfortunate mediocre PDF encoding is the main cause for awful EPUB conversions. The misuse of typesetting tools in the publishing industry results in pretty poor content quality, structurally-speaking (because the emphasis is on visual appearance, not raw content organization).
So, the best course of action is to continue testing PDF readers (in depth, not just superficially => use previous/next navigation features, double-tap zoom with column scroll-locking, pinch/stretch zoom for fine margin adjustments, placemarks / bookmarks, etc. etc.).
Some PDF reading apps are better maintained than others on the Market. There may be opportunities to report bugs or request features.
Cheers, Dan
mmace said:
I just uploaded today's which is 120Mb
www.maffmace.co.uk/YEP.pdf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, even my modern laptop struggles to browse this PDF smoothly
I don't expect a mobile device to offer a smooth reading experience
mmace said:
I've also done an ePub, www.maffmace.co.uk/YEP.epub which is 80Mb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't bother. EPUB conversion is not satisfactory for this kind of PDF content (as I explained in the post above).
Cheers, Dan
daniel.weck said:
Converting a PDF with rich column layout (like newspapers or magazines) into an EPUB is a terrible idea. EPUB is designed for reflowable text, not for pixel-perfect ("fixed layout") documents.
I noticed that ezPDF provides "intelligent" navigation features, to automatically move from one column to the next, in order to mimic the human reading flow (eye movement). Unfortunately some PDFs (including the 60MB example kindly provided in this thread for testing) are badly formatted and do not indicate the correct reading flow.
By the way, this unfortunate mediocre PDF encoding is the main cause for awful EPUB conversions. The misuse of typesetting tools in the publishing industry results in pretty poor content quality, structurally-speaking (because the emphasis is on visual appearance, not raw content organization).
So, the best course of action is to continue testing PDF readers (in depth, not just superficially => use previous/next navigation features, double-tap zoom with column scroll-locking, pinch/stretch zoom for fine margin adjustments, placemarks / bookmarks, etc. etc.).
Some PDF reading apps are better maintained than others on the Market. There may be opportunities to report bugs or request features.
Cheers, Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the 60Mb one was "created" by myself, each page sent to the printers is around 4Mb, I then put them all together in 1 file and then "print" to a PDF file at 72dpi and A6 page size to reduce the file size
If you download the 120Mb one today, that one is the original files just merged into 1 PDF
I cannot test PDF readers in depth because most don't even open large PDF's like todays
I am looking for a PDF viewer that will display Title information scrapped out of the metadata rather than the filename. The filenames of the files I am interested in viewing are the document number (i.e. 52343234245.pdf) and the Title is much more user friendly (i.e. LRU User Guide).
When I import PDFs into iBooks on the iPad, this information in automatically scrapped out. Any apps with similar functionality on Android?
Even a desktop utility that does the renaming would be better than nothing.
Lumiread that comes with the A500 shows the metadata, and it also allows you to fetch the metadata from the Internet, too. On 3.0.1 Lumiread is a tad slow, though, but I hear it's gotten some performance improvements in 3.1.
I've been looking for a good pdf viewer with two simple features; remember the page when closing a book and the ability to create bookmarks. Never thought of Lumiread until you mentioned it
Thanks
ezPDF is another one that's absolutely great, offers bookmarks, allows you to highlight selections, add your own notes etc. to PDF files, and it's really fast. It doesn't sport a bookshelf like the Lumiread though, nor does it show metadata.
EDIT: Just asked them if they have any plans to add similar support for metadata and a virtual "bookshelf" to ezPDF, I'll try to remember to mention here when I get a reply.
WereCatf said:
Just asked them if they have any plans to add similar support for metadata and a virtual "bookshelf" to ezPDF, I'll try to remember to mention here when I get a reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I was going to e-mail them, but the firewall blocks their site for being high risk/malicious.
I'm not getting any reply from ezPDF folks, absolutely none. But after having tried a few other ebook readers Mantano Reader and Aldiko Book Reader both seem pretty good and both also support metadata. So far I lean towards Mantano myself, but I can't really find any specific issues with Aldiko either, just that the bookshelf view is slow to scroll.
Apart from showing metadata, which software is the fastest to flip page?
I found ezReader quite slow
When I flip page using Ipad 2, it really fast & smooth
I need such software for my Iconia as well
Thanks
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.
hi...
am confused to see nook touch on xda....i mean what improvement would rooting/installing custom rom on nook do?
i though nook touch is only used for reading and it does that already...what more improvement can be made...
jamaljan said:
hi...
am confused to see nook touch on xda....i mean what improvement would rooting/installing custom rom on nook do?
i though nook touch is only used for reading and it does that already...what more improvement can be made...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Spam post?
Anyway.. if you do it right you will get a full Adroid 2.1 e-ink tablet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP2CVXzpK5s
Don't create useless threads, read the forum etc.
"more improvement" = fast display mode, every PDF/chm/doc/epub... reader that runs on Android, google play, games , web browsing, email clients, video playback, audio playback using external USB audio card, image viewers, making notes using external USB keyboard, RSS/ATOM, VNC, additional dictionaries and fonts,
drawing apk's, flashcard apk's (ANKI)
the list goes on.
osowiecki said:
Spam post?
Anyway.. if you do it right you will get a full Adroid 2.1 e-ink tablet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP2CVXzpK5s
Don't create useless threads, read the forum etc.
"more improvement" = fast display mode, every PDF/chm/doc/epub... reader that runs on Android, google play, games , web browsing, email clients, video playback, audio playback using external USB audio card, image viewers, making notes using external USB keyboard, RSS/ATOM, VNC, additional dictionaries and fonts,
drawing apk's, flashcard apk's (ANKI)
the list goes on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a lot. my intention was not to spam. i was just surprised.
will definitely check out the forum :good:
EDIT: I don't think we can make it an e-ink reader, you are joking, rite?
jamaljan said:
thanks a lot. my intention was not to spam. i was just surprised.
will definitely check out the forum :good:
EDIT: I don't think we can make it an e-ink reader, you are joking, rite?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
buy NST and it will show u that u have e-ink reader and we will convert it to a tablet.
i think u just spam .... and next post u will do and seemed it spam ..... unfortunately report moderators
PS: i have rooted NST and already convert it to tablet
speedman2202 said:
buy NST and it will show u that u have e-ink reader and we will convert it to a tablet.
i think u just spam .... and next post u will do and seemed it spam ..... unfortunately report moderators
PS: i have rooted NST and already convert it to tablet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already have Nook Simple Touch and yea its eink reader. I thought it was being referred that we can make it a colour ink reader... maybe i read it wrongly.
jamaljan said:
I already have Nook Simple Touch and yea its eink reader. I thought it was being referred that we can make it a colour ink reader... maybe i read it wrongly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of coarse we cant.
Just watch video, what is this thread about?
jamaljan said:
[...] am confused to see nook touch on xda....i mean what improvement would rooting/installing custom rom on nook do?
i though nook touch is only used for reading and it does that already...what more improvement can be made...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've confused yourself by thinking all improvements have to be made to reading. Even in reading, though, there is room for improvement. The stock NOOK reader and library have a lot of limitations and problems:
Limited font selection.
Poor and fragile organizational capabilities with large collections
Mixed support for metadata in sideloaded, non-B&N content (e.g. covers, book summaries)
No support for synchronizing reading positions on non-B&N content.
Removed page numbering from table of contents.
Dropped support for Discover and Popular Science magazines.
I also got tired of B&N deciding that, because I hadn't purchased anything from them lately, I must be interested in novels with shirtless dudes and plastering them on my home screen. The first thing I did after rooting was replace the B&N library and reader with Mantano Reader Premium, which together with their cloud subscription service, keeps my reading synchronized across 5 devices, regardless of where I bought the book. Mantano can also read the newest Discover and PopSci formats with no problem. Mantano also supports additional dictionaries. I find the reading experience on my "Mantano Simple Touch" vastly superior.
Of course, there's the usual litany of performance and battery improvements:
Improved control of wifi usage and automated daily sync using Tasker. Wifi only turns on for the few apps I use that need it. No more leaving wifi on overnight by accident and finding battery down.
Improved control of wifi access using WiFi Manager. Much easier to search for wifi options.
Ability to log into captive web portals (e.g. hotels, airports) and automate login process using Wi-Fi Web Login. Unit can wake up at night and sync without manual intervention to access wifi.
Overclock, multitouch and fast screen modes (I don't use these much personally, but they work well with no perceptible battery impact.)
Automatic sync to local timezone using Clocksync (useful when traveling).
Improved keyboard with Smart Keyboard Pro.
And the usual litany of app selection:
Improved browser (Opera Mobile).
Corporate and private email (Touchdown, Maildroid)
Automated Dropbox folder sync (e.g. nightly news subscriptions using Calibre) using Dropsync.
Offline web reading using Instapaper with Instafetch client.
Travel info (Flight Track, TripIt)
RSS news feeds (NewsRob, My6Sense)
Google Voice (voicemail transcriptions as text).
And a few time-wasting games that work well on the eink screen:
Shredder Chess
Yukon Gold (there's an eink-optimized version here on XDA).
Crosswords
My question to you is, owning a device and having such capabilities, why would you NOT root it? A better start might have been to simply ask what people are doing with rooted devices rather than questioning the need to do so because you don't understand why. I can literally sit at the beach in direct sunlight and do these things (depending on wifi, of course). Why would I carry another device to do these basic tasks when the NST I already have does them just fine, anywhere, indoors or out? Do you find it more sensible for a corporation to define how you should use the device you paid for?
Thanks bobstro for the detailed answer. I'll definitely root my device as soon as I get some time. :good: