Database Users

Survivalist's Tablet

I've got a friend who's about to be deployed overseas. He has used an Android phone for a couple of years, is an avid reader, has never had a tablet but is proficient with the Android interface.
He expects to have access to Internet (wifi) only periodically, he expects to be without electrical power for days at a time, he needs any non-essential gear to be lightweight and durable. He asked me if he should get an ereader. I think a rooted Nook Simple Touch would meet his ereader needs and go one better. I'm trying to set him up with a rooted NST that will give him access to a few essential tablet apps, an Internet browser for when he's got wifi and a selection of ereader apps so he can read anything that's out there in electronic print.
So far I've rooted the NST using SalsichaNooter (thanks for that), installed Go Launcher because you can easily increase the size of text and icons, SearchMarket to overcome the inability to search in Android Market (wtf?) and ereader apps Kindle and Google Books. I sent my Gmail account a pure white image that I use for wallpaper to make icons easy to see.
Some lingering questions:
Is there a way to reduce "color settings" or whatever it would be called so that the grayscale shades are fewer? I'd gladly trade more contrast for fewer times that a medium gray icon is barely distinguishable against an only slightly darker medium gray background.
Is there a way to make the icons of Button Savior larger? I love the app. I use it on every Android device I've got because I really like having these essential commands right under my thumb but making the icons twice as large would be nice.
Are there themes that are designed to optimize the settings for a grayscale device? I found a couple for "Go SMS" in Market but I don't know exactly what that is.
Is there a workaround for the inability to install the Barnes & Noble Nook ereader app? I keep getting "Installation error. Duplicate provider authority". I don't know if he needs three or more ereader apps but I don't want to limit his choices.
I've read the Nook Touch forums on XDA, I've done Google searches on these topics but haven't found good answers. If there are resources I've missed I'd appreciate a heads-up.

1. To reduce colors or increase contrast, the only method that comes to mind is to use APK Manager or APK Multi-tool and modify the XML, png, and 9 patch files, will need some knowledge about Android layouts, etc. and color codes like #ff000000 is solid black. I had to do some, not really sure how legit that is, but original devs did not reply to emails when requested high contrast color schemes.
2. Replacing images with APK multi-tool might work, I tried google but can't seem to determine if this project is opensource or not, if it is, send me a link and I will modify it for you.
3. The nooter that you used, installs a good launcher and theme with a lot of monochrome icons for various applications, but as you installed another launcher, you will need to come up with a theme. Go SMS is a SMS application useful on cell phones by the same developer as Go Launcher, you will need themes for Go Launcher.
4. You could try modifying the manifest using APK mult-tool, however, I fail to see the point when you have an optimized version for the device already integrated with the device.
I can only provide you optimizations for opensource software or if the dev of the application explicitly allows to modify his APK, I will not provide you with any other modifications out of respect to the developers, I am one too. I hope you understand.

TouchNooter has a version of market that has search working.
You might be able to find with a little searching an e-ink theme for Go-Launcher in market. If all else fails you could probably create your own theme based off of like Minimalist black or use a non e-ink theme that does the trick.
The built in e-reader app is the equivalent if not better than the market nook app.

While I appreciate the various suggestions from tazzix I'm not proficient enough with Android to know how to manipulate APK files or settings. I keep reading that there's a version of TouchNooter that enables search in Market but either I haven't found it or it isn't working for me (I had a lot of problems with the latest version of TouchNooter, which is why I went with SalsichaNooter). I do have basic access to Market and I am using MarketSearch for searching so I could live with this level of functionality if necessary.
I downloaded and installed the Black-N-Blue free theme for GO Launcher, which seemed to help increase contrast and thus visibility. I'd love to find a way (or at least a way that was within my abilities to use) to turn the background behind all the apps white so they were easier to see when I scroll through them all.
All in all I think this device will work for my purpose even if I can't resolve my remaining problems. Oh and I mapped the side buttons, using Nook Touch Tools, for Volume Up and Down (works great to turn pages in Kindle app), Back and Menu. All very handy. Mapping one of these buttons for Home, though, sends you to the Nook home rather than the Android launcher home. I appreciate the help I've gotten and any more ideas that I come across.

lesdense said:
I'd love to find a way (or at least a way that was within my abilities to use) to turn the background behind all the apps white so they were easier to see when I scroll through them all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Somewhere on this forum is a theme with contrast icons for go launcher, it really helps, although it is not for all apps.

lesdense said:
While I appreciate the various suggestions from tazzix I'm not proficient enough with Android to know how to manipulate APK files or settings. I keep reading that there's a version of TouchNooter that enables search in Market but either I haven't found it or it isn't working for me (I had a lot of problems with the latest version of TouchNooter, which is why I went with SalsichaNooter). I do have basic access to Market and I am using MarketSearch for searching so I could live with this level of functionality if necessary.
I downloaded and installed the Black-N-Blue free theme for GO Launcher, which seemed to help increase contrast and thus visibility. I'd love to find a way (or at least a way that was within my abilities to use) to turn the background behind all the apps white so they were easier to see when I scroll through them all.
All in all I think this device will work for my purpose even if I can't resolve my remaining problems. Oh and I mapped the side buttons, using Nook Touch Tools, for Volume Up and Down (works great to turn pages in Kindle app), Back and Menu. All very handy. Mapping one of these buttons for Home, though, sends you to the Nook home rather than the Android launcher home. I appreciate the help I've gotten and any more ideas that I come across.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems odd that you'd have troubles with the latest TouchNooter, the issue I seem to come across for most people using it is the Wait a Day issue with market, but since your Market is already working and the other Nooter has done most of the work you could try running TouchNooter 1.11.20 on top of it (making sure you're upgraded to 1.1 first), or burning the card (and after installing a file manager) try installing the Market+Gapps from there manually to "update" them.
As for setting the B&N button to take you home and ending up on B&N home, try and make sure you have the setting saved for home. Also make sure that your default home is Go Launcher. As long as Button Savior's home will take you to go Launcher the B&N home button should too if you've modified the right button. Perhaps try a reboot.
Go Launcher > Preferences > Visual Settings > Backgrounds > App drawer background > Custom Background
Then just select a blank wallpaper image.

[Q] What should a Newbie Nooker Do?

I was able to get a great deal on a Nook Glowlight. It's coming in the mail soon. I'm trying to get prepared.
I have an Android phone, and an HP Touchpad. I'm looking at using my e-reader as an e-reader and not as a tablet or phone substitute.
1. Should I root using Glownooter or should I root using minimal root?
I don't want to add Gapps to my Nook because I won't need anything other than a source for APKs. I'm okay with sideloading apks. (For purchased apps, I can backup the APK file on my rooted phone with Titanium and restore it on my Nook, right?)
2. I will be putting Amazon Kindle 3.2 and FBReader+FBSync on. Are there any other e-readers I should consider?
2. Aside from e-reader apps, what do most people put on their tablets?
I already plan on adding a web browser, file manager, Dropbox, and Titanium Backup. What else is recommended?
3. For complex PDFs, what app is recommended?

IBNobody said:
1. Should I root using Glownooter or should I root using minimal root?
I don't want to add Gapps to my Nook because I won't need anything other than a source for APKs. I'm okay with sideloading apks. (For purchased apps, I can backup the APK file on my rooted phone with Titanium and restore it on my Nook, right?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only real nooter for Glow is the Glownooter, but it does have Gapps and the such, what you could do is open up the zip for Glownooter and remove all the Gapps related stuff from /system
IBNobody said:
2. I will be putting Amazon Kindle 3.2 and FBReader+FBSync on. Are there any other e-readers I should consider?
2. Aside from e-reader apps, what do most people put on their tablets?
I already plan on adding a web browser, file manager, Dropbox, and Titanium Backup. What else is recommended?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I imagine with a regular tablet people install their games and video players and the such, but since the screen isn't setup for a refresh rate decent for videos, and it has no sound, it's unlikely that any of those types of things would work nicely with the Glowworm.
One of the ereaders I've heard works well is called Cool Reader, but I personally use the built in reader and have never bothered with anything else.
IBNobody said:
3. For complex PDFs, what app is recommended?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ezPDF it works wonderfully for PDFs and supports Landscape/Portrait modes, along with special "zoomed reading" mode where it'll zoom in around the text blocks which I personally think makes it easier to read/navigate PDFs.

IBNobody said:
[...] 2. I will be putting Amazon Kindle 3.2 and FBReader+FBSync on. Are there any other e-readers I should consider?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend Mantano Reader for both epub and PDF formats. It works well on the NST, and handles both formats very well. I have completely replaced the NOOK Library with the Mantano home screen, and the NOOK Reader with Mantano's reader. I like viewing covers for both formats on one screen.
2. Aside from e-reader apps, what do most people put on their tablets?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Other than reading, mine's mostly set up to allow quick checks of work stuff when I'm on the road. I put on email (maildroid, which handles MS Exchange well), calendar (Calendar Pad) and Astrid Tasks, plus a few other travel programs (TripIt, mainly). Evernote for synchronized notes with my various computers. Google Voice to read transcriptions of voice mail. I use Dropsync to pull down daily newspaper and magazine feeds I have my desktop generate daily using Calibre, then import them into Mantano. I use ES File Explorer (nice Dropbox and other cloud integration). Folder Organizer lets me set up quick access menus on the notification menu for often-used programs. Nook Touch Tools to remap QuickMenu to show Mantano, maildroid, calendar pad, astrid and dropsync.
[...] 3. For complex PDFs, what app is recommended?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mantano is definitely worth a look. I like that it maintains page zooms between pages, so I don't have to fiddle with each page.

Thank you both.
I have a copy of ezPDF Pro from Amazon's FAOTD that I can try out on the Nook.
I'll try out CoolReader and Mantano, too. But the two biggest sellers of FBReader is the FBSync synchronization feature and the ability to remap FBReader page-turn keys with an XML file on the SDCard. Will those other two readers let me flip pages with the side buttons?

IBNobody said:
[...] I have a copy of ezPDF Pro from Amazon's FAOTD that I can try out on the Nook.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have ezPDF, and quite liked it. I just prefer using Mantano as one reader than can display and read my entire (pdf and epub) library in one app.
I'll try out CoolReader and Mantano, too. But the two biggest sellers of FBReader is the FBSync synchronization feature
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mantano offers a cloud service, but it's not free. I've gone for the $20/year 5 GB, 2000 title option that lets me sync among 4 devices. In addition to reading positions, it also syncs categories, metadata and tags, which I find useful.
I've read good things about FBReader and will try their sync option someday. As I recall, it didn't handle some of my document formatting as well.
Will those other two readers let me flip pages with the side buttons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mantano will, yes.
---------- Post added at 10:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 AM ----------
IBNobody said:
[...] What else is recommended?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some tips on battery life:
The NST can maintain very good battery life if you stick to your "primarily a reader" philosophy. In particular, avoid anything that polls in the background. While I do use maildroid, I have it set to only poll manually. I don't have any sort of background sync running (e.g. facebook, newsfeeds). No widgets.
I do have Tasker set up to wake the device once daily and force a sync with Dropsync to download my Calibre-generated news from Dropbox. I also have Tasker set to only enable wifi when a short list of specific apps runs (e.g. maildroid). Wifi is shut off when the screen goes off. I enable wifi manually for things like reader sync that I only do occasionally.
While I haven't done any scientific testing, my battery life seems as good as on a non-rooted device. I recently left my NST on my coffee table unplugged when I left town for a week, and on my return, it was still at 90%.
Being on older Android 2.1 Eclair, the NST will benefit from a task manager. I tried a few, including Advanced Task Manager, but I finally settled on System Tuner Pro. I get very few warning messages now (< 1 daily), and no memory problems. I have it set to only kill tasks when the screen goes off, and when actually low on memory using the "Light" preset. I have it ignore Mantano and Tasker.
With these settings, I haven't had any particular problems with the Google stuff loaded. If I don't use it, it doesn't affect battery life. I did freeze Gmail since I just don't like it.

tinynooter works on the glow, also. (and on the NST without the glowlight.)
If you're comfortable sideloading apk files via adb either glownooter or tinynooter will do the trick. Once you're shelled in over adb, you need to su to get an adb root shell - most of the time I'm ssh'ing into my device in any case
What tinynooter doesn't do is install any of the google apps, a modified framework or kernel - it's very much the base device but with root rights. For convenience the Amazon appstore is on board.
I'm curious what makes a nooter and what does not? I'd been thinking that nooter was a generic term for 'nook rooter?'

If you've got a glow nook, my advice to you as one newbie to another is to WAIT. There is almost no newbie support for the glow nook as I rather unfortunately discovered today. Even if you've rooted an android device before, the odds are slim that you've ever side-loaded an apk and there is not a guide to be found on this forum for the GlowLight. Not that it matters, because adb won't pick up a rooted glowlight. Additionally, do -not- try to install norefresh or multitouch.
I'm restoring my glow nook to factory tomorrow morning myself and just waiting it out. Besides, using it unrooted for awhile will help you figure out what you do and don't want out of a rooted device (for example you -are- going to need a separate pdf reader, but it might turn out that everything you read on your nook will already be .epub or easily converted to .epub).

For IRC, AndChat works excellent.
http://www.andchat.net/index.php
Mini vMac If you are a mac person, this is something to check out. I bought the paid version and unlike the free version, the paid one conforms to the screen resolution perfectly on the nook.
http://dolfin.github.com/minivmac4android/
Bacon reader-
http://baconreader.com/
It's not necessarily newb stuff, just some things I put on mine for fun that work quite well

sswoozooss said:
For IRC, AndChat works excellent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dunno how well it works on NST, but on the glowlight, AndChat has a problem with autoscrolling unless you manually clear your buffer every few lines.

AndChat is good on my non-glow nook. I don't have any scrolling issues. I really really want a glow nook but I guess from what I read here, not everything is sorted out yet.

serupento said:
If you've got a glow nook, my advice to you as one newbie to another is to WAIT. There is almost no newbie support for the glow nook as I rather unfortunately discovered today. Even if you've rooted an android device before, the odds are slim that you've ever side-loaded an apk and there is not a guide to be found on this forum for the GlowLight. Not that it matters, because adb won't pick up a rooted glowlight. Additionally, do -not- try to install norefresh or multitouch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's wrong with norefresh please ?

List of offline & low battery usage apps appropriate for the Nook Touch

I think a major advantage of the Nook is being able to go for 2 or 3 weeks on a single charge, if correctly setup after rooting. That however, relies on being offline as WiFi drains the battery so fast. I tend to keep the Nook for offline things because of this and use a phone for online things.
Most of the apps I have are related to reading and reference. However, I've found a few that don't need connectivity that often and so makes most sense on the nook rather than a phone.
Here's my list of apps in order of unusualness:
- Google Authenticator; doesn't need connectivity and without QRcodes you can configure it manually. Bit of a pain to do but it works.
- "Simply Do"; simpler to use than evernote. lighter and won't screw the battery
- Opera Mobile; can browse local files offline. Just use "/" as the address to get started. I save webpages in myfiles, bookmarl my files and then read it later. I find this simpler than "Read it later" or whatever the latest thing is
- Photos for reference; can be useful to be able to see your photos this way; battery lasts longer than on the mobile phone. Can have photos of reference docs this way. You can save a QRcode of a Bitcoin address or private key. Probably scope here for more possibilities
- KeePassDroid; keep your passwords here
- AGP encryption; it can actually encrypt local files with your PGP key or use a passphrase so this too can
- NewsRob, gReader, Instafetch and even syncing things like email only need intermittent connectivity so you can get your articles and then carry them elsewhere when offline. Need a better offline article sync app: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1811873
- Maps. I use MapDroyd with about 4gb of maps but it's a bit basic and only there in case my phone battery runs out. I wonder if there's a better alternative? Of course it's a bummer without GPS but that's how maps were in the old days right? edit: see Orux Maps
- "Calculations"; this app has a calulator but also remembers your unit conversion rates for you
Things I haven't yet tried:
- Dictionaries; which do you recommend?
- offline translation; I only know of dictionaries to look up individual words, nothing that works offline but can do sentances
Semi offline things:
- connect to a laptop VNC via USB networking to save screen power
edit:
Generally my focus here was offline apps or apps that don't need much syncing and so can save the battery the most. I figured games aren't essential so won't include. See rest of thread of these things.
Notes from replies ->
Reading & notes:
-Goodreads
-Mantano
-Instafetch
-Speed Reader
-Evernote (screws the battery but you can put a freeze & refreeze widget on your desktop with Titanium backup or App Quarantine)
-gReader
-Documents to Go (paid office docs app)
Syncing:
-DropSync
-k9mail
Photos:
-Quickpic
Maps:
-Orux Maps
Reference:
-Colordict (does translation and thesaurus)

jago25_98 said:
Things I haven't yet tried:
- Dictionaries; which do you recommend?
- offline translation; I only know of dictionaries to look up individual words, nothing that works offline but can do sentances
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try colordict, it really is useful and simple. And is compatible with many of 3rd party readers.

Yep, ColorDict is awesome.
I'm currently trying to optimize my rooted Nook (MinimalTouch) by disabling features that I don't use:
- I've started with a Barnes&Noble services. I've frozen them all (like ~10 of them). STR works perfect.
- Then I've frozen few Google apps - Talk, Calendar and Gmail. It happend that without them I can't use Search Market (downloading files not starting). Does anyone know which Google services I can remove in order to keep Market working?

It's really hard to keep track of what causes what in battery drain problems.
Some of the problems can be intermittent.
I seen to have less (no?) problems since disabling most of the B&N stuff and never installing any Google stuff.
I also disabled all the unnecessary receivers in the stock Reader.
I had seen problems in the past where the touch panel did not turn off in sleep mode.

In android 2.1 it is required to have google talk working in order to make market work.
NookSimpleTouch/Tapatalk 2

domi.nos said:
In android 2.1 it is required to have google talk working in order to make market work.
NookSimpleTouch/Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Indeed problem was with GTalk.
BTW: Does your Tapatalk2 works correctly on Nook? I can browse catalog of recommended forums (post, login etc. works) but I can't find my own forums (which I'm sure they support tapatalk). Is this normal?

Rafsen said:
Thanks! Indeed problem was with GTalk.
BTW: Does your Tapatalk2 works correctly on Nook? I can browse catalog of recommended forums (post, login etc. works) but I can't find my own forums (which I'm sure they support tapatalk). Is this normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the colordict tip but its only a dictionary. can't do multiple words a t a time and have to click search on each word.
agreed that its best to avoid gapps if possible and find an alternative way to getting the .apks off market.
I didnt have much trouble with b and n apps? I disabled a few things but can't remember now. certainly phone.apk helped removing.

I'm with Renate here, I find that rooting and then sideloading the apps I want rather than having the market running seems to do my battery a lot of good.
Unlike Renate, I'm not able to simply write my own apps
I'm surprised that Amazon's appstore doesn't seem to be equally as much work for the battery as google's is, but it doesn't seem to be, even though many of the Amazon appstore-linked apps do check to be sure the appstore is available.

thank you guys alot. any recommendations for game

Rafsen said:
Thanks! Indeed problem was with GTalk.
BTW: Does your Tapatalk2 works correctly on Nook? I can browse catalog of recommended forums (post, login etc. works) but I can't find my own forums (which I'm sure they support tapatalk). Is this normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, as a standard NST issue, it cannot search using default method. But I did it by setting Tapatalk on my phone, making a backup using titanium backup, or go backup, then just restore it on Nook. Searching is still a problem but it takes 3 minutes.
GT-I5700/Tapatalk 2

my apps
Evernote
Dropbox
Instafetch
K9 mail
Opera
Remote for iTunes
QuickPic
Mantano reader
Speed Reader
ezPDF Reader
IM+
Seesmic
DropSynch
Orux maps
Real Calc
Root explorer
mSecure
Goodreads
gReader Pro

airdroid
colordict
document to go
chess free

On my to do list for the Nook at the mo:
- finding lineart wallpapers that fit the screen... what is the screen res?
- finding a less animated launcher
- finding a way to share files without dismounting the sd card (checking out SwiFTP)
- an alterative to astro with working filenames (checking out estrong)
- wondering how to link a vncserver on windows to a separate desktop rather than simply sharing what is seen

jago25_98 said:
On my to do list for the Nook at the mo:
- finding lineart wallpapers that fit the screen... what is the screen res?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
600x800. Some grayscale images work very well (Ansel Adams photos, for example). Between Google image search and Deviant Art, you should find plenty of line art!
- finding a less animated launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use ADW EX with the animations turned down, but I rarely see my launcher, so it doesn't bother me much.
- finding a way to share files without dismounting the sd card (checking out SwiFTP)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SSH Droid works very well for both command line and SFTP access. I use it with WinSCP in SFTP mode.
- an alterative to astro with working filenames (checking out estrong)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ES File Explorer allows both root access, and direct access to networked (e.g. Dropbox) folders in the same interface, which is very handy. It suffers the "too colorful" experience on the NST that a lot of apps do, but it's definitely usable.

FBReader 1.8.2 is crashing quite often

Hi All,
Have you ever had such a problem with FBreader? (see attached pic)
It happens every few times you launch the app.
It's quite annoying, because you have to hit the cancel button and restart the app few times to get it working.
Initially I though it might be related to a lack of memory or something, but after freeing more that 100MB of ram it still crashing.
Thanks,
m6

moosix said:
Hi All,
Have you ever had such a problem with FBreader? (see attached pic)
It happens every few times you launch the app.
It's quite annoying, because you have to hit the cancel button and restart the app few times to get it working.
Initially I though it might be related to a lack of memory or something, but after freeing more that 100MB of ram it still crashing.
Thanks,
m6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn, I posted it in wrong category
Can someone move it to i.e. "Nook Touch General" ?
Thx

Moved.

I'm rooting now with the primary objective being FBreader. I'll let you know how it goes.
Have you found a solution or an older version that is stable? Which android version did you use? My understanding is that the Nook Touch is based on Android 2.0 so I'm trying that one first. There are three versions of each build available: http://fbreader.org/FBReaderJ
moosix said:
Hi All,
Have you ever had such a problem with FBreader? (see attached pic)
It happens every few times you launch the app.
It's quite annoying, because you have to hit the cancel button and restart the app few times to get it working.
Initially I though it might be related to a lack of memory or something, but after freeing more that 100MB of ram it still crashing.
Thanks,
m6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Sim2 said:
I'm rooting now with the primary objective being FBreader. I'll let you know how it goes.
Have you found a solution or an older version that is stable? Which android version did you use? My understanding is that the Nook Touch is based on Android 2.0 so I'm trying that one first. There are three versions of each build available: http://fbreader.org/FBReaderJ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I've read about NST, it's running Android 2.1 (but some apps that require 2.2 also works).
At the moment I'm playing with FBReader 2.0 beta 8 for Android 2.* devices, so far it works pretty good. The only thing that doesn't work is search. Wherever I try to search for a book app does a quick restarts of the device!!! (maybe it requires some system application that I've disabled when using a "Disable all B&N apps" option in NookManager).
Apart from FBReader I can recommend some other ereaders:
Prestigio ereader 3.1 - it's a nice clone of FBReader but only if you don't mind a rather poor visibility in the bookshelf view
EBookDroid very good PDF DJVU reader
txt reader It only reads txt files

btw. GO Book is also nice ereader. There's only one problem with it. It always opens a book in a fullscreen mode, which prevents you from using the statusbar "go back/menu" buttons.
To overcome this nasty feature use Smart Statusbar

Thanks for the reply, I settled on the same version of FBReader with good results. It crashes under one rare circumstances (that I can't actually remember atm..) but not while I'm reading.
I also got Colordict 3 working so I'm happy about that. had to install the Google App store to get it as it's not in the Amazon store.
I use FB on all of my other devices so I'm sticking with it. Great reader, IMO. And since I'll rarely if ever leave the app, I'm quite satisfied now. FBreader in-book search works for me. Are you talking about the B&N book search?
The only FB annoyance I've noticed is that I've been unable to get FBreader to access the on-board book location which seems to be /media/My Files/books. I can only get FB to access the /sdcard. Not delved to deeply into this yet as Its not a big deal.
Would be nice if there were complete ROMS with only E-reader and related software installed. This doesn't seem to be the case for the NST. I had to jump through a few hoops to get this rooted & install apps and I've rooted quite a few android devices before.
moosix said:
From what I've read about NST, it's running Android 2.1 (but some apps that require 2.2 also works).
At the moment I'm playing with FBReader 2.0 beta 8 for Android 2.* devices, so far it works pretty good. The only thing that doesn't work is search. Wherever I try to search for a book app does a quick restarts of the device!!! (maybe it requires some system application that I've disabled when using a "Disable all B&N apps" option in NookManager).
Apart from FBReader I can recommend some other ereaders:
Prestigio ereader 3.1 - it's a nice clone of FBReader but only if you don't mind a rather poor visibility in the bookshelf view
EBookDroid very good PDF DJVU reader
txt reader It only reads txt files
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added at 08:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:17 AM ----------
moosix said:
btw. GO Book is also nice ereader. There's only one problem with it. It always opens a book in a fullscreen mode, which prevents you from using the statusbar "go back/menu" buttons.
To overcome this nasty feature use Smart Statusbar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually prefer full screen. I re-mapped the right side buttons to android 'back' and 'menu' so I can navigate android and other apps more easily. Pressing menu in FBReader also brings up the status bar.
BTW, I rooted with NookManager, and then installed a google apps package to get the (somewhat broken) G app store.

Share the apps you like!

The best way to stumble upon an interesting app is to see what other folks are using. Using the app "List my apps" linked at the bottom of this list and using the "bbcode" option inside it I generated the following list of apps which are installed on my Idol 3. In most cases the link will take you directly to the app no matter where it came from...some will kick you to a google search which should find them fairly easily as well. Many of the pay apps have free versions available. Feel free to reply back with YOUR list of apps and if you find an interesting app from someone's post hit the thanks button to let them know! I look forward to seeing what some of you use. List my apps is open source and available on both F-Droid and Google Play.
My Apps:
AdAway
Agenda Widget Plus
Amazon Kindle
Android Pro Widgets
App Redirect
App Settings
AppOpsXposed
Appstore
Barcode Scanner
BootManager
BusyBox Free
Connection Stabilizer Booster
ES File Explorer
ezPDF Reader
F-Droid
Fake Wifi Connection
[*] Fix Lollipop Memory Leak
Flipboard
Gas Guru
GeekBytes
Goodreads
GoodRx
Google Voice
GoogleOfflineVoice
GravityBox [LP]
GreenPower Premium
Hangar
Hangouts Dialer
HERE
IVONA Amy UK English beta
IVONA Text-to-Speech HQ
Jango Radio
KeePassDroid
LBE Security Master
Lenovo Camera and Gallery
Lightning
List My Apps
Lolistat
LPThemer
Lux
MDScan
MinMinGuard
Mint
[*] MobileActiveRadioFix
Moon+ Reader Pro
MortPlayer Audio Books
n7player
Nandroid Manager
NetEase Music
Network
Network Speed Indicator
NotifyClean
Nova Launcher
Nova Launcher Prime
Pandora
Pandora Patcher
PaperKarma
Play Store Fixes
PlayPermissionsExposed
RDMissedCall Patcher
RebootManager
Remove Battery Saver Warning Color
Rocket Blocker
RocketDial
RocketDial Theme Neon Black
ROM Toolbox Pro
[*] RootCloak
Screebl Pro
Screen Off
Secure Settings
Servicely
Smart Unlock
Smoked Glass Digital Weather Clock Small
Spotify
Statusbar download progress
StopSwitchDelay
Super Star® Rewards
SuperSU Pro
SwiftKey Keyboard
Syncthing Silk
Talkatone
Tapatalk
Tasker
Titanium Backup
Titanium Backup PRO
Torque (free)
Totally Free VPN
Truecaller
TuneIn Radio Pro
Universal Init.d
Wakelock Detector Free
Waze
WeFi Pro
XBlast Tools
XInstaller
XInternalSD
xKindleMod
Xposed Installer
XVoice+
ZIPme
List made using List My Apps

That's a long list bro.. All are good apps. Let me add some of my favourites that's not in that list :
- Office Suite Premium
- Poweramp
- Musixmatch
- Aldiko Book Reader Premium
- Manga Rock
- Root Cleaner
- Greenify Pro
- Recently Pro
- Solid Explorer Pro
- Canvertpad Plus
Those are great apps! Try them and u'll love them

snugroho3 said:
That's a long list bro.. All are good apps. Let me add some of my favourites that's not in that list :
- Office Suite Premium
- Poweramp
- Musixmatch
- Aldiko Book Reader Premium
- Manga Rock
- Root Cleaner
- Greenify Pro
- Recently Pro
- Solid Explorer Pro
- Canvertpad Plus
Those are great apps! Try them and u'll love them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Please consider using list my apps so it will provide links for folks. I personally prefer Moon Reader Pro over Aldiko especially since I use the text to speech option to have it read ebooks as audiobooks in the car with the IVONA Amy UK tts voice. I use es file explorer over solid explorer(I'm not fond of apps that provide crippled free versions or in this case "14 day trial software") and Servicely (written by francisco franco if you recognize the name) as an alternate to Greenify that may interest you. Did you mean "Convertpad?"

famewolf said:
Thanks for the reply. Please consider using list my apps so it will provide links for folks. I personally prefer Moon Reader Pro over Aldiko especially since I use the text to speech option to have it read ebooks as audiobooks in the car with the IVONA Amy UK tts voice. I use es file explorer over solid explorer(I'm not fond of apps that provide crippled free versions or in this case "14 day trial software") and Servicely (written by francisco franco if you recognize the name) as an alternate to Greenify that may interest you. Did you mean "Convertpad?"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Servicely is very good app and of course I know Sir Francisco with his famous Franco kernel but somehow Greenify in boost mode (need root and Xposed) works better (at least for me) because you can still received all notification from apps without the apps awaken.
Also you can use Greenify together with Nova launcher to add DT2S+greenified apps. You just double tap the home screen to put the phone in sleep + greenified all running apps.
Ahh.. yes, it's convertpad. It's the easiest to use multi-converter
---------- Post added at 11:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:52 AM ----------
Btw, do you know Xposed module to make battery circle icon and remove carrier name in lock screen that works for Idol 5.5?

Among those I use (not including a bunch of widely used apps):
Action Launcher 3 - Minimalistic launcher that gives me what I want and doesn't include a bunch of things I generally don't use. I like having one home screen with a minimum of clutter. This optimizes that preference with some unique features.
AdAway
AppDialer Pro - Number/QWERTY keypad that "dials up" whatever installed app (and, optionally, contact) you want. Its useful widget does the same.
Draft - Dropbox friendly, searchable notes app that seems abandoned by the dev. I'd like a better alternative, but I don't know that there is one that specifically matches my usage. I prefer this to something like Evernote for privacy reasons, not that Dropbox is ideal.
ES File Explorer - I use Solid Explorer, too, but this does more. Its FTP server is an approach I often use to transfer files onto the device from a computer.
Ghostery Browser - Gives the same shield from tracking and such that the Chrome extension does on a computer.
GMD Gestures - Adds a layer of usability to my minimalistic approach. On a larger screen, like a tablet or even a Nexus 6, I don't use it as much. Still, this is a major part of my user experience, one of the first things I install.
Javelin - Good, clean, alternative browser with popup feature
JotterPad - Stylish, non-programming, writing oriented text editor.
Link Bubble - Popup browser. Javelin does this, too, but I like Link Bubble's implementation a little better.
MessagEase - Out of the ordinary keyboard that offers all sorts of features that most don't (keyboard shortcuts/macros, forward delete, easy access to special characters, pretty much every functionality you'd ever find in a keyboard). Takes getting used to, but I use it more than any other.
Minuum Keyboard - Sort of like Fleksy, but I find it more usable. It was my main keyboard for awhile, but I haven't used it much, lately.
Moon+ Reader - Another staple, well tended to by its dev. By far my favorite book reader. I stopped even thinking about the rest long ago.
Music Folder Player Full - Simple, straight forward music player. Old school approach. Direct and to the point. Once in awhile, I'll try one of the flashy ones, but find that their "features" are no more than eye candy to me and delete them.
Pocket - Read articles saved from websites.
Popup Widget - I don't use this all that often, but it's very helpful when I want it. I don't want widgets permanently on my screen that I rarely use. This allows me to tap an icon or execute a gesture (via GMS) to popup a widget when I want it temporarily (weather, calendars, etc.)
Titanium Backup
TweetCaster
Viper4Android - Sound quality enhancement that I didn't realize how much I needed until I tried it.
Wallpaper Saver - Great for getting wallpaper from ROMs, launchers, wherever. Though I find that I tend to prefer wallpaper from sources other than those places.
I've used and liked both Greenify and Servicely, too. I also like Recently and bought it.

maigre said:
Among those I use (not including a bunch of widely used apps):
Action Launcher 3 - Minimalistic launcher that gives me what I want and doesn't include a bunch of things I generally don't use. I like having one home screen with a minimum of clutter. This optimizes that preference with some unique features.
AdAway
AppDialer Pro - Number/QWERTY keypad that "dials up" whatever installed app (and, optionally, contact) you want. Its useful widget does the same.
Draft - Dropbox friendly, searchable notes app that seems abandoned by the dev. I'd like a better alternative, but I don't know that there is one that specifically matches my usage. I prefer this to something like Evernote for privacy reasons, not that Dropbox is ideal.
ES File Explorer - I use Solid Explorer, too, but this does more. Its FTP server is an approach I often use to transfer files onto the device from a computer.
Ghostery Browser - Gives the same shield from tracking and such that the Chrome extension does on a computer.
GMD Gestures - Adds a layer of usability to my minimalistic approach. On a larger screen, like a tablet or even a Nexus 6, I don't use it as much. Still, this is a major part of my user experience, one of the first things I install.
Javelin - Good, clean, alternative browser with popup feature
JotterPad - Stylish, non-programming, writing oriented text editor.
Link Bubble - Popup browser. Javelin does this, too, but I like Link Bubble's implementation a little better.
MessagEase - Out of the ordinary keyboard that offers all sorts of features that most don't (keyboard shortcuts/macros, forward delete, easy access to special characters, pretty much every functionality you'd ever find in a keyboard). Takes getting used to, but I use it more than any other.
Minuum Keyboard - Sort of like Fleksy, but I find it more usable. It was my main keyboard for awhile, but I haven't used it much, lately.
Moon+ Reader - Another staple, well tended to by its dev. By far my favorite book reader. I stopped even thinking about the rest long ago.
Music Folder Player Full - Simple, straight forward music player. Old school approach. Direct and to the point. Once in awhile, I'll try one of the flashy ones, but find that their "features" are no more than eye candy to me and delete them.
Pocket - Read articles saved from websites.
Popup Widget - I don't use this all that often, but it's very helpful when I want it. I don't want widgets permanently on my screen that I rarely use. This allows me to tap an icon or execute a gesture (via GMS) to popup a widget when I want it temporarily (weather, calendars, etc.)
Titanium Backup
TweetCaster
Viper4Android - Sound quality enhancement that I didn't realize how much I needed until I tried it.
Wallpaper Saver - Great for getting wallpaper from ROMs, launchers, wherever. Though I find that I tend to prefer wallpaper from sources other than those places.
I've used and liked both Greenify and Servicely, too. I also like Recently and bought it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This looks like you used list my apps but didn't save it as bb code (share it to email and email to yourself)....the bbcode would contain links to the apps your mentioning whether they are on f-droid, amazon appstore or google play...I mention this to make it easier on others as for example some of the apps I use are xda only version and it uses a google search which should take the user to them. I have not seen a need for "recently" as I use a combination of the built in "recents" and my most popularly used apps in notification area via the app "Hanger". See Screenshot.
In place of Action Launcher 3 I'd probably use Lucid Launcher (Pro) which is what I use on my devices with less memory. (http://www.xda-developers.com/lucid-launcher-a-unique-launcher-made-from-scratch/)
Instead of dropbox you may prefer syncthing which is an opensource alternative to bittorrent sync...I use it to keep folders in sync between my pc and my phone unless you actually have a need to access your files from the net somewhere via dropbox. You actually have viper4android installed on your idol 3? I'm assuming you flashed the zip...and disabled the built in JBL audio enhancements? Does it strictly work on headphones or improve sound on the speakers as well? (I used it a long time ago).

why is this thread in idol3 forum? it has to be in main forum, because it has nothing to do with idol3

DallasCZ said:
why is this thread in idol3 forum? it has to be in main forum, because it has nothing to do with idol3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Practically every device has a thread with "favorite apps to use on my xxx device" so no it doesn't HAVE to be in the main forum. Among my apps are a list of xposed modules that work on our specific version of lolipop...thats pretty relevent. Apps that work around quirks such as reboot manager which gives us "reboot to bootloader and reboot to recovery" from in the rom are very idol specific. Rootcloak can be used to make the system update checker work..thats pretty relevant and why it's in bold among the other bug fix modules.
If you must, report it to a mod and they can decide where it goes.

no apps you are listing are device specific .. reboot manager is not idol specific... Almost none device with stock rom have reboot to bootloader or recovery option.
and anyway here is subforum called "Onetouch Idol 3 Themes and Apps" (where you allready started many dead threads), so i think its better to move it there.

famewolf said:
This looks like you used list my apps but didn't save it as bb code (share it to email and email to yourself)....the bbcode would contain links to the apps your mentioning whether they are on f-droid, amazon appstore or google play...I mention this to make it easier on others as for example some of the apps I use are xda only version and it uses a google search which should take the user to them. I have not seen a need for "recently" as I use a combination of the built in "recents" and my most popularly used apps in notification area via the app "Hanger". See Screenshot.
In place of Action Launcher 3 I'd probably use Lucid Launcher (Pro) which is what I use on my devices with less memory. (http://www.xda-developers.com/lucid-launcher-a-unique-launcher-made-from-scratch/)
Instead of dropbox you may prefer syncthing which is an opensource alternative to bittorrent sync...I use it to keep folders in sync between my pc and my phone unless you actually have a need to access your files from the net somewhere via dropbox. You actually have viper4android installed on your idol 3? I'm assuming you flashed the zip...and disabled the built in JBL audio enhancements? Does it strictly work on headphones or improve sound on the speakers as well? (I used it a long time ago).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't use any app to list the ones I mentioned. I just used the forum's list format. I'll try and get to doing it as you would like so that the links will be there for those who might want them.
I've played around some with SyncThing and more secure alternatives to the usual cloud storage. The problem in the case of my notes is that they're synched to my Mac, too, and the program I use there is close to perfect for how I use it. And it won't sync to my own server or some of the more secure public ones. But I may migrate in those directions at some point. I'd just need to find an another Mac program that would work for me.
I didn't install V4A on the Idol 3. I put it on my Nexus 6. V4A addresses sound quality on the phone speakers, ear buds/headsets and bluetooth speakers. USB connected speakers, too. It doesn't do anything for phone call audio. It takes some playing around to get it right, a process I'm still in the midst of. But the difference is striking compared to the stock audio processing, at least when I've got it configured to my comfort. I don't know what would happen on the Idol 3. Disabling the JBL audio would be wise if you play around with JBL. As you know well, you'll want a good backup in case you want to dump V4A and restore a good working JBL. But maybe the JBL processing compares favorably.

DallasCZ said:
no apps you are listing are device specific .. reboot manager is not idol specific... Almost none device with stock rom have reboot to bootloader or recovery option.
and anyway here is subforum called "Onetouch Idol 3 Themes and Apps" (where you allready started many dead threads), so i think its better to move it there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sure would be nice if you were as diligent about policing your own threads as you are about policing mine. The mod's don't agree with you. I was told general conversation like this belongs in general. Discussing installing viper4android on the idol3 is idol 3 specific. Instead of pretending to be a mod how about responding to the 5 day old request for posting @petrov.0's corrected TWRP link to the 1st post of your twrp thread?
Now I'm going to stop responding to you...report it to the mod's and Mod's if you agree this is the appropriate location for general discussion of apps to be used on the idol then please remove his posts AND my replies so this thread can stay on topic.

maigre said:
I didn't use any app to list the ones I mentioned. I just used the forum's list format. I'll try and get to doing it as you would like so that the links will be there for those who might want them.
I've played around some with SyncThing and more secure alternatives to the usual cloud storage. The problem in the case of my notes is that they're synched to my Mac, too, and the program I use there is close to perfect for how I use it. And it won't sync to my own server or some of the more secure public ones. But I may migrate in those directions at some point. I'd just need to find an another Mac program that would work for me.
I didn't install V4A on the Idol 3. I put it on my Nexus 6. V4A addresses sound quality on the phone speakers, ear buds/headsets and bluetooth speakers. USB connected speakers, too. It doesn't do anything for phone call audio. It takes some playing around to get it right, a process I'm still in the midst of. But the difference is striking compared to the stock audio processing, at least when I've got it configured to my comfort. I don't know what would happen on the Idol 3. Disabling the JBL audio would be wise if you play around with JBL. As you know well, you'll want a good backup in case you want to dump V4A and restore a good working JBL. But maybe the JBL processing compares favorably.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was another user interested in running viper4android on the idol 3...I may get around to making a backup and trying to install it to see how it does on the idol 3. I use the speakers to play music when travelling and it's got great sound/volume already in my opinion but always willing to try options. I use syncthing to backup my TWRP and Titaniumbackup folders among others.....if you set your titaniumbackup to run on a schedule it keeps pretty well in sync. You will have to either patch your platform.xml to see that syncthing has full rights to write to the external sdcard or use an xposed module to accomplish the same thing.
Hmm I guess I should add xposed module "Sticky Location Icon Fix [LP]" to the list..It stops the location icon from always showing up in notification bar even when location is not being used. The dev released it "yesterday" since it's now after midnight even in pacific time.

famewolf said:
There was another user interested in running viper4android on the idol 3...I may get around to making a backup and trying to install it to see how it does on the idol 3. I use the speakers to play music when travelling and it's got great sound/volume already in my opinion but always willing to try options. I use syncthing to backup my TWRP and Titaniumbackup folders among others.....if you set your titaniumbackup to run on a schedule it keeps pretty well in sync. You will have to either patch your platform.xml to see that syncthing has full rights to write to the external sdcard or use an xposed module to accomplish the same thing.
Hmm I guess I should add xposed module "Sticky Location Icon Fix [LP]" to the list..It stops the location icon from always showing up in notification bar even when location is not being used. The dev released it "yesterday" since it's now after midnight even in pacific time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The V4A installation is pretty quick and easy. It's what becomes of the JBL stuff that is the potential greater issue. But, there's always that backup. I found the speakers on the Idol 3 to be one of its surprise nice features, too. I had no quarrel with the sound as is. But I didn't on the N6, either.
A couple of other apps that I use: Smart Unlock and Simple Reboot. The former has been covered here, IIRC. I used to use Llama (sort of like Tasker) to perform the same thing and it worked great for a couple of years. But it became problematic. On my wife's phone, she actually got completely locked out at one point. We almost had to wipe it clean and start over again. Smart Unlock and Lollipop's similar functionality are an adequate, if inferior substitute to when Llama worked right. Simple Reboot is Franco's implementation of a common feature set — a boot menu that'll allow you to reboot to recovery, bootloader, etc.