Database Users

[Q] What are the eReader options?

I just picked up a refurbed NC to add to my Android stable. Haven't done anything with it yet. I kind of like the stock ereader app in comparison with the Nook app that is on the Android Market. However, I do plan on rooting it and adding apps at a minimum.
My questions are:
1. Has anyone figured out how to get the stock ereader working on any of the custom ROMs?
2. If I want to retain the stock ereader and add capabilities to the device, do I only have two options (1. root stock, 2. dual boot)?
3. What are you guys doing for your ereading? How do you like the stock ereader in comparison with the alternatives? Has that influenced what you've done with the device? What are the best ereading apps?
I'd appreciate any feedback.

1. No; probably won't ever happen from what I've read.
2. Yes
3. I'm using FBReader and liking it. Never tried the stock reader. There are two or three other readers that are popular around here.

I may not fully understand the question...
My Nook Color is rooted with manual nooter, followed by an overclocked kernel.
The stock reader app works just fine, just like stock. All the stock features work just fine including B&N shopping and purchasing.
I did have some issue with program space, but once I moved all the android apps (Not the B&N apps!) to SD, space was freed up and all B&N apps installed and update just fine.
I have no reason to install any other reading application. The built in stock reader works great.

framitz said:
I may not fully understand the question...
My Nook Color is rooted with manual nooter, followed by an overclocked kernel.
The stock reader app works just fine, just like stock. All the stock features work just fine including B&N shopping and purchasing.
I did have some issue with program space, but once I moved all the android apps (Not the B&N apps!) to SD, space was freed up and all B&N apps installed and update just fine.
I have no reason to install any other reading application. The built in stock reader works great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He is asking about if you use a different rom the stock reader is only available on BN roms
I use either kindle app, nook app for magazines, and generic ones for epub and other such types. the stock one is nice but if you want to really expand the tablet it is a loss i was fine with.

Currently use FBreader for non-DRM'ed, Kindle for any Amazon purchases. Nook app is too buggy to use at the moment. Bluefire reader, which I really like on the iPad and iPod Touch, is only out for iOS atm but is supposed to be released for android in June -- I'm hoping it can read all DRM'ed books the way the iOS app can.

I'm using Moon+ reader
I am using the Moon+ reader and really like it. Biggest problem is lack of documentation (which I'm thinking of writing). Still needs some improvements, with book indexing, but has lots of nice features - automatic & locked screen orientation, finger slide for bright/dim settings, standard "squeeze" to change font size - tap & swipe & scroll paging - audio reading of books (like amazon, but voice not quite as good). It is very configurable - including fonts, backgrounds, margins, line spacing.
I already had all my books on the emmc card (sorry, I am running CM7 root off of my SD card) from my standard nook book and had no problems pointing Moon+ to look in the right location for my library.

Thanks for the feedback so far.

I've found Aldiko superior to NC stock both for reading and browsing my epub titles. It also handles pdf, but not as well as ezPDF. For me, it strikes the best balance between ease of use and customization. Call me nuts, but I find cinnamon-on-mustard with the barest margin the most readable arrangement in any light.

I rooted and overclocked a new NC with 1.2 pre-installed, with no change in ROM so far. Rooting broke the ereader as well as the preloaded 'shop' app. Fortunately, books downloaded before the rooting procedure can still be read on the ereader, but nothing else. A couple side-loaded versions of the nook ereader app also do not work, and I haven't found any posts where anybody has gotten theirs working after root.
I use primarily the kindle app, but need an ereader that allows you to borrow ebooks from the public library.

mjf0000000 said:
I use primarily the kindle app, but need an ereader that allows you to borrow ebooks from the public library.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Overdrive is generally the library-borrowing app of choice, though I haven't used it myself.

Thanks taosaur, i'll try it

As taosaur mentioned, Ezpdf reader is the best pdf ebook reader. I generally only use it due to my heavy pdf collection (sorry epub fans). However, for certain books that have been "scanned" in or are heavy on pictures, I find that Adobe Reader is best for those; it's hardware accelerated.

Another vote for moon reader, very good program. The kindle app works pretty good too. Ezpdf reader is about the best pdf reader out there.

Android app that is as good as the nook application?

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.

How to improve my new Nook ST

I just got a nook simple touch which I am so far impressed with. However, there are a couple things I am disappointed about.
First, it seems difficult to add files to it. It would be much more convenient if I could add dropbox to it.
Second, I thought it would be possible put simple games like sudoku or word games on it.
Third, I was hoping I could have a rss/feed reader on it.
I know this device is very limited due to the grayscale and slow refresh, but I am not looking for a full fledged Android ROM on it. I would actually prefer to keep it as stock as possible, and simply add those three or four apps to it
What is the least invasive way to add these apps to the device?
Can I simply give it root access and install these apps without flashing a whole ROM?
Sent from my T959 using XDA App

Once rooted, you can have dropbox, sudoku, rss feeds and most android applications with little to no animation. Keep in mind the nook ST OS is android 2.1
To root it, you can check either this forum o http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1351719one. The process is simple, you 'burn' an image on a sd card, put it on your nook and restart it. Nevertheless, read the instructions carefully. I strongly advice you to backup your nook before attempting to do anything. Look here.

That looks pretty simple, but it sounds like it will have a new ui with the launcher and app drawer. Will I be able to have the stock
nook ui and still run the apps I want?
Sent from my T959 using XDA App

Well, original nook ui - and launcher, in this case - won't allow you to add apps. ADW or Go launcher, when well setup, won't hinder your experience in using nook.

Ok, I searched YouTube for a video on rooting it. (I can believe I didn't think of this already) it does give a different ui, but there is an option to load the factory launcher. I may just try it and see how a like it and just keep a backup or know how to factory restore it in case I don't
Sent from my T959 using XDA App

Rooting doesn't change the look and feel of the reader that much - the nook button still brings up the little launcher/appdrawer thingy at the bottom of the screen, regardless of if you have a replacement launcher as primary. You can even leave the stock reader app as default as well (I still like it better than the other ones I've tried).
After rooting it's very easy to install dropbox, dropsync(!) and other apps. Go for it.

just root and get apps that you want

Okay, i actually like the BNST, but I really miss basic stuff like gmail and an occasional browser... if I'd root... how about battery life if you mainly use the BN "launcher"? Anyone using it like that?

nicksbrain said:
Okay, i actually like the BNST, but I really miss basic stuff like gmail and an occasional browser... if I'd root... how about battery life if you mainly use the BN "launcher"? Anyone using it like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW...
I'm running rooted 1.1, using it "purely" for reading (btw, Calibre is great for getting the book covers to show up, and for me at least the books MUST be on the sdcard for them to show the cover. Internal didn't work when I tried).
However, I'm also running Metro UI Lite (https://market.android.com/details?...EsImNocmlzbWFuLmFuZHJvaWQuaG9tZS5tZXRyb3VpIl0.)
Eink-friendly button savior (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1250278)
and:
dropbox (for downloading stuff/'cause I can).
gmail, basic google apps (including reader, although I would prefer a more friendly e-ink type)
opera mini
basic sudoku/reversi/etc
Runs great! Also have setcpu and have changed the governor, seems to run snappier. Battery life is great still.

hmm, okay, miss dropbox too, actually, but i'm sick of rooting each and every android device iown...I already have my Nook Color and my Galaxy S2 rooted, so I think I'll stick with those for my E-Mail and other needs.. Thanks for the clarification though!

[Q] Can I get my Android paid apps on NC without rooting?

Topic Title. I am looking to get an e-reader and not sure if spending the extra money on the Nook Color is worth it. I primarily want an e-reader, but don't care for the glitchy or twitchy display of the e-ink readers when moving through menus and pages. I prefer the smooth fast response of a tablet type device. However that alone is not enough to persuade me to pay $70-$90 more to get a Nook Color over the Simple Touch.
I have purchased quite a few apps on a couple of my old droid phones. I no longer have a cell phone. I would like to be able to use those apps on a Nook Color if I spend the extra money on it, to make it worth while.
Is this possible without rooting the Nook Color? I have rooted my old Moto Droid, so I'm not overly concerned with doing that, however I did have stability and/or lag or sluggish type issues with it from time to time and really don't want to get into that with a new device. I simply want to access all the paid apps I have on my Google account. Can I do that?
Thank you

I don't think it's possible without root. I haven't played around with it much myself, but I think that by default you can only access the B&N appstore. I do not know if you can side-load apk's on the default OS. Usually, people root to get access to the google market instead of just B&N's appstore, and after that they can get all their apps back (with the google account, of course).
As per rooting - you can:
1) root stock, at which point you're still running B&N's OS, but can install other apps, etc. I've never done this so don't know how smooth this is.
2) run CM7/9 from the SD card (with root permissions) while maintaining the B&N OS on the nook (with/without root permissions) again, which will let you run all your previously purchased apps. I ran this way for ~6 months last year, I found it fairly smooth, a little lag when swiping screens or pulling up the app drawer, but not unbearably slow and not for typing.
3) Run CM7/9 off of the internal memory, replacing B&N's OS. Now it's basically an android tablet with no memory of it's previous corporate masters, so you can get your apps back, etc. What lag I had when running off of the SD card disappeared when I switched to internal memory. Also, the ROM's have just gotten better with time, so they're more stable and faster.
One thing you may have issues with is that the google play store tries to determine 'app compatibility with your device' - so if it doesn't think an app is compatible it won't let you download and install it. You can get around this if you have an old Ti:Backup of your apps lying around, or if you have another device that is compatible then you can transfer the apk from there.

+1 to what NCKevo said.
A little more info about rooting. You need it for adding non-B&N apps. It runs just as smooth as stock. There is no change other than you have root access which allows you to do many things including access to the Google Play store (and your previously purchased apps), Amazon App Store, new home launchers etc.
Running from a bootable SD card the smoothness depends on the particular micro SD card you use. SanDisk class 4 generally work the best in the Nook Color and with a good card (based on small block read/write performance) you can't tell the difference between running on the card and internal memory.
Using a custom CM7 or CM9 ROM you will also have the ability to overclock (up to 1.2GHz from the stock 800Mhz) built right in. Far from being sluggish or laggy you will get about 4 times the stock performance. Keep in mind this is still a budget tablet though with "older" hardware and the Nook Color is never going to be a lightening fast $800 tablet equivalent. It will blow the doors off any other $100 tablet though.
JP

Thank you for your replies.
The sluggishness that I experienced on my Droid with the Cyanogen Roms was primarily the app drawer. If I ever had a force close or sometimes without a force close when opening up the app drawer it would be empty for 10-20 seconds and then slowly my apps would load in 1 by 1.
I want to avoid that and avoid voiding my warranty. I wouldn't mind doing one of the above that does not replace the stock OS. Preferably just keep the original OS and add the Google Market capability. Is that something that can be undone in the event of a warranty issue?

Everything on the Nook Color can be undone as long as it isn't physically broken. If it is then they won't know what software is on it anyway That is what is so great about it.
So really there are no warranty issues since you can always go back to 100% stock if needed. But if you want to be extra cautious then use the bootable SD card method. As long as you use a SanDisk micro SD card you shouldn't have any of the sluggishness issues you described.
JP

How come there's not Nook HD and HD + forums?!?

Where are the development forums?? And.. i couldn't find an answer to this ANYWHERE... but, will we be able to run Windows 8 RTM on HD+??? i'm praying we can.

30secs said:
Where are the development forums?? And.. i couldn't find an answer to this ANYWHERE... but, will we be able to run Windows 8 RTM on HD+??? i'm praying we can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have the devices been released yet? I don't think they have. Also, Windows 8 requires some pretty specific specs to run on a tablet, and I don't think the new ones fit the bill. Short answer: maybe, but doubtful.
Sent from my Paranoid Skyrocket
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

Nah. If the HD could run Windows Eighter, it would be it's main OS instead of Android.

NookTabletsPower said:
Nah. If the HD could run Windows Eighter, it would be it's main OS instead of Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. Especially with all of the money Microsoft poured into the Nook division over the summer.
Sent from my Paranoid Skyrocket
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

Nook HD and HD+ updates
Nook HD and HD+ both will boot from SD. I'm not sure if this means the bootloader is unlocked or not. ICS seems fairly intact, so I'm not sure if it will be easy to work on.
Posted from an HD+, really liking it but could use gapps.

AyeBeAPirate said:
Nook HD and HD+ both will boot from SD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this official or are you just speculating?
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2

They created Forums for the Kindle Fire HD way before those devices were released... I'm totally drooling over the 8.9" KF and the Nexus 10, but I suspect the Nook HD+ might be better for reading because of its aspect ratio. I really hope there's decent development for it!

professor_chaos said:
They created Forums for the Kindle Fire HD way before those devices were released... I'm totally drooling over the 8.9" KF and the Nexus 10, but I suspect the Nook HD+ might be better for reading because of its aspect ratio. I really hope there's decent development for it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm drooling over the Nexus 10 as well, especially with that screen resolution (2560x1600)!

Nexus 10 is indeed awesome, I gave Google my gmail so they can notify me when it can be preordered!
If the Nook HD booted from SD.......then what's the use of the 8GB internal memory? LOL

Cubanluke88 said:
Is this official or are you just speculating?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can be done with BN supplied SD cards, but I dont know if they are in any way signed or restricted.

Im throwing in my vote for the HD+. It isnt getting the press it deserves. The reviews out there are for the 7" HD, but i can tell you after 3 days of extensive use, the HD+ is a beauty. Smooth scrolling, virtually no stuttering. A little love from xda and this thing will be a dream come true.

NookTabletsPower said:
Nah. If the HD could run Windows Eighter, it would be it's main OS instead of Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope, no way they would swap the OS now. everyone's apps would be forfeit and that would tick off a bunch of customers.it would be like if apple all of the sudden switched to android instead of iOS. Besides, i thought MS had a pretty strict hardware guideline and the nook hd+ only has 1gb of ram (i THINK MS requires all W8 tablets to have 2gb). Anyway the devices always have booted from SD for recovery purposes. I really hope there's a way to get gapps on these devices because they're super nice, they just need the play store to REALLY shine.
---------- Post added at 01:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:24 AM ----------
GabbleRatchet said:
Im throwing in my vote for the HD+. It isnt getting the press it deserves. The reviews out there are for the 7" HD, but i can tell you after 3 days of extensive use, the HD+ is a beauty. Smooth scrolling, virtually no stuttering. A little love from xda and this thing will be a dream come true.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i just got mine friday, i'm loving it so far. the reviews for the 7" aren't really fair since the software wasn't ready for primetime but a day-one update fixed all of that. I hope XDA rallies around these new ones since they're so far above the previous models.

I presume that no one has cracked this yet, for CM or anything?
Here's hoping. I'm looking for a Nook HD or nexus 7 for Christmas. I'd love the Nook, I have a Nook Color with CM7 now, but if I can't get the functionality out of it, I'll have to go for the nexus.

VMware
30secs said:
Where are the development forums?? And.. i couldn't find an answer to this ANYWHERE... but, will we be able to run Windows 8 RTM on HD+??? i'm praying we can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
VMware for android but you need a server to serve the windows platform or Pocket Cloud if you want something simpler.

nijohnson said:
I presume that no one has cracked this yet, for CM or anything?
Here's hoping. I'm looking for a Nook HD or nexus 7 for Christmas. I'd love the Nook, I have a Nook Color with CM7 now, but if I can't get the functionality out of it, I'll have to go for the nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the HD+ and can't answer the rooting and custom ROM question. But the device does have the option to enable ADB, so I was able to install apk's via adb (took a bit of work to get my computer to recognize the HD+). Anyway, I've been able to install (again via ADB, not rooting), the following apps to my HD+: Kindle, Amazon MP3, Chrome, Firefox, Flash. I installed Rdio, but the music wouldn't stream. I was able to access my Amazon MP3 cloud storage and stream my music that way. The Kindle app works fine..I tested visiting the store within the Kindle app, sending a sample to the app, clicking "Read Now" and having it launch the book correctly. Chrome and Firefox seem to work fine, and Flash works in Firefox. Also, by sideloading the Flash apk, I was able to view flash content in the built-in Nook HD+ browser. The biggest pain is that your sideloaded apps do NOT appear in the Apps drawer. You can only see them by opening the Apps drawer, then simultaneously holding down the volume + button and tapping the "Apps" header at the top of the screen. This brings up a screen entitled "Extras" and looks more like the normal listing of apps you would see. There are a few b&n dev apps, and it appears there is a copy of an Office suite there, too (can't remember which one).
Finally, it appears the HD+ is running 4.0.3, since the Nook SDK appears as an option under 4.0.3 in the Android SDK Manager.
Edit: I also installed Mantano Reader on the HD+. To add epub books to the HD+ via Dropbox, you need to EXPORT them to the My Files section of your internal sd card (didnt test using an external card). If you just open an epub file via dropbox, it will launch the reader app, but I found that once I closed the reader app, I couldnt access the book again (must have put it in temporary storage or in downloads). So the better way to gets books on the HD+ via dropbox is to export them. And after installing Mantano Reader, when I browse to Library -> My Files and tap one of my books, the device asks me which reader I want to open the book in. So once you install a 3rd party epub reader, you could make it the default reader on the HD+ if you so desire.

Try sideloading a launcher to see all you're apps. That's what we did w/ the NT before CelticWeb and rest go CM7 to run.
Go launcher and ADW worked best.
NikkieL
Sent from my Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet using xda premium

I got a Nook Tablet HD+ for its screen, and most importantly, its Micro SD support. Definitely better than Kindle Fire HD 8.9 for being cheaper and providing a SD slot while being cheaper.
My plan involves sideloading MXPlayer so I can play MKV files off of it AND if any dev feels generous enough to devote his or her time into it, to install custom ROM on it.
Would be grateful to have a dedicated forum!

If you want a new device forum then you're not going to be heard posting in here. You need to go over to the ***New Device Forum Requests*** thread in About xda-developers.com forum and make a request.
Good luck.

bossfan2000 said:
I have the HD+ and can't answer the rooting and custom ROM question. But the device does have the option to enable ADB, so I was able to install apk's via adb (took a bit of work to get my computer to recognize the HD+). Anyway, I've been able to install (again via ADB, not rooting), the following apps to my HD+: Kindle, Amazon MP3, Chrome, Firefox, Flash. I installed Rdio, but the music wouldn't stream. I was able to access my Amazon MP3 cloud storage and stream my music that way. The Kindle app works fine..I tested visiting the store within the Kindle app, sending a sample to the app, clicking "Read Now" and having it launch the book correctly. Chrome and Firefox seem to work fine, and Flash works in Firefox. Also, by sideloading the Flash apk, I was able to view flash content in the built-in Nook HD+ browser. The biggest pain is that your sideloaded apps do NOT appear in the Apps drawer. You can only see them by opening the Apps drawer, then simultaneously holding down the volume + button and tapping the "Apps" header at the top of the screen. This brings up a screen entitled "Extras" and looks more like the normal listing of apps you would see. There are a few b&n dev apps, and it appears there is a copy of an Office suite there, too (can't remember which one).
Finally, it appears the HD+ is running 4.0.3, since the Nook SDK appears as an option under 4.0.3 in the Android SDK Manager.
Edit: I also installed Mantano Reader on the HD+. To add epub books to the HD+ via Dropbox, you need to EXPORT them to the My Files section of your internal sd card (didnt test using an external card). If you just open an epub file via dropbox, it will launch the reader app, but I found that once I closed the reader app, I couldnt access the book again (must have put it in temporary storage or in downloads). So the better way to gets books on the HD+ via dropbox is to export them. And after installing Mantano Reader, when I browse to Library -> My Files and tap one of my books, the device asks me which reader I want to open the book in. So once you install a 3rd party epub reader, you could make it the default reader on the HD+ if you so desire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how did you get adb to recognize your device? can you post a guide on how you did that?

AvRS said:
If you want a new device forum then you're not going to be heard posting in here. You need to go over to the ***New Device Forum Requests*** thread in About xda-developers.com forum and make a request.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice! Just posted a request. Hopefully we can get at the least a rudimentary root and gapps port on this thing soon.