Just bought a Nook Touch - Nook Touch General

I just bought a refurbished Nook Touch on overstock for $75 (with coupon). I've already got a Nook Color, which I love, but I don't like the harsh light from the LCD at night. I also live near the beach and having the option of taking my reading material there would be awesome.
Anyway I'll be rooting it right away, as the Economist and the WSJ are two of my major reads and I need to get to the android market for those.
1) With the scrolling/rendering limitations of E-ink, is there any page up/down option available?
2) Are there any other customizations that you guys like, and feel like it makes the downside of an eink a little more palatable?
3) Is there any effort in creating a (GB+) custom ROM or (and I'm dreaming) CM with a custom launcher? Just something I can track, and support once they have a working alpha/beta. I'm a little worried for the future of my little e-ink tablet if it never gets a software update.
Anyway thanks for the great material already posted and I look forward to learning more.
Thanks!

Related

What Do you Expect with the Nook Color 2?

I know we are probably no very close at all to the release of the Nook color 2 but i want to know what you people want to see in the next nook.
I want to see
1. 1 Ghz Processor Stock (not having to put custom kernel onto)
2. One camera on front of the device
3. HDMI port
IIDeViiNII said:
I know we are probably no very close at all to the release of the Nook color 2 but i want to know what you people want to see in the next nook.
I want to see
1. 1 Ghz Processor Stock (not having to put custom kernel onto)
2. One camera on front of the device
3. HDMI port
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All three are pretty much unnecessary for the ebook market.
Nburnes said:
All three are pretty much unnecessary for the ebook market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the original only had what was "-necessary for the ebook market," none of us would be here
Taosaur said:
If the original only had what was "-necessary for the ebook market," none of us would be here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol
I agree it will probably have the Camera, maybe the 1ghz processor(but definitely not dual core) and definitly no HDMI port. lol that last one was just dreaming... but a guy(or a women) can dream
I suspect louder speakers! lol
I agree with burns... If they do anything to the Nook Color, it'll be make it lighter. I doubt they'll continue to try and compete in the Tablet market. It would just be silly, especially with Amazon positioning themselves to make a tablet that undercuts everything on the market less of chinese tablets.
I do agree it's unlikely that the tablet 'sweet spot' B&N hit with the current NC will still be there around October when it's time for a new device. They would probably be smarter to focus on increasing battery life and lowering cost while increasing their color-specific offerings (kids books, magazines, cookbooks/how-to).
Same device, slightly new proc maybe but....
Half the weight!,
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App
Please, oh please...an 8.9" screen that approximates the page size of a "trade" paperback.
This has been my reading goal from the beginning as 6 is too small and 10.1 is too large.
More up-to-date processor (though the current is doing just fine) and full Andorid Market access without rooting (let the quality of the unit speak for itself...don't hamstring it).
A truly non-glare AND (largely) non-reflective screen.
A front firing speaker!!!
8 1/2-9.0 would be a real "Goldilocks" range though I have gotten quite used to the 7"!
And, last but not least, a removable battery or significantly extended battery life.
A user serviceable battery for sure
Def. the battery
lighter
better "anti-glare" technology, whatever that may be
camera would be nice, but probably won't get it
Proc would be nice too, and may get that
Speaker quality is really imperative....
Here's hoping!
DB
Honestly I don't expect anything out of the Nook Color 2, because I don't think it will have the same developer community so I won't want one.
The Nook Color is what it is because from October of last year, to this month (when sub-$300 Galaxy Tabs began popping up on the internet) it was the best tablet value. For much of that time, it was BY FAR the best tablet value- beating other options by $hundreds.
That is no longer the case, and it won't be the case for the next Nook Color. We will probably keep our pace of development on the original for at least another six months due to critical mass, but the next great hackable ereader is probably that tablet Amazon is keeping under wraps.
If B&N is smart they won't replace the first Nook Color for a while (aka sometime in 2012)...
Who needs a tablet in 2012? We'll all be gone anyways! lol... silly interwebs-peoplez.
There will be no crazy nook color 2.
The nook color does everything an ereader should do, too much in fact. B&N dont want you to buy the NC they want you to buy BOOKS! Adding more features to appeal to this community is the LAST thing they will do.
If anything they will revise the current nook with a better anti glare coating, hopefully a better speaker and i would not be surprised to see a locked bootloader and the ability to boot from SD removed.
The "hacking" community has been great thus far because now they can say we have sold "eleventy billion machines"! Now that they have that bit of marketing under their belt theres NO reason under the sun to cater to us anymore and every reason to start locking it down and protecting their interests...
My guess is it will probably happen as soon as amazon uses nook marketing against them. "XX% of nook colors are running the amazon kindle app" Makes one appealing tag line for amazon. If that happens the shareholders will put an end to the fun quick enough.
TLR the original nook color is probably as good as its going to get for us.
For me Nook is perfect as it now with CM7 + OC kernel:
Fast and smooth for ebooks, web, music, movies and casual gaming.
As the bug for battery life is fixed, it is astonishing about power.
Wifi is really ok with my MB511 (tethered 3G/Wifi from the backpack to the nook).
Maybe a bluetooth keyboard or a dock like the asus transformer and i have a netbook
For the size, 8.9" would be great without screen border.
I'd like to see at least a mono mike input
for voice control & email - SMS to text apps and voice chat
The fabled Amazon tablet will have a lot to say about whether there will be another NC, and what it will look like.
We should do everything we can do prolong the life of the NC now.
Still rocking the Incredible with the XDA Premium App.
The only improvement I can think of considering this is an ebook device would be a better screen for use outdoors as others have said.
The current screen is awesome indoors... great color, great viewing angles. I'm also impressed how good the touch sensitivity is for a resistive digitizer. But outdoors I can barely see what I'm trying to read through the reflection of my face or of the sky.
Had I bought this primarily as an ereader I'd be disappointed.
chrisjs81 said:
I'm also impressed how good the touch sensitivity is for a resistive digitizer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good sensitivity "for a resistive digitizer" is a rather poor review of a capacitive touchscreen
Taosaur said:
Good sensitivity "for a resistive digitizer" is a rather poor review of a capacitive touchscreen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoops. I swear I read it was resistive before I bought it. Either way it's quite good the only issue I have is the position jumping when I lift my finger off (such as when using the arrow to move the cursor) I don't have the same issue on my phone but that may just be the angle since the NC is so much larger.

[REQUEST] B&N Nook Simple Touch forum

Would like to request a forum for the Barnes & Nobles Nook Simple Touch. It runs Android 2.1, and has been rooted. It is the first e-Ink reader with a full-fledged OS, and is eminently hackable. Its SoC is the same as the Nook Color, and CM7 will likely be ported to it. It has a 2-month battery life and daylight-readable screen, at a low cost of $139. It is shipping now.
http://barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp
Rooting instructions: http://nookdevs.com/NookTouch_Rooting
Reviews: http://barnesandnoble.com/nook/reviews/index.asp
I second this request.
Agreed. I want to see this thing rooted!
It's been rooted! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1115701
Please add a forum for Nook Simple Touch !!!
Agreed! Already rooted my Touch, but there seem to be no forums dedicated to this thing. This will be the ultimate e-reader when you can put Kindle/Kobo etc. on it!
+1
+1. The device is already rooted,and the forum link above is holding discussions on getting a launcher on there. Roms are soon to follow.
+1
Right now I'm thinking on how to get this nook. It should be very interesting - kind of e-ink tablet
Heh, we're skeptical about adding this. The Nook Color was easy because it's a full color Android tablet, and once rooted, it's a pretty great device. But the new monochrome Nook, even once rooted, can really play back videos, browse the web very well, etc.
But...if there's enough interest, we might have to oblige.
svetius said:
Heh, we're skeptical about adding this. The Nook Color was easy because it's a full color Android tablet, and once rooted, it's a pretty great device. But the new monochrome Nook, even once rooted, can really play back videos, browse the web very well, etc.
But...if there's enough interest, we might have to oblige.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be great if we could convince you to overcome your skepticism. I have a rooted Nook Color and just got the Simple Touch for my mother. It's a great little ereader, but my idea in getting it for her was to root it and set her up with some basic Android goodies like email, calendar, Facebook, other ereader apps like Kindle and Aldiko. Videos clearly out, but that's fine for this kind of device.
Please chalk me up as interested!
Another vote for a specific Nook Simple Touch forum!
It has been rooted, it is similar under the hood to the Nook Color, and it runs Android. Just because it has an e-ink screen and can't do full motion video doesn't mean the machine isn't capable of being utilized for more than what was intended. The sooner we get a dedicated forum the better. If there isn't one, we are going to end up with a flood of posts in the Nook Color forums where they don't belong.
onlyforandroid said:
It would be great if we could convince you to overcome your skepticism. I have a rooted Nook Color and just got the Simple Touch for my mother. It's a great little ereader, but my idea in getting it for her was to root it and set her up with some basic Android goodies like email, calendar, Facebook, other ereader apps like Kindle and Aldiko. Videos clearly out, but that's fine for this kind of device.
Please chalk me up as interested!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, I don't think anyone is expecting the touch to ever be able to work like a "standard" tablet with angry birds (despite the demo, lol) or video playback. What would be excellent however would be development of a ROM or guides to aide loading that allowed additional apps that increase the usefulness of the nook touch, for example:
Additional ebook readers/distribution services like the kindle app (the lack of access to the kindle bookshop is the main criticism highlighted in reviews)
Word processing/editing applications on the go
Web browsing/social networking like Facebook
Simple gaming, for example chess or draughts or turn based strategy games like uniwar.
Essentially giving you an ereader that can also do a few extra functions when you are out and about
svetius said:
Heh, we're skeptical about adding this. The Nook Color was easy because it's a full color Android tablet, and once rooted, it's a pretty great device. But the new monochrome Nook, even once rooted, can really play back videos, browse the web very well, etc.
But...if there's enough interest, we might have to oblige.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Svetius,
I agree, the Nook Touch has its limitations as compared against conventional tablets. But that is what makes it interesting. As said, it's the only e-Ink product that has full-fledged Android and can be hacked to run regular Android apps. It's not a conventional tablet. It has its drawbacks, but it also has its unique strengths. It's very cheap, very light and compact, its battery lasts forever, and it can be used anywhere, indoors or out.
I've always thought of XDA as a place where we can talk about interesting tech toys, not just toys that are popular, or toys that have to be the same as other toys. Rather than adding yet another me-too Tegra 2 tablet, why not have something different and interesting for a change?
HP
I think that what we're looking at here is not simply an e-ink tablet (write mail, surf,etc), but the "One Ring" of e-ink readers. One e-ink device for all formats. Add my request for a NST forum please.
Picked one up at the bricks&mortar store tonight... It definitely has potential!!
Haven't had a chance to root it yet, but managed to load all of the Adobe Digital Editions books that I had collected on my 1st gen s-l-o-w kobo... (from several different bookstores) The browser needs work (I could see my gmail messages, but attempting to reply shut down the browser) There is no zoom or rotation for pdfs yet, and some obvious file formats (.jpg, .png ??) don't seem to be recognized consistently... but the screen isn't bad and it's relatively snappy. It's light, and really small... wifi works flawlessly, kb is pretty good.
Would love to see what can be done with it.
iam interested too!!
eink tablet would be awesome
thinking of text based services/apps like ssh, icq, irc, twitter, email, electrodroid, wikipedia...
e.mote said:
I've always thought of XDA as a place where we can talk about interesting tech toys, not just toys that are popular, or toys that have to be the same as other toys. Rather than adding yet another me-too Tegra 2 tablet, why not have something different and interesting for a change?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My thoughts exactly!
another one requesting this forum !
At the moment little bits of information are being scattered here and there, would be great to have them all in one place!
Another vote for a Nook Simple Touch forum!
I picked mine up yesterday and it's a fun little device. I'll be rooting it soon, and this thing definitely has lots of potential with a good community of developers!
For instance, how to unlock that gig of storage space that's reserved for bought B&N books... hehe
svetius said:
Heh, we're skeptical about adding this. The Nook Color was easy because it's a full color Android tablet, and once rooted, it's a pretty great device. But the new monochrome Nook, even once rooted, can really play back videos, browse the web very well, etc.
But...if there's enough interest, we might have to oblige.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Come on! Get moving on a forum for the Nook Touch!
I just got ADW and K9 e-mail running on this thing! Reading e-mail is beautiful on this thing!!! We need a proper Android distribution that gets around the menu and launcher navigation issues.
Maybe rename the Nook Color main section to be 'Nook devices' and drop this underneath as a sub-forum?
But aye, looks hackable, is a /really/ neat device. Deserves one forum hopefully, not sure (for now) needs the usual 'general/qa/dev/accesories' splitting.
So from the various threads that are around in the Nook Color thread, so far people have managed to
- root the nook touch,
- access superuser permissions,
- Work out there is 728mb usable ram and 228mb program memory,
- Install and run ADWLauncher and LauncherPro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4dMZvff9qg- Install and run FBReader
- Install and run the Kindle app http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4MJungKIxY
- Suggest that the CPU is the same as the Nook Color?!?
- Suggest that the Nook Touch has Bluetooth but it is disabled
- Suggest that devs will start work on a CM7 port
Some excellent developments already and an exciting future for the device, please may we have a forum/sub-forum now? Pretty please with sugar and cherries ontop?

[Q] Rooted Nook Color Vs Nook Tablet

So I have had my Nook Color for about a year now. My wife had one and I decided I wanted one to root. I have been running with it rooted and got rather comfortable with it, I am stuck on Android I admit. Of course now I am having issues with the latest rooting so I am thinking "Hmm new Nook out maybe I should consider it"
So I am asking the community what is the real differences?
I know I could go online and read through 100 reviews all by different people who spend all their days with gadgets and I have no clue if they play with it the same way I do, and I am fairly certain they aren't going to hack it like I am.
So what do you think? Is it just a slightly updated Nook Color or is there more? What is making you excited that you couldn't nicely do with a rooted Nook Color? What do think will be lost in the transition? Also how long do you think it will take until there is a simple rooting solution?
Totally based on specs, the big differences are more internal memory (16GB vs. 8GB) and more CPU power (dual-core and faster clock speed). Oh, and I think the Nook Tablet does have a mic which is interesting if for no other reason than voice recognition-based input.
The screen size is the same, though I've read several articles saying the new screen is pretty gorgeous. I don't know if it's the same screen (the one on the Nook Color is no slacker!) and this is the first time some people have seen it, or if it's an improved display.
I have a TouchPad running CM7 and I believe it has the same dual-core CPU as the Nook Tablet (if not the same, it's very similar), and I can say that there's a significant difference between the two in terms of fluidity. Things scroll smoother, load faster, render faster, etc. I would assume the Nook Tablet would be similar.
So in the end it depends on what you do with your Nook. If you're primarily reading books on it and playing Angry Birds, you're not going to see much of a difference most likely. I'm pretty sure the browser is going to be MUCH smoother on the Nook Tablet, though, as is the overall experience.
I remember reading that the Nook Color will also be getting the same 1.4 stock firmware update that the Nook Tablet will have, so if you're a rooted stock guy, that's a good thing, and even if you're not it may mean an updated kernel and/or drivers for a smoother experience on the Nook Color similar to what happened when 1.2 was released.
So ultimately it comes down to whether a smoother experience on what will otherwise be similar hardware (physical dimensions and appearance, not internals) and software is worth $250 to you.
I've looked at the Nook Color and Nook Tablet side by side.
In my opinion the overclocked, rooted Nook Color is excellent.
Aside from the increased memory, microphone and faster processor, there isn't enough difference to warrant "side" grading (Not enough difference for me to call it an 'upgrade') to the Nook Tablet.
Bluetooth?
Does anyone know if the Nook Tablet has Bluetooth?
IMO, if money is an issue, buy a refurb nook color. If you have a problem with refurb stuff and would rather have a new one, spend the extra 50 bucks on the nook tablet. Some beefier internals for the money and will be more futureproof.
Sent from XDA Premium app CM7.1
Another consideration in my opinion is that ICS will come to the Tablet first. I have no inside info, it just makes sense that the devs will want to update the most advanced device first, unless of course there is no actual coding difference between the two.
The way pricing is dropping on the 10" tablets and with ICS coming I couldn't see paying $250 for a Nook Tablet that is a minor improvement over the rooted NC.
I recently picked up a new Xoom for $320 from BJ's that they were discontinuing, my recommendation is that if you can afford $250 to upgrade to the Nook Tablet throw in another $100 and go for one of the 10" tablets.
I got my Nook Tablet last night and have been using a rooted/CM7 Nook Color since launch, so to answer your questions:
1. It is *much* faster. Web browsing is light years faster, especially with sites that have a great deal of visual content.
2. Speaker is slightly better.
3. Has a microphone, which will be an answer to my Skype-based prayers.
4. Screen *is* better, but not enough better that I'd switch on that alone.
5. Rubberized bezel makes gripping a bit better.
6. Double the ram of the NC - will be important in later versions of Android.
7. 16gb storage...CAVEAT: you only get access to 1gb in stock rom. (rooting and CM7 or 8 will of course fix this)
8. It is noticeably lighter when the two are held at the same time.
The device appears to use the exact same charger/cable, and I have used them here interchangeably.
At the end of the day, it is the vastly increased speed that wins me over. Everything is faster from scrolling, to video playback (damn good), to web browsing. That said, I am *seriously* missing my CM7.
Thanks goldenu. Having someone compare side by side is very helpful. I think for me I do some browsing and such but usually I use it to access picture files in Dropbox. I don't think that it will specifically be worth the money for me to up grade. I have rerooted my NC and hopefully will not repeat the mistakes that kept killing it for me. But really the main question is how will the Nook Tablet handle porn?
There is always a problem being responsible with your money but loving gadgets. Maybe I will win the lotto and I will just buy them all, maybe hang them all on the walls and create an app to make one giant touchscreen wallboard. Ok enough day dreaming and silly ideas
But what if one has neither? The NC has just gone back to $199, but there's some money involved in rooting and upclocking--if a 4gb SD or whatever isn't on hand. Which would you buy if not full geek capable, but not too dumb to follow good rebuild instructions? That $199 is looking good all over again, but I'm $poor.
---------- Post added at 01:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:40 AM ----------
goldenu said:
I got my Nook Tablet last night and have been using a rooted/CM7 Nook Color since launch, so to answer your questions:
1. It is *much* faster. Web browsing is light years faster, especially with sites that have a great deal of visual content.
2. Speaker is slightly better.
3. Has a microphone, which will be an answer to my Skype-based prayers.
4. Screen *is* better, but not enough better that I'd switch on that alone.
5. Rubberized bezel makes gripping a bit better.
6. Double the ram of the NC - will be important in later versions of Android.
7. 16gb storage...CAVEAT: you only get access to 1gb in stock rom. (rooting and CM7 or 8 will of course fix this)
8. It is noticeably lighter when the two are held at the same time.
The device appears to use the exact same charger/cable, and I have used them here interchangeably.
At the end of the day, it is the vastly increased speed that wins me over. Everything is faster from scrolling, to video playback (damn good), to web browsing. That said, I am *seriously* missing my CM7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoa! Thanks! THAT is what I've been needing someone to go into. Did I say Thanks?!! WaywardPilgrim, Evergreen Colo @7,500 and CHILLY!
goldenu said:
That said, I am *seriously* missing my CM7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So root it!!!! lol. Seriously though has anyone checked to see if CWM SD card will still work, if so I'd imagine its filesystem is still the same.
unsivil_audio said:
So root it!!!! lol. Seriously though has anyone checked to see if CWM SD card will still work, if so I'd imagine its filesystem is still the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it will not. Different kernel and processor.....
NC vs NC Tablet
I do not have or tried a NC Tablet. It sounds good....but if you want just a GREAT e-reader w/loads of Apps (Google Mkt), both B&N & Kindle, Flash 10.1, access to internet, great screen, ......No money? Buy a referb NC for $100+, then buy a N2A card for $35 and have fun. I bought a NC new for $147 (1 year ago, during one of theirB&B specials, + got 5% off by using a cash back CC, then got a N2A card and i'm in hog heaven.. Even bought my wife a refurb and N2A....same thing. GREAT "E-Reader" w/lots of goodies.
docfreed said:
Does anyone know if the Nook Tablet has Bluetooth?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does, but it is not activated on the nook interface.
I think it will be activated once we get a custom ROM for the NT.
My question is:
Does it still boot first from the MicroSD card?
I have no desire to root or run from internal memory any android OS, I absolutely love the un-brickable nature of the Nook Color.
I know off the bat an sd-install isn't happening, but if it boots from sd first there's nothing stopping it from eventually happening.
The un-brickable nature of the sd boot first option is the biggest draw for me, from a developer standpoint it makes a fantastic playground where you can explore whatever you want without consequence.
Having a device with better hardware specs will make development of ICS and forward software much nicer.
?
Blue6IX said:
My question is:
Does it still boot first from the MicroSD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but so far it appears that the bootloader is locked down and will only accept signed images.
It it still very early in the game and only a couple people have poked at the bootloader so far so there is still hope that something can be achieved, but it's definitely a different set of problems than the Color ever had. No one has been able to root it yet either so that doesn't help either. I don't doubt that there are a number of very intelligent and determined people who are interested in the challenge though
Thanks for the quick reply.
That was all I needed to know to put this on my shopping list. Not sure when i'll pick one up, but it's definitely in my sights now.
Sooner or later we'll crack it open, as long as boot first from SD was worked into the model the rest is just a matter of time.
elbaxter said:
......No money? Buy a referb NC for $100+, then buy a N2A card for $35 and have fun.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Roxors of NC's from B&N are $149 now, plus the $35 for the card you have to order is $184 plus shipping.
You can get a fully rooted NC off Craigs List for $170 all day long. I talked a guy down to $100 because he tried to dump a 3rd party power brick on me. Picked up a B&N brick, (and spare cable), for $27. Put the lame 2G PNY he had in it in my Fuze, put the Fuzes 8 in my phone, put my phones Sandisk 16 class 4 in the NC, made sure 8+1 works and haven't looked back. VV0o7!
The Tablet is now rooted....... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1354487
Rooted Nook vs. Nook Tablet
Hey Guys,
I just bought a new NT Saturday, it's still in the box. I've been reading a few post and I'm not sure but everyone seems to be having more fun with the NC. I went to get the NC originally but I'm a sucker for latest and greatest. I'm still not sure if it was the best choice. And oh yeah, I get one shot at this, the wife says " Make a choice and stick with it." Do you think the NT will receive the same attention as it's older brother. I'm the kind of user that likes my gadgets to do all that they can. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Considering An SL101...

tl;dr Tell me anything you can about the Eee Pad Slider because I want one.
So I'm in the market for a new tablet and I am favoring the Slider over the TF101 and TF300 basically because I like the form factor. However, I have a couple of concerns, so hopefully a few Slider owners still browse the threads here.
For anyone who has the white color model, do you ever get discolorations anywhere on the Tablet? Looking on ebay, it seems like every other white Slider has yellow/brown marks from something... dirty hands, I don't know.
I've never had a Tegra based device so I really don't know what I'm getting into. For anyone who has compared a Tegra 2 and 3 device, is there really any noticeable difference? I don't plan to do much hardcore gaming, just mainly for browsing, light reading, and typing.
Do any Slider owners out there wish they would have gone with a different device, especially a different Eee Pad? If so, why?
I was really looking forward forward to Asus bringing out the MeMO 370T and I will probably refuse to buy a watered down Google Nexus Tablet, I'll still be too salty over it.
Feel free to express your thoughts or opinions here, I appreciate any response.
i was also considering the "slider" but the added option of being able to remove the bulk/weight of the keyboard made me purchase the TF101 still a great tablet for everthing you stated but as of now Tegras chipset is getting outdated and you can get a better tablet for a little more buck
elsewhere
Thanks for your input. If I were to be buy a Transformer, I would certainly have they keyboard dock attached at all times, so after considering that would be more money and heavier, that's kind of where I see the Slider having an advantage.
I suppose the big upside to having a Transformer would be the increased battery life with the dock, that's the only thing that I really would end up being jealous of.
Solar.Plexus said:
tl;dr Tell me anything you can about the Eee Pad Slider because I want one.
So I'm in the market for a new tablet and I am favoring the Slider over the TF101 and TF300 basically because I like the form factor. However, I have a couple of concerns, so hopefully a few Slider owners still browse the threads here.
For anyone who has the white color model, do you ever get discolorations anywhere on the Tablet? Looking on ebay, it seems like every other white Slider has yellow/brown marks from something... dirty hands, I don't know.
I've never had a Tegra based device so I really don't know what I'm getting into. For anyone who has compared a Tegra 2 and 3 device, is there really any noticeable difference? I don't plan to do much hardcore gaming, just mainly for browsing, light reading, and typing.
Do any Slider owners out there wish they would have gone with a different device, especially a different Eee Pad? If so, why?
I was really looking forward forward to Asus bringing out the MeMO 370T and I will probably refuse to buy a watered down Google Nexus Tablet, I'll still be too salty over it.
Feel free to express your thoughts or opinions here, I appreciate any response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't have a problem with the color, I have a white slider, and is... you know, white. I was using stock HC, and now, android revolution HD. The 3D graphics are way better than 2D graphics. I didn't noticed lag in any 3D games, but in launcher, browser and some 2D apps, I noticed some lag.
Another nice thing of slider is that I didn't had to buy a keyboard
stereoactivo said:
I didn't have a problem with the color, I have a white slider, and is... you know, white. I was using stock HC, and now, android revolution HD. The 3D graphics are way better than 2D graphics. I didn't noticed lag in any 3D games, but in launcher, browser and some 2D apps, I noticed some lag.
Another nice thing of slider is that I didn't had to buy a keyboard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried updating to ICS or flashing a custom ROM? From what I know, Android 3.x was really heavy on devices. I'm wondering if the lighter operating systems sped up performance at all. Or surely CM9. or AOKP would.
Also, has anyone gotten Ubuntu to run on the Slider? I know there was some Ubuntu development on the TF101 and I thought both devices were actually the same.
Ubuntu runs essentially the same way on the slider. Slightly buggier since the kernels don't line up neatly, but it works.
He's running ARHD now, which is stock based ICS
Thanks, Thing O Doom. You seem like a pretty knowledgable member, I'll keep that in mind.
Anyone running on Ubuntu that can attest to how it runs? I'll have to look into the Ubuntu installation. If I could dual boot from microSD or something, I'd go through the roof.
You can DB off of the Sd (See emmc install db thread) but it's abysmally slow unless you have a HS class10 card. Then it's wonderful, I just use internal though x)
It runs very smoothly considering the specs.
Too heavy and thick
For me it is too heavy and thick to be an ultra portable device. This really becomes a problem when playing games where you have tilt the screen like Rip tide. I can play only about 10-15 min, if I hold it up without supporting the tablet on my lap.
But, that is not how I typically use my slider. I put it on my lap or on my desk and play with it there. If the keyboard is slid out the screen is quite thin and easy to hold. The screen is not a perfect angle to use in bed while lying down, but too me its not a major issue.
The lack of a track pad with a keyboard takes some getting use to, but I like that about it. I'm happy with slider but I was knowing the limitations before I bought it.
Thing O Doom said:
You can DB off of the Sd (See emmc install db thread) but it's abysmally slow unless you have a HS class10 card. Then it's wonderful, I just use internal though x)
It runs very smoothly considering the specs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have a Samsung Class 10 card, so I would probably give Ubuntu from SD a shot since I don't see any Android SD ROMS out there.
madangryscientis said:
For me it is too heavy and thick to be an ultra portable device. This really becomes a problem when playing games where you have tilt the screen like Rip tide. I can play only about 10-15 min, if I hold it up without supporting the tablet on my lap.
But, that is not how I typically use my slider. I put it on my lap or on my desk and play with it there. If the keyboard is slid out the screen is quite thin and easy to hold. The screen is not a perfect angle to use in bed while lying down, but too me its not a major issue.
The lack of a track pad with a keyboard takes some getting use to, but I like that about it. I'm happy with slider but I was knowing the limitations before I bought it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for this feedback. I do do quite a bit of ebook reading and browsing and lots of times, I prefer to read in portrait orientation. Can anyone comment on how it feels to hold the Slider in portrait and also for reading?
Another question:
Should I be trying to avoid certain serial numbers to make life easier for me to root/flash ROMS/dualboot?
It's my understanding that B70 and newer aren't able to use NVFlash on the Transformers due to them having the sbk2 bootloader. Does this same idea apply to the Slider?
EDIT: After some looking around a bit more, it looks like the B70+ Sliders are a no go. Shame...I just found a B90 Slider 16GB on eBay brand new open box for $400 shipping included. More than I wanted to spend but the plastic's even still on.

Has the Nook had its last gasp?

We all love the Nook but it's getting kind of old in the tooth.
Ok, the Glow4 (7.8") finally upped its game to 1 GB RAM, but that was kind of necessary.
It also added Bluetooth, something that could have been done cheaply and easily to earlier models.
Although I'm no fan of using the latest and greatest Android version, 4.4.2 is getting a bit old.
I understand that this is a tough business where every little part on the BOM (bill of materials) will hurt you.
Still, using single core processor is so yesterday. A Raspberry Pi Zero has quad core for $10-15.
To my mind a 6" 300 DPI reader is about optimal for flowing text reading.
For frequent or work PDF reading I'd want a 10" 300 DPI reader instead of high power reading glasses.
The 8" reader seems to fall uncomfortably in the middle.
The Kobos are Linux based, not Android.
Onyx has some decent choices in their (confusedly similar) product palette.
The older stuff has Android 4.4, the newer stuff Android 9.0
They have quad core and even octa core.
The "Poke 2" looks pretty nice for a 6", but why did they have to add the silver styling?
https://onyxboox.com/boox_poke2
(Oh, well, some sandpaper and a can of black spray paint would fix that.)
As I am in love with the Aard dictionary, my NST has been simply wonderful. But I understand Kobo no longer support an SD card. Where to now?
Same boat. I just got rid of my GLP BNRV510. Hated the light grey, small dictionary font. Also reading PDF seemed to convert those documents to oversized images. My NSTw/GL was awesome. I was going to upgrade to the new NGLP7.8 but the specs and issues with overheating are a turn off. Also I have read reviews stating that you can't side load books anymore? This may also apply to the GLP BNRV510 with the latest firmware update too. Which eReader now?
The Glow2 (BNRV510) is my main read.
If I have to read a PDF, I read it in landscape at two "chunks" a page.
I wouldn't think that B&N would try to lock down sideloads and I don't anticipate it would be hard to defeat.
I hope not but I understand the arguments for your question. To be honest NST as it was not my first choice (first choice was some Sony model) but I love it now. Last time I checked Kobo Aura looked nice but that was long ago and I do not know how things look now on the market.
Recently I was scrubbing my head around this issue. How I see the problem with NST? Well B&N locked out anything and everything humanly possible to prevent users doing something they did not wanted them to do. Devs unlock most of the obstacles out of protest or because of challenge ahead. As it runs ancient version of Android apps are scarce and disappearing fast. Writing an app dedicated for NST might be an act of love toward hardware base made by dedicated fanatic but we can assume there are not to many such individuals around today as Rennate said Nook is old.
So without further ado there are few roads as I see that could be taken if NST is to continue ahead.
1. Upgrades to Android version as far and much its hardware allows and using slightly more up to date apps for it (like CM11 approach running from SD card allows).
2. As Android is just an overlay on Linux leave it as is for B&N sake and good sleep but make some dual boot solution that will actually allow us to boot Linux (something in the line of Ubuntu for devices but not exactly so because as far as I remember that work only for versions of Android above 4) as that could give user maximum possible ability to customize it for his/her use.
3. Just say bye to B&N and build new NST OS from scratch be it Linux or another version of Android as that might be easier due to a clean slate/paper ahead and being less bound to a obstacles made by B&N.
4. It might be possible to create also dual profile on the current NST OS but given its restrictions that might not be of some great use - (B&N profile and user profile). What other forum members think about it?
P.S. I did not want to create separate thread about this and this thread seemed to fit in the general idea of talk about it. I hope Rennate wont mind.
Nah, I don't mind.
I use the same reader app on my Glow2 and everything else, including my $70 Walmart Onn 8" tablet.
Even a cheap-o (single CPU) tablet has 2G vs the Glow2's 0.5G
For better or worse, people like the Android ecosystem as a way to make apps.
Of course, Google & Co are working on making everything ginormous and expensive.
(And adding even more pointless animations.)
It's always a question of how much work you want to put in to fight annoying things.
Renate NST said:
Nah, I don't mind.
I use the same reader app on my Glow2 and everything else, including my $70 Walmart Onn 8" tablet.
Even a cheap-o (single CPU) tablet has 2G vs the Glow2's 0.5G
For better or worse, people like the Android ecosystem as a way to make apps.
Of course, Google & Co are working on making everything ginormous and expensive.
(And adding even more pointless animations.)
It's always a question of how much work you want to put in to fight annoying things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am glad that you do not mind and find this discussion still within topic you started.
As always you hit problem in the head with much less words then me. I have always wondered what are the limits of hardware requirements needed (minimum) for some tasks/programs to run reliably. And we see that people test those boundaries each day.
You are correct that Android had given people app making opportunities. Sadly recent trend is to take away that from us on old devices as this one. I agree that "awww look its so shiny and buzzing" might look nice but regarding information value its pretty much crap (no way to put it politely sorry). Information is what the people using books/ebooks find to have some merit and it is in the form of text, graph, still picture mostly. I accept that sometimes video can be better tool for presenting certain information but general trend is not in that direction. Information in any shape and form I will accept gladly. Sad truth is that today we have to duck and fight against flash advertising and eye candy web UI of very little value and dubious quality.
I have some doubts what would be the most likely way to continue that is why I made that post. If it was my thread I would make a poll but even here I am willing to hear what is your opinion? Amongst four options I wrote up what would you most likely choose as a way forward? Also if possible please explain why.
1) I think doing an upgrade of Android version on an older device is a bunch of work and hardly justified.
2) I'm not a fan of dual boot. I like to keep things simple. Especially on my main reading device where I just want to pick it up and read.
Android "Linux" has quite a few different things than normal Linux. If you want Linux, get a Kobo.
3) Porting something new to the NST is a lot of work. See #1
4) I don't see the necessity of dividing profiles. I also don't understand what you're looking for.
Ok, I'm a fan of the NST, but it's had its day. The Glows have better resolution and backlight.
You get your choice of capacitive (Glow2) or IR (Glow3) touch screen.
The Android 4.4.2 on the Glows is not so bad yet. (The NST Android 2.1 makes life difficult.)
I think more memory, Bluetooth and a better processor would be on my wish list (in order).
Yes, the Glow4 has Bluetooth.
With enough effort you can fix any little technical thing in life that annoys you.
(I just spend this morning grinding and filing down a piece on my brand new guitar because I couldn't stand the design.)
It's a question of time and also how many people your effort would help.
I think an Onyx Boox is in my future, but I wish they didn't have so many silly models.
It's funny, I still use my original Nook Simple Touch, but a few times a year I find myself curious and looking to see if there's a perfect e-reader out yet for me to upgrade to. In the end it always just seems like nothing is really so much better that I really want to buy it, though.
In particular, page refreshes and overall responsiveness, which are the main things I'd like to be better, still just haven't improved enough on affordable e-readers, in my opinion. A backlight would be kinda cool, but hardly seems like a big deal since personally I'm still pretty used to reading real books, which obviously don't have built in lighting either. I guess a higher density screen might be nice, but I can't say I really notice it on my NST. Newer Android? Maybe, though I've really always been able to find an app that does what I need and works on the NST even with Android 2.1, so I'm not sure what the advantage would be.
I'm a pretty light user of my Nook, though, I guess. Most of the time I'm just reading epubs or sometimes pdfs (scientific papers, which are usually published as double columns, so they work just fine on the NST screen), plus the occasional word games or round of picross here and there. Someday I'm sure I'll upgrade to a new reader, but I think it's gonna be a while at the rate the technology has been improving.
You have stated all valid points here. I understand them and agree to most. Maybe I should explain in more details my points.
I use NST as is. Still restrictions imposed on user by B&N are frustrating sometimes. I mentioned upgrading Android on the device only because its own base is abandoning 2.1 and cutting of access to application made for this version. I have nothing against sideloading apps but if the source to such apps is going to dry out it might be a time for a change. Theoretically with slight upgrade of Linux kernel on it upgrade to gingerbread/honeycomb looks doable. Is it worth the effort is a valid question and that is exactly what I am asking for opinion here.
I am mostly using an OS from that Redmond firm. Although I want to learn and use Linux more I am certainly not looking into using it on e-reader despite it is possible to do on Kobo. Point of dual boot would be to leave B&N stuff as is and do on Linux what you like. At least on Linux you would not be that easily cutoff from apps you want/need. Again looks doable but I am not sure if it is recommendable. Reason for me to considering this is that more and more I read about trying to write/rewrite an apps for this device. Even I have started something similar to porting Linux program to Android and being frustrated by next to nill progress so far started to wonder am I doing it backward and should I run Linux on NST and program in the environment it was written for.
I am surprised Renate is not for whole new OS because the way I see the things she is already halfway there with all the apps she wrote for NST. . I know OS is another matter but let's face it it was half baked product to begin with. I mean Phone.apk really? On a device without sound support! And that app control volume? Man B&N really had shoestring budget for software developer and had us use port of some phone OS instead writing dedicated stuff.
I find multiple profile least advised on such low power device but I could see its merit here and there. I have a cousin which would be happy if she had kids profile on its phone as that would prevent paying triple digit roaming charges. NST most likely do not have the power to pull of multiple profiles although in theory something like that could be made even for Eclare in some crumbly way.
NST have resolution just above low printing and we love it. If some device could achieve 300dpi and have larger screen A4 size preferably with A5 being minimum that would be awesome. There are few device on market Remarkable and Sony with 10 and 13.3 inch screen but they cost still an arm and a leg. Although they shifted concept more toward notebook/sketchbook I have no problem with that but e-book support is next to nothing PDF only if I remember well. I am old and I like to use "pen" on "paper". I will look about other device mentioned. Aura H2O did caught my eye once to be honest.
Now I hope you can see my points more clearly. I find this discussion fruitful. Even if we do nothing we at least have fresh input from others to tickle little gray cells.
As far as upgrades go, upgrading to anything less than Lollipop (5.0) is pretty pointless.
That's already five years old as it is.
As bloat is a given, you're always going to need more memory and a faster processor.
If you want to learn about Linux a Raspberry Pi is certainly an economical solution.
For ~$15 you can get a Raspberry Pi ZeroW.
Android *nix deviates a lot from Linux but mostly in system and startup issues.
You can cross-compile C programs on your Windows box using the the Android NDK and run them in the command line on your Nook.
You won't have direct access to the screen unless you want to write to /dev/graphics/fb0 yourself.
If you don't want the Android layer running at that time you can just turn it on and off with "stop" and "start".
You might try to get into writing regular Java (or Kotlin, but don't get me going on that) applications.
There is something to be said for having your own app that runs on both your phone and your Nook.
There's a lot of convenience in having whatever you're looking for on whatever device you have at the moment.
I always though that backlights were pointless, but I've learned to love them.
If you have copier paper a lot of it is 92% reflective.
The white in eInk is a lot grayer than that.
I always keep my backlight on, but only to the point that it makes up for the gray tint to make it white.
Looking at it you really don't get the impression that it is glowing.
I have stumbled on web page of a project to port some 4+ Android version on NST which pretty much surprised me. Can not remember was it ICS or JB and hell Kitkat would be awesome for device that old. I believe that for that they must abandon B&N stuff almost completely unless they somehow ported it back from Glow versions? And counting in size expected I bet that they reformatted partitions on the device to make it happen. Now will that stick together or fall apart spontaneously is another question. I remember that on xda that somewhere was a thread about disabling OTA from B&N that could brake such upgrade but since they no longer support NST we should not worry about this. I wonder why did you said Lollipop as minimum choice? Do you consider it as minimum acceptable Android version or maximum that NST could possibly run?
As far as Linux go nah I will just play with old laptop instead. Although I caught myself looking to buy present for nephews in electronic realm. Arduino or Pie? aye there is the rub...
I didn't program anything reasonable for a long time. Therefore I am more than rusty in that field. Although I believesome Python or lua script I could manage if enough effort is put on my side.Julia look to me as a programming language that shows some promise to the future from old man perspective. Certainly none of those are useful to porting anything to Android and NST. For the moment I cut my appetite back and will look into how I can backup NST and make virtual image out of it to run it in Virtual box. There I hope to try to learn how things work on Android an play/apply changes in the sand boxed environment. If I break something no harm done just delete virtual drive and start again. I don't want to brick my only NST. Maybe I should buy used one for latter to as I see lot of UK used one have hit the market after B&N closed in UK.
I hate Java from reasons unwilling to disclose or as you said let's not start about that. Idea behind it is fine. Sadly it is lot to be desired on the implementation side. I totally understand that Java might give some benefits especially if we count in the already existing base of programs written on Java. Have a friend who learn and use Java but I personally never manage to overcome my personal detest of it.
Regarding backlight... I never saw Glow. Is there true backlight in like shining through panel? Or did they made something in line of those book lights for real books? I think that could work for capacitive screen but not so much so for IR like NST have. That should not glow much I think and could be regulated in illumination and colour.
The NST has 256M RAM, the Glow2/3 has 512M, the Glow4 has 1G, my $40 phone has 2G.
The $60 Kobo I have has only 256M, but it just runs Linux.
I couldn't be bothered to update my NST even if you handed me an image on a platter.
ebay has the Glow4 (open box) for $130.
I wouldn't even try to update that to a newer version, too much work.
Since this thread started the Boox Poke3 6" reader has come out.
It has Android 10, 8 CPUs, 2G RAM, Bluetooth and lists for $190.
That's a heck of a lot more of a device than the Glow3 for $120.
It also doesn't have the ugly styling of the Poke2.
https://www.boox.com/poke3/
Hmm, currently not in the US warehouse.
I'm a big fan of Arduino and RPi, but it gets complicated.
An adult friend bought an Arduino, hooked up an LCD and a thermometer, loaded the sketch.
It worked. They got bored. End of the story.
I don't know what the solution is. You make it too easy, they get bored. You make it too hard, they get frustrated.
I'm not a fan of the whole Arduino infrastructure and the Processing language. I prefer just AVR8. But I am "old skool".
I use RPi a lot, but I've only seen the desktop version about once.
I use headless and also digital signage without X Windows or desktop.
The Glow2 has single color edge lit backlight, The Glow3/4 uses dual color (blending) edge lit backlight.
If you hold them sighting down the face of the screen at a very low angle you can tell there are discreet LEDs.
(It's nothing you could ever see in normal usage.)
I checked Boox first time you mentioned it. Impressive progress I must say. Paradox is that as I understand newer Android versions are more optimized to be run even on underpowered devices but I agree that NST is both old and underpowered. Still even you mentioned that Kobo has same low memory but still running successfully Linux only environment. That speaks a lot in Linux favor regarding resource management and use. Yes there are slim chances someone cook something up for NST and even then people will just buy new device that is several times better. You wouldn't believe but B&N readers are hard to find here. I had to ask a friend to bring me the one from Middle East because it was available there so go figure.
Thanks for the opinion about Arduino vs RPi. I think you might be right. Kids nowadays will be interested to program more than to assemble something and experiment. Its a shame because I think they could learn more about physics by fiddling with Arduino.
Thanks for explaining me or rather confirming how light on Glow device is made. I am curious how they sorted out possible interference of lighting with IR touchscreen but I guess they somehow used non overlapping LEDs for those two separate things or passthrough IR only filters on IR detector side. In theory even some simple software calibration could work for that but I am also an "old skool" and wouldn't choose that as my way had I have gotten the task to build something of this kind. I might rig me some "lights" for old fashioned hardcopy books. Not that I can't buy it online but I want to engage my fingers a little.
If you haven't played with it yet, the Touch-1.0.apk (in the sig) works on the NST and will show you how/where the beams of IR go.
It can be helpful to see where dirt or distortion of the bezel is making it difficult for touches to be registered correctly.
Since the party seems to be going into a topic of what next best e-reader should be maybe we could exchange opinions about certain things available as in are they necessary or good enough at this moment. For example Boox is offering a model that can show ebooks as black and white or I presume as 4 color "print". As B&W it present it as 300dpi which is on par with printed books and man can not ask for more in my opinion. Alas when it present 4 color "print" it is meager 100dpi that could mean even NST just blows it out of scene. So my vote on color e-reader is still no. If it ever reach 150dpi it will become a thing to consider but right now it is still under acceptable performance from mine point of view.
Do you consider making notes on a device important? I am asking because I have mentioned ReMarkable and Sony DPT (which is gone now). Sony again made good device only to withdraw from the market at the end. While I understand that in the e-reader case as Amazon blow them out securing the better library this time I am afraid it is Sony's own fault. There exist few rebranded models of hardware Sony used with seemingly better software Fujitsu Quadreno and Mooink Pro. Mooink support PDF, epub, docs and text and offers a software for file conversion and DRM management. There are few annoying things. Almost none have microSD card option now. It is replaced with cloud storage or printing. And I personally like having pen but I find being robbed when they sell it separately and with replaceable tips because they made those to wear out. Cost is way to high despite larger screen.
I'm not clear on what you mean with "4 color".
The only thing that I can see on the website is a way to save your scribbles to an external file where you can set the color saved (but not viewed) on the device.
If you've ever seen a store white/red/black eInk shelf label update you'll know that that's only useful for things that change once a day.
I don't look too closely at the reader software itself since I'll probably just use my own.
I hate the sort of pictograph selection of small, medium, large font.
What if I want 5% larger than medium?
There's always a bit of conflict between SD card and waterproof.
I figure 32 GB fixed storage is large enough for me.
There's always a big tossup what is the correct mix of devices, phone, ereader, tablet, tablet with pen, tablet with keyboard, laptop, desktop?
I've never owned a personal laptop, never seen the sense (for me).
Rarely do I use a tablet or a phone with a BT keyboard when I want to do some sort of bulk inputting or fleshing out an idea or transcribing lyrics.
I kind of like digitizers, but never found a way that the utility exceeds the space they take.
Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is for example device able to reproduce color. Yet is it worth buying?
Yes I understand your choice to use custom reader software. File support seems to have always been a problem and it just went worse from there.
Yes waterproof device shouldn't have SD card. I have mean more in a sense of having the ability to root, backup and thinker with the device.
SJT75 said:
Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is for example device able to reproduce color.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The product selection of Onyx or Boox or Onyx Boox has always confused the heck out of me.
Currently on https://www.boox.com/allproducts/ there is no indication of anything color.
Moreover, the "About Us" speaks of "We focus on E Ink ( ePaper) devices only. "
But I do remember seeing something previously on the website that spoke of color.

Categories

Resources