E-ink reader with Android 2.3+

[Stingy]

First post, so be gentle with me!

I'm looking for an e-reader with an e-ink screen, as I've decided that reading on an iPad retina isn't doing my eyes any good.

My only specific requirement is that it runs (or can be hacked to run) Android 2.3 or above, as I have an app that I would like to use on it. Native ePub support is a must too.

I'm in the UK, and I have done quite a lot of research, leading me to odd brands like Onyx and Prestigio which I could import as necessary.

It doesn't have to be a current model; I can live with an older device until my dream reader is available. Any ideas?

[soulfuldog]

The thread on the ImcoV6L eReader might be of interest to you:

ImcoV6L eReader – HD E-ink, Android, & Frontlight

[joeindallas]

The Nook Simple Touch is cheap these days and can run Android as discussed over at xda. I have friends that use that configuration for scoring baseball games (in direct sunlight)

[Stingy]

Originally Posted by joeindallas

The Nook Simple Touch is cheap these days and can run Android as discussed over at xda. I have friends that use that configuration for scoring baseball games (in direct sunlight)

Thanks, but the Nook Simple Touch only runs Android 2.1 which won't handle the apps I need.

[Stingy]

An update: I bought the Sony PRS-T3 for UK£99. This is actually my first ever reader, so I have learned a lot about what I actually want/need in a reader.

First, I know that the T3 isn't able to run other Android apps (yet). However, coming from a 9.7 inch iPad, a 6 inch screen seems very small. Maybe a 7 or 8 inch reader would suit me better. Also, the T3 seems very slow to me.

In short, I will probably return it, and Sony UKs no quibble returns policy helps me here.

So, I'm still left waiting for devices that don't exist yet. I ordered a PRESTIGIO which is no longer in stock. The Onyx T68 sounds good, but has yet to ship anywhere. The ImcoV6L looks good, but nobody has had a hands-on yet.

[kacir]

Originally Posted by Stingy

My only specific requirement is that it runs (or can be hacked to run) Android 2.3 or above, as I have an app that I would like to use on it. Native ePub support is a must too.

I'm in the UK, and I have done quite a lot of research, leading me to odd brands like Onyx and Prestigio which I could import as necessary.

http://www.the-digital-reader.com/20...ight-99-euros/
http://www.the-digital-reader.com/20...t-android-4-0/

[soulfuldog]

Originally Posted by Stingy

First, I know that the T3 isn't able to run other Android apps (yet). However, coming from a 9.7 inch iPad, a 6 inch screen seems very small. Maybe a 7 or 8 inch reader would suit me better. Also, the T3 seems very slow to me.

You'll need to reconsider your expectations of e-ink technology. It's simply not comparable to the speed of an LCD tablet, smartphone etc. The T3 is one of the most recent releases, same as the Kobo Aura and Kindle Paperwhite (except without the frontlight), no e-ink ereader will feel any faster, if anything, just slower.

[javimm]

Originally Posted by l_macd

You'll need to reconsider your expectations of e-ink technology. It's simply not comparable to the speed of an LCD tablet, smartphone etc. The T3 is one of the most recent releases, same as the Kobo Aura and Kindle Paperwhite (except without the frontlight), no e-ink ereader will feel any faster, if anything, just slower.

This.
When I first bought an eink ereader back in 2008 nobody had one over here. I was asked a lot of times what kind of use you could give it besides reading (surfing the web, playing games). Eink is JUST for reading books and it's the best way there is for reading books digitally. I may add that reflowable content like novels is the best format. They are designed exclusively for reading purposes, and they really excel at it. I own an iPad 3 and although having a retina display and being quite powerful I'd never read on it for an extended period of time. It strains my sight. The smaller screen size is actually a big plus. I even love reading on my girlfriend's 5" ereader, although I think 6" is just the golden measure.

I've rooted my father's Sony T1 the other day because he wanted the Coolreader app and it's terribly slow for pretty much everything besides reading. That's the whole point: a slow processor that consumes very little energy and a very low rate refresh of the screen for superior reading quality. You have one month worth of battery usage with just those two specs. It may seem silly, and you could say "just charge the thing daily". Well, I don't want to do that. I like not having to remember to plug the thing for one month. I just pick it up and read.

No eink ereader is going to be as fast as an iPad, ever (and they don't need to).

Cheers.

[Stingy]

Originally Posted by l_macd

You'll need to reconsider your expectations of e-ink technology. It's simply not comparable to the speed of an LCD tablet, smartphone etc. The T3 is one of the most recent releases, same as the Kobo Aura and Kindle Paperwhite (except without the frontlight), no e-ink ereader will feel any faster, if anything, just slower.

That's fair comment.

I appreciate the difference between an e-ink reader and an LCD tablet - that's why I'm not going down the easier tablet route!

I haven't realised just how small a 6 inch reader is though. I found it very hard to highlight text on the T3 without making the font huge. I don't need something small enough to fit in a pocket. The 6.8 inch Onyx Boox T68 would be ideal if anyone eventually stocks it.

Like many of you here, I will continue the search for the ideal Android e-ink reader. In the meantime I will likely succumb to the iPad mini 2 for non-reading purposes.

[kacir]

Originally Posted by Stingy

My only specific requirement is that it runs (or can be hacked to run) Android 2.3 or above, as I have an app that I would like to use on it. Native ePub support is a must too.

When I was visiting USA a year ago I saw Nook Simple Touch on sale. 50% off. I am pretty sure you will understand that I simply couldn't leave it there ;-)

I was well aware of the limitations (I thought), but, what the heck, $49 for an e-ink toy with Android and an easy jailbreaking path.
It was not like I was going to play Angry Birds on it, or try to watch Youtube. I thought I would install a few reading applications, such as Coolreader, FBReader, whatever and a few very light apps, such as a very spartan spreadsheet.
I never managed to make the spreadsheet run in a meaningful manner. The Android is less than 2.3 - you obviously know what you are looking for - but still, it was just ... awkward. It lacks physical buttons for Home, Back, Menu and such, so you have to have installed an app that provides that on screen, it fights with the default desktop software, even Coolreader and FBReader provided substandard experience as compared to a PocketBook e-ink raeader.

At the end, after the device spent several months gathering dust on a shelf, I sold it here in Europe with a slight loss.

[Rizla]

I use a rooted Nook ST a lot. I like it. It beats the pants off the rooted T1. I'd rather have an Onyx, but the Nook was dirt cheap. Great device for the money. I'd hate to go back to a non-rooted Android ereader.

But functionally it can't compare with a tablet, except in the sunshine and when I'm reading a book