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Comments: 167 +- Ask Slashdot: Good PDF Reader Device With Internet Browsing? on Saturday July 04 2009, @06:59PM
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hardware
ranjix writes "I need a handheld device which would allow me to read ebooks and/or browse the internet while actively and intensely laying in the hammock (and Yes, I do have a hammock in my mom's basement). I'll try to sum up the basic requirements: (good) PDF reader (and ebooks of whatever sort), WiFi connectivity and Internet browser, screen minimum 4.5", readable in sunlight, etc, fairly responsive, at least 4-5 hours battery. Obviously I looked at the usual suspects: Kindle/Amazon tries to grab one into the proprietary formats and their own network (while other ebook readers don't really browse the internet), laptops/netbooks are pretty hard to hold, and the UMPC arena seems a hodge-podge of 'to be released' (Viliv S5? Aigo whatever?) with 'seriously expensive' (Sony, OQO) or plain 'we recommend you don't buy' (Samsung Q1Ex). Is there anything else I could use in the given circumstances?"
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iRex iLiad (Score:5, Informative)
It does everything you want. Nothing with an e-ink screen is going to browse the internet "properly", but nothing without really fits the bill either.
Get an iLiad, and keep updating the browser as new versions become available. It runs Linux, and isn't locked-down DRM-addled crap like the Kindle or those shoddy Sony efforts.
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
the price of the iliad is a complete joke. $700? May as well buy a tablet pc at that price.
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Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
Well there is one but it isn't out yet.
Get a crunchpad. The form factor is larger than wanted but everything else fits the bill. The fact is companies keep trying to tie their services to these things to make money but some how fail to do so as the unit is so locked down it never takes off to begin with.
I fully expect the crunch pad to spawn a series of open devices of various sizes. electronic paper, is a joke until it costs the same as paper.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
I second this. I've got one and use it all the time. It is really excellent for taking your library with you, and it doubles as a notebook (a book to take notes in, not a notebook computer). The wifi works OK, but can be finicky. This is one of the only e-ink devices with a Wacom digitizer for taking notes and annotating documents. The software has been opened up and there is some community development Open Iliad [openiliad.com], but you will find most of the active discussions and news on the forums.
It is hackable to exte
Re:iRex iLiad (Score:5, Interesting)
I too have an iLiad and would recommend AGAINST getting one. The hardware for the iLiad is great, the software from iRex is horrible. Just for example, the hardware has (stereo) sound capabilities. That's good. The software doesn't. That's stupid.
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
In case you want to try out alternative (and open source) software, iLiad is supported by OpenInkpot [openinkpot.org]
Re:iRex iLiad (Score:5, Insightful)
"It runs Linux, and isn't locked-down DRM-addled crap like the Kindle or those shoddy Sony efforts."
You don't understand the Kindle at all. First, it runs Linux. You are probably repeating complaints that the software isn't open source, but Linux is not a synonym for open source. Second, its DRM does not prevent you from viewing non-DRM material. The Kindle has a very capable PDF converter, and the resulting files have no DRM in them. The Kindle is a superset of a theoretically identical device without any DRM. I have a Kindle and have never used its DRM.
The Kindle is an impressive piece of hardware, but I agree its software licensing leaves something to be desired.
Parent
Re: (Score:3)
You can just download this software, which Amazon owns: http://www.mobipocket.com/en/HomePage/default.asp?Language=EN [mobipocket.com]
Their free e-mail service just runs this on their servers, for people who don't want to deal with software.
Also, the Kindle DX allows you to put PDFs directly onto the device.
Re:iRex iLiad (Score:5, Interesting)
Nothing with an e-ink screen is going to browse the internet "properly", but nothing without really fits the bill either.
Maybe not yet, but check out this dual-mode reflective/transmissive LCD screen from Pixel Qi.
It has the best of both worlds - in reflective mode it's like an e-ink display, readable in full sunlight, and in transmisssive mode it's a fast color display suitable for watching movies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm8WoItVRn0 [youtube.com]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oawX3wenxNc [youtube.com]
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Get yourself a computer projector (if you do your research, you can get a very good one for a decent price). Experiment with projecting on the wall (or on the ceiling of your basement). If your basement doesn't have a good spot for projecting on to. Build yourself your own custom projection screen (see the instructables web site to see how it's done right). Hang it from the ceiling, and use some ropes and a couple of mini-pulleys to tilt it to the angle you prefer (assuming you do want it tilted, also if no
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
This is thinking along the right lines. For years I thought it would be cool to have some sort of tablet PC so I could surf the net on my couch.
After getting a 42" plasma screen a couple of weeks ago, I now realise the solution I always needed was to have an old PC hooked up to a huge screen and just have a remote keyboard & mouse. Works great - you can watch tv, movies etc and also surf the net at a lovely 1920x1280 resolution. Total cost: About $AU 1700 for a 42" plasma, + $100 bucks for a logitech w
iPhone. (Score:5, Informative)
Ok, someone has to say it. iPhone/iPod Touch.
Choice of several readers. Choice of formats,
and at least 3 different on line stores if you want to buy something to read.
May not be cost effective for the single purpose of PDF reader, but throw in everything else it does and it makes sense.
Re:iPhone. (Score:4, Informative)
Parent
Re:iPhone. (Score:4, Informative)
Try PDF+ which is in the App Store. I carry several large IEEE standards in it (largest is 19mb) that work fine. It also adds search and index support which makes it reasonable to use with large documents.
Even with all of that it is a pain compared to reading the same document on a laptop. The screen is small and the controls are limited. But it fits in my pocket which was the goal.
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
- The 3GS has a lot more ram which should solve the large document issue, and there are plenty of different PDF apps on the app store.
- There is the kindle branded app as well that lets you get the same books available on the kindle direct on your iPhone
Other than screen size the iPhone very closely meets his requirments and is great for surfing the web.
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Re:iPhone.... or Palm TX (Score:2)
I I've been using my palm tx now for many years. When I bought it I figured it would be the killer device. All screen touch sensitive, wifi, blue tooth, using Palm OS which has a ton of apps. Add Documents to go and there is your PDF Word, and Excel app. It browses the the net well and allows SD cards which adding a few cards to the case puts you way over the Iphone. I'm not sure if Palm still even sells these but It's an awsome device
HP TC1100 (Score:3, Informative)
Not yet, but in a few months...Pixel Qi screens (Score:2)
Netbook with Pixel Qi screen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm8WoItVRn0 [youtube.com] (evolution of OLPC XO-1 screen)
If it would be in the form of tablet-convertible there shouldn't be much of a problem holding it.
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A 9 inch netbook (Score:3, Insightful)
I tried to solve this last fall. (Score:2, Interesting)
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I googled "tablet netbook". Notable results:
- http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/store/home.php [alwaysinnovating.com] ARM+ Linux, 1024x600 9" LCD, Screen-only tablet $300, $100 keyboard turns it into an almost regular netbook. Just coming out, so no reviews/experience.
- http://www.journaldugeek.com/2009/01/22/video-du-asus-eee-pc-t101h/ [journaldugeek.com] Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, NEC and others seem on the verge of introducing touchscreen 9-10" netbooks.
I'm still using a Palm TX for reading fiction. But these toys, or maybe the next generation, may rep
Netbook with polarizer (Score:2, Interesting)
Get a netbook, add a polarizer so its readable in sunlight, buy an expanded battery.
Haven't we already had one CrunchPad story today? (Score:3, Insightful)
Kindle is only mostly proprietary (Score:4, Informative)
The new version Kindle in the large size does PDF - they don't force all the content in their proprietary format (although of course they make that the easiest to get). I think that would be your best bet. Note the smaller size Kindle does not do PDF.
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Re:Kindle is only mostly proprietary (Score:5, Informative)
The hardware is great but I don't want to be tied to Amazon.
Uhh... you aren't. The DX will read PDFs, and every other Kindle can read TXT, PRC, and MOBI, all of which you can produce on your desktop for free.
Parent
N810 (Score:3, Informative)
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
The screen size is only 4.1", but I agree with the Nokia recommendation. PDF sucks for e-book reading unless you have a large screen though. I suggest EPub or Mobipocket formats and FBreader. They allow reflowing of the text to fit the screen, instead of trying to preserve the exact page layout. Fortunately there are a couple of good PDF readers if that is the way you want to read E-books.
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
The third, and cheaper Nokia option is the n800. If you don't need a keyboard or GPS (hey, you're in your HAMMOCK) it's also decent.
Re:N810 (Score:4, Informative)
Agreed, although I used a N800 (same as the n810 but no hardware keyboard - more expandable storage capacity though). The screen is big enough to read books on, the latest version of the OS (Maemo, a modified Debian) has a very nice PDF reader built in, the browser is Gecko-based and even has things like AdBlock Plus available (since it supports Flash, this is a real benefit). Everything is open source, no jailbreaking required (there's a built-in way to get full control over the device, including a root terminal) and you can install whatever you want on it - other PDF, web, or email software, Skype, the freaking GNU build toolchain even. WiFi and Bluetooth are its primary communication methods.
The fit VERY comfortably in one hand, and if you're just reading books the battery will last 7 hours or so. Fantastic little device.
Parent
Re:N810 (Score:4, Informative)
PDF and eBook is so-so. Don't get me wrong it is very usable-- that is what I mainly use one for now, that and email.
But I am coveting the Kindle I bought my wife for her birthday. It much much much easier to read a book on the Kindle than the n810. There is more screen and the screen so much easier on the eyes. I love that eInk stuff. Just keep it out of the direct sunlight or you have little evil kindles running all over the place. But the little evil kindles are much better than the Vashta Nerada that come in with our hard copy books.
Parent
The Viliv S5 is already available. (Score:3, Informative)
For sale at Dynamism.com, and has been for the past month; I don't know how you got the silly idea that it was "To Be Released". It satisfies all of your criteria, which is pretty awesome considering that it weighs less than a pound. Yes, I own one. A 7" screen version goes on sale this week, weighs a bit more than a pound. Both are priced at $599.
The Smart Devices Q7 is a good solution (Score:2, Informative)
Touch Book from Always Innovating (Score:5, Interesting)
I have pre-ordered a Touch Book from Always Innovating for just this kind of thing.
http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/ [alwaysinnovating.com]
Runs Linux on:
Texas Instruments OMAP3530 with Micron 256MB (RAM) + 256MB (NAND) Memory
8.9 inches 1024x600 A+ ressure sensitive touch screen
Main storage: 8GB SD card (replaceable!)
USB: internal and external
Should be shipping this month!
Re:Touch Book from Always Innovating (Score:4, Interesting)
Parent
As a hammock owner Id like to say... (Score:4, Insightful)
that the only thing you should have in your hand is a beer or a mixed drink.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Agreed. Throw that sentiment in with the fact that a war's going on, the economy is circling the bowl, we're destroying the planet with our excesses, but a laptop is too cumbersome for your precious hammock, so stop the press.
I sympathize with your plight, but please go to a store where they're paid to be insensitive. Pardon my optimism, but this marvel of intercommunication has more potential than an enhanced shopping channel.
PDF as movie (Score:3, Interesting)
You know how newer mp3-players and phones can play movies?
Wouldn't it be possible to convert a PDF into a movie (scrolling the pages) and read it with pause-play?
Re:Solution: (Score:5, Funny)
Fascinating. I want to mod the first part of your post informative, the second offtopic, and the third flamebait.
Parent
Re: (Score:2, Offtopic)
Eh, the mods are bitch-ass cocksuckers anyway.
TRIPLE PLAY! They are very talented.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
The cheapest option could be a Nokia N770. They're not quite as daylight readable as e-ink surfaces, but still not bad. The bonus is you're getting a mini-linux environment in your hand. I run RDP on mine and connect to a Windows 7 box when I'm around home.
Re:Your are not the only one looking... (Score:5, Informative)
The parent is correct in pointing out the fascinating Nokia device. However, the Nokia 770 hasn't been manufactured for at least a year; it was replaced by the Nokia N800. The N810 is an N800 with slideout keyboard, GPS, etc. The N800 is probably the best choice for a very small reading device that also browses the web superbly.
That said, the screen is a slight bit smaller than the OP's requirements; it's ~4.1". But at 800x480, it yields 275 dpi which is very, very nice for an LCD-based device to read text from.
The N800/N810, despite coming from Nokia are not phones. They are essentially powerful desktop computers from the late 1990's reduced to palm size (~8 ounces). 400 MHz ARM processor, 256 MB RAM, up to 64 GB of storage (2 SDHC slots), 4.1" 800x480x16bit screen, runs a loosely Debian-based Linux distribution called Maemo.
It plays Youtube videos, and can play back DVD-quality DivX/Xvid (MPEG 4 pt 2 ASP) video without transcoding. It has a built-in PDF reader, and FBReader is an excellent free reader available for a wide variety of other formats.
Battery life is on the order of 4-5 hours, and unlike Apple devices the batteries are user swappable. I have a spare that gives my N800 close to 10 hours of powered-on life. (In sleep mode, the device sips power; I've had mine sleeping for days without running out of power.)
I find it generally excellent for daytime use, though I agree with the parent that e-ink devices are a little better for text in daylight, but all I've tried (Kindle, Sony) are inferior for PDF's and web browsing.
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Doesnt't it feel like there have been three of the same stories in different form but identical in comments?
Anyway, The N810 is also an N800 with a transflective screen, making it very readable where the N800 is not, and thus fits the requirements better. Yes, I own both (and owned a 770, for good measure).
I would caution against any of the eink devices if you insist on webbrowsing on the same device. The refresh rate and limited web media and browser functions make for a frustrating experience. I carry m
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
But nobody's whining. As always, it's people whining about any possible criticism against Apple - even before it actually happens.
Personally I think it's nice for a Slashdot article to, for once, acknowledge the existence of the vast range of popular and mainstream handheld devices, rather than pretending the Iphone is the only device in existence.
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TOUCH PRO FAIL (Score:3, Informative)
I have an AT&T Fuze right here. It is a touch pro with an alternate keyboard. The device is a pathetic joke. Here's some reasons why: