News for E-Ink fans
Onyx Boox will be introducing some new devices this year, including eReaders with a 6 in. and a 7.8 in. display, all with upgraded hardware and all running Android 6.0. The 6 in. device is called the Poke and the 7.8 the Nova. I don't know about pricing just yet. The Nova should be better for Logos/Verbum than the Poke, I would think.
Thanks to my IRS refund, I have invested in an Onyx Boox Note. 10.3 in, display, quad-core processor, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB of internal storage. 227 dpi display. Android 6.0. Very lightweight, comes with WACOM stylus. Fits in right between the iPad and iPad Pro in terms of size. Has Bluetooth and even speakers. Has Google Play Store installed. Great for pdf viewing. You can annotate pdfs as well. Haven't had it long enough to gauge battery life, but it seems on par with similar Android E-Ink devices. Closest thing to an true E-Ink tablet I've seen. I haven't hit any bugs yet, though a few users report some.
Best of all, it runs Verbum MUCH better than any E-Ink device I have ever used. And - you can run the current Logos/Verbum app. Every feature and every menu looks fine in E-Ink. There are still slight delays in page turning.
It does not have an sd card slot, nor a frontlight. Contrast is good enough to view in a well-lit room, or outside. It's also not cheap - about $550 US - and not easy to get now because demand is outstripping supply so far. It should be available on Amazon soon. I've had it only a few days. Based on what I've seen so far, though, the Note looks like an ideal device to run Logos/Verbum for E-Ink loving eyes.
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[Y]
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Would love to see a video of someone demoing Logos on an e-ink device.
preachertony.com — appletech.tips — facebook.com/tonywalker23 — twitter.com/tonywalker23 — youtube.com/tonywalker23
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Tony Walker said:
Would love to see a video of someone demoing Logos on an e-ink device.
If you search older posts, you may find a video or two that were done with the older Android 4.2.2 E-Ink devices. I recall seeing at least two.
At some point, I may attempt to do a video of Verbum on my Note. If/when I do, I'll post it.
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Mark Nolette said:
I don't know about pricing just yet.
Once someone does know, please add it to this thread.
“The trouble is that everyone talks about reforming others and no one thinks about reforming himself.” St. Peter of Alcántara
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SineNomine said:Mark Nolette said:
I don't know about pricing just yet.
Once someone does know, please add it to this thread.
When Onyx announces a release date for these devices, they will also announce the price. Eventually, the devices should be available on Amazon.
My best guess is that these devices will be available by the fall of this year (though no one would complain if they came out sooner).
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[Y]
Philippians 2:3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
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One more thing you can do with the Onyx Boox Note, or the larger Max 2: you can use Splashtop, or a comparable app, to view your desktop display on the Note. You can run the desktop version of Logos/Verbum on an E-Ink display. There is a slight delay in response, but it is workable.
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Mark,
As you use you the Logos app on you Onyx Book Note 10.3, please give us reports. I am considering purchasing one myself.
How robust is the Logos App on your Book Note? Is there delay in turning pages? How do maps look? How well do searches work? Are links live and do they work? Does it frequently lock up?
Do you need to use the stylus, or does your finger suffice?
The more info you can give the more you will help with my decision.
Thanks for any help you can offer.
"In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church," John Wesley0 -
Michael Childs said:
Mark,
As you use you the Logos app on you Onyx Book Note 10.3, please give us reports. I am considering purchasing one myself.
How robust is the Logos App on your Book Note? Is there delay in turning pages? How do maps look? How well do searches work? Are links live and do they work? Does it frequently lock up?
Do you need to use the stylus, or does your finger suffice?
The more info you can give the more you will help with my decision.
Thanks for any help you can offer.
I’m waiting for my car to get its scheduled service, so it’s nice to have something constructive to do!
I could do a video with my iPhone, if that would help. But, to answer your questions based on my experience thus far:
So far, I have been very impressed with how well Verbum works on my Note. All links work. There is a slight delay in turning a page, some of the time. Passage guides and word study guides come up quickly. I’ve used the split screen mode and linked two resources (a Bible and a commentar) and the commentary scrolls along with the Bible window with no delay.
I haven’t looked at maps yet, but I will. Text looks good. Some links are in a fainter gray, but still easily legible.
I can use either my finger or the stylus to click links or turn pages.
I haven’t experienced lock ups yet. There was one crash where I was suddenly thrown out of the app. That’s been it.
The Note has no front light, so you need to use it where you have adequate lighting. If you can read a paper book, you can read on the Note.
Hope this helps. I’ll send updates. Feel free to ask more questions.
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I'm very interested in this. [Y]
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You can read more about people's experiences in general with the Note here. You'll get all the pros and cons, and then some.
If you find the price a bit steep, Onyx should have (as I mentioned earlier) smaller and less expensive readers running Android 6.0 later this year.
E-Ink has some limitations, and not every app is optimized to look good or work well in E-Ink. But Logos/Verbum does not have those issues in E-Ink!
Having had a few E-Ink devices before, none of them can touch the Note in terms of how it runs the Logos/Verbum app. You will still find the app a little smoother on a high-end Android tablet or iPad. But the Note comes close. If you find that E-Ink is easier on your eyes than LED, it's worth a serious look.
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I really need 64GB to be well equipped for the future (such as 1000+ issues of CT). I vaguely remember an announcement by onyx to get out more Android 6.0 devices later this year, so I'm currently holding my breath for a 64 GB model.
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Thank you, Mark. I strongly lean toward purchasing one.
"In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church," John Wesley0 -
Here is a video of the two devices (alas, without LOGOS):
https://notebookitalia.it/onyx-boox-ligo-poke-ebook-reader-specifiche-foto-video-26694
Blessings,
FloydPastor-Patrick.blogspot.com
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It will be interesting to see whether Android Go takes off and whether this might help e-Readers in the future.
This is my personal Faithlife account. On 1 March 2022, I started working for Faithlife, and have a new 'official' user account. Posts on this account shouldn't be taken as official Faithlife views!
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Here is a link to a somewhat unprofessional video that I did with my iPhone of me doing a few things with Verbum/Logos on my Onyx Boox Note. The video is in mov format, so you need something that can play QuickTime stuff!
It should give you some idea of how Logos/Verbum works on the Note.
The video is about 250 mb.
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Mark,
The video gives a good idea of what to expect as far as performance goes. As all I would do on a device like this is read resources, it looks like it would be OK. Resources load quickly and page turns are responsive.
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Hi, Bill,
Yes, my primary uses for Verbum on the Note are: reading, passage guides, and word study guides. The Note handles all three very well. It's easily the best E-Ink device I have yet had in terms of how well it runs Logos. The Atlas is slow, but I wasn't planning to use it on the Note anyway. I showed it as I knew that others might be interested.
The Note is also lighter than an iPad, so longer reading sessions are very doable.
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Mark,
Thank you. Watching the demos, the PDF dual-pane markup features are pretty impressive.
Since the Note 10.3 runs Android 6.0 I wonder how long will Faithlife will support it.
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Bill,
What I am wondering is to what extent Onyx will support the Note with upgrades. For the older E-Ink devices running 4.x.x, the story was that the hardware could not support an Android version newer than 4.4.2. Now, with upgraded hardware, in theory, Onyx could upgrade the Android version in future firmware upgrades. Whether they will - that's the big question down the road.
For now, though, it's great. Yes, it handles pdfs and the markups very well. We are promised greater dual-window features in the next firmware update. The stylus is quite good on the native Note app. It isn't so good on OneNote, or any other third party app, or so I am told. The Word and Outlook apps work well, I think. The Note might not be able to replace a Samsung Galaxy Tab or an iPad, but it can do more than E-Ink devices of yore.
Still, the bottom line for me is that it allows me to work with Logos/Verbum in E-Ink mode.
I have even tried, using Splashtop, to have my laptop's display come up on my Note. I can run desktop Verbum/Logos on my Note - virtually - that way. I don't know how much I actually will, but it's good to know that is is possible. (This could be a way to keep using the Note for Verbum/Logos, even if Onyx doesn't upgrade the Android version.)
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Very helpful video. I am thinking of getting one primarily for reading, passage guide, and some word study. Looks like it does all that very well in e-ink. I am impressed.
"In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church," John Wesley0 -
Michael Childs said:
Very helpful video. I am thinking of getting one primarily for reading, passage guide, and some word study. Looks like it does all that very well in e-ink. I am impressed.
That's pretty much how I use Logos/Verbum. The Note gives me, easily, the best E-Ink Logos experience yet. This was my primary reason to buy the Note.
As a bonus, I find that the Note does a good job with Gmail, Outlook, and even the Word app. It is a great size for pdfs. I haven't used the note-taking ability very much (it comes with a stylus), but that seems to work well.
Overall, the Note is the best E-Ink device for Logos that's out there. Onyx also has the Max 2, which has the same hardware as the Note, but in a 13.3 inch display. I thought that might be a little too big for me. It's also more expensive. If someone wanted to use the Max 2 as a second monitor for their desktop/laptop, then it might be worth it.
I'm still very pleased with the Note.
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The Note is now available on Amazon, for anyone who is interested.
And no, I don't get a commission if you buy one! Just pray for me.
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Another E-Ink option, less than half the Note's price, for anyone who is interested. See it here.
This device does not have Play Store and does have some ghosting issues in some apps. However, Boyue promises that an October update will address both issues.
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Mark Nolette said:
Another E-Ink option, less than half the Note's price, for anyone who is interested. See it here.
This device does not have Play Store and does have some ghosting issues in some apps. However, Boyue promises that an October update will address both issues.
Having researched and investigated e-ink options for a long time now, I'd say this device is the most promising one ever. It can even play audio.
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Jan Krohn said:
Having researched and investigated e-ink options for a long time now, I'd say this device is the most promising one ever. It can even play audio.
I agree.
A little disclaimer - I received mine yesterday. Amazon emailed your question about adoptable storage. Good question. I forgot about that 6.0 feature!
Yes, the Mars supports it. I'm in the process of moving data now.
I may end up selling my Note if this Likebook Mars turns out to be as good as it seems so far.
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If you manage to install Logos on adoptable storage, please share here.
I'm just holding my breath, ready to order the device.
By the way, non US residents can get it here (or US residents who don't mind importing from China themselves).
From my experience, import fees in Europe would be around $60.
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Jan Krohn said:
If you manage to install Logos on adoptable storage, please share here.
I'm just holding my breath, ready to order the device.
By the way, non US residents can get it here (or US residents who don't mind importing from China themselves).
From my experience, import fees in Europe would be around $60.
I already had Logos (Verbum) installed before the data move. Once the data was moved to the SD card, I needed to reboot the Mars. After that, everything worked exactly as before. Performance is like my Note, and much better than any previous E-Ink device I have tried the Logos app on. And the Mars has backlight and the SD card slot, both of which the Note lacks. The soft backlight option is quite nice.
As I mentioned before, there is some ghosting when I turn pages or change screens in Logos (and other third party apps). That should be fixed, I am told, by a firmware update in October. Just be aware of that if you buy soon.
Not sure how ordering from AliExpress would work in the US given the tariff situation now. But ordering through Amazon makes it easier to return the device if there are issues with it - at least in theory! But I have been impressed with the customer service from Boyue/Likebook.
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Mark Nolette said:
As I mentioned before, there is some ghosting when I turn pages or change screens in Logos (and other third party apps). That should be fixed, I am told, by a firmware update in October. Just be aware of that if you buy soon.
Cant be worse than my super old Onyx device, that's still running Android 2.3.
Mark Nolette said:Not sure how ordering from AliExpress would work in the US given the tariff situation now. But ordering through Amazon makes it easier to return the device if there are issues with it - at least in theory! But I have been impressed with the customer service from Boyue/Likebook.
It's not available on the European Amazons. It would be easier for me to order on Amazon.com instead of Aliexpress, however, Amazon.com has been accusing me of conspiracy and fraud, so I avoid buying anything from them as far as possible.
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Jan Krohn said:
Cant be worse than my super old Onyx device, that's still running Android 2.3.
The ghosting isn't bad at all, but some folks could find it annoying. Hence my warning. By tapping the icon that toggles A2 mode on and off, you can do a manual refresh as desired. This ghosting is the only negative thing I can say about the Likebook Mars thus far. The size is good, the hardware is great. A cover is included as well. Battery life seems to be along the lines of other Android E-Ink devices. It runs Logos/Verbum well. I may do a video of the device running Verbum, if anyone would be interested.
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Where did you get the Logos/Verbum app for sideloading?
I don't really want to go through the PlayStore (even after the software update) as the Google services are probably a bit of a battery drainer.
My unit should arrive in the next few days. I'm already looking forward to it.
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Jan Krohn said:
Where did you get the Logos/Verbum app for sideloading?
I don't really want to go through the PlayStore (even after the software update) as the Google services are probably a bit of a battery drainer.
My unit should arrive in the next few days. I'm already looking forward to it.
I have an Android tablet. I used the Amaze file manager to make a backup copy of Verbum. Then, I copied that app to my laptop, and finally from my laptop to my Likebook Mars. That's how I came up with all the apps I installed on the Likebook.
Another alternative - you could install the Amazon app store on the Likebook. The Logos/Verbum app should be available there - it used to be.
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I just researched and found my own answer from last year. [:S]
https://community.logos.com/forums/t/155242.aspx
Edit: for reference, here's the latest direct download: http://downloads.logos.com/Android/Logos/stable/Logos-65.apk
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Another option in the pipeline:
https://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/dasung-is-releasing-an-e-reader-that-can-play-video
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/notereader/coming_soon?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=sasdeep&utm_content=link
Blessings,
FloydPastor-Patrick.blogspot.com
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Hmm. The Dasung NOT eReader. Didn't think that one through.
macOS, iOS & iPadOS |Logs| Install
Choose Truth Over Tribe | Become a Joyful Outsider!0 -
JT (alabama24) said:
Hmm. The Dasung NOT eReader. Didn't think that one through.
Even as a bare screen without Android on it, it's already $900...
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Onyx is supposed to release the Nova before the end of the year, but no definite date has been announced. Similar specs to the Likebook Mars, IIRC. Probably a similar price, too.
The Dasung looks promising, but I'll pass on the crowdfunding campaign. Show me the actual device, out there and available for purchase, and at a better price... and then we'll see! Too many people have been burned by crowdfunding campaigns.
I'm liking my Likebook Mars more and more. It handles the Verbum app very well. Once Boyue fixes the auto-refresh glitch, we're good!
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One wonders if it's appropriate to read Biblical literature on such a device - given the phonetic sounding of the name. [:$]JT (alabama24) said:Hmm. The Dasung NOT eReader. Didn't think that one through.
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Does anyone know what kind of parental controls are available on these devices?
the more powerful they become the more they could be used to view content we wouldn’t want in our house
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Andrew116 said:
Does anyone know what kind of parental controls are available on these devices?
the more powerful they become the more they could be used to view content we wouldn’t want in our house
I checked the general settings, the browser settings, and the security settings. I couldn't find anything for parental controls, or anything that would serve the same purpose. I'll pass this on as a suggestion to the manufacturer. Maybe some future update will include it.
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Mark Nolette said:
I may do a video of the device running Verbum, if anyone would be interested.
I would be interested, Mark, if you have a chance. I am really interested in this device. As you know, I've used Android based e-readers in the past for Verbum, but I ended up abandoning them because of the horrible performance. This device looks like it probably has the horsepower to make it worth it!
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Fr Devin Roza said:Mark Nolette said:
I may do a video of the device running Verbum, if anyone would be interested.
I would be interested, Mark, if you have a chance. I am really interested in this device. As you know, I've used Android based e-readers in the past for Verbum, but I ended up abandoning them because of the horrible performance. This device looks like it probably has the horsepower to make it worth it!
Hi, Fr. Devin,
Yes, the Likebook Mars has much better performance in Verbum than anything we've seen before, E-Ink-wise. The only glitch is some ghosting. The first page you have will remain, very faintly, as you turn pages. You can manually refresh the page, though its a minor nuisance. An update is coming this month to fix that problem.
Other than that, this is a great device for Verbum. I had the Onyx Boox Note - more expensive, no frontlight, good performance - but have now sold it. The Likebook Mars is a better size, at 7.8 inches, and its performance is as good as the Note's. I also missed the frontlight.
I'll do a video when I have the chance, and post the link.
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I am thinking of going for it from this seller in Spain, No import needed for me then..
From what I can gather though, you have to do a side-load of the Play Store, which may be a bit challenging to the non technical out there.
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From what I'm told, Likebook Mars units being sold through Amazon (US) now have Google Play pre-installed.
I hope to have a video up for you by the end of the day tomorrow.
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I would also like to see a video
preachertony.com — appletech.tips — facebook.com/tonywalker23 — twitter.com/tonywalker23 — youtube.com/tonywalker23
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As promised, here is a four minute video which introduces the Likebook mars and gives a brief look at how it handles Verbum/Logos. I hope it is helpful.
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Very much so! Thanks a lot.
Have joy in the Lord!
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Thanks so much, Mark. Looks great.
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Mark - thanks for sharing! This looks like a great option for reading Verbum resources on eink and not my laptop or phone.
I would be curious do know how well a few other features work:
- How smooth is the functionality on highlighting / notes / clipping?
- On a Bible with a reverse interlinear (e.g. the RSVCE) how well does checking the Greek or Hebrew of a given word work?
- Also, besides the passage/exegetical guides, I tend to use the Word Study tool a fair bit. Is the functionality on that comparable?
Thanks again for taking the time to showcase this. Very promising.
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Kevin Clemens said:
Mark - thanks for sharing! This looks like a great option for reading Verbum resources on eink and not my laptop or phone.
I would be curious do know how well a few other features work:
- How smooth is the functionality on highlighting / notes / clipping?
- On a Bible with a reverse interlinear (e.g. the RSVCE) how well does checking the Greek or Hebrew of a given word work?
- Also, besides the passage/exegetical guides, I tend to use the Word Study tool a fair bit. Is the functionality on that comparable?
Thanks again for taking the time to showcase this. Very promising.
Kevin,
I can tell you right off the bat that the Word Study tool has comparable functionality to what I showed on the video. I don't use the highlighting/notes/clipping features as a rule, but I'll check them out soon, along with a reverse interlinear.
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