I recently got a Sony prs 600 e reader from 2009. The battery is at the end of its life (It lasts about 3 days with heavy reading, and a couple weeks without reading). No backlight, no Wi-Fi, just an SD card that I can load epub files and small PDFs. The screen is slow and the contrast isn’t the best. The “touch screen” is the old resistive type where you really need to press with your nail or a stylus. Despite all those flaws, it’s fantastic. It’s just good enough for reading books.

I read with large text so I don’t even need to put on glasses, and it’s easier to read than an actual book. Combined with Anna’s archive, I’m reading more than I ever have before. No Wi-Fi nd slow screen make the experience feel closer to an actual book than a smartphone. It’s great to just have a device do one thing without distractions popping up every minute.

It’s all old technology, but it’s so rare to see anyone with an e-reader. Probably because they’re still expensive and designed to microtransact the fuck out of you.

So do you think there could be a simple open source e reader? I see pine64 is making the “pinenote”, but it’s still just the developer version, it’s expensive, doesn’t have an sd card, and looks like it’s trying to be a lot more than an reader. Maybe it’ll come down in cost, or they’ll release a simpler version? The biggest obstacle for making an e-reader seems to be the screen, so maybe the pinenote’s screen could become something of a standard.

Or maybe I’m overthinking it, because there’s already so many old Kindles and nooks out there that could be improved with a new battery and maybe new firmware too.

Thoughts?

  • Lettuce eat lettuce@lemmy.mlM
    491·
    5 months ago

    Kobo e-readers are known to be pretty hackable and many of their models can be used with ‘KoReader’ an open source e-reading OS/app

  • glimse@lemmy.world
    26·
    5 months ago

    The reason e-readers are still so expensive is because the company that makes the displays (E-ink) has a patent on them. The Pinenote website says it uses an E-ink panel so I’m assuming that’s where they’re sourcing from

    A few years ago there was a potential competitor in the space (ClearInk) but…it looks like their website is gone and their Facebook page hasn’t been updated in 5 years

    • doubtingtammy@lemmy.mlOP
      5·
      5 months ago

      Ah, thanks. That makes sense. I knew it was the screens, but didn’t realize it’s a whack patent issue

      • glimse@lemmy.world
        2·
        5 months ago

        Yeah…I guess the original patent expired in 2018 but you know how patents go… “We changed one tiny thing and patented it again”

  • z00s@lemmy.world
    11·
    5 months ago

    There’s already projects going for open source firmware for pre existing hardware, such as inkbox and KoReader

    I’m also watching the open book project. I’m hoping that supporting it will enable things to progress to the point where it gets in the hands of schoolchildren in developing countries

  • Cowbee [he/him]@lemmy.ml
    81·
    5 months ago

    Not open source, but I use a Kobo Libra 2 with KoReader installed, and use Calibre to manage my library.

    Though if waste is your concern, I would see about replacing the battery.

  • taaz@biglemmowski.winEnglish
    5·
    5 months ago

    I don’t see a mention of PocketBook so here it is, last time I checked they are running a linux kernel and the source is available and the device should be moddable/hackable.

    I am in love with my PB Touch HD 3, does exactly what it needs without any annoying stuff (but with goodies like backlight and blue filter). I did opt into using their cloud for book syncing (which is not required at all, usb cable works too or other clouds) but there was never an ad or intrusive thing, love it.

  • sweetpotato@lemmy.ml
    3·
    5 months ago

    Interesting thoughts. Personally I use a pocketbook to read. It’s been pretty good with a red light backlight for the dark(that is gentle for the eyes before sleep) a built-in dictionary and the ability to export notes from books. This is everything I need in an ereader. Unfortunately it has a browser, some unnecessary small games and some other features that anyone who buys relatively expensive ereaders(hence is committed to reading books) won’t possibly ever need.

    But the unnecessary features won’t bother you too much. The UI is clean and easy to navigate.

    Pocketbook is not open source or anything, but at least I don’t fund Amazon’s monopoly, it’s a smaller company and it’s definitely value for money imo.