I’m looking to buy my first e-reader. I plan to buy something used off eBay, like I do when I need a new cellphone. When I get a new phone, the first thing I do is unlock the bootloader and load a custom ROM on it. I thought some e-readers were similar, where you can load a whole custom ROM on the device, and never be forced to use the stock software. It seems, I’ve gotten that wrong. It seems like most people with a “hacked” e-reader are simply using an app called KOreader, which runs inside the regular factory stock operating system. I guess I’ll do that if I have to, but I’m wondering is there any paperwhite e-reader that has a fully custom ROM made for it? I’d like to replace the stock firmware entirely. Any hardware recommendations? Or should I just bite the bullet, get a Kobo Clara HD, and put KOreader on it?

  • conciselyverbose@kbin.social
    5·
    1 year ago

    I don’t think you really have options that will let you actually completely replace the OS.

    There are android options, though. I have two that both support the play store and fdroid, allowing for a lot more flexibility than just KOReader by itself (which is a fine app, but just doesn’t support all the ways I use my reader).

    • TheBaldness@beehaw.orgOP
      1·
      1 year ago

      I specifically don’t want Google in my Android. Are you saying you have e-readers that run a de-Googled Android, which support loading Google Play, etc. assuming the user wants that?

      • conciselyverbose@kbin.social
        1·
        1 year ago

        I don’t think any of them ship with it. There are requirements to qualify to ship with the play store that include the refresh rate of the screen, and because of how e-ink works, it doesn’t qualify. They require you to jump through a couple (minor) hoops to manually activate the play store.

  • JaymesRS@literature.cafeEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    I’ve used nooks, kindles, and kobos. My first question would be to understand why this is your standard first run practice before I can best answer your question. What benefits are you looking to get?

    • TheBaldness@beehaw.orgOP
      2·
      1 year ago

      I don’t want any information leaving my device and being sent to some outside party. Any books I read will be files I already possess, which I can load onto the device myself. I’m never going to create an account and buy content from amazon or whatever. Basically, my desire is privacy and not having to see any advertising.

      • JaymesRS@literature.cafeEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        If you just want to install a different reader, KOReader is great, in my opinion, Kobo makes the best ereaders for book management outside of the reading experience. Especially if you’re not leveraging the Amazon store and just side loading everything, a Kobo is the better choice in my experience. I have 2000 books, of which 95% are sideloaded on my Libra 2 and the way it allows me to sort and organize them is perfect.

        While there are options for some models; you might be better off to go with a device that’s already running android out of the box, especially with your past experience. Onyx makes the Boox devices that are already Android and I’ve heard of plenty of people hacking them

        • conciselyverbose@kbin.social
          1·
          1 year ago

          I might need to look closer at this and whether it’s an option for my max 3. I’ve tolerated that their version of Android kind of sucks and is kind of sketchy because it’s just so much better for a reader than not Android, but I’d really like better control.