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submitted 7 months ago by doubtingtammy@lemmy.ml to c/opensource@lemmy.ml

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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?

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[-] Lettuceeatlettuce@lemmy.ml 92 points 7 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

[-] doubtingtammy@lemmy.ml 27 points 7 months ago

Very Cool, I didn't know about these. Maybe just keeping readers out of landfills is the way to go.

[-] thefartographer@lemm.ee 23 points 7 months ago

You might be in a better position than you realize! I see two great options for you:

Option 1.

Here's a new battery for your reader, it's about $13.

Here's a battery replacement video. It's amazingly simple! I forgot what wonderful times the aughts were for diy repair.

Option 2

If you're feeling a little more carefree and like saying "damn the aesthetics!" Especially when you mention keeping readers out of landfills:

Buy a broken eReader off of eBay that still turns on and scavenge the battery. Most of them seem to use the same voltage. If the battery you source doesn't fit, make a notch in the side of your reader and tape the new battery to the back or whatever. Donate the remainder to your local Makerspace.

If you end up enjoying your little rebellious repairs, buy bulk non-functioning eReaders and try using them to repair each other. Donate the functioning ones to your local library and the non-functioning parts to your local Makerspace.

[-] doubtingtammy@lemmy.ml 7 points 7 months ago

Dope! I think I will get that

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[-] lemmyseizethemeans@lemmygrad.ml 16 points 7 months ago

Plus one on the hacked Kobe. Even replaced the battery. All these books, right there.

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[-] IrritableOcelot@beehaw.org 5 points 7 months ago

Yeah, even if you don't hack em, I just use it for ebooks from my library and that works great. Not open source by a long shot, but wayyyyy better than kindle.

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[-] glimse@lemmy.world 46 points 7 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

[-] Schorsch@feddit.de 28 points 7 months ago

You see, parents are a motor to innovation. (/s)

Hopefully the patent runs out soon...

[-] Atemu@lemmy.ml 23 points 7 months ago

parents are a motor to innovation

Absolutely. No parents -> No children -> No innovation.

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[-] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 14 points 7 months ago

To be fair, e-ink has been reinvesting hard into RnD. That's why there have continued to be new generations of panels, with color capabilities and faster refresh-rates etc.

And yeah, the larger panels aren't cheap, but small cheap ones have already been used for years as re-usable price tags and product information displays in stores. They don't even need a battery as the image will stay on the screen without power until the next time they need to be programmed to show new product prices and details.

They might be charging a lot for the panels, but they are also not a patent troll, sitting on a technology without doing squat with it.

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[-] glimse@lemmy.world 6 points 7 months ago

I think basic patents are good for inventors but the way the system is set up to allow "evergreen" patenting is ridiculous. It heavily favors big businesses and pushes out the people the system was "supposed" to protect

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[-] ZeroHora@lemmy.ml 41 points 7 months ago

Thoughts?

Cool nails.

[-] z00s@lemmy.world 25 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 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

[-] spaduf@slrpnk.net 6 points 7 months ago

I'm also watching the open book project.

If it just had epub support it'd be perfect

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[-] lud@lemm.ee 25 points 7 months ago

I like the Kobo readers they work very well. No bullshit or anything.

You don't even ever need to connect it to WiFi.

They are also much nicer than an ancient tablet form 2009.

[-] mctoasterson@reddthat.com 18 points 7 months ago

Another option- Kindle paperwhite or even an old Gen 1 / gen 2 Kindle keyboard or other e-ink model. The old models can be battery swapped with only a guitar pick and a Philips screwdriver.

DNS ad blocker like PiHole, to block all the ads and telemetry while connected to WiFi. Keep WiFi off if not actively transferring books, as it wastes battery.

Sideload all your own books via whispernet free WiFi transfer or just plain USB.

Get free books from Gutenberg/Libgen/IRC/Usenet.

This is very workable and results in being able to read almost whatever you want for $0/year.

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[-] doubtingtammy@lemmy.ml 13 points 7 months ago

Also, I tried to just make a text post but voyager wouldn't let me

[-] LazaroFilm@lemmy.world 12 points 7 months ago

The photo is a good added content for your post imo

[-] doubtingtammy@lemmy.ml 9 points 7 months ago

True. Gotta let the people know we (communists) out here

[-] DessertStorms@kbin.social 10 points 7 months ago

Na, those nails definitely deserve to be seen, that's such a cool design!
Great choice of book, too lol

[-] doubtingtammy@lemmy.ml 6 points 7 months ago

Thank you💅

[-] taaz@biglemmowski.win 13 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 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.

[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 11 points 7 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.

[-] CorrodedCranium@leminal.space 7 points 7 months ago

Some Kindles can be modded to use KO Reader as well.

MobileRead is my place to go for guides on how to jailbreak kindles for those interested. I'd link to the exact tutorial thread but I'm on mobile and can't seem to find it.

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[-] JimboDHimbo@lemmy.ca 9 points 7 months ago

Your nails are so dope!

[-] Mariemarion@lemm.ee 9 points 7 months ago

I had that exact same model 15 years ago. It got stolen and I'm still not over it. I got basic Kobo readers instead; they work fine with Calibre and any ebook you can get. I don't touch Amazon with a ten-foot pole, and I never use the Kobo account you have to create when buying the device.

But I'd give somebody's left arm to have the Sony back. It was perfect.

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[-] Grass@sh.itjust.works 8 points 7 months ago

I don't remember the name of it but there is one. The only problem is it only takes text files iirc. also last I checked it was a PCB sandwich type device with open sides

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[-] bonn2@lemm.ee 7 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

There is actually an open source eReader, openbook https://www.oddlyspecificobjects.com/projects/openbook/

Unfortunately, the current screen it uses is not being made anymore. People have stated that they have gotten other screens to work, but no official instructions on using them yet

[-] sweetpotato@lemmy.ml 7 points 7 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.

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[-] Mint_Raccoon@kbin.social 7 points 7 months ago

The closest I can offer to what you're asking for is that there are some e-readers that use Android. I own a Boox Page, which is one of those, and I'm happy with it. Boox products are a bit on the pricier side, but they do offer features that can be difficult to find on other manufacturers' offerings, such as a micro SD slot.

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[-] jodanlime@midwest.social 7 points 7 months ago

I have one of these in a box somewhere, maybe I should dig it out and see if the battery is still good.

[-] maniel@sopuli.xyz 6 points 7 months ago

Briefly researched the idea after looking for an e-reader, a screen would be the most expensive part, a cheap microcontroller and battery would be the second ones, overall it would be more expensive than basic kindle with a lot worse capabilities, like worse screen etc

[-] What_Religion_R_They@hexbear.net 6 points 7 months ago

if you feel like it you can try change the battery, there's probably some seller on AliExpress selling these exact batteries for 2 bucks 💀

[-] Palacegalleryratio@hexbear.net 6 points 7 months ago

There definitely should be a good open source e-reader, but for what it’s worth I use a Kobo Clara 2e (newer models are available in both black and white and colour eink) and it works fine for me.

I download books from various resources; like Project Gutenberg and use Calibre for managing them. Works pretty seamlessly, especially with the Calibre Kobo plugin for automatic conversion to the kepub format too. However this obviously requires the use of a computer, which may be a dealbreaker. Also Kobo works well with Overdrive for borrowing library ebooks, which is neat.

[-] TeddyKila@hexbear.net 6 points 7 months ago

The Open Book open source e-reader

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[-] vox@sopuli.xyz 6 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

remember owning a prestigio one and it was great, could just copy books onto an sd card and start reading them, the design was super sleek and stylish and it lasted like a whole week.

even had some extra features like viewing photos (if you wanted to do that on a b/w screen for some reason) and playing music while reading over 3.5mm jack on the top

broke the display pretty quickly tho, it's very repairable (even 12 year old me could've fixed it) but I decided not to buy a replacement eink because well i was 12 years old at the time and didn't have any source of income...

it was one of these bad boys: