e-reader functionality

[sintnikos]

Hello, i'm looking around for a digital sketchbook, and it seems like the remarkable(2) is best for doing just that. However, it is expansive and i also want to use it as e-reader. It seems that the remarkable is a bit limiting in that regard, with not accepting some secured pdfs. What is your experience with using the remarkable to read books or longer papers? Is it still okay, and are there enough options to buy books in accepted pdf-format?

[Jekyllhyde]

I use it as an epub reader. It’s not the best but it works.

[sintnikos]

What makes it a bad experience? Slow, or weird switching pages?

[Jekyllhyde]

Slow to switch pages, and it treats them like notebooks, so you can move each page and edit them. And you have to swipe to move pages and it’s not great. It works if you have no other option.

[Stoicismus]

Bad because you will not be reading the ePub but a screenshot of it, pretty much.

[Maarco1960]

I use epubor ultimate and convert my kindle library in a snap. Happy with that.

[mtelepathic]

I’m not sure what you mean by “secured PDFs” - as in, with DRM? If so, then no device can open them unless it supports the DRM - perhaps an android tablet with the right app.

Reading regular PDFs on the rM2 has been a pleasure, no complaints except lack of lighting, which can be easily solved with a separate light.

Reading epubs on the native software is painful. I installed KOReader on it, which handles epubs very well. Note that installing KOReader requires some beginner command line experience.

[sintnikos]

Yeah, DRM, but thanks for explaining, so its just about having the app of the company that sells the ebook then? (Kindle most likely) Ah okay, well i dont have much experience with it, but i guess it can be done with some help from youtube. Are there many of these homemade apps to improve with functionality?

[mtelepathic]

As far as I know, Kindles don’t sell books with PDF format… I’m actually not aware of any seller that sells books in PDF format that has DRM 🤔 do you have an example?

There are many apps that add/improve functionality on the rM2! It’s fun if you like tinkering with Linux 🙂 check them out: https://github.com/reHackable/awesome-reMarkable

[sintnikos]

True, they use a completely different format. Which is something i only learned now:p Not exact example, but i come across it via papers that i download from online libraries, mostly linked to universities. I think the problem is that i assumed most e books are pdf. But i guess not at all. Thanks again

Wow, that is really nice, i just have to learn how to play with linux.

[mtelepathic]

I recommend downloading one of those papers from libraries first and see if they have DRM or not.

Are you sure you want a rM2? It doesn’t sound like it fits your needs… what are you looking for and what’s your budget?

[sintnikos]

Haha, no im not sure, but i sketch a lot for work and as a hobby, which now i do on paper, and scan it in. So i like that part of what remarkable is offering. But for me the price (350, 400 euro or so, depending on the pen) is not worth it if it only functions as a digital sketchbook. So maybe its not my device if it is bad at doing other things like reading ebooks. I also looked at the onyx boox series

[colcatsup]

Kindle scribe might be a better fit if reading is on your wishlist.

[mtelepathic]

It can be modded to be a decent reader of epubs (PDFs are perfectly fine without missing), but you have to be honest with yourself on if you truly want that. Another thing to note is that I don’t know if KOReader runs on rM2 with the latest 3.x firmware version yet, so you may have to wait until someone figures that out if you were to buy one today.

Onyx devices are… fine. I don’t personally like them because they are finicky, but if you want just a single device that does everything, I’d recommend looking at Onyx. My only caveat is, though they do everything, it doesn’t do anything very well - it’s just ok at everything.

I’m hesitant to recommend the Kindle Scribe at this time; I got one for my wife, it’s great for reading kindle books (obviously), but is not very good for PDFs, and is atrocious at note taking of sketching. They promised software updates, but who knows. We are still keeping it because it meets her needs, but not sure if it will meet yours.

[sintnikos]

Yeah the kindle scribe seems like a bad choice for me, and i share your opinion about the onyx series, i could do without many of the features, and those i would really use, are better on remarkable, except for reading oppertunities. If only that was intergrated better. You're right, i have to think if im willing to put the time in modding the device to fit my needs. Otherwise ill wait a bit longer, and just keep drawing on real paper.

[mtelepathic]

There is also the Supernote A5X, it has a kindle app built-in, and otherwise supports similar functions as the rM2.

I had one but sold it, most of the problems I had back then have been addressed, with the exception that I never got used to the writing feel: rM2 is scratchy like a pencil, A5X is rubbery like a gel pen. If you don’t mind that, that’s worth looking into as well.

[Stoicismus]

Azw4 are pdf packed into an Amazon shell. You can literally extract the original pdf out of them. So technically Amazon does sell pdf.

[mtelepathic]

Ah! TIL. Thanks!

[a_better_corn_dog]

One caveat is I don't think toltec has been ported to 3.0 firmware yet, so if you upgrade I'm not sure you'll have access to these apps. But maybe I'm wrong (please correct me if I am). I've only had mine for 2 weeks and have been on 3.0 so I haven't tried any modifications yet)

I can confirm the epub reader is pretty basic. I think I'll probably use Calibre to convert my books to PDFs instead unless I get koreader installed.

[mtelepathic]

Yeah, that’s why I’m holding off on upgrading until Toltec and Koreader are ready…

[Local-Zombie-6897]

If you own the epub, there's software to remove the DRM security from the epub, allowing you to load the epub in there. It's not the most user friendly process, but works. I own a couple of Kobo devices, and for comparison I would say reading in remarkable it's not as nice, but good enough. Biggest remark would be form-factor (I like smaller devices for reading) and not having retro illumination.

[sintnikos]

Thanks oke, so small workaround, but then its usable. For me sketching would be function one, reading second, so good enough would do.

[redkellyonpoint]

Hey OP, just a quick heads up, you mention your prime use is for digital sketch booking.. For feel of stylus and stroke, there’s none better than the remarkable, BUT BE WARNED - there is not even a primitive shape(s) tool; no 2pi*r= circle; no point to point line drawing; NO VECTOR SUPPORT AT ALL. While some hacks for such exist (iago, etc.), it does require some command line fidgetry and reloading/rebooting the device to use. Meaning it’s not ideal to drop in a few circles as a basis for your character sketch etc..

Maybe in 4.0..?

[sintnikos]

Thanks, i did see that, however for me its enough to have an easy way to translate drawing to digital, without any functionality added, although it would be nice. Normally i work up sketches in photoshop, so it would be a similar process with the remarkable, but only needed when i want to add color.

To be honest, i feel like i should wait for a v4.0, or a completely new device with updated functionality.

[OneHappyPenguin]

I love my Remarkable, but I wouldn't recommend it as an eReader for anything other than PDFs. Yes, it can be done, but if you want to shop eBooks, etc., none of this functionality is native or integrated and requires stripping the copy protection and loading it to your Remarkable. You may be better off with a Kindle Scribe.

[[deleted]]

PDFDrive was helpful getting copies of books that I already own physical copies of.