gTablet

E-Book On the Android

E-book reading Experience

I have a Samsung Galaxy 3S in the Android world.  My three most important programs are Google Reader (for my RRSS feeds), Podcaster to listen to podcasts offline and MoonReader+ as my e-reader.

Podcaster and MoonReader allow me to listen to many things while at the gym or in the car – time otherwise wasted for most people.  This article is meant to explain how to effectively use an e-reader.

First, download MoonReader+ from the Play Store. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flyersoft.moonreader

Second, download and install a better text to speech program like Ivona. You can set this as the default text to speech on your android device and use it with maps and other applicatons. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ivona.tts&referrer=utm_source%3Daffilate%26utm_medium%3Dcpa%26utm_campaign%3Divona

Install both programs from Google Play and check them for operation on your Android Device.

 

Next, download your epub books.  Quite frankly the public domain libraries suck and I suggest buying good books from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.  However, that presents a problem because they are protected with “DRM” – digital rights management.  I do not condone in any way violations of copyrights.  However, I am a believer that once I have bought the book it is mine to use as I please.  Thus, I need to use MoonReader for highlights and text to speech.

Download and install on your computer the program called Calibre. http://calibre-ebook.com/

This is a great tool for epub book files on your computer and is available for any architecture.  You can search your computer install books you already have. More importantly, you can find and add your Kindle and Nook books.  If you have only used your Nook (Android) then download the files to your computer by logging into your Barnes and Noble account.

At this point you should have MoonReader and Ivona on your Android.  You should have Calibre on your PC.  Lastly, we need to break the DRM.  To do so, download the python DRM application here: http://epubee.com/drm-removal-tool-tutorial.html

Follow the instructions.  It is not for the faint of heart, but can be done.  Just take your time.  You can now convert all of your books and test them with Calibre.  Note, you will see two copies of the books (epub and epub.original).  Calibre archives the original and it is still accessible.  You can test the true epub version within Calibre.

The last step is to copy the books over to your Android. My Galaxy has an application called “KiesAir” which allows me to copy wirelessly.  Worst case, you can use a wire….

 

A few other side notes:

–          In MoonReader make sure you setup a dropbox account. This will allow you to synchronize your position among different devices (i.e. android tablet and android phone)

–          In MoonReader change your background for easier reading

–          Setup an Evernote account and use MoonReader+ t o export highlights to share with others.

February 10, 2013 by Android gTablet Viewsonic

Fly through TSA security

Traveling with my laptop and my iPhone always slows me at TSA going through Atlanta Hartsfield Airport.  I have to take the laptop out and put it in a separate bin.  I always worry about dropping it.  By the time I get my shoes off I realize I have two bins, a backpack and luggage I am managing.  So, I wondered if I could replace the laptop with my gTab?

Read my recent column discussing this issue on the tech review over at “The Biship of Technology“.

July 25, 2011 by Android Flying gTablet Viewsonic

Kindle versus Nook software for the gTablet

I have been using my Viewsonic gTablet for about a month now. In the first 30 minutes I owned it I flashed a new Rom and have a fully functional Android tablet.

One of the primary missions of getting a tablet was to replace my stack of books with something I could take with me. I travel a lot and having access to different topics was important to me. Primarily I read news via RSS feeds so I do not subscribe to magazines. I do, however, read huge amounts of literature. Thus, the original quest was to buy a Nook or Kindle. With the gTab I have the best of all worlds and much more at my fingertips. Continue reading…

July 16, 2011 by Android gTablet Reviews Viewsonic

G-Tablet Updates – Tips and Tricks

Holy Crap Batman!

The biggest problem I found was no one knows how to sync Outlook Calendars and Contacts. Here is the answer:
Google Calendar Sync. I did this first – NO PROBLEM.

Contacts took a little work.
Here is how to do your contacts. I ran into a “Captcha Error”. Here is the link I went to – Unlock your google account.

What else?

You have to read this article — gives great ideas. PC World Tips on Android.

Our company uses Lotus Notes and I installed the Lotus Notes traveler. All is working great.

June 24, 2011 by Android gTablet Reviews Viewsonic

My new Tablet Computer

My wife gave me a great new tablet computer for father’s day. Check it out here. I think this thing is an iPad killer, but it is horribly lame with the software installed from Viewsonic. When I first turned it on I was blown away – the regular Android software was running. Then a firmware update took place and I was left with Viewsonic’s “Touch n Tap.” I had already decided I was going to “root” the device and flash a new Rom. There are choices: TNT, Cyanogenmod, CreativeEyes, Mountain Laurel and the list goes on.

Feeling good, but nervous I prepped for the flashing upon arrival. This web site – www.raywaldo.com taught me everything I needed to know. There are several steps:
1) Determine your firmware
2) Install ClockworkMod
3) Flash the new OS

It took me less than 30 minutes.

Coming from the iPhone world I have had some other challenges. What apps to install? How does this thing work? Etc.

I did the following:
1) Installed the equivalent from the Android Market of apps I use on my iPhone
2) I installed Adobe Acrobat
3) I went with Documents to Go for Droid so I could truly edit word documents
4) I found some SQL Server console programs
5) I installed Angrybirds – of course!
6) I got a live desktop that looks like a fish tank – WOW!
7) My Kindle account is installed

I discovered I have 5 screens with which to work and am continuing to navigate. I will share more as I do more, but wanted to document my experience.

June 24, 2011 by Android gTablet Reviews Viewsonic

RSS Feeds

RSS Feeds

Last week I wrote about how I was learning to exploit more value from my iPod. Today is an unintended part II to that article.

Everyday I read about 15-20 web sites, a lot of blogs and news. There are some authors like James Howard Kunstler that I don’t visit that often. Thus, I miss his weekly blog. Additionally, a friend of mine just started a new column and instead of waiting for an email I wanted to get the updates immediately. Lastly, I want to read this on my iPod Touch (or iPhone or iPad as appropriate). Even this blog has RSS feeds, but I had no idea how to use them.

With a little work this morning I have once again overwhelmed myself with information and news, but I can manage it much better. Far far easier than visiting web sites everyday.

Here is what you need to do:
1) Select a reader. Quite honestly, Google Reader is intuitive and easy. If you already have a blogspot account, gmail, or another google service you can log in with your existing password and username.

2) Subscribe to fees. The easiest way to do this is go to the web site you desire and look for the “RSS” button. One of two things will happen:
a) You will see a list of possible readers. Pick the Google button and the web site will take you back to your google reader account. Accept the subscription.
b) Alternatively, you will find yourself on a page that most likely is the web address and has /feed/ in the title. Copy this address from the index bar (highlight the web address and press ctrl+c). Return to the google reader account window. Push the “Add subscription” button and paste the link.

Now you have a reader and feeds. Depending on how you use your PC will impact how often you read and see the updated news. No more visiting various web sites!

3) iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad – I have an iPod Touch and read news every day. I found a great application called “Reeder”. Visit the Apple iTunes store and download this program. It costs $2.99 and is easy to use. There are other iPhone apps, but I downloaded this and it linked to my google reader account effortlessly. I see each feed as a folder heading and can read through the news.

August 22, 2010 by Android gTablet Reviews