eBook readers | eReaders: Are there any without mandatory account registration or background updating/syncing?

[TransgressorOfTheUnspeakableWord]

I've never liked the idea of such things.

Yet, my physical library is becoming cumbersome.

I've had a quick look, and it seems I cannot avoid wireless connectivity - though, at least I can buy a device with only Wi-Fi.


I need something...

a) where I have manual control over de/activation of Wi-Fi connectivity.

b) which doesn't support mobile phone connectivity.

c) which doesn't require mandatory registration with the producer's/any other online store/facility.

d) which supports the most possible open/licenced [covered by initial cost price of device?] document formats used in the personal computer realm.

e) for which I can merely transfer any supported document format - as one would drag to portable storage media - without being forced to go through a PC-based app for which some internet access is mandatory, under whatever excuse/guise.


Ideally, I'd like a rugged/weatherproof tablet, but the only one I've seen available (through brief searching) is the Kobo Aura H2O, and I'm not sure it meets my transfer requirements.
[I've found online documentation regarding using an Amazon PC app for such but, alas, this also employs unsatifactory mandatory registration for access.]

Basically, it's no-one's business who I am, where I'm located and what supposed demographic I may belong to, discerned from data gathered on the titles I read.

TIA, for any useful/insightful input.

[Cr4zy3ye]

My suggestion would be to install Spybot anti-beacon, it stops all of the apps on windows from pinging any kind of information about you and blocks adds that use cookie data, a former microsoft employee has gone through the code of this programme and confirms there's nothing mallicious in it, ie, no addware or spyware, once this is installed it should help in maintaining your privacy reguardless of which app you use.

[Lord Ocean]

Get any tablet you want and get an app that will open the file extension.

Quite simple. Quit over complicating.

[Spawn of Totoro]

The Nook is a good one. Only requires you to have access to wi-fi when making the account and for downloading ebook purchases from Barnes & Noble. You can transfer ePUB ebooks onto the device too.

There is no requirement that the ebook reader be online at all times. Mine went for 6 months before I connected it to the Wifi again, with no issues.

I like the NOOK GlowLight Plus[www.barnesandnoble.com] becuase it can last a long time between charges and has a simble display.

It is also IP67 certified, so it is more rugged then most tablets and water proof (to an extent) as well.

It is, however, a dedicated ebook reader, so that is all it can do.

[Washell]

Lord Ocean님이 먼저 게시:

Get any tablet you want and get an app that will open the file extension.
Quite simple. Quit over complicating.

Good luck trying to read one of those on the beach, in the sun, while being off the grid for 10 hours.

@OP: anything with an eInk display will allow you to turn off wireless, mobile and other features in the interest of reducing power consumption and have the thing last a large number of page turns rather than a number of hours. Given your other wishes, you should be looking at something open sourced/android based, so you can tailor it to your exact needs.

[TransgressorOfTheUnspeakableWord]

Cr4zy3ye님이 먼저 게시:

My suggestion would be to install Spybot anti-beacon, it stops all of the apps on windows from pinging any kind of information about you and blocks adds that use cookie data, a former microsoft employee has gone through the code of this programme and confirms there's nothing mallicious in it, ie, no addware or spyware, once this is installed it should help in maintaining your privacy reguardless of which app you use.

I'm not talking of Windows.
I have Windows as locked-down as much as possible (even having removed many Services, as well as closing other leaks) varying for different tasks.
I was only talking about not installing anything that requires mandatory online registration.
There's no Windows (or any other OS) blocks than can prevent such.

[TransgressorOfTheUnspeakableWord]

Washell님이 먼저 게시:

Lord Ocean님이 먼저 게시:

Get any tablet you want and get an app that will open the file extension.
Quite simple. Quit over complicating.

Good look trying to read one of those on the beach, in the sun, while being off the grid for 10 hours.

@OP: anything with an eInk display will allow you to turn off wireless, mobile and other features in the interest of reducing power consumption and have the thing last a large number of page turns rather than a number of hours. Given your other wishes, you should be looking at something open sourced/android based, so you can tailor it to your exact needs.

Android is Google.
It's named "Android" for a reason: "man-shaped automaton"
Anyone who trusts the Google construct doesn't know its tasked purpose and how the world's REGIStered populace are really "managed".

[TransgressorOfTheUnspeakableWord]

Spawn of Totoro님이 먼저 게시:

The Nook is a good one. Only requires you to have access to wi-fi when making the account and for downloading ebook purchases from Barnes & Noble. You can transfer ePUB ebooks onto the device too.

There is no requirement that the ebook reader be online at all times. Mine went for 6 months before I connected it to the Wifi again, with no issues.

I like the NOOK GlowLight Plus[www.barnesandnoble.com] becuase it can last a long time between charges and has a simble display.

It is also IP67 certified, so it is more rugged then most tablets and water proof (to an extent) as well.

It is, however, a dedicated ebook reader, so that is all it can do.

Yup, that's all I want it for.
I like books, not reading from computer screens, but want something comfortable upon which I can read Open Library (or similar) scans of old texts where I can't easily otherwise source or continue to build a library that is becoming a logistical burden.
Thanks for the heads-up.
Exactly the sort of insightful information I was after.
Had a quick look and all I need to know is that the OOBE bypass trick still works for these, and hasn't been disabled through a firmware update, otherwise registration will be the deal-breaker :-( whereas this would otherwise look to be the best available option for my needs.

[Joki the Disco Bandit]

Aldiko. It fulfills every criteria you laid out with the *possible* exception of B. I don't think it supports mobile, but I could be mistaken. AT any rate, it's free, it supports a wide variety of formats, you can drag and drop to it OR connect via WiFi and access a number of sources, including Project Gutenberg and FreeAudioBooks, both of which provide a huge selection.

[TransgressorOfTheUnspeakableWord]

Hotblack Desiato님이 먼저 게시:

Aldiko. It fulfills every criteria you laid out with the *possible* exception of B. I don't think it supports mobile, but I could be mistaken. AT any rate, it's free, it supports a wide variety of formats, you can drag and drop to it OR connect via WiFi and access a number of sources, including Project Gutenberg and FreeAudioBooks, both of which provide a huge selection.

Thanks a lot.
Another productive reply.
Hadn't come across that brand name at all.
Will have a look also.

Edit: perhaps not.
It's not hardware, but software for invasive Google and Apple products which I wil never own; nor a Microsoft-based mobile device.

[Joki the Disco Bandit]

deviantchild님이 먼저 게시:

Hotblack Desiato님이 먼저 게시:

Aldiko. It fulfills every criteria you laid out with the *possible* exception of B. I don't think it supports mobile, but I could be mistaken. AT any rate, it's free, it supports a wide variety of formats, you can drag and drop to it OR connect via WiFi and access a number of sources, including Project Gutenberg and FreeAudioBooks, both of which provide a huge selection.

Thanks a lot.
Another productive reply.
Hadn't come across that brand name at all.
Will have a look also.

Edit: perhaps not.
It's not hardware, but software for invasive Google and Apple products which I wil never own, nor a Microsoft-based mobile device.

Hmm. Well I'm not certain I see any difference between any of those three and an Amazon product, or whoever makes the Nook, etc., but whatever floats your boat.

Amazon's "Audible" book service just signed my wife up to a subscription without her consent or knowledge, and then tried to tell her she wasn't subscribed even though they'd billed her 3 months in a row.

And the Nook is android-based, for that matter. Not to mention that as of March this year B&N is still partnered with... Microsoft, even though they announced all the way back in Dec '14 they were cutting ties..

Anyhow, good luck in your quest.

[Jeroth]

deviantchild님이 먼저 게시:

Edit: perhaps not.
It's not hardware, but software for invasive Google and Apple products which I wil never own; nor a Microsoft-based mobile device.

So, do you think Android devices dont collect your data?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4fGPBvbbvM

[TransgressorOfTheUnspeakableWord]

Hotblack Desiato님이 먼저 게시:

deviantchild님이 먼저 게시:

Thanks a lot.
Another productive reply.
Hadn't come across that brand name at all.
Will have a look also.

Edit: perhaps not.
It's not hardware, but software for invasive Google and Apple products which I wil never own, nor a Microsoft-based mobile device.

Hmm. Well I'm not certain I see any difference between any of those three and an Amazon product, or whoever makes the Nook, etc., but whatever floats your boat.

Amazon's "Audible" book service just signed my wife up to a subscription without her consent or knowledge, and then tried to tell her she wasn't subscribed even though they'd billed her 3 months in a row.

And the Nook is android-based, for that matter. Not to mention that as of March this year B&N is still partnered with... Microsoft, even though they announced all the way back in Dec '14 they were cutting ties..

Anyhow, good luck in your quest.

But the Barnes & Noble thing is what the Nook OOBE trick avoids, despite it being distributed as a tie-in.
I don't buy literature from such places anyway.

[TransgressorOfTheUnspeakableWord]

Jeroth님이 먼저 게시:

deviantchild님이 먼저 게시:

Edit: perhaps not.
It's not hardware, but software for invasive Google and Apple products which I wil never own; nor a Microsoft-based mobile device.

So, do you think Android devices dont collect your data?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4fGPBvbbvM

I've continually stated the opposite.
They are the primary construct created for such a purpose, moreso than Facebook, Microsoft, Apple or any other of the lesser constructs, deceptively attributed to entrepreneurial independents.
I'm a tad perturbed as to how many Steam posts (in general) are answered by those who seem to quick-scan text instead of thoroughly reading it.

[Jeroth]

Seems like you have paranoia of the world youre living in...that I've recognised only after a few words, then I remembered this old In Flames track...it fits perfectly ^^
If you want to live in fear and paranoia, its your choice, but actually, windows phones are great, I love my Nokia PDA.

[Lord Ocean]

It's not entirely paranoia.

I think what he needs more is the software that circumvents all the conglomerate data collection b/s.

I imagine there is devices out there made by some company that still has some shred of value...but the reality is that they will be bought out and assimilated or force closed eventually.