One of many large tradeoffs with Xteink’s pocket-friendly e-readers is a scarcity of quick access to ebooks. On a Kindle or Kobo you’ll be able to obtain tens of 1000’s of titles by means of every gadget’s respective on-line bookstores, however with Xteink’s units it’s a must to supply DRM-free ebooks by yourself. That’s about to alter, because the builders of CrossPoint Reader, a free different firmware for the X3, X4, and X4 Professional, are introducing assist for third-party plug-ins that may broaden the e-readers’ capabilities. One of many first from the group will give the units entry to DRM-protected ebooks borrowed by means of OverDrive’s Libby library app, or bought by means of bookstores like Kobo’s.
The brand new performance remains to be in beta, however whereas the group behind CrossPoint Reader offered me with customized firmware I’ve been testing on the X4 Professional for the previous few days, it’s now out there to anybody who desires to strive it. Getting ebooks from Libby onto the tiny e-readers isn’t as streamlined as utilizing its cellular app or so simple as Kobo’s native OverDrive assist, nevertheless it’s a lot simpler than I anticipated. If you happen to’re already comfy with wirelessly transferring information to your tiny e-reader, loading ebooks from Libby isn’t a lot tougher.
Step one is saying good riddance to the irritating inventory firmware on Xteink’s units and putting in the free CrossPoint Reader different. The best strategy is to attach your e-reader to your pc with its USB-C cable, energy it on, after which flash the brand new firmware instantly by means of a browser utilizing the CrossPoint Reader web site that lets you choose your particular gadget and which model of the firmware you need.
You then must obtain and set up CrossPoint Reader’s new Plugin Retailer, which is out there right here. Set up is so simple as unzipping just a few information onto your e-reader’s microSD card, which can put a brand new Plugins part on the e-reader’s homescreen. It’s presently populated with just a few completely different instruments you’ll be able to obtain, however the essential one to put in is the “Protected Content material” plug-in. It runs by means of CrossPoint Reader’s built-in internet server (which might be a lot simpler to make use of than you assume) and permits Xteink’s units to entry ebooks protected by the Adobe Digital Editions DRM.
To get all of it working you’ll want a free ByteBooks account (or you’ll be able to convert an older Adobe Digital Editions account you haven’t touched in years) so you’ll be able to login and authorize your e-reader to open DRM-protected ebooks. You’ll additionally want entry to Libby itself on one other gadget, which requires a library card to sign up. For a number of causes, together with the truth that Xteink’s units use low-power ESP-32 processors, you’re not in a position to search or obtain ebooks from Libby instantly on the e-readers themselves.
When you borrow a e-book the Libby apps will allow you to obtain it as a protected EPUB file. What you’re really downloading first is a tiny ACSM file that a licensed studying app makes use of to entry the DRM-protected e book file. The brand new “Protected Content material” plug-in working by means of the CrossPoint Reader internet server processes an ACSM file moved to the microSD card, downloads a replica of the e-book, and copies the EPUB file to your e-reader, the place you’ll be able to learn it for so long as the mortgage permits.
The method is comparable for ebooks bought from shops like Kobo’s that use the EPUB format with ADE. (Amazon doesn’t.) When logged into Kobo’s web site (not the desktop app) you’ll be able to obtain an ACSM file for a e-book you’ve bought, copy it to your Xteink gadget, after which course of it with the plug-in to entry the e book you’ll be able to really learn.
If you wish to simplify the Libby course of, you’ll be able to as an alternative obtain and set up an app known as Frequent Stacks (out there for Android, Home windows, and macOS, with iOS assist coming quickly) that’s designed to offer entry to a number of free e book libraries, together with ones you host your self. The app contains full entry to Libby and might each obtain and ship e book information on to Xteink’s e-readers with simply a few clicks. Frequent Stacks additionally depends on CrossPoint Reader’s internet server performance working within the again finish, however getting borrowed books onto the X4 Professional was as simple as borrowing library books on my Kobo is.
Whereas Libby and Frequent Stacks is among the greatest methods to get free ebooks onto Xteink’s units, you’ll need to be aware that choice will range from library to library, and it’s possible you’ll sometimes have to attend to obtain a preferred title relying on what number of digital copies can be found or are already loaned out. Nonetheless, now that Xteink’s tiny e-readers lastly have entry to DRM-protected ebooks — whether or not borrowed or purchased — they’re an much more tempting different to Kindles and Kobos.
Pictures by Andrew Liszewski / The Verge
