Thinking about EInkBro [0] as the browser or ReLaunchX [1] as the launcher, even KOReader as document reader.
I have not tried KOReader, but I can test it for you. What features do you use?
I've had a lot of interactions with the developer and the GitHub repo, and he's been quite responsive. Hasn't addressed everything, but several features added and bugs get smashed fast.
Any other apps I you recommend?
Though I'd give nods to:
- Termux, of course. Linux-on-Android userland. There's a suite of related apps which I also install (e.g., Termux:API and Termux:Styling.) There's a black-on-white theme which works quite well (default is white-on-black, not so much).
- F-Droid. FOSS archive repo, independent of Google Play.
- Aurora Store. Alternative interface to Google Play.
- APK Mirror. Direct access to app installs, though not managed (no updates).
- Hacker's Keyboard. Far preferable to Android or Onyx defaults.
- A podcast app. I'm using AntennaPod (FOSS), have also used PodcastRepublic in the past.
- RSS Feed reader, though I'm finding I don't make much use of this. Feeder seems to be the default.
- Internet Radio player. Transistor is one option. Not something used frequently, but handy to have.
A few others though most are very occasionally used and/or disappointments (e.g., Mozilla's Pocket App, which has been an absolute shitshow, despite potentially filling a critical niche). For the most part I avoid anything that has an account associated with it, largely to avoid distractions. Though also because tablets are shitty generative tools. Adding a Bluetooth keyboard helps slightly, but Android still throws in far too many limitations.
As for KOReader, I mostly use the epub reading capabilities, and the FTP client for getting files onto it. I've tried it as an app on my Android phone but it felt a bit cumbersome in a smaller screen, and I think the faster refresh rate of LCD panels doesn't suit it well. I do really love it on my Kobo, though.
Some other apps that work (not amazingly but they do work well enough ) are Todoist, readwise reader (hard to use but good to have locally to check excerpts and notes), Syncthing and obsidian (but only to read notes in case to want to check something)
Blinklist (?) audio reader worked too. Outlook too. But most of these apps I just use them to look things up and avoid switching to phone when reading (I leave the phone in my room while at home)
Exactly, I'm avoiding them for the same reason, I don't want to use a personal e-ink device running on an OS created by the biggest advertiser in the world.
I was hoping Pocketbook would release something new this year running some Linux distro / with less tracking, and more privacy.
PS. Also: i want a light sensor to automatically adjust brightness/night mode based on lighting conditions (previous Pocketbook models don't have this.)
In any case, i think going this route might be very finicky, i’m afraid it would become a new hobby just to get it up and running / and keep it updated.