Applications for e-books on the Android operating system (part 2)

In the first part of the review of applications for electronic books on the Android operating system, the reasons for which not every application for the Android system will work correctly on electronic books with the same operating system were outlined.



It was this sad fact that prompted us to test many applications and choose those that will work on reading rooms (albeit with limitations).

Briefly, the causes of difficulties in the work of applications on the "readers" are as follows:

1. "Readers" have a black and white screen; color display in applications should not be fundamentally important;
2. Reader screens are also updating rather slowly, so applications should not display fast-changing content;
3. Applications should not be paid, because e-books do not have a Google Play store; necessary to install paid applications (but paid content in the application is not excluded!);
4. Applications should be fundamentally compatible with readers, even if all three of the previous conditions are met.

The first part of the article presented the results of testing office applications with links to workable versions of APK installation files.

In this (second) part, the results of testing two categories of applications related specifically to the process of reading books will be presented: Bookstores and Alternative applications for reading books (that is, not pre-installed on sold e-books).

As a result of testing the applications, their common problem was revealed: in their overwhelming majority they are not optimized for electronic books in terms of image contrast.

As a rule, they provide measures to limit excessive image contrast on smartphones and tablets. Usually for this purpose, the background of the text is made not completely white, but slightly darkened (gray, yellowish, with imitation of the pages of an old book, etc.); and the letters in the text are not made completely black, but dark gray.

But e-books do not need to limit the contrast, since their screens already have lower contrast compared to smartphones and tablets. An additional limitation of contrast may result in a lack of contrast.

In this regard, users are recommended in those applications where it is possible to adjust the background color and characters (letters), set the background as light as possible, and the color of the letters as black as possible (or vice versa - for fans of the "inverse" image).

Applications were tested on ONYX BOOX e-books with versions of Android 4.4 and 6.0. Before installing the application, the user needs to make sure the application is compatible with the version of Android under which his e-book works.

The following data is indicated in the application description:

• name (exactly as indicated on the Google Play store; even if it contains spelling or stylistic errors);
• developer (sometimes applications with the same name may be released by different developers);
• application purpose
• Required Android version
• Link to the finished APK file verified at the MacCenter;
• A link to this application in the Google Play store (for a more detailed acquaintance with the application and reviews; you cannot download the APK installation file there);
• a link to download the installation file for the APK of the application from an alternative source (if any);
• A note indicating the possible features of the application;
• some screenshots of a running application.

Now - the actual information about the tested applications.

Bookstores

Application List:

1. LitRes - Read books online
2. LitRes - Read for free
3. LitRes - Listen to audio books online
4. Amazon Kindle
5. Home Library
6. The best books of Russian classics writers for free
7. MyBook - library and books
8. Litnet - E-books
9. Bookmate - read books easily
10. Wattpad - Where the stories live
11. Free books, samizdat
12. Parallel translation of books
13. Parallel books, fairy tales, topics in English

Application Descriptions:

# 1 Application Name: LitRes - Read books online



Developer: LitRes

Purpose: Bookstore

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: At startup, it asks you to install or update Google services, but it works without it.

There are free books (mostly classics).
Downloading books is not always successful on the first try.
The built-in “reader” does not have a very contrasting appearance (the background is not quite white, the letters are not completely black).

Screenshots:

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# 2 Application Name: LitRes - Read for free



Developer: LitRes

Purpose: Bookstore

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: At startup, it asks you to install or update Google services, but it works without it.
Books are truly free; and books are paid for by viewing ads.
The built-in “reader” does not have a very contrasting appearance (the background is not quite white, the letters are not completely black).
Occasionally, a spontaneous reboot of the device is possible.

Screenshots:

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# 3 Application Name: LitRes - Listen to audio books online



Developer: LitRes

Purpose: Audiobooks Bookstore

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: At startup, it asks you to install or update Google services, but it works without it.

You can listen on e-books with an audio channel or on wireless headphones (if you have a Bluetooth device with the ability to pair with headphones, you need to check in each case separately).

Screenshots:

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# 4 Application Name: Amazon Kindle



Developer: Amazon Mobile LLC

Purpose: Bookstore

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: The English-language interface, but, nevertheless, there are books in Russian (including free).
The geometry of the application is not completely optimized for readers, but you can use it.

Screenshots:

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# 5 Application Name: Home Library



Developer: SkyHorseApps

Purpose: Bookstore

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: In the settings you can set the contrast theme.
There are free books (mostly classics).

Screenshots:

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# 6 Application Name: The best books of Russian classics writers for free



Developer: DuoSoft

Purpose: Bookstore

Required Android Version:> = 5.0

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: When Wi-Fi is connected - intrusive advertising; without connection leaves an empty place in the place of advertising.

Screenshots:

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# 7 Application Name: MyBook - library and books



Developer: MyBook

Purpose: Bookstore

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: The bookstore operates on a subscription model.
That is, books are not sold “individually”, but immediately the entire library for the duration of the subscription.
Attention! Subscription can be renewed automatically with automatic debit!

Screenshots:

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# 8 Application Name: Litnet - E-books



Developer: litnet

Purpose: Bookstore

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: The application is focused on online reading of free books by novice authors.
The built-in “reader” does not allow you to set a completely white background.

Screenshots:

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# 9 Application Name: Bookmate - easy to read books



Developer: Bookmate

Purpose: Bookstore

Required Android Version:> = 5.0

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: The store operates on a subscription system.
Attention! Automatic renewal is possible.
There are free books (mostly classics).

Screenshots:

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# 10 Application Name: Wattpad - Where the stories live



Developer: Wattpad.com

Purpose: Bookstore

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: Contains free books with free access, as well as books by novice authors.
The built-in “reader” does not have a very contrasting appearance (letters are not quite black).

Screenshots:

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# 11 Application Name: Free books, samizdat



Developer: Surgebook

Purpose: Bookstore

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: Online reading of free books by novice authors.
The built-in “reader” has a poor set of settings; it cannot hide the Android status bar.

Screenshots:

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# 12 Application Name: Parallel Translation of Books



Developer: KursX

Purpose: Bookstore

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: An app to help learners of a foreign language.
There are free books (mostly classics).
Sometimes it’s difficult to call interlinear translation, since the icon for calling it is small in size.

Screenshots:

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# 13 Application Name: Parallel books, fairy tales, topics in English



Developer: Adamant Mobile

Purpose: Bookstore

Required Android Version:> = 4.0.3

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: Designed to help learners of English.
There are free books (mostly classics).

Screenshots:

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Next is the next category of applications, alternative reading applications.
As a rule, their own built-in e-book applications work well and are certainly adapted for them; but in some cases, the user may be interested in other reading applications because of their features.

Alternative Book Readers

1. Cool Reader
2. FBReader
3. Moon + Reader
4. ReadEra - book reader fb2, pdf, docx
5. eBoox: fb2 epub book reader
6. AlReader - a reader / reader of books

Further - detailed information about the listed applications:

# 1 Application Name: Cool Reader



Developer: Vadim Lopatin

Purpose: E-book reader

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Link to an alternative APK source - no, because versions of applications not adapted for installation on e-books have been posted in application stores.

Note: the application is optimized for readers and has branched settings.
Support for formats: fb2, epub (without DRM), txt, doc, rtf, html, chm, tcr, pdb, prc, mobi (without DRM), pml.
Does not support changing the font size with two fingers on the touch screen.

Screenshots:

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# 2 Application Name: FBReader



Developer: FBReader.ORG Limited

Purpose: E-book reader

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: Supports ePub, fb2, mobi, rtf, html, plain text, etc. To support some formats (PDF, DjVu), plugins must be installed.
Does not support changing the font size with two fingers on the touch screen.

Screenshots:

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# 3 Application Name: Moon + Reader



Developer: Moon +

Purpose: E-book reader

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: Supports TXT, HTML, EPUB, PDF, MOBI, FB2, UMD, CHM, CBR, CBZ, RAR, ZIP.
To work with the application, you must immediately configure it to the “Outdoor (Pure White)” color scheme and set the desired paging mode (the mode without settings is vertical scrolling).
Does not support changing the font size with two fingers on the touch screen.

Screenshots:

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# 4 Name of application: ReadEra - book reader fb2, pdf, docx



Developer: READERA LLC

Purpose: E-book reader

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: Works with EPUB, FB2, PDF, DJVU, MOBI, DOC, DOCX, RTF, TXT, CHM formats.
On readers with Android 4, it freezes, with Android 6 it works fine.
To work with the application, you must immediately configure the “Day” color scheme and full-screen mode.
Does not support changing the font size with two fingers on the touch screen.

Screenshots:

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# 5 Application Name: eBoox: fb2 epub book reader


Developer: MobiPups +

Purpose: E-book reader

Required Android Version:> = 4.0

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: Supports fb2, epub, mobi, etc.
On readers with side buttons for paging control, these buttons must be set in the control settings “Scroll with the volume buttons”.
The image is pale, not enough contrast.
Does not support changing the font size with two fingers on the touch screen.

Screenshots:

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# 6 Application Name: AlReader - reader / reader of books



Developer: Alan.Neverland

Purpose: E-book reader

Required Android Version:> = 4.1

Link to the finished APK file

Link to the app on Google Play

Alternative APK Link

Note: Supports all book formats except PDF and DjVu.
Some settings items do not work correctly (text is not visible, see screenshots).
It is very close to OReader, if there is an OReader application on the e-book, the installation does not make sense.
Supports resizing font with two fingers on the touch screen.

Screenshots:

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To be continued!