ONYX BOOX C67ML 4G Wi-Fi Android 4.22 E-ink Touch Screen Ebook Reader Upgraded Version

This is the device I was looking for when the first Kindle came out.I have a very specific need. I have 8000+ mostly one page a few two page PDF files (I didn't realize it was that many until I checked just now!) of song lyrics and sheet music. That's a lot of books to carry. The early Kindle wasn't up to it, but I've been using Android tablets to do the job quite nicely...except for one thing--battery life. I've always worried that the battery will run out, or that the battery won't have a full charge when I needed to leave, or that the tablet would do one of those things that computers do when they sense that it is critical that they not lock up. I thought it would be nice to have an eInk Android tablet as a backup since it needs to be charged much less frequently and can be used for more hours than the typical full color tablet. Because it's an eInk tablet with a backlight, it can be read under any lighting conditions--from direct sunlight to a darkened room.Basically, the C67ML does the job! Now, for some details:* The USB cable allows the C67ML to be connected to a computer and appear as an external drive, just like any other Android tablet. So, not only can PDF files be transferred be efficiently, but also .apk files can be transferred for side-loading.* Side-loading is very much hit or miss. Adobe Reader side-loaded easily. I've alsi side-loaded ES FIle Explorer, Total Commander, Swiftkey Keyboard, PRO PDF Reader, Rotation Locker, and Sync.* If there is a way to side-load Google Play without rooting, I haven't found it and it's not for lack of trying. I've had the C67ML claim that it was installed, but it would never run. I don't root my devices so I don't know if Google Play can be side-loaded even after rooting.* The Amazon Appstore CAN be side-loaded.* The firmware CAN be updated, but the procedure has a twist. Don't download from the cloud to the device. All it got me was a <200kb file labelled update.zip that I was told the C67ML could not verify. Follow the instructions in the manual, but get the update by using Google to search for "C67ML firmware" (without quotation marks) to get directed to the appropriate page at the onxy-international website. Load the update.zip file onto a micro SD card, turn on the C67ML, and plug the card into the C67ML. It sounded counterintuitive to me to have the file named update.zip, but the procedure worked! The C67ML finds the file and performs the update.* From the FAQ: "Does the Onyx BOOX support autorotation? In the menu you can rotate the screen manually. The Onyx BOOX devices have the autorotation blocked in order not to make you angry while you read…" Well, having autorotation *blocked* made me angry while I read. On a six inch screen, it helps to be able to rotate the screen when reading music. The Onyx readers have rotation available in their menus, but Adobe Reader, which renders music much more sharply, does not.* I'm still trying to get a feel for battery life. The first time I checked, I found most of the battery drain was due to cell standby! Application/Settings/Wireless&Networks(more) brings up an Airplane mode checkbox that can be used to turn cell standby off.* Application/Settings and the ribbon Settings (to the right of Application) bring up different options!* I can't wait for the price of the 9" model to drop. The C67ML model is great for my purposes. I suspect the 9" model would be outstanding.

First of all, what a nice price it is. Secondly, it did come quickly enough and well packaged. The third thing I should say is that it really is fun to use and a nice little ebook reader but aside from that, it has Android, a nice version 4.XX too so there's not much to complain about, however I will give a list of things that you might consider before buying it. It does not have 4G, this is only the internal storage capacity. Its great that it has a slot for micro sd cards. The headphone jack is a much needed addition too which is missing from other ebook readers out there. This item does not have bluetooth BUT this didn't bother me at all since you can plug in your headphones manually or if you were hoping to plug an external keyboard you won't have to after going to the Google Play Store and installing the nifty Google Keyboard app. Note: you can only access the play store after running the firmware update, it isnt hard but it was a 2 step process for me... At first I was confused when the update said "error cant verify" so all I did was put the update.zip I downloaded from cloud, put it onto root of an SD card, and update from sd, thats all, then wait... and you have access to all of google play! I also love this device compared to other ebook readers out there because it has a backlight for reading in the dark with after glowing. The size is the exact same as @mazon K!ndle touch 7th gen so any case that you buy will be a perfect match, thats what I did and I love it!

Update Aug.14 2015: As of firmware 1.7.3, I am able to access the Play store. It wasn't listed in the change log, so not promises that this will work for anyone else.got firmware from: http://www.onyx-international.com/index.php/en/support/firmwareAs of 2015, updated the firmware, no joy loading the Google Play store. Works fine with Amazon App marketplace and others. Sideloading apps is hit and miss.Rendering is an issue in many apps, with colored text not being readable. I had a hacked nook touch before this, and it was actually more android like in terms of user experience. It was, however, not totally stable, and the IR touchscreen was quirky.For it's actual purpose, reading, this thing is excellent. Backlight is even and easy to control (hold button to toggle; swipe right edge to adjust in the default reader app; you can set default on/default off in the onyx system settings) and the touch screen is responsive, at least enough so that the eink refresh rate is the limiting factor. There is a handy toggle for fast/fine rendering in the status bar.The hardware page buttons are my least favorite thing about it. I had to put tape under them to make them less sensitive.The battery holds for around 7 average length novels (say an inch think trade or 1-1.5 inch mass market) with 50/50 day/night reading and limited wifi use. The lowest level of backlight is adequate and not excessive for true dark, and 3-4 levels up does well in low light.The unit is slightly lighter than my nook touch, very similar in size but slightly taller and narrower. It feels thinner, but it might just be the shape.The default reading app handles epubs and plain text well, and pdfs ok; about par for the nooks and kindles. If you deal with a wide variety of pdfs you'll want to sideload another reader. I have repligo (which I bought, years ago) and WPS office (free) loaded, but have only need them a few times.I did not like the default music player much, because it did not much like the way I organize my music. I had try quite a few music players, as many of the fancy skins they have don't render well in eink. Having you your ebooks and audiobooks together is nice, as is the relatively large screen (compared to a phone) when browsing music.

It is very nice item , paper background, that makes it pretty comfortable to read on the sun and in dark room.It works almost fine, but sometimes you need to click the button several times to list pages.