Best apps for classes and note taking? - 7" Kindle Fire HD Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I bought the kfhd primarily for free books and overall tablet goodness.
Anyone know of any good school apps? I'm personally looking for one with the ability to drawn on and edit pdfs. Also a better keyboard, but that's not happening any time soon...

I use my kindle for class. If you root it, you can install OneNote from the play store. I couldn't get sync to work before rooting, but now it's wonderful.
I would recommend installing Swype or your choice of a faster typing method, or even buying the (expensive) Bluetooth keyboard. I bought the stylus recommended by Amazon and it has definitely sped up my swyping. It also helps keep my screen clean.
I also purchased the foxit keyboard app, which I think is even available in the Amazon store for a couple of bucks. They make my favorite desktop application for reading pdfs, so I thought I'd give their app a shot. It seems to work pretty well, and syncs notes and color scribbles with desktop version, but I haven't played around with it much yet.
Good luck!
Sent from my KFTT using xda premium

Related

Aldiko vs GBooks vs Kindle vs Nook readers?

I've always used Aldiko, but it seems to be chopping the first line on each page. Can anyone else comment on their preferred reader apps? I'd prefer an app thats not associated with a content provider, but am open if the app can read non-provider books from my own collections.
I read on a post somewhere here that setting margins to 70 and text to 16 (IIRC) should sort the problem on Aldiko. Don't have mine yet so can't confirm.
Kindle. Locked downish and not landscape friendly, but probably best selection and most relaible.
Nook. Awesome but needs some honeycomb improvements. Probably most promising. Can read epub books.
GBooks. Solid, can sideload, not sure I love it though.
I use all four and that's what I love about options. Most of my content is on Kindle since I own/use a kindle device as well.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
use moon+ reader, looks great on xoom. You shall give it a try
I'm a big fan of the Nook software. Can side load epubs from your own collection. Works really well in landscape or portrait.
My Xoom sent this...
Does any of these have the fancy shmancy page turning effects? Not necessary but it'd keep me away from using Google Books on the Xoom once I get mine.
I'm using Aldiko on my Nexus one, and I love it to bits but no fancy animation though.
I have tried all of the above and find Coolreader to be the best. it has various customization options that make it the best reader for me
Left tap to turn page forward (use swipe to go back)
adjustable margins
Swipe down on left margin to reduce brightness (stanza feature that i super lover on ipad)
Lock screen orientation in the app. that way I dont have to lock orientation at system level
Opens epubs directly from Dropbox
In aldiko bring up the menu, settings, text, and increase the margin by one. That will fix your problem on the xoom if that is your only reason to switch.
Personally I use all 4 of the apps depending on what I an reading.
- all 4 can sideload as long as your book is in a supported format.
- I prefer the kindle app for reading technical texts. It has the best options for markup which is useful for reference material and studying.
- the nook app also has markup but not as good as the kindle. I find the nook store to be a little more intrusive but not too bad.
- Google reader is fine for reading fiction and such but the inability to do markup limits its utility for me. For straight reading though I like it.
Aldiko I won't bother giving the highlights to since you use it currently. I would probably settle down on using just aldiko and kindle but sometimes a particular book is only available in a different store.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
I use KOBO. Reads epubs and has a great free collection
The Nook software does have page turn effects. Looks just like turning a real page. OK... maybe not JUST like it... but close.
My Xoom sent this...
I like Nook the best personally, I just wish it could handle PDF docs as well.
The view is nice, I can sideload, and the store is just fine.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
JanetPanic said:
Personally I use all 4 of the apps depending on what I an reading.
- all 4 can sideload as long as your book is in a supported format.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you sideload in Google books?
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
Thanks everyone for your feedback!
I've been using the nook lately as it supports my personal collection, and i can still use it for the books i buy
my issue with nook
- i get force closes quite often not during reading, just when exiting a book, or the app itself.
- no hooks into free books from places like project gutenberg
my issues with adilko
- it runs a background service for some reason, dunno if this is a really valid complaint, but no other reader software does this
- the landscaped page turn is just ugly
- can't read my purchased collection
my issues with kindle
- if im going to be buying books from somewhere I want to buy them from somewhere I can can buy in person and online... browsing through a bookstore is fun
- can't read my collection
- no hooks into free books from places like project gutenberg
my personal problem with moon reader
- too lazy to learn all the neat features
- can't read my purchased collection
Just tried nook on my Android phone. I can side load epubs but the book covers don't show up on the library...
diaa08 said:
Kindle. Locked downish and not landscape friendly, but probably best selection and most relaible.
Nook. Awesome but needs some honeycomb improvements. Probably most promising. Can read epub books.
GBooks. Solid, can sideload, not sure I love it though.
I use all four and that's what I love about options. Most of my content is on Kindle since I own/use a kindle device as well.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You say you can side load on GBooks?? Could someone explain how??? I so far can only get books from the market on there...
That was me and I was wrong. Sorry for the misinformation. Kindle, nook, and aldiko can sideload but evidently not Google reader.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
darn really wish you could...
I like FBReader myself. Nice simple layout that reads pretty much everything, with color and text options.
patass said:
I like FBReader myself. Nice simple layout that reads pretty much everything, with color and text options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really liked FBReader, but it doesn't seem to keep text formatting for italics and such. Using Aldiko now, but the margins problem on the xoom is annoying. Hate having to have them so high, looks awful on the large screen.
The nook app seems to be the winner for me. It's really easy to load epubs, no converting or anything and they look good. The only downside is that it will FC when you stop reading a book, though it does seem to bookmark properly. Just a minor annoyance.
I would prefer to use the native Gbooks app but without sideloading it's pretty much useless to me.

Any word processing apps?

im having a hard time finding a good processing app @[email protected]
What about Google Docs? Does it work in Android browser or Dolphin? It's quite good.
There's going to be QuickOffice Pro HD for Honeycomb coming out soon.
And if you subscribe with your email, there's going to be 30% discount when you purchase it.
http://www.quickoffice.com/quickoffice_connect_suite_android_hd/
MS Office Live
Has anyone tried MS office for web? It runs very good in chorme on desktop, waiting for my wifi xoom to see how it works in honeycomb browser
Search office live in google to find it i cant post outside links yet
I have paid for Documents to Go and Picsel Smart Office. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I like Picsel because it is the only app so far that displays graphics correctly but track changes are not available until the next big release (they have a good customer support). D2G has the track changes but lacks a lot of correct rendering and PPT support is atrocious. I'm sure in the next 2-3 months we'll have a decent selection to choose from!
Both Office Live and Google Docs are too heavy for the Xoom browsers, which is to be expected, they are not exactly optimized for our screen size and lack of desktop horsepower.
They both run, but are very clunky.
I tried ThinkOffice, no go - FC off the bat.
OfficeSuite Pro trial seems to loose the document as you type, then goes into a "Recover your doc screen" - I couldn't even get a paragraph in with this.
I'm open to suggestions here, I really need a solid Doc/XLS app that won't have issues that hinder it - I don't need full fledge office or anything, but I do need something that will let me View/Edit and finding one that does bullet points would be freakin sweet.
I don't need anything for graphics really, I just really need to read pdf and word docs and be able to edit all of them
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
niiza said:
I don't need anything for graphics really, I just really need to read pdf and word docs and be able to edit all of them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then Documents to Go and Picsel Smart Office should work for you! But only the paid version allows to edit
Kcarpenter said:
Both Office Live and Google Docs are too heavy for the Xoom browsers, which is to be expected, they are not exactly optimized for our screen size and lack of desktop horsepower.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean? I use them on my home computer in the same resolution in a browser that scores less in SunSpider than the Xoom stock browser. Is it because of touch? How would it work with keyboard and mouse (or touchpad)? Have anyone tried?
I purchased the Quick Office HD and I have to say I am really impressed so far!
Works great on my Xoom.
kyxdadeveloper said:
I purchased the Quick Office HD and I have to say I am really impressed so far!
Works great on my Xoom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot say that I am impressed with any of the currently available apps. Check out my comparison of Quick Office, Picsel SmartOffice and Documents to Go!
Magnesus said:
What do you mean? I use them on my home computer in the same resolution in a browser that scores less in SunSpider than the Xoom stock browser. Is it because of touch? How would it work with keyboard and mouse (or touchpad)? Have anyone tried?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try them, you can tell that the browsers struggles. More the office live than Google docs, but even with google docs there are things that you just have to have a mouse for. Sadly there is not yet an HTML standard for touch input as a replacement for mouse events. Especially with things like Hover, Drag, and Drop.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
I think that the office apps that are available in the market are more than adequate for some light editing and productivity on the go. Its not necessary for these apps to have full compatibility with desktop versions imho. Being far too critical really.
Sent from my MZ604 using XDA Premium App
I have been using quickoffice HD. So far its pretty good. I also have docs to go, whichnis good but the file browsing is better in quickoffice.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
Accophox said:
I think that the office apps that are available in the market are more than adequate for some light editing and productivity on the go. Its not necessary for these apps to have full compatibility with desktop versions imho. Being far too critical really.
Sent from my MZ604 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, I can also use my phone for typing but what I need a tablet to do is to recognize basic fonts, comments, and paragraph formatting. I don't think we're expecting too much. If I want a text editor that's different but if you claim to have a "professional" office suite and can't even display the symbol font then something's not right. But I'm glad it works for you!
i also ordered quick office HD and I mainly use powerpoint but quick office keeps auto advancing the slides. I don't want to have to keep pressing the pause button every time I manually advance the slides. Does anyone know how to turn off the auto advancing so that I can just manually advance the slides when I want to?
I have Quickoffice Pro HD. Not too impressed with it. I'm a college student so I bought my Xoom for notetaking in my classes (and because I am an Android freak). It works well enough for notes, but not as I would like it to. Formatting is very weird, and the worst part is no auto correct or spell check. If I am going to type fast and efficiently, I can't be going back every five seconds to touch the screen and change a letter. Very frustrating.
I'm hoping the office tech catches up with tablets soon. Don't really understand why I can't just have the same text functionality in my word processing app that I do in my Gmail or text messages.
IXIKelsonIXI said:
I have Quickoffice Pro HD. Not too impressed with it. I'm a college student so I bought my Xoom for notetaking in my classes (and because I am an Android freak). It works well enough for notes, but not as I would like it to. Formatting is very weird, and the worst part is no auto correct or spell check. If I am going to type fast and efficiently, I can't be going back every five seconds to touch the screen and change a letter. Very frustrating.
I'm hoping the office tech catches up with tablets soon. Don't really understand why I can't just have the same text functionality in my word processing app that I do in my Gmail or text messages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My auto correct works in quick office hd.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Isn't autocorrect also a feature of the keyboard that you use? I have to admit that none of the keyboards I tried so far has as good an autocorrect as my iPhone :-(
[sent with Xooming Android technology]

Great RSS Reader on the Xoom

I have been looking for a good RSS reader for Honeycomb. I loaded a few and found one called JustReader. I find this reader very good, but everyone has different needs. Here is a quick video of some of the features. You can download a Ad version, which is free. Or purchase it for $2.99 for the Market Place.
Thanks for this. I'd been using Newsr but this is much better. Appreciate the heads up on this. Your video shows its setup very nicely. I now have a new RSS reader that works better for my purpose.
Me too. Love how simple and clean it is.
Your welcome. I had also tried Newsr but also didn't like the layout. JustReader gets better after ever update.
You should try out Reader HD, its really nice, similar layout to JustReader and cheaper at $1.99
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
I am using Feedly and i love it.. it's free, it works seamlessly with your Google Reader account (plus Instapaper, Read it Later and many more services) and I personally like the interface better than any other reader I tried.
It used to be a bit buggy in the past, but it has got much better lately.
Personally, I find Pulse a really nice and easy one to use.
Good find here though!
Pulse is good but I tend to make adjustments to my list of blogs all the time, on my PC. I like Newsr's ability to aggregate whole topics since individual blogs don't update as fast as say, Lifehacker or Engadget.
My problem with Newsr is that you cannot read 'read' items, so if it FCs on ya or you accidenly close it, you read that topic and you are forces to use another reader program to get that article.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App

[Q] Best Nook Optimizations for School?

Hello Nooksters,
The summer is almost over and I'm about to go into 6th grade. I want to use the Nook for replacing some old-fashioned things (calculator, notebook, scratch paper, etc). Also, I want to read books on it (D'oh) So basically I want to optimize the Nook Color for use at school. The only thing I know for a fact is which ROM I'm gonna use. Which is MIUI. So here is the list that sums up the thread:
What is the best calculator app?
What is the best app to use as a notebook and which stylus should I use to tale notes with the app? This one is the biggy. I need the best Stylus for writing.
What is the best app to read books? (I'm thinking Aldiko Premium.)
What is the best OC settings to not have the NC's battery die?
Any other suggestions to make the Nook awesome?
Sorry if my post is hard to understand. I was in a rush writing this....
Thanks!
ikingblack said:
Hello Nooksters,
The summer is almost over and I'm about to go into 6th grade. I want to use the Nook for replacing some old-fashioned things (calculator, notebook, scratch paper, etc). Also, I want to read books on it (D'oh) So basically I want to optimize the Nook Color for use at school. The only thing I know for a fact is which ROM I'm gonna use. Which is MIUI. So here is the list that sums up the thread:
What is the best calculator app?
What is the best app to use as a notebook and which stylus should I use to tale notes with the app? This one is the biggy. I need the best Stylus for writing.
What is the best app to read books? (I'm thinking Aldiko Premium.)
What is the best OC settings to not have the NC's battery die?
Any other suggestions to make the Nook awesome?
Sorry if my post is hard to understand. I was in a rush writing this....
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow 6th grade! As a college student who is planning on using the nook for school, I too would like to know some suggestions.
As for books, the normal aldiko works great for me. I don't think premium has any real big additions to it.
Oc settings will differ, so place around with them now to get a feel for it now.
Sent from my B&N Nook Color
I like the Notion Ink calculator if you're thinking you need a scientific calculator.
I have yet to use a stylus on a capacitive screen so I have no idea.
Aldiko seems to be pretty good.
Ezpdf and docs2go have been a big help to me. The docs2go powerpoint viewer works beautifully in landscape. I use jorte as my calendar/scheduler/to do list. It syncs with google calendar and tasks.
I'll have to check out that calculator.
Impressed that you guys are looking into this technology (6th Grade and checking out XDA). I remember when I tried looking at this for my university studies on the old Windows Mobile 6.x platform. Technology has come a long way but not seen 'decent' stylus notetaking capabilities. I got my wife a stylus for the iPad and even that did not allow real notetaking. Used on the nook and was even worse.
An alternative suggestion (especially for apps) is to use Thumb Keyboard. I have used this to quickly write up information and the keyboard layout, especially in landscape, makes for easier typing. Marry this with Dropbox and Documents2Go and you have all your notes, presentation files, reader and spreadsheet capabilities. I understand these are paid apps (except for Dropbox) but these are good tools to have for anyone with info on the go. Also great to start notes on tablet, then finish off report/presentation on a laptop.
I think Google Apps has everything you need in terms of calendar/email/tasks to keep you on track. I don't have any suggestions as far as calculator apps go but spreadsheets will be the way you will likely end up (you do need to know the basics and be able to calculate by hand but spreadsheets are the way to go).
I really think the Nook (tablets in general) are best used for viewing information at the moment but am keen to see where technology goes in the future so was interested in your thread (so Thanks).
Thanks for all the replies, heres what I got:
Targus Stylus w/ Handrite to take notes
Aldiko Premium (already had it)
I grabbed Notion Ink's Calculator app, works awesomely, saved me from buying a new calculator!
Fooled around and decided to settle with 1.1 GHz on Powersave governor in class, 1.2 GHz w/ performance at recess.
I got QuickOffice HD so I can make Documents, will try out the other apps suggested though.
Once again, thanks for everything guys!
Update: Install Jorte. Works awesome! Thank you!
Notion Ink's Calc app no longer works anymore. I re installed and wiped data and stuff. So no go. Is there any other good-looking scientific calculator out there? Thanks.
Over Docs2Go, I picked QuickOffice HD like I said. It can make + read Word, Powerpoint, and Excel. Pretty nice.
Droid48, HP 48GX, best calculator ever made. You'll never run out of things you can do on it, and on the NC's screen it's gorgeous and fast.
http://www.appbrain.com/app/droid48/org.ab.x48
Back when I was in college a million years ago I used it to keep notes on, track assignments and grades, wrote a dozen little nifty utilities to do random things for engineering school, etc.
Of course most of that you'd do in the NC directly these days, but there's a million tools out there for the HP48 if you're doing algebra, calculus, engineering, etc.. http://www.hpcalc.org/
I don't know how many times ALG48 (serious Algebra tools) and QPI (reduces number, such as 3.333333 = 10/3, or 1.25663706144 = (2/5)*pi )
Dont forget Wolframalpha. It requires a wireless link. Its more for a high school or college student.
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App
I think I'll stick with SOWGcalc. Thanks though. Anything else I can do?
Realcalc is a great scientific calculator
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App
Will check out....
Edit: Works well, but kinda hate the UI.
Don't waste your time looking for a stylus. The Nook screen does not respond to capacitive styluses well at all. I cannot be used for note taking that way. If you need to take notes with a stylus you're going to have to drop $580 for an HTC Flyer.
Just grabbed the Targus stylus... work pretty nice. It won't be a hardcore notebook, but it works. And the Flyer is know only $500 @ best buy., Magic Pen included. Whoop de doodle dim!
Download the new evernote app for tablets. Its in beta. It would work good for typed notetaking.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
Alright, I downloaded that. Works nice! Thanks!
What about a small fold up or roll up bluetooth keyboard?
ikingblack, I know you said you've already gone with (and paid for) QuickOffice HD because it can create Word, Excel, and Powerpoint files but for other users info I want to point out that Documents2Go can also do all those in old and new document formats (.doc and .docx for example). It also includes a pdf viewer but ezpdf is better since it can reflow text and place multiple named bookmarks.
I'm interested in hearing about your experience taking notes with the stylus. Can it keep up? I can't help but think a keyboard would be faster but I haven't tried. It would certainly be very convenient for math to use a stylus but does handrite allow symbol and diagram input?
I actually had tried a bluetooth keyboard on my old iPaq (yes, that is HP iPaq using windows mobile 6.1). Just not as instantaneous and took up space. Remember, note taking is quick and instantaneous. I know the tech has come along way but don't underestimate the time it takes to bring out the keyboard, unfold, pair, etc., you would have lost the thought. This was always my problem which stopped me from using it. Just look around at how many people are using fold up keyboards as there primary input device. I'm struggling here to remember seeing any fold out keyboards compared to laptops or iPads.
I had a fold out IR keyboard for my Palm PDA years ago. Besides the keys being recessed into the case itself, making typing the Space key a pain, the alignment of the IR sensor and the battery seemingly always being dead.... Makes me cringe thinking about external keyboards.
I'd think they've gotten better. I actually saw someone with a better version doing the same thing taking notes in some classes, but I guess I went cheap. But I've never tried to take notes in class electronically, as I'm a tactile learner I suppose. Plus if I write the notes then transcribe them electronically it gives my cinder-block brain two attempts to learn it.
irisclara said:
ikingblack, I know you said you've already gone with (and paid for) QuickOffice HD because it can create Word, Excel, and Powerpoint files but for other users info I want to point out that Documents2Go can also do all those in old and new document formats (.doc and .docx for example). It also includes a pdf viewer but ezpdf is better since it can reflow text and place multiple named bookmarks.
I'm interested in hearing about your experience taking notes with the stylus. Can it keep up? I can't help but think a keyboard would be faster but I haven't tried. It would certainly be very convenient for math to use a stylus but does handrite allow symbol and diagram input?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right. Other users might want to use Docs2Go, but I already paid for QuickOffice HD. The Stylus cannot be used for full and hardcore note taking, but neither can the Flyer's Magic Pen. It is for simple scratch paper when you don't want to get up and get some. I am very happy with my stylus, it performs better then I expected. I don't need a BlueTooth Keyboard, I doubt the teacher would let me use it in class. The new TouchPal beta is great for me. All in all, I recommend this for school:
1 Targus Stylus for iPad (DO NOT get the one for tablet, it doesn't work well)
1 Nook Color (duh)
1 Copy of either QuickOffice HD, or Documents2Go + EZPDF
1 Copy of Handrite free from the Market
1 Copy of Jorte, for task management.
1 Copy of SOWGcalc (awesome UI, but not to advanced. Good for simple calculations.) and RealCalc, for more scientific stuff.
That's it. I am sure school will be great when it starts in 2 weeks with all of this stuff.

Got my faultless 16G Nexus7

Finally mine arrived.
After one day of use, I find it better than iPad for me.
I use it for typing notes and reading ebooks.
Unlike iPad which needs iTunes and corresponding apps, all I have to do is to copy pdfs into it and install my favorite TouchPal keyboard.
Everything works smoothly. And I can bring it around easily with one palm.
For those who are still hesitate, I do recommend this one, if your needs are like mine.
kevin_chn said:
Finally mine arrived.
After one day of use, I find it better than iPad for me.
I use it for typing notes and reading ebooks.
Unlike iPad which needs iTunes and corresponding apps, all I have to do is to copy pdfs into it and install my favorite TouchPal keyboard.
Everything works smoothly. And I can bring it around easily with one palm.
For those who are still hesitate, I do recommend this one, if your needs are like mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to be rude but..... you didn't need to open a thread about this.... :-/.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

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