e-reader Archives

Winsage

February 1, 2026

5 Essential Free Apps That Aren’t Available On The Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store has recently added applications like VLC, Foobar2000, Firefox, and Brave, but several essential applications are still missing, leading users to download installers from developers' websites. Microsoft has discontinued support for Office installations via the store, and the transition to allowing Win32 app formats has introduced more applications, although many developers may find this shift too late, with full support for Win32 apps not expected until 2025. Notable applications currently unavailable on the Microsoft Store include: - Steam: A critical gaming platform with over 140 million users, absent from the store due to Valve's competition with Microsoft. - Notepad++: A popular text and code editor known for its simplicity and versatility, requiring direct download from its official website. - Calibre: An open-source e-book manager that allows users to organize, convert, and enrich e-books, also needing to be downloaded from its official site. - qBittorrent: A free and open-source torrent client offering a clean interface and extensive features, available only through direct download from its official website. - Paint.net: While available on the Microsoft Store for a fee, it can be downloaded for free from the developer's website, providing robust image editing features.

AppWizard

December 29, 2025

Android Central’s Best of 2025 Awards: The best phones, smartwatches, tablets, apps, and more

The OnePlus 15 was named Best Android Phone, featuring a fast chip, three-day battery life, and a 165Hz display. The Google Pixel 10 Pro won Best Camera with its Gemini-powered photo system. The Nothing's CMF Phone 2 Pro was recognized as the best budget option. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 was awarded Best Foldable Device, while the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 was named Best Flip Phone. Samsung was recognized as the most improved brand. The Google Pixel Watch 4 won Best Smartwatch, and the Oura Ring 4 was the top smart ring. The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 was the best smart glasses, with the Oakley Meta Vanguard for athletes and the Xreal One Pro as Best XR Glasses. Marvel's Deadpool VR won Best Single-Player VR, and Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked was Best Multiplayer VR Game. The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 was the Best Chromebook, and the OnePlus Pad 3 was the best tablet. The Amazon Kindle Scribe was awarded Best E-Reader. Spotify was named Best Music Streaming Service, and Netflix was Best Video Streaming Service. The Gemini app won Best Android App, and Pokémon TCG Pocket was Best Android Game. Spigen was recognized as Best Phone Case Manufacturer, Anker was the top charging brand, Sony WH-1000XM6 won Best Wireless Headphones, and Apple AirPods Pro 3 were the best earbuds.

AppWizard

December 14, 2025

This free Android app made me love reading again, one sentence at a time

Aamir Siddiqui, a writer for Android Authority, discusses the challenge of maintaining focus while reading in a digital age filled with short-form content. He introduces Seriatim Reader, a free e-reader app for Android that presents books one sentence at a time, making reading more accessible and less daunting. The app supports various file formats, allows users to download free books and research papers, and offers customizable features such as theme options, text spacing, and animations. After using the app, Siddiqui found renewed enjoyment in reading, highlighting its potential to help others rediscover their reading habits.

AppWizard

December 12, 2025

Free Android App Brings Back Reading One Sentence at a Time

The Seriatim Reader app presents text one line at a time, catering to users' fragmented attention spans by mimicking social media feeds. Approximately 25% of American adults reported not reading a single book in the past year, while users spend over five hours daily on devices, primarily consuming short-form videos. The app is compatible with EPUB, PDF, and TXT formats, allowing users to tap through sentences and customize their reading experience with various themes and adjustable text spacing. It provides access to public-domain books and open research materials, minimizing distractions and enhancing reading engagement. The design reduces cognitive load and promotes a frictionless reading experience. Seriatim Reader serves as a gateway for those seeking narrative satisfaction without overwhelming distractions, allowing users to gradually increase their reading focus.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

If you’re an avid e-reader fan, you absolutely must check out this 100% free app that has tens of thousands of books, audiobooks, and magazines, and it won’t inundate you with ads or sell your data, either

The Libby app allows users to access library books from home, requiring a valid library card for setup. It has evolved from its original version, Overdrive, and integrates well with Android devices. Users can borrow books easily through the app, which is available on the Google Play Store. E-readers like Onyx Boox and Bigme are recommended for use with Libby, particularly the Boox Palma. Transferring library data from an old e-reader to a new one is simple with the Libby app. The app offers various categories for browsing books, a waitlist feature for checked-out titles, and a search function for specific authors or titles. Recent updates include an AI assistant for discovering new books. Libby is ad-free and prioritizes user privacy, making it a valuable resource for readers, especially during the holiday season.

Winsage

October 1, 2025

4 Linux apps you can run in WSLg that make total sense on Windows

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows users to run Linux distributions on Windows without dual-booting or virtual machines, supporting both terminal and GUI-based applications. HiFile is a free multi-platform file manager for Linux with a dual-pane interface, while Foliate is an e-reader app exclusive to Linux that supports EPUB files and offers customization options. Apostrophe is a minimalist writing tool designed for distraction-free writing, supporting Markdown and document export in PDF or HTML formats. Some applications, like Obsidian, may perform better in the Linux environment even if they have Windows versions, enhancing workflows for users.

AppWizard

August 8, 2025

I’m so tired of being advertised at, man

The digital landscape is saturated with advertisements, infiltrating various platforms such as e-readers, televisions, and music streaming services. This saturation has led to a focus on advertising over product quality, diverting resources from enhancing user experience to creating compelling promotions. While some alternatives like indie games and physical books still prioritize user satisfaction, they are becoming rarer. The aggressive advertising strategy aims to maximize revenue through volume, raising concerns about sustainability and the impact on consumer attention. The current trajectory suggests a need to reconsider the relationship between advertising and media consumption.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

Why Android E-Readers Are Superior to the Kindle Colorsoft (Especially If You Read Comics)

The Boox Go Color 7 is an Android e-reader with full access to the Google Play Store. The Kindle Colorsoft features an impressive color e-ink screen but is limited by Amazon's proprietary operating system, restricting access to content only from the Amazon store and lacking native support for EPUB files. It does not have dedicated comics apps, which is a significant drawback for users interested in comics. In contrast, Android e-readers offer access to various comics apps, improved web browsing capabilities, and the potential for gaming and other creative uses. Alternatives to the Kindle Colorsoft include the Boox Note Air 4C, which has a 10.3-inch display and comes with a stylus, and the Bigme B751C, a budget-friendly option with a seven-inch display.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

These are my 5 favorite e-book reader apps, but one leaps out from the page

Traveling with a single book can be challenging for avid readers, leading many to use e-readers like Android tablets, which support various e-book reader apps. Readera is highlighted as a top choice for Android e-book reading, compatible with older devices and supporting multiple file formats (EPUB, DOC, MOBI, DJVU, CHM, AZW3). It features a nostalgic interface, customizable reading options, and a free version with a premium upgrade for additional features. Moon+ Reader is noted for its visually appealing library interface and excellent file management capabilities, including integration with cloud services and online libraries. It offers various themes and an innovative highlighting system, with ads that can be removed for a fee. Librera has a clean interface with search and sorting options, multiple reading modes, and context menus for web searches and dictionary lookups, though it lacks some advanced features of other apps. FBReader is recognized for its straightforward design and essential features, suitable for users who prefer simplicity. It supports plugins for expanded functionality and has a free version that meets most users' needs. Lithium is a lightweight reader that automatically organizes e-books and offers fast loading speeds, enhancing the reading experience on modern devices.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Majesty Fantasy Kingdom, Inked, Dungeon Tracer, more

The latest Android game and app deals include discounts on several titles: - Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom, a strategy game about managing a whimsical kingdom. - Inked, an artistic adventure with storytelling and a unique visual style. - Dungeon Tracer, a dungeon-crawling game with intricate mazes. - Tempest: Pirate RPG, an action-packed role-playing game featuring naval battles and treasure hunts. Additionally, there are notable discounts on audio equipment, including Sony XM5 ANC headphones, an innovative Android e-reader with an E-ink color display, and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro available at a significant discount.