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For all you news aggregation aficionados, now that we have a leaked version of Flipboard. What do you prefer Flipboard, Currents, Pulse, or some other app?
I installed Flipboard and played with it for about 30 minutes and went back to currents, It has a nice look and feel but I just prefer currents.
Sound off...
Minimal Reader Pro (even better with v3.0)
Newsrob Pro. It's probably my most use app and syncs with Google Reader
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Google Reader for the specific feeds I care for.
Google News to have a quick overview of the current (biased) medias.
Russia Today to have proper journalistic reports on world events.
I use flip board mostly on my ipad hated it on my iPhone and the same as the android phone app. I mostly use pulse
Sent from my Sprint Galaxy Nexus CDMA using Tapatalk 2
Just set up Flipboard and I love it. I use Pulse more for news though, for now they seem to have more sources.
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Browser
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Good old Google Reader does the job nicely, just add rss from whatever source I love
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
I like the UI of Pulse better than the others, I use it the most. but I sometimes use the others too.
Oh flipboard for the win!!! i loved this when i still had my iphone (BARF) but now that it's on my big gorgeous nexus screen I'm loving it even more.
Twitter.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I use Currents!
Google Reader. In my opinion, you just can't beat the simplicity and effectiveness of RSS. I do miss GR's shared items, though -- you could run across some good stuff that way.
Pulse and bacon reader, and twitter
Pulse can also take in any rss feed
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
So I went back and played around with it more, and basically ended up with the following reason why I use Currents over Flipboard.
1. Currents converts anything that has an RSS feed into a reader style, Flipboard on some sites will forward you straight to the webpage when you click on a story, that's Kind of annoying.
2. Flipping to see the next story in Flipboard pretty sweet when reading trends, but I prefer a listing format so I can select what I want without flipping through 10 stories.
3. I prefer the way Currents aggregates the individual sites so you can select categories of content.
4. A big one, is that Currents pulls in the pictures from the original story, I found outside of the main cover pic, Flipboard does not pull in the other pictures.
5. No social networking, I prefer to have social networking apps absent of my aggregator. If I want to share I could use Androids built in sharing link and share or send it SMS, DropBox, Drive, Email, Facebook, Twitter..etc. Well Flipboard only allows you to share by email and with Social networking sites connected through Flipboard's Web API..(I hate when I have to do that).
6. In the end I can get to a story faster in Currents than in Flipboard, andI have way more options. Flipboard is more form over function, I like function.
Love Pulse. Ever since the Vibrant days.
Sent from my amazing LG G2x
Good topic...I have tried many.
1. Flipboard: Loved it on iPhone and just downloaded/installed on Nexus. A little strangeness with the flip action/twitchy pages especially when trying to navigate. It feels like beta. It is so slick on iPhone.
2. Pulse: really like it. Very smooth, well designed and functional. Love the browsing section and how easy it is to add new sources. Attempting post to FB force closes.
3. Taptu: Different from Pulse but looks very similar. Syncs well across devices. G Reader integration is nice.
4. Currents: The look is nice and love its integration to Google but not sold on it yet. It needs something and not sure what. I need to use it more.
5. Feedly: Really like this one my PC but it does not work well on this phone. It seems choppy and attempting FB post does something weird with FB pop up.
6. NYT app: Decent if you only want to read NYT
I keep coming back to Google Reader, can't put my finger on it, it's just simple and works I guess.
Pulse
I've only tried Flipboard and Pulse and they are both great!
Pulse has good UI with ICS theme and I really like the easy "save for later" button!
It also has good offline reader though lately (might be after I rooted my phones)
the scrolling have been less smooth and very laggy and weird! Also the bottom tab pops up all the time which is really annoying!
Flipboard is made for iPhone, but I love the slide left to right to go back option and it really good though I wish there was a "Add to Pocket" button!
Will try the others that you mentioned!
Is there any Pulse-like news web reader? I can't find any good RSS readers for Chrome/windows/web
So finally I did it... I un-installed facebook app.
Of course I'm using mobile web page with app to notify me instantly for any notification or message. For the first time, I'm having over 400mb of free ram and other apps are not being forced to close.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Indeed, uninstalled the Facebook app a couple of weeks ago, never looked back. I don't need push notifications for facebook, I don't use facebook chat.
The website is faster than the app and doesn't run in background, doesn't eat my battery, ..
ew facebook. lol
Would love to do the same, but I like to share photos/links/etc to FB. Is there an app that lets you share to FB?
You can kinda of share photos to Facebook with tweetdeck or the better tweak deck from modaco goes though yfrog but it works
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
dbutters said:
Would love to do the same, but I like to share photos/links/etc to FB. Is there an app that lets you share to FB?
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Click to collapse
Try Friendcaster. There is a free & paid version in the market.
And facebook kept requesting GPS.
Uninstalled it, i don't check facebook much anyway.
Or just disable notifications and the "gps use" inside the app.
I also use it to upload photos, mostly when I am travelling, and without those settings, facebook app doesn't waste so much battery.
Seesmic ping. Twitter can be associated with FB too
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
EvilDobe said:
Try Friendcaster. There is a free & paid version in the market.
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Click to collapse
+1
FriendCaster is so much better than the official Facebook app in every possible way.
I bought it way back in the day when it was just called f+ and was just an addon to allow push messages before FB officially supported it.
I have just never had any big issues with the Facebook app. It works OK, and doesn't eat up resources any more than other apps. I run Facebook and Facebook Messenger all day. Even when I'm using it a ton and really spending time in the apps, it'll be at most 10% of my battery used. On normal days, its ~2% just like Plume and Google+.
Facebook works out fine for me, I didnt like Friendscaster
manolito1998 said:
Or just disable notifications and the "gps use" inside the app.
I also use it to upload photos, mostly when I am travelling, and without those settings, facebook app doesn't waste so much battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I unchecked the GPS use, but it still kept using the GPS at the news feed page.
But well, i'm not installing it anytime soon.
When I read the topic I thought you ended up getting a Nexus for free
I was close to installing the Facebook app once but ended up not and am glad I didnt. I just set up my account to send me a text message anytime I get a message/post and find this works best for me.
I use FB too often to uninstall, but it easily eats close to 30% of the battery... What GPS option are you referring to in the app?
CoronaDelux said:
I use FB too often to uninstall, but it easily eats close to 30% of the battery... What GPS option are you referring to in the app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Menu >> Settings >> Messenger location services.
3rdstring said:
Menu >> Settings >> Messenger location services.
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That only works for messages and (maybe) posts. Damn app triggers GPS every time I open it.
I'm close to uninstalling too, as this app makes up the majority of my GPS use on a day to day basis.
They definitely need to add a universal toggle for it to the FB app.
I just uninstalled the FB app. Hopefully I can stay off of it.
My first step to cutting down on being over connected.
I just use Android Pro Widgets (APW) or something like that. They have a sweet themeable collection of scrollable Widgets like twitter, Facebook, email, and combinations of them (plus others). I use it for my Facebook that does a great job of working in itself but links directly to the website for more advanced stuff.
I don't use the notifications (god awful nonstop alerts). But its a great combo.
I have the twitter and Facebook using a whole page each my desktop... twitter on the first page, my main page on 2, and Facebook on 3.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I too use facebook a lot. Never had any issues 'that' much. But yes,the speed is awe-full when connected to a 2G/EDGE network. But never showed any problem with 3G/Wifi networks.
Just downloaded Google Currents for the market and its really a great application. If you don't know what it is, it's a news/magazine application with tons of different publishers and a beautiful interface. If you haven't checked it out yet I would definitely recommend it!!!
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
I love Google currents. I have been using it since the first update when they fixed the horrid battery drain. Since then it is a great app. I rank it right up there with Pocket (Formerly read it later)
Sent from my AOKP'd ET4G thanks to Times_Infinity!!!
R0CKSTAR3N3RGY said:
Just downloaded Google Currents for the market and its really a great application. If you don't know what it is, it's a news/magazine application with tons of different publishers and a beautiful interface. If you haven't checked it out yet I would definitely recommend it!!!
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Love GC. Unfortunately it runs in the background an awful lot.
Sent from my Super Sexy Epic Touch rockin' "The Goodness"!
Prefer Flipboard
I definitely prefer Flipboard to Currents both because of it being better about not running in the background and because its UI is MUCH cleaner and snappier. Flipboard is by far the best aggregate news application I've ever found...
Check it out: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=flipboard.app&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd
SuperSwagSauce said:
Love GC. Unfortunately it runs in the background an awful lot.
Sent from my Super Sexy Epic Touch rockin' "The Goodness"!
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That's why I turn off the syncing.
Sent from my SPH-D710
I like currents mainly for the interface. The newest version seems to be a lot better about running all the time. I have it set to sync and I still get great battery and performance.
Sent from my AOKP'd ET4G thanks to Times_Infinity!!!
If only they could truly offer full reader integration
Google currents, visually, offer a better reading view of articles (although on certain blogs, it skips pages), I'm disappointed that it doesn't offer a complete Google experience in terms of it's ability to pull from your Reader account. I use Google Reader for all my reading content and just don't understand why Google would release a product that doesn't do what the other apps do - syncing of read and starred articles because I don't like having to go into the Reader app itself or on the web and click "mark all as read."
Flipboard on the other hand, does have a seamless Reader integration system but, I don't like how it aggregates all of the reader items into one feed. I have a time period set for when I read certain articles (news in the morning, tech news in the mid-afternoon, etc.) it's only effective if you don't have a lot of sources in your reader account. Most of the sites offered by Flip I have in my Reader account so separately adding them is redundant.
If only one of the two can make that happen, I'm stuck with the default Reader app. *Sigh*
But if you don't use Google Reader, then either one is excellent, but I favor Flip because it's tad bit faster in performance compared to Currents and it's better integrated read it later services (I use Pocket).
I've had it pull from my reader since I've had it. Under add subscriptions at the bottom of the categories is Google reader. When you do into that category it shows all your reader feeds. Or it used too. I've used it for a long time and did that when I first installed it.
Edit. Just checked, it's still there.
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love it too,but a little bit laggy dont know why in 4.1
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
I have used currents since its inception and love it. When flipboard came out I thought I would see what all the rage was so I got it. I put a lit of the same feeds on it as I get on currents and although it is pretty and all that, I find that flipboard will nor get every story from a site that currents gets. When I check gizmodo or cnet or space.com on both readers, flipboard will be missing several articles that currents picks up.
I have installed on both my Galaxy Tab and phone, it's great.
arbearce said:
I have installed on both my Galaxy Tab and phone, it's great.
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Click to collapse
agreed. its even nicer on my gtab.
scarmon25 said:
I've had it pull from my reader since I've had it. Under add subscriptions at the bottom of the categories is Google reader. When you do into that category it shows all your reader feeds. Or it used too. I've used it for a long time and did that when I first installed it.
Edit. Just checked, it's still there.
Sent from my AOKP'd ET4G thanks to Times_Infinity!
Need Help? Feel free to hit me up on GTalk : [email protected]
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I was more referring to syncing of unread and read articles back to reader instead of just pulling my feeds.
Ozonethegreat said:
I was more referring to syncing of unread and read articles back to reader instead of just pulling my feeds.
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Click to collapse
Ah. I see. So when you read an article in currents it marks it as read in Google reader. Yeah. I can see how that would be annoying. I personally spend more time on my phone then on my PC so I don't have that issue. But not everyone does that.
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I lovemeh readers too. Gonna try currents thanks to you guys. I Use flip board sometimes but find that some stories don't come through. Taptu on the other hand is my favorite reader by far. Way better than pulse IMO. Really like the dark theme on it too. Googlereader,fb, and twitter pulls well on it too.
Just in case anyone wants to try that one out
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Hello everyone,
I already know the answer to this but do you think there is a way to hack the google books apk to force it to read ePub files? I am currently using adilko as my ereader and its okay but I just love the page turning animation and smoothness of google books. Adilkos animations don't come close to google books.
Anyone know if this can be done?
Does anyone know of any other readers that have a great page turning animation?
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda app-developers app
I've looked into it and I'm pretty sure there's no way of importing an epub into the Books app. I'm no expert so I don't know how much XDA hacking sweetness would have to go into making it happen if it's even possible in the first place.
I agree though. The animations and stability of Google Books is sweet. Importing and using books from the cloud would be awesome.
the Nook app is the best ive found. not as smooth as google books is, but the the customization, look, and sideloading make it the one i use the most.
I agree with ianflo. Nook seems to be (one of) the best for sideloaded epub viewing.
Personally I have been using Aldiko for my book reading needs. Works quite well if I do say so myself.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Been using Mantano reader myself, page turning, while not as good as google books, as pretty close to it. Side loading is easy, just browse to whereever you stored the epubs on your device and import.
Its an almost perfect reader, just needs a TOC button.
Two things. First, I need to make sure my favorite epub reader is mentioned, fbreader.
Second, does google books support side-loading any format? If so, calibre may be able to transform epubs to that format. It's a Windows tool for managing ebook libraries.
Calibre is a multiplatform program, runs quite well on Linux btw. http://calibre-ebook.com/download
As for sideloading on google books, nope, the files are stored somewhere, where haven't a clue, in what format, ditto.
So I tried nook' its OK its not all that great. I downloaded one of their free books how do you side load epub files for the nook?
Mantanos free version does not include the page turn effect and the pay is like 6 bucks. A bit pricey if you ask me. I currently use aldiko and fbreader. They are both great but the page turn animation is lacking big time.
There has to be a way to side load these files through Google books no? Even if you convert the file using caliber?
Edit: figured out how to sideload to the nook app.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
bustinstugots24 said:
Hello everyone,
I already know the answer to this but do you think there is a way to hack the google books apk to force it to read ePub files? I am currently using adilko as my ereader and its okay but I just love the page turning animation and smoothness of google books. Adilkos animations don't come close to google books.
Anyone know if this can be done?
Does anyone know of any other readers that have a great page turning animation?
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try GO Books https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jb.gobook&feature=nav_result
pellik333 said:
Personally I have been using Aldiko for my book reading needs. Works quite well if I do say so myself.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same. Aldiko has worked wonderfully for me.
joedoe said:
Try GO Books https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jb.gobook&feature=nav_result
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Click to collapse
I just tried it
I won't lie its not perfect. Its a little glitchy and not the smoothest but this app definitely has potential. Not bad at all
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I just recently switched from aldiko to moon+ reader. I don't use the page turn animation so I'm not sure how smooth it is, but the app as a whole is just fantastic. So much control over every part of the app it's just great.
It also has a nice sync feature using dropbox. I can put my N7 down and when I go out and open the same book on my phone it syncs the page to where I last left off.
I bought the pro version after about 10 minutes of use on the free one.
I have been preaching for a way to load epubs into google books for a long time now. All the other book reader apps have some kind of compromise or niggle that annoys me. I don't understand why google doesn't just open it up to sideloading.
hmmmm
satur9ine said:
I have been preaching for a way to load epubs into google books for a long time now. All the other book reader apps have some kind of compromise or niggle that annoys me. I don't understand why google doesn't just open it up to sideloading.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got my Nexus7 last week and while researching Kindle and Nook book rental options...I found out Google / Google Books is making an effort... See below
“In 2004, The New York Public Library was one of several libraries taking part in this ground-breaking digital venture with Google; others included the libraries at Michigan, Stanford, Harvard, and Oxford Universities. Since 2004, other libraries and institutions have signed partnership agreements including Princeton University, Cornell University, the University of California system, and the Committee for Institutional Cooperation (CIC). They even have a nice list of Google's Library Partners, from around the world too.
Been using Moon+ Reader for a couple months now, tons of features, page turn is like pulling the corner of a page and flipping it as opposed to Googles dragging the middle of the page, page turn works nice, though not quite as pretty as googles, although it is more dynamic in that it is not the same every time you turn a page. If you hold as you slide finger and move finger down as pulling you will see page react accordingly, or just tap side and flip animation. You can import and sort books according to directories which is awesome, I have a different directory for every author and sort works very well. Like the above reader said I used it for a few minutes and purchased the Pro immediately, it just works well.
Also like the person above mentioned the cloud sync is amazing. I have an S3, Galaxy Nexus, and N7, use each of them at different times, and whatever I'm reading is left off in the same spot on the next device I use.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flyersoft.moonreader&feature=related_apps
Another app worth mentioning for ePub & PDF books is the Kobo app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kobobooks.android&hl=en
I have tried nearly every reader out there and the best by far for me was cool reader. The front end is not as nice as some others but the ability to configure is great.
Sent from my Nexus 7
omar411269 said:
I'm a bit of a noob here but how do you sideload books from Nook on Googe Books
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't but you should be able to read them if you download the Nook app for Android.
Gotta mention Mantano Premium reader here. The Page turn animation is pretty much the same as the iOS animation, and just as smooth. Feels as smooth as it can possibly be. I've tried dozens of book reader apps and all have been disappointing except for Mantano. It's a little pricey but I consider it a core must have for a tablet so it's definitely worth it. Packed full of other features too.
Hey all, what's the best ebook app that supports local libraries?
Aldiko Book Reader is quite nice. Otherwise if the file isn't too large I personally like to upload to Google Play Books.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
I use the Nook app for my .epub e-books. Pretty decent app, relatively polished UI, and the right price (free).
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Most of the readers I've tried from the Play Store are very good (Moon+ Reader, Nook, Kindle, FBRreader, Overdrive), but a few years ago I purchased Aldiko Pro and it has been perfect for me. There is a free version as well. I like the controls and options, the bookshelf looks nice and I've never once had any problem with it. I particularly like being able to make shortcuts to the books I'm currently reading, so I have an icon of the book cover to click on that will open the app and take me right to the last page I read.
It was one of the first apps I installed on my Nexus 7, I've probably read over a hundred books with it and I use it almost daily. But almost all the readers are free or have a free version, try them all! Read a chapter or two with each one and see which is most appealing to you personally.
I used to use the Nook reader until PlayBooks gained the ability to upload your ePubs to your Google account. Now i use PlayBooks for my reading. Like the fact that it syncs where you left off, bookmarks, markers etc across your devices.
Mantano is the absolute best epub reader I have found. There is a free version on the play store. Try it out. It also does pdf.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
moon reader?? it haz that 3d page flip that look like real books.. XD
again.. why am i here?? i dont even have an n7,, :silly:
LordLugard said:
I used to use the Nook reader until PlayBooks gained the ability to upload your ePubs to your Google account. Now i use PlayBooks for my reading. Like the fact that it syncs where you left off, bookmarks, markers etc across your devices.
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Click to collapse
This. There is no better option than Google's own app - smooth, syncs progress and bookmarks, syncs the actual epub (after uploading it to your account), and best of all free.
ctbear said:
This. There is no better option than Google's own app - smooth, syncs progress and bookmarks, syncs the actual epub (after uploading it to your account), and best of all free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Test out Play Books. Once your collection is uploaded, the syncing is great between your devices.
I say Nook And Aldiko are best Have Tried Them Myself you can download from play store or google it!! http://forum.xda-developers.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
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I'm a huge fan of mantano. It open PDFs and epubs flawlessly. There is a free version available so give it a try.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
ctbear said:
This. There is no better option than Google's own app - smooth, syncs progress and bookmarks, syncs the actual epub (after uploading it to your account), and best of all free.
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+1 now that you can upload your epubs or pdfs, play book is my recommendation. Manteno would be second. I find the formatting better on play book than manteno. The syncing between devices just seals the deal for play book. Manteno charges to sync between devices...
LordLugard said:
I used to use the Nook reader until PlayBooks gained the ability to upload your ePubs to your Google account. Now i use PlayBooks for my reading. Like the fact that it syncs where you left off, bookmarks, markers etc across your devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PS - the Nook app does all of this also. for free (unlike some of the others..obviously PlayBooks is free as well).
The thing I like about Nook over PlayBooks is that Nook gives me more text formatting options. Mainly, the ability to change margin widths. I have found this especially useful for reading some e-books.
Most of the big name readers have these sorts of additional text formatting options, however some charge for sync capabilities, etc.
I personally think that the actual contents of my books look the best in the Nook app (once you play around and get the formatting setup how you want it) and with free syncing between all of your devices, it's all win.
To each their own, obviously.
Cheers
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
I love moon reader easy to use and really customizable
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I highly recommend Google Play Books for epubs as well. It is very nice looking, smooth, and the sync feature is great. I also LOVE the look of the widget, it is the centerpiece of my home screen. My only complaint is no support for my comics in cbr format, and also it seems that pdf pages (both pdf books and cbr->pdf conversions) load rather slowly at times.
But if you will solely be using epub, you can't go wrong here. You may have problems uploading converted epubs though.
smith2050 said:
I love moon reader easy to use and really customizable
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, Moon Reader is great, and Moon+ Reader is 50% off!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flyersoft.moonreaderp
I seem to have a lot of problems with the epubs I have uploaded to play books, they take forever to load. I usually don't bother waiting. Aldiko and Moon+ are both good options. I also highly recommend aldiko sync to sync between devices.
I also tried a few different EPUB readers but Aldiko was the one that stayed my Nexus.
So I'm playing with Google Play Books, and generally I like it. One problem however, on several books it won't adjust the font size. I can change the setting but there's no change in the display. Any thoughts? Is the epub file hard-coded or something? Thanks...
I've tested many epub software and my favorite by far is moon+ reader. You can configure it to be perfect for you. The other soft doesn't have near as much setting to adjuste your reading to be as confortable as possible. But yeah you will have to take 10/20 minutes the first time configuring it (and have a few more tweak later too to do to be perfect). And that the only soft that render all my epub perfectly; during my testing I find some reader cut some text for no reason (aldiko in particuliar) but maybe that have been patched.
Sorry for my not so good english