ILiad FAQ - Technical
From MobileRead
[edit] Network
[edit] Can you store stuff directly on the Iliad by ftp or the like?
The device can be connected to a PC and is recognized has an USB disk. I have no idea if this allows it to be shared for ftp. Also, the device wasn't planned to access a library in the PC by wireless. But guess what? Since it has been talked, it's also one of the things that are being studied
[edit] Can you download files from your PC over wireless?
Not until the end of the year, because they saw the users were requesting it they have already decided to work on it, but only later this year.
[edit] What about the LAN connections (wired and wireless)?
So far wired ethernet is DHCP only, you cannot specify anything.
[edit] Power Management
[edit] What can you say about Power management in the actual device?
(Like i already said the power management isn't working yet, but that gives a good idea of how the device would behave in max settings let's say. I seriously doubt anyone will be using the reader at full processor speed, writing with the stilus, reading CF and SD cards, and connecting through the wireless.)
This information is old. With the actual firmware (v2.11), basic power management is in place. The CPU is slowed down while reading, iRex says this will increase battery life for ~20%.
The page count given by iRex was made using the xhtml reader constantly fliping pages. The page number is actually higher if you would consider only reading. But they had to also consider casual wireless use, CF SD use, and ocasional annotation. The page count will have to be updated for the "final" OS version, and i was told it will probably be higher because of all the optimizations. When they mention time instead of pages, they are considering you are writing on screen, using heavily the processor and CF SD cards. As you can see it's two very different things.
[edit] So if I understand correctly, with the final software version, you could turn everything completely off when you only want to read a book, and thus maintaining a battery life similar to that of the Sony Reader?
Or even better
Its hard to give certainties, because it all depends on how the OS and viewer is optimized. Even if the OS is 100% the viewer can only be 50%, some viewers might need more power, etc.
[edit] How long is a recharge?
I would say around 4 hours.
[edit] What can you say about the capacity of the battery?
The capacity of the battery is 1100 mAh and the battery is not changable by the user. The actual version 2 of the iLiad features two 1100 mAh batteries.
- Please give more details. Technically capable users can desolder the battery and replace it. From photos, it is a multi-cell battery wrapped in shrinkwrap. What cells are used in the battery? If people can buy 1600 mAh cells in the same size and know how to solder battery packs (acid flux and work quickly and carefully) then they can build replacements. How tight does the battery fit into the space? Could someone install a larger one?
[edit] What type of external battery pack would be required to boost the run time without plugging in the travel hub?
[edit] Does the Iliad power down completely, when you do not switch it of? Can you read the last shown page, while it is powering up again?
This isn't finished yet because it relies on Power management. When finished it should do everything of the above, but not by default i think, the user will have to choose in the settings.
[edit] I live in the US - if I order my Iliad from Belgium, will I be able to charge it from a US power outlet? Will there be power plugs that fit? What about current?
From Belgium you have to use the web shop. Yes, it will charge off 120V 60Hz.. Belgian device will have Belgian plug, but with a simple plug adapter it will run in US.
[edit] Memory Cards / Connectors
[edit] What type of Memory cards can the iLiad read?
The device can read SD, CF and MMC cards. Iliad Memorycards list.
[edit] Can it handle Memory cards with more than 1GB?
1GB CF and SD cards works. 2GB should also be OK, but some negative feedback on this came up recently. And CF microdrive should also work although it uses more power.
[edit] Do the Memory Cards fit completely in the device or do they stick out?
I only have CF, and the card enters totally. It makes a button pop-up, which sticks out, but you can rotate it to the right. You can see in the picture the CF slot the button on the left and the place to where it rotates.
[edit] Any chance of using the Iliad as a card reader for CF and SD with the Iliad connected through USB?
Not at his moment. It should be possible to add that function later
[edit] It can read off a USB stick also?
Yes, it can. However, if you remove the stick, the file is gone -- you cannot let the iliad copy it to internal memory.
[edit] Can I attach a USB keyboard?
There is not USB keyboard module in the current kernel, but it is possible to install user-built HID kernel modules and an event redirector to enable the use of the USB keyboard with applications like rxvt.
That being said, there is an on-screen keyboard and character recognition software.
[edit] File Handling
[edit] From the picture which shows the list of books on the iLiad (from the Irex page): is this something like the ID3-tag so any book I load on the iLiad can have this information updated? Or will this only be available on books received from the IDS server or otherwise prepared by the publisher?
So far all my files only show their name, so I suppose it probably will have to be a specific format to show this extra information. Apart from that you may rename your files directly on the iLiad. You may input some extra infos which will then show up in the content lister.
[edit] Can you have folders/subdirectories in the file directory, to be able to organize your books, or is everything in one?
You can have subdirectories. My OS version doesn't present any "quick" way to go back more than one subdirectory, but i think the new had a generic directory structure similar to the one from Windows Vista.
[edit] How does it manage html files with accompanying folders (where all the images, css files, etc. are)?
Right now it shows all the files by alphabetical order, even files in formats the device doesn't work yet. File filters are to be added later.
[edit] I like to read a lot of web news. If I used a program, like Webzip and saved a site like CNN or Fox plus all links within the sites to a CF card, would I be able to click onto those links on the Iliad while offline?
I download Webzip and saved the Wired magazine. I copied the directory it created to the CF and opened it in the device. Then i tried opening links but couldn't get it to work.
[edit] How is the bookmark management?
The device on-screen toolbar has a button to bookmark, and another to show the list of bookmarks of the book you are reading.
[edit] Wacom
[edit] Can other Wacom pens used as a substitution of the iLiad stylus?
Yes, users have tried their available pens and have reported about it. The extra buttons do not seem to have any effect.
| Here is a list of so far sucessfully used Wacom pens: | and these are not working: | To be tested: |
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