Sony PRS-T1 eReader hacked into an E Ink Android tablet

Sony PRS-T1 eReader hacked into an E Ink Android tablet - Liliputing

The Sony PRS-T1 is an eBook reader with a 6 inch E Ink touchscreen display. It’s designed to run Sony’s Reader software for reading digital books — but the device’s firmware is based on Google Android and it turns out that the PRS-T1 can be hacked to run additional Android apps.

One hacker has managed to add an app launcher, an Android terminal application, and a couple of alternate eReader apps including CoolReader and FBReader.

Some apps, including Angry Birds, crash when you try to run them on theeReader. But let’s be honest —would you want to play Angry Birds on a tablet with an E Ink display and a slow refresh rate?

Still, this could open up the Sony PRS-T1 for use with a wide variety of eBook apps, news apps, web browsers, or other applications.

This isn’t the firs time we’ve seen an Android-powered eBook reader hacked to run apps that didn’t come with the device. The Barnes & Nobe NOOK Touch can also be hacked to run apps including the Amazon Kindle eBook app for Android.

Sony’s latest eBook reader may be more versatile though, since it has a series of buttons below the screen as well as a touchscreen. The hacker responsible for the video says his project is still a work in progress and not ready for public release yet.

Sony PRS-T1 is available from Amazon for $149