bq eReader

The Spanish technology brand also ventured into the world of e-readers. This company, which sold custom-made devices manufactured in China and achieved considerable success, also boasted iconic models like the Cervantes. I'm referring to the bq eReaders that we'll be discussing in this buying guide.

Alternatives to the bq eReader

Here are some alternatives to the bq eReader that you should consider:

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Kindle Basic

This is the new Kindle model, a 6-inch e-book reader with a high-resolution 300 dpi screen and a compact and lightweight design so you can take it wherever you need to go. You can also enjoy a large storage space and the Amazon cloud service to upload purchased titles if they no longer fit in your internal memory.

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PocketBook Lux 3

This other PocketBook eReader is also a luxury alternative. With a 6-inch E-Ink Carta HD screen, with 16 gray levels. It includes intelligent light adjustable in intensity and temperature, it has great autonomy, WiFi, a powerful ARM processor, 512 MB of RAM, free buttons, and also compatibility with CBR and CBZ comics.

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SPC Dickens Light 2

The SPC Dickens Light 2 is the next eReader that we propose as an alternative to the Nolim. It is a device with a backlit screen, light with 6 intensity levels, front keys, vertical/horizontal screen rotation, 1 month of autonomy, and a compact and lightweight design.

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Woxter E-Book Scribe

Finally, if you are looking for something cheap like the Carrefour eReader, you have the Woxter E-Book Scriba. A 6″ e-book reader, with a 1024×758 E-Ink Pearl screen capable of offering a purer white, as well as the ability to expand the internal memory using microSD cards.

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bq eReader Features

ereader bq features

If you were interested in the bq eReader, here are some of the most outstanding features of these models:

e-ink card

The bq features an E-Ink screen , a new technology that uses microcapsules containing charged black and white particles suspended in a transparent fluid to form text and images very efficiently, while also offering an experience more akin to reading on paper. These types of e-ink screens have dominated the eReader market due to their advantages. Furthermore, in the case of the Spanish company, it specifically uses Carta-sized panels.

This e-Ink Carta display first arrived in 2013, with two versions: a standard one and a slightly more modern HD version. These displays improved upon the quality of previous e-ink screens. The standard version offered a 6-inch screen with a resolution of 768×1024 px and a pixel density of 212 ppi. The HD version, while maintaining the 6-inch size, had a resolution of 1080×1440 px and 300 ppi, thus increasing image quality and sharpness.

Freescale i.MX Chip

Regarding the chip included in these eReaders, the Spanish company opted for a Freescale i.MX , instead of the usual ARM SoCs. This is a family of microcontrollers, now part of the NXP company, based on the ARM architecture and focused on low power consumption. These chips have been used in numerous products, such as some past Kobo eReaders, Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader, Onyx Boox, and others.

Supported formats

This bq eReader supports a wide range of formats, allowing you to change font size, font type, justify text, take notes and highlight text, use a dictionary directly, and more. Some of these formats include PDF, EPUB, MOBI, and DOC.

WiFi

Of course, bq eReaders also have WiFi connectivity to connect to the network wirelessly and download books directly to your device, without the need for cables.

Integration with platforms

As you may know, the bq eReader can be integrated with a multitude of services, such as Nubico by monthly subscription, as well as other digital libraries through the Adobe Digital Edition rights manager.

Other functions

You'll also find features for quickly searching for words within the eBook content, a dictionary to look up the words you need, internal memory expansion via microSD cards, adjustable cool and warm lighting, and more.

What has happened to the bq brand?

BQ Cervantes 3

The Spanish brand bq was a benchmark in technology. Although the firm did not have factories and dedicated itself to producing in China, the truth is that they did make some interesting innovations in collaboration with large international companies, such as Canonical, among others.

However, despite this success, the truth is that the brand gradually died until it was bought by VinGroup to finally disappear. The emergence of Chinese brands with innovative and competitively priced products, such as Xiaomi, hampered bq's progress. Therefore, currently you will not be able to find products from this firm.

What formats does the Cervantes ebook read?

The bq eReader supports a good number of file formats. Among those supported are:

  • EPUB: one of the most popular formats of eBooks. This format supports changing the font size, typeface, justifying, taking notes, highlighting, and using dictionaries.
  • PDF: Another very popular portable document format. It only supports changing the font size and using dictionaries.
  • fb2: Russian eBook format for FictionBook. It allows changing the font and size, as well as using dictionaries.
  • MOBI: This is also called Mobipocket and is an open format from Amazon. This format allows you to perform the same functions as the previous one.
  • DOC: Text documents created with word processors such as Microsoft Office. In terms of functions it is the same as before.
  • TXT: a plain text format used by many text editors. The same functions as the previous one.
  • RTF: stands for Rich Text Format, created by Microsoft. Same functions in this case too.

How to use Nubico on a BQ ereader?

Nubic

Since Nubico partnered with bq, these eReaders can be configured to use this library. To enjoy this service, you'll need a subscription and to download the Nubico app on Android-based eReaders that don't already have it pre-installed. The general steps are:

    1. Register in Nubico to create an account.
    2. If you already have an account Log in, entering your email and password.
    3. Press Send to access.
    4. This is how you access the main page of Nubico.
    5. From there you can manage your eBooks.

How to connect bq Cervantes to the computer?

Finally, if you want to connect your bq eReader Cervantes to your PC , the steps are equally simple:

  1. The first thing is to connect the microUSB cable to the eReader bq port.
  2. Connect the other end with the USB connector to your PC.
  3. The PC will automatically recognize your device as a Removable Disk Drive.
  4. The device will then become temporarily inoperable and a message will appear on the eReader screen saying "USB CONNECT".
  5. Now you can carry out the transfer of the files from the PC to the eReader or vice versa as you would do with any removable memory. This includes both the internal memory of the bq eReader and the SD card it has.
  6. Once finished, you can safely extract and go. You can now disconnect the cable.