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The Xteink X4 E-Ink Reader

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Re: The Xteink X4 E-Ink Reader

#161

Picked one up a few weeks ago, I read blog posts on my commute now that an automation downloads at 5:30am every morning and uploads them to my OPDS server. The form factor really shapes how I use it. I put it in the pocket where I used to keep my thin wallet (wallet now stays in my bag if anyone here wants to rob me)

Thin wallet gang.

I carry four cards in a 3D printed sleeve which is two walls (0.8mm) thick.

When my state implements digital drivers licence I can take that down to three cards.

I just realised an elastic "card sock" would be even easier.

Re: The Xteink X4 E-Ink Reader

#163

I've had an x3 with crosspoint for a couple of months. Overall I love the device, it's making it easy to pull up the phone and read a couple of pages instead of doom scrolling. But a huge drawback is that it's unusable in direct sunlight since the screen fades away. Here is how it looks: https://www.reddit.com/r/xteinkereader/comments/1q5fhwf/dire... I contacted support and they answered "We would like to clarify tha…

Oof... I just ordered the x3 and plan to add CrossPoint on it. If hesitating to cancel my ordered as it didn't ship yet. I have plenty of other e-ink screens and it has never happened. I specifically enjoy e-ink in directly sunlight or at least outdoors ... so I'm not sure if that's still a good usecase for me anymore.

Thanks for for sharing.

Re: The Xteink X4 E-Ink Reader

#164
post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought the same thing until I got a kindle. It just feels different. The eink display is really nice to look at.

As I said, I have a kindle :). I'm specifically wondering about the X4, which is the size of a phone, meant to be attached to the phone, but it's not a phone and crucially no backlight. Does it specifically fill a situation for people who don't want to carry a phone but will carry this? Or, for people who might carry x4 and a smart phone, why read on the x4? Thx!

it's pocketable!

that's the main for me: i also have a kobo and bringing it around with me is just too damn annoying.

being able to pocket this thing and read anywhere one handed is so nice.

Re: The Xteink X4 E-Ink Reader

#165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The obvious innovation is to just make the back of the phone case an eInk display. No need for all the bulk when you can merely have an app on your phone that controls the case-display and the phone can output whatever reader app you want to it like a companion/IoT device. Or it can be a little bit bulkier and just be a dedicated ereader that is shaped like a phone case. Either way works.

The phone case idea would be nice, but then the device has to be replaced when the phone is replaced.

Yeah but I’ve seen color e-ink fridge magnets that are like $30. I don’t think it ends up being more expensive or substantially worse for the environment than people buying cases made of fancy leather. Presumably the display module could also be cut out of it for DIY uses.

Re: The Xteink X4 E-Ink Reader

#166
post #8

Got the X4. Put CrossPoint on it. Works like a charm. The http server accessible over wifi makes transferring books extremely simple. (Shame on the Kindle for locking everything down.) This is proof-of-concept that a microcontroller is more than enough for something like an e-reader. I have a Kindle and a Kobo. They are sturdy devices. But the X4 is the one that is a genuine e-reader. Would not get it as my one and o…

Question to X4 owners - what is the benefit over a smartphone? I have a kindle for beach and travel as a good compromise size; I use my 10" tablet when I really settle in for reading, or when I read technical books with graphs or books with photographs etc. For my adhoc reader I use kindle app on my phone. What is the unique selling point of something like X4? I notice it attaches to the phone which seems bizarre, ph…

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Re: The Xteink X4 E-Ink Reader

#167

I've had an x3 with crosspoint for a couple of months. Overall I love the device, it's making it easy to pull up the phone and read a couple of pages instead of doom scrolling. But a huge drawback is that it's unusable in direct sunlight since the screen fades away. Here is how it looks: https://www.reddit.com/r/xteinkereader/comments/1q5fhwf/dire... I contacted support and they answered "We would like to clarify tha…

Crosspoint has a software fix for this in settings. It’s not 100% but it does work. It’s called the Sunlight Fading Fix under Display settings. https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader/blob/...

Re: The Xteink X4 E-Ink Reader

#168

Would like to get it if I knew where he'd got it for £40! Its twice that including delivery to UK from the maker. I'm guessing Ali-Express with the hope you get a genuine one.

eBay seems to have the X4 new and delivered for around £52 here in the UK - and AliExpress is a little cheaper - but I was put of AE by the warnings that the firmware could not be updated... Not sure if that is true, I've resisted looking into it too much.

I already have a standard and a backlit Nook Simple touch, so I really should just use them more before I buy another device

Re: The Xteink X4 E-Ink Reader

#169

I've seen multiple people talking about it, but personally I can't see the appeal beyond novelty. I can't imagine wanting to read a book on a device this small Edit: I'm also always sceptical of when so many people post "I Just bought , and I love it". It makes me wonder what they'll think after the honeymoon period is over

I’ve had mine for months and I still use it far more than my kindle for the sole reason that it fits in my pocket. It’s still a conscious choice to pull it out over doomscrolling TikTok on my phone though.
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