Comment by jacek
7 days ago
I got an X4 (slightly larger model) less than 2 months ago and I already finished 9 books on it. It is always in my pocket and I started reaching for it instead of my phone during tiny moments of boredom. Sometimes it's just a few paragraphs when I'm waiting for a train, but it is also surprisingly good for longer reading sessions.
I was thinking of getting one for exactly the use case you've described here but then I thought, "why don't I just get my phone out and read the ebooks directly on that?"
Can you explain to me why one of these is better for this please?
It's a mental thing. The phone is the doorway to all the things, and the reader is the doorway to reading. When I'm being intentional about my phone usage (not always, but most of the time), I defer to devices that are focused.
Interesting. I think this also explains in part why I prefer CDs to a streaming service for listening to music.
> The phone is the doorway to all the things, and the reader is the doorway to reading
And the phone's reader app?
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It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't used an e-reader, but e-paper screens just look more natural, they also don't require a backlight so they can be easier on the eyes. Combined with a matt display, you can comfortably use them in direct sunlight without having to faff about with brightness or finding shade.
Also e-readers have way less distractions than a phone.
I prefer the e-ink display.
I first stared reading ebooks on my Palm Vx. I went on to a Nook, Nook Color, some no names, Kobo. Five years ago, I became disabled and no longer had a free hand to carry an ereader and did not want to carry a bag just to carry an ereader/book. I started reading on my phone.
Last April, after seeing a comment on the X4, here on HN, I decided to get one. I prefer the display and I can advance a page by pressing the button, rather than swiping the screen. It's always with me, in het same pocket as my phone/
Something that others haven’t mentioned is that you can flash an open source OS/reader software (Crosspoint, among others) so you can change the UI and experience for your preferences. I like having an e-reader that lets me modify how it works.
A phone is a gateway to much more than just reading books, so your brain might prefer it.
Also notifications etc
Personally I much prefer e-ink when I read for more than 10 minutes or so. The LED light from my phone just makes my eyes tired, while e-ink + "backlight" (guess it's really "kind of from the front light" in reality) just feels like reading normal paper.
The font rendering in the official firmware isn't that great though, especially compared to even a old phone screen. I had much better text rendering with 3rd party firmware.
The same reason why taking a bicycle is preferable through a nice wooded area even though you could technically drive as well
It's easier on the eyes. LEDs and related technologies give me eyestrain after a while; eInk devices don't (and many, like the X4 model, have front-lighting, also easier on the eyes than backlit screens.
The phone has doomscrolling available which is higher immediate value and negative long term value. I just have to grab this and i am locked into long term value
In addition to some of the other great answers, it is cheap enough to lose. The unexpected breakage/theft of a cellphone ranges anywhere from annoyance to world ending disaster. So, I have to be a lot more deliberate in protecting my valuable phone.
The tiny ereader contains no secrets or valuables, so I feel fine pulling it out in an area where I might otherwise be reluctant to use my phone.
How many books have you read on your phone in the last month? Or did you instead open twitter/hackernews/tiktok?
None, I use a Kobo for ebooks and mostly buy "real" paper books. But I was thinking this sounded like a great (and cheap) use case but then I thought why not just use my phone...
I don't have any social media apps on my phone anymore except "Hack" for HN... as you imply, too much temptation to distraction. I haven't missed them at all.
I "read" 6 audiobooks on my phone last month. Listening to audiobooks counts as reading, text-snobs be damned.
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eInk displays are much easier to see outdoors than phone displays.
Same experience with the X4 Pro. Can wholeheartedly recommend. It feels like reading became much more accessible to me all of a sudden.
It's so sad that X4 Pro does not have USB-C.
They have added backlight, but still left charging/connecting to proprietary magnetic adapter.
> It's so sad that X4 Pro does not have USB-C.
Yeah, the connector they've made is absolutely bananas, wonder what they were thinking? Was there a 3rd-party docking ecosystem they were expecting to be spawned by this, or something? The magnetic connector by itself makes no sense, unless I severely misunderstand how it's supposed to be used in practice.
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It is, though to be honest it bothers me less than I thought it will. The battery lasts so long that I rarely charge it.
> proprietary magnetic adapter
They're supposedly not proprietary but a standard size that's easily replaced.
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Same, got it about 6 months ago, flashed crosspoint, and have since sold my entire family on the X4. The innovation of getting respectable book formatting running on ESP32 is remarkable. Impressive work.
The portability is such a game changer compared to the usual kindle-like devices. Compared to my kindle which I have to put in my backpack or only when I have big coat pockets in the winter, this can be put in my pocket and taken everywhere.
I wish they have a magsafe case with 1-2 card holder slots, then it would just be a perfect wallet replacement.
The problem with using it as a wallet replacement is if you want to read whilst in public queues etc. and that would be fairly easy for a thief to swipe. If you're just holding the Xteink then you're less of a target.
That's a fair point.
Although I would argue that I already see many people using phone cases with card slots or magsafe card holders. This is a safer option because the xteink costs less and it makes your phone less likely to be swiped.
My setup now is simply my transport card duct taped on the outside of the xteink case. For payments and music and such I'd still use my phone, which is in the other pocket.
I did the exact same. Installed CrossPoint on it and when I want to grab my phone, I read a page in my X4 Pro. It's quite nice.
I am planning updating my Kindle Paperwhite from 2016. I love the idea of having a smaller e-reader I can have always in my pocket, but I worry about it being too small. Do you have another e-reader or have used any before? How would you compare them?
Yes. I had Kindle DX (2010) and Kindle Paperwhite (~2016?). I still have and use Onyx Boox Air (2?). As X4 has no touchscreen layer and no backlight, the contrast is best. Resolution not as good as Boox, but no complaints there. The only downside is no backlight, but not a problem for me. Buying a new eink reader I would for sure avoid color screens. Their contrast is worst by far.
Go with a Kobo. I switched to the Libra Colour and not going back. Physical buttons, sideloading without any trickery, first party support for alternative firmwares and frontends.
Also not owned by a man who can RENT VENICE for his wedding.
I also have an Xteink X3 and it's always with me. With a screen protector and/or case, I can just shove it into any pocket or put it on the back of my phone with the Qi2 magnets.
Thanks. I was considering Kobo actually, but my old Kindle still resists.
I have an X4 as well, but shamefully I have to admit I find myself browsing HN much more than reading on X4, despite being a reader of physical books and kindle
I bought a 6 inch model for $60 (it's now double the price) from another brand a couple months ago and I love it. A 4 inch screen is just too small IMHO.
Which model/brand?
I got a kobo clara bw and a xteink x4 that I gave to my kid. Im quite happy with the kobo, it’s a much better experience for reading imo despite not having buttons. The touch screen is usable after all. I started dumping things into epub format, for example lyrics/chords, things that I want to read, etc. chatgpt is quite helpful with formatting epub files.
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Silvergear.
That's what I was wondering - how does one even read a book on that tiny X3. X4 looks like the perfect size though, proper pocketbook size.