Hi all,
I am a little curious how you guys and gals use your Onyx devices. They are in an interesting niche of being very, very good at specific tasks, such as note taking and reading, but their software allows them to become so much more.
I am sure there are so many great uses people discovered, that we can all learn from each other some thing. So let me start.
Device:
Onyx Boox Note (10.3)
After getting myself a cheapish 6 inch ereader, I remembered how great eink screens are.
But since I rather read the news on websites vs. books I also saw how bad eink screens are at scrolling and displaying ads. So I went ahead and looked for something bigger which requires less scrolling and runs an open android which can install browsers that make browsing experience bearable.
Now that I got it I enjoy note taking at work too. It is just so much easier to find your notes compared to my paper notebooks I used before. On the various calls I have throughout the day people might think I have a good memory
Accessories:
Case: Ipad Pro 10.5 Leather sleeve. While costly it is a beatiful case, which protects the screen in my backpack and allows storing the out of the box stylus.
Stylus: Wacom PL-900 with some extra nibs. Currently I am using the felt nibs.
Works perfectly fine feature wise, erasing wors both with button and flipping it around. However it doesn't fit the ipad sleeve and sometimes the calibration gets off. Not sure if this is due to my lacking calibration skills or it requires recalibation at some point.
A slimmer version or a wacom stylus with a shirt clip would be awesome.
Keyboard: GIM Bluetooth wireless. I was never a big fan of touchscreen keyboards (I use a blackberry), but I wanted to get also a bit of writing done on my Note as it works great outside - So I got a bluetooth keyboard, which isn't too bulky and can act as a stand for the Onyx. This is the first longer text I write on this and the layout is a bit awkward as you might see on the typos I do not catch. I would love to use the microsoft universal keyboard, but finding a unit which can be used on battery seems to be impossible these days. They are all broken. I am open for suggestions.
Software:
Launcher: Nova Launcher - for my uses the stock launcher isn't the most efficient one as I want to put Website Shortcuts on it and other apps and stuff The stock launcher has too much focus on the reading app and lack customizability. However if you guys have suggestions for a simple launcher that doesnt have animations and a great contrast but works like a normal android launcher I am all ears.
Browser:
Brave / Lightning - Good browsers with ad blockers which have reasonable screen update when scrolling. Woudld love to use firefox as the address bar is so much better in finding pages you visited long ago, but it doesn't work on eink.
Utilities:
Rotation Control (Screen Rotator) - Onyx - come on replace that +- button on the note with a screen rotator. Requirring a third party tool which doesn't survive a restart is uselessly cumbersome.
Soft Keys Home Back Button (On Screen Contro)- Since some apps run in full screen and the multi purpose button is not great on getting back home to switch an app I use this app. Surprisingly it survises a restart on the onyx, but can be in the way sometimes.
Null Keyboard: To hide the onscreen keyboard when using bluetooth keyboard. Should also be build in, but hey we have androids openess to help out
What am I missing?
A good keyboard
Better bluetooth keyboard support (like hiding softkeyboard, or switch to A2 like scrolling)
Simple screen rotation
Easier way to get home
Better speakers
How do you use your Onyx? I'd love to hear about your tips and tricks.