New 13.3" Onyx Boox. Rumours, prototype specs, first pictures

[desk7]

Originally Posted by HarryT

What do you mean by "USB drivers"? Drivers for what?

Originally Posted by Booxtor

1. You actually don't need additional USB divers. Your PC should recognise connected Boox as an USB storage using own drivers.
2. viewing 2 pages of a PDF at once is a future option of NEO, which should be implemented in the 1.8 Update (AFAIK)

If you are developing on Windows and would like to connect a device to test your applications, then you need to install the appropriate USB driver.

Anyway, I asked Onyx for usb drivers and they've already given.
Thanks for the answers

[xtech]

Perhaps, the following is worthy of a distinct thread. However, I'll post it here for now.

Now, Onyx Boox Max 2 (second generation).

I have just read: "Edit: According to my source, Onyx will equip the first-gen model with a 1GHz Freescale imx6 CPU with 1GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. They're also thinking about releasing an upgraded model 6 months later with a dual-core imx7 CPU, 2GB RAM, and either 16GB or 32GB internal storage.

Onyx is also planning to use a new higher resolution E-ink screen in their ereader. My source said that the new screen sports a resolution of 2200 x 1650 (207PPI). In comparison, the Sony DPT-S1 uses an E-ink screen with a resolution of 1600 x 1200, or 150ppi." http://the-digital-reader.com/2015/1...lution-screen/

So, according to this insider's information, the Onyx Boox Max 2 is likely to obtain:

1. Resolution: 2200 x 1650 (207PPI).
2. Processor: dual-core imx7
3. Memory: 2GB RAM, and (apparently) 32GB internal storage.

I would be grateful if Booxtor could comment on the: if the above is true, when such an Max 2 is to be expected. It seems that the production may have begun in March (?), 6 months from that month (beginning or end), would make it August or September (?). Surely the current device is a grand ereader, good enough for comfortable reading, however, I just wish to know if the above makes any sense.

[iacchi]

If you've read the previous posts, Booxtor has already said that this second generation will come if the first model will have sold well enough. Regardless, it will definitely come later than those six months as the screen that they want to equip the reader with is not even in production yet as it has been delayed by the eink manufacturer.

[joblack]

As of Onyx's past delayed release experience I wouldn't expect the Onyx Boox Max 2 to be release before Q4/2017.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by xtech

I have just read: "Edit: According to my source, Onyx will equip the first-gen model with a 1GHz Freescale imx6 CPU with 1GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. They're also thinking about releasing an upgraded model 6 months later with a dual-core imx7 CPU, 2GB RAM, and either 16GB or 32GB internal storage.

Onyx is also planning to use a new higher resolution E-ink screen in their ereader. My source said that the new screen sports a resolution of 2200 x 1650 (207PPI). In comparison, the Sony DPT-S1 uses an E-ink screen with a resolution of 1600 x 1200, or 150ppi." http://the-digital-reader.com/2015/1...lution-screen/

You may have just read it, but that post was made in November 2015, and in the mean time eInk have delayed the release of the higher-resolution screen. It's generally reckoned that devices using the iMX7 CPU won't be on the market until late 2017.

[deb2016]

Originally Posted by desk7

From Booxtor's previous answer:
"Concerning USB Host mode - it worked on some of my earlier samples of M96 and T68. However Onyx decided to disable it later since some connected devices caused problems with fast battery drain . Sometimes batteries were discharged lower than allowed LiPO batteries threshold voltage, which made it impossible to recharge them without some special tools. This obviously caused complains by users."

So, no usb keyboard support for now.

Thanks for your answeer.

Is it a hardware limitation or or a software one ? I mean, could it be enabled one day with software updates ?

Regards

[deb2016]

Originally Posted by Booxtor

What about this one?

I also suggest to try this BT clicker to extend control of your Max. I am using it myself and find it very convenient and useful. I even though about to make a DIY pedal using this very cheap clicker, two pedal switches and additional battery box. I was going to use it as page flipper for scores on Max during playing music from scores.

Hello,

One could also try to turn its smartphone (or tablet) into a touchpad for the onyx boox max, I know there exist android applications for that, from android to windows PC, I have not investigated if it is possible between two android devices, there are no reason why it would not be possible as far as I guess.

Sounds to me as the best option, no need then to buy anything else, but it may require that both devices be wifi connected.

Regards.

[lepau]

Originally Posted by deb2016

but it may require that both devices be wifi connected.

I'd rather guess Bluetooth

[deb2016]

There is at least one application able to do that, though bluetooth indeed :

tabletremote

it seems however more targeted for media and game applications, not sure it can emulate mouse or touchpad functionality.

EDIT :

Finally :-) this application : droidmoteclient seems to do the job, but through wifi.

[Drew22]

Hi dear e-reader fans,

several weeks ago I received one Onyx Boox Max e-reader from the first batch. Now the time has come to write a review for you. Till now I was the happy owner of an Onyx Boox M96 9.7 inch e-reader, against whom I would compare the 13.3 inch Max. Both have been purchased from Booxtor.

The first contact with such a big screen left me speechless. The 13.3“ Max is simply another world of reading, a class of its own. Since I had it on the table, I couldn’t stand anymore to read from the tiny 9.7 incher such is the difference. My readings consist mostly of .pdfs with wildly different quality, writing, page organization, letter size and clarity. With the M96 one went often through the torture of adapting every single document to make it readable: cropping the white margins, zooming, cutting the image in half, changing from landscape mode to portrait and viceversa, etc. With the Max , that tedious and unnerving work is history. You might still customize the view as before, but mostly this is not necessary.

One who has other Onyx devices like M92 or M96 will soon realise the software is basically the same, with only minor changes dictated by the size.

In order to structure my review I will answer those of your questions to which I have something to say:

1. @beachwanderer and tarlcab – The default Scribble app is perfect for note taking. Responsiveness is not an issue anymore. At the university I was able to take notes without having a notebook. If it is practical as a long term notebook replacement, I cannot yet determine. A few more functions would have been welcome.
2. Annotation is easy on .pdf documents, but .docx formats are being opened by another app, i.e. OReader (instead of Onyx Neo Reader for the former), which does not support handwriting. Introducing separate handwritten bookmarks in .pdfs is not yet possible, but will be soon – Booxtor assured me. You can though write separately to bookmarked places with the virtual keyboard, which I find cumbersome. However you can write on the white text edges and underline important ideas in the text with the help of your stylus.
3. Additional apps – I did not try recently to install additional apps because the built-in ones are pretty good, reflecting the years of experience gaining, upgrading and adaptation by the Onyx engineers. The few reading and writing apps I did try one year ago on the M96 were often slower and lagging. If some of you guys would be nice to test them and share with us comparisons with Onyx Neo Reader, OReader and Onyx Scribble, it would be great.
4. Memory card: Officially MAX supports max 32 GB, but as others pointed out here, it’s not true. I used a 64 GB Sandisk Ultra microSDHC, class 10. It works just fine, AFTER you reformat it as FAT32 (They come preformatted as exFAT, which MAX does not recognise.). Nevertheless the FAT32 format does not read documents over 4 GB. Who would read such a big document anyway…
5. Flipping the page takes 1 to 3 seconds. That’s fine with me. To be sincere, one needs a second or two to turn a real page made of paper too.
6. @ oranges Yes, the 13.3 inch screen is really good for all textbooks. The up to 2 seconds turning page is not an issue, at least to me. However, when making lots of written annotations and wishing to exit the document, the e-reader tends to freeze more than a few seconds, and that is unnerving. Booxtor should look into the matter.
7. The device is not looking oversized at all (one gets used very quickly, in a day or two), but holding it in your hands can prove to be tiring. There are methods to avoid that, e.g. read on your desk, put a book or a book-support behind for a better angle.
8. Can one avoid using the pen? Not entirely. You can extensively use the buttons most of the time. However for some commands one still needs the pen.
9. It would be nice for someone to test the Moon+ et co.. For me the provided software from Onyx is very good.
10. @deb2016 there is the Onyx Scribble app for handwriting and note taking, and in a few months we’ll have the ability to add handwritten notes to our bookmarks.
11. As far as I can determine, Scribble doesn’t recognize “levels of pressure” or the pen inclination. One can only change the thickness of the writing. Therefore the device is not suitable for drawings. Maybe Booxtor has another answer. Just write him on his webpage.
12. No, it’s not annoying to do everything with the pen. One just has to get used to it. Some might not like it no matter what, but it shouldn’t be a big thing for the majority of the readers.
13. @ Question Mark – it is always easy to replace a lost stylus because it is exactly the same as the one from M96. You just order one for M96 and that’s it.
14. The capacitive Netronix/GoodEreader device could have been an interesting alternative, if several key specs were not so terrible. It’s hard to imagine how an e-reader can cope with demanding .pdf documents, while only endowed with 512 MB of RAM. Besides, it lacks dedicated software, which is also a drawback. I didn’t like that Michael Kozlowski simply deleted my posts expressing these two issues. He might not have a team of software engineers at this stage to solve the latter, but the RAM problem must urgently be addressed, otherwise there will be a backlash as soon as his first batch hits the market.
15. @ desk7 The side button on the stylus is a quick start function for the handwriting, without going the extra mile of opening the menu and the built-in Scribble. The cap button is for erasing your own markings.
16. @ iacchi It’s a matter of weeks until Onyx will release the 4.4 Android version.
17. @ xtech Ipads/tablets and e-readers are two different worlds. It’s like comparing apples with oranges. If you’ve got eye straining issues, then a 13.3 inch e-reader is highly recommendable. Be aware though, most entertainment apps and games will not be available, even with Android 4.4. Max is for reading, writing, comics – not more, not less.
18. @ desk7 Yes, the annotations are not saved into the .PDF when transferring it to PC. I find it annoying. Booxtor, are you there? Can you or anybody else explain to us how it works?
19. @ Willy Tank Regarding your fourth question, a 9.7” e-reader is far less practical for .pdf reading than a 13.3”. This is my experience after one year with Onyx Boox M96 and extensive readings. The default mode is portrait for both screens.
20. 5. Question – Yes, the changed settings will be saved for every single .pdf separately. There is such a variety of .pdfs that you don’t really need a one setting for all of them.

The good thing is that in the end, everyone has the opportunity to buy the preferred e-reader with the preferred size: there are 5”, 6”, 6.8”, 8”, 9.7”, and now 13.3” e-readers. Isn’t that beautiful? Clearly not everyone would enjoy a 13.3 inch screen, but those who wish for one, should definitely go for Max.

My next post will be about my expectations regarding the next generation of 13.3 inch e-readers.

[desk7]

Update available for Onyx Boox Max
Changes in 1.7.5 RC1 (update of 18/05/16):

Among others changes are

System:
1. Improve of library scanning speed
2. Improve of UI for library and memory list
3. Improve of auto text whitening effect when the background is dark
Neo reader：
1. Fixed the crashing issues caused by long press to select words;
2. Fixed the problem of reading history loss after displaying a blank page and crash when reopened a scrolling mode pdf document in landscape;
3. Fix the problem of bold effect display failing after reopening a document, and the font setting still shows “+1”;

How to install:
Copy update.zip to your root folder in M96 or T68.
Afterwards go to Settings -> About ->System Update -> Check Update from local Storage

Link:
http://ereader-store.de/en/content/8-downloads

Zip file:
http://ereader-store.de/DATA/MAX_/update.zip

[Question Mark]

Originally Posted by Drew22

Hi dear e-reader fans,

several weeks ago I received one Onyx Boox Max e-reader from the first batch. Now the time has come to write a review for you...

Many thanks for the detailed review. Very helpful. So so tempting. Just wish there were a store in Canada selling Onyx so that I could avoid hefty shipping and duty fees.

Quite agree with the comments re the GoodEreader device. I will be very interested to hear some independent reviews of their product when they eventually ship. Hope people will be happy, but I have my doubts.

[bopsis]

I contacted Onyx-international a couple of weeks ago regarding the possible screen update and they wrote:
"..our company is making eink device and eink screen is supplied by PVI (Taiwanese factory). At present MAX screen is 1600*1200. When PVI supply 2200*1650 Carta screen, we will update our hardware also. TKS"

Originally Posted by HarryT

You may have just read it, but that post was made in November 2015, and in the mean time eInk have delayed the release of the higher-resolution screen. It's generally reckoned that devices using the iMX7 CPU won't be on the market until late 2017.

[rkomar]

Originally Posted by Question Mark

Just wish there were a store in Canada selling Onyx so that I could avoid hefty shipping and duty fees.

The duty is there to make sure you pay the required PST and GST, so it doesn't really add any extra cost compared to a local shop. Shipping is an added cost, especially when Fedex or UPS are used, since those companies add on large customs brokerage fees. It's usually much cheaper if delivery in Canada is handled by Canada Post.

[Question Mark]

Originally Posted by rkomar

The duty is there to make sure you pay the required PST and GST, so it doesn't really add any extra cost compared to a local shop.

Hey, you're right. I just went on the government website and they have a duty and tax calculator. Turns out I would likely be paying 13% altogether for an ereader. Exactly the same as in a store.

I hadn't even known that they had such calculators online now.

Originally Posted by rkomar

Shipping is an added cost, especially when Fedex or UPS are used, since those companies add on large customs brokerage fees. It's usually much cheaper if delivery in Canada is handled by Canada Post.

Yes, shipping and brokerage fees can be insane. I can remember once getting an outrageous bill from DHL. It was ten times what I had been quoted by the merchant. It was not taxes or duty. Fortunately, I had the quote from the merchant in writing because I had thought the amount on their shipping calculator was too low. After several days of negotiation (I had initially refused to accept the package because of the cost), DHL released the package to me. However, I think the merchant had to pay the full cost of the shipping which was much more than the cost of the actual product. Have steered clear of courier companies whenever possible since then.