Onyx Boox Note Phone concept

[M.I.H]

Originally Posted by orebmur

Producers like Onyx are notorious for mediocre software on their readers. They are not alone, IMHO Boyue is even worse.

Do you really think they would be even remotely capable to provide a serious smartphone if their flagship products still leave so much to desire?

The one thing all those e-ink readers suffer from is subprime software. For my purposes, with the arrival of 10 inch readers the hardware is all there already, but the software is still similarly insufficient. You might get more speed for the money hardware-wise but if the provided software doesn't become significantly better there is no point for it.

For e-ink phones, better have a look at existing products like the HiSense A6 or the Yotaphone offerings.

I agree, I don't think they could provide a serious regular smartphone experience compared to other manufacturers. But, despite the lower end hardware and, yes, the need for software development, I think they could produce a limited/basic useable eink only smartphone that doubles as ereader/note taking device. They have tried (and failed) before so it is possible they might try to manufacture such a device again sometime in the future... I would be willing to give it a go if they did.

[Question Mark]

Originally Posted by cicabum

The software on my Onyx Note works like a charm.

Yes, I'm well pleased with the software experience on my Note as well.

There are, of course, a few bugs... but there are bugs in my Kobos and in my laptop which runs Windows 7.

Hopefully, they will continue to release updates to make the experience even better. However, as it is, I would probably have bought a phone from them. But, as nothing seemed to be in the works, will see what the HiSense experience is like instead.

[underscore]

Originally Posted by Question Mark

Yes, I'm well pleased with the software experience on my Note as well.

There are, of course, a few bugs... but there are bugs in my Kobos and in my laptop which runs Windows 7.

Hopefully, they will continue to release updates to make the experience even better. However, as it is, I would probably have bought a phone from them. But, as nothing seemed to be in the works, will see what the HiSense experience is like instead.

As for books, I don't want to pick up a phone based on the cover
but I am positively impressed by the yotaphone double flip cover pictures
(switch between cinnamon and dark grey as pictures are different)

https://www.yotaeshop.com/products/yota3

which, for such a fragile device, should be mandatory.

[Question Mark]

Originally Posted by underscore

I am positively impressed by the yotaphone double flip cover pictures
(switch between cinnamon and dark grey as pictures are different)

https://www.yotaeshop.com/products/yota3

which, for such a fragile device, should be mandatory.

Yes, looks to be a nice piece of design. From looking on Aliexpress, similar flip cases seem to be available for the HiSense A2 Pro as well.

Actually, when I ordered my phone, I selected the option with a case. However, as there was no accompanying picture of the case, not sure if it will be a flip case or not. Time will tell. If not, I may just have to go back on Aliexpress to pick up such a case.

[Jmirko]

I am a big e-ink fan, but I would not buy such a limited device now that dual-screen phones are available. By skipping the color screen you save some cost, but the reduction in usability is unacceptable for me.
However, I like the idea of being able to write on the e-ink side with the pen - this would be something new in a phone.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[underscore]

Originally Posted by Question Mark

Yes, looks to be a nice piece of design. From looking on Aliexpress, similar flip cases seem to be available for the HiSense A2 Pro as well.

Actually, when I ordered my phone, I selected the option with a case. However, as there was no accompanying picture of the case, not sure if it will be a flip case or not. Time will tell. If not, I may just have to go back on Aliexpress to pick up such a case.

Good.
I just noticed that there is a thread about A6 in the "Android Devices" subforum.
Maybe you should post your impressions there then.
An application i'd love to see on such a device is pressreader

[Question Mark]

Originally Posted by underscore

Good.
I just noticed that there is a thread about A6 in the "Android Devices" subforum.
Maybe you should post your impressions there then.

Will do... when it eventually arrives... likely in a month or two.

[Question Mark]

Originally Posted by Jmirko

I am a big e-ink fan, but I would not buy such a limited device now that dual-screen phones are available. By skipping the color screen you save some cost, but the reduction in usability is unacceptable for me.

For me, a phone is more of a utilitarian device. I've usually always got a tablet or laptop handy if I want to watch videos or look at colour pictures etc.

The extra screen really just adds to the weight and presents the added opportunity for more to go wrong with the device. So I would go for a dedicated eink phone instead... However, beggars can't be choosers... and maybe my views will change when I eventually receive my device.

Originally Posted by Jmirko

However, I like the idea of being able to write on the e-ink side with the pen - this would be something new in a phone.

That would be a very nice feature. Although I prefer typing in general, I much prefer writing by hand for quick notes and the like. Especially considering the tiny virtual keyboards on phones which result in many mistakes.

[M.I.H]

Updated device specs and pictures.

[Question Mark]

Originally Posted by M.I.H

Updated device specs and pictures.

That would pretty well be my dream device although I think that going forward I'd rather have all my devices USB C. But, even still, I would purchase it in a heartbeat assuming the quality was half decent.

[M.I.H]

Originally Posted by Question Mark

That would pretty well be my dream device although I think that going forward I'd rather have all my devices USB C. But, even still, I would purchase it in a heartbeat assuming the quality was half decent.

You're right about usb c. Onyx are using that as their standard now too I didn't think of that.

[Question Mark]

Here are a couple of pictures of my Hisense A2 Pro in comparison to my Sony Xperia XA1 which has an LCD screen. The A2 Pro makes for a very handy portable ereader for those times when you don't want to dig your regular device out of your bag.

Although I don't mind the AMOLED screen on the other side of the A2 Pro, it's not really necessary for my purposes. I really wish Onyx and Hisense would team up to make a dedicated eink phone.

Here's the thread for this device for any that are interested:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=295817

[M.I.H]

I agree a dedicated e-ink phone would be good. I would use a dual screen phone like the Hisense A2 pro or YotaPhone but unfortunately they don't support Band 28 (700mhz) which is an integral bandwidth in regional Australia.

[Question Mark]

Originally Posted by M.I.H

I would use a dual screen phone like the Hisense A2 pro or YotaPhone but unfortunately they don't support Band 28 (700mhz) which is an integral bandwidth in regional Australia.

Haven't tried a SIM card in it so I don't actually know if it supports the right bands to work as a phone here in Canada. I got it really just to be a very portable ereader which could also do a few other handy things.

[bsnick]

I use an A2 as my phone in Canada (Telus - Ontario). Works fine. The biggest problem I have with it is the dialpad doesn't show letters so those passwords I need to tap into the phone are more difficult because I have to look up a dialpad online so I can figure out which letters correspond to which numbers.

My other gripe is that I can't find the firmware anywhere. I once bricked the antennas of a non-standard phone (Jiayu G4) just by doing a factory reset (wifi, bluetooth and cell no longer work) so I'd like to have a firmware launcher like Yota did or the mfgtool that the earlier boox products used.