Nova Air C, anyone?

[downeaster59]

I've just discovered that Onyx has released the Nova Air C, which seems to be an updated Nova 3 Color device. Has anyone here seen much about it? Just curious to see if Onyx has improved the color technology at all...

[salamanderjuice]

I hadn't heard about. The website claims it does have a bit better color saturation and contrast (varies based on lights being on or off). Not sure if the color layer actually got better or it just looks better due the switch to an on cell screen which builds in the touch layer. It also has a warm light now.

[kandwo]

The screen is still very dark in comparison to BW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG4SNXG59ms (here compared to the Nova Air, which already has worse contrast than Nova 3 due to the added film on top of the screen).

[Question Mark]

Originally Posted by kandwo

The screen is still very dark in comparison to BW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG4SNXG59ms (here compared to the Nova Air, which already has worse contrast than Nova 3 due to the added film on top of the screen).

Thanks for sharing the link to that video. Yes, there is a big difference in contrast between the two devices. However, the Nova Air C is still very readable. That said, from my experience with the Nova 3 Color and the Hisense A5Pro C, one needs to use the light or be in a brightly lit environment to use such devices. If one is sensitive to light, it might not be a good investment.

If I did not already have the N3C, I might be tempted to get the Nova Air C as I really appreciate the slight bit of colour which such screens provide. Very useful for reading certain documents like maps.

However, there does not yet seem to be enough improvement in the colour technology to tempt me to trade up. I'll stick with my N3C for the time being while I wait for them to improve the technology and eventually come out with a decent 10.3" colour device.

[downeaster59]

You all bring up good points.

I have a Nova 2 and a Note Air 2. When I look at both, side by side, with the light completely off, the Nova 2 has juuust a bit better contrast, but the difference is slight. I wouldn't want to use either without the frontlight. I like both devices, but the battery on my Nova doesn't last quite as long as it used to. I could try changing the battery myself, or I could look into a new Nova-like device. Hence my interest in the Nova Air C as well as the Nova Air. Ironically, both have a smaller battery than my Nova 2 does. The Nova 3 might be a better option, but it's not as easy to find. Still, I've never had a color E-Ink device, so my curiosity leads me here. We shall see!

[Question Mark]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

I've never had a color E-Ink device, so my curiosity leads me here. We shall see!

If you don't mind the muted colours of colour eink devices, they are quite nice. I actually quite like the retro look of the muted colours. If I need to see something in vibrant colours, I can always look at it on my computer or on a tablet. However, there are some drawbacks to the current colour screens.

As already mentioned, the screens are significantly darker, which means that you will need to use the frontlight to a greater degree than on a regular eink device. This could cause issues for those with light sensitivity. It also means that it will consume more power which might not be so great when combined with a smaller battery.

The other issue with current colour technology is resolution. While B&W texts will display with 300 DPI, the resolution for colour texts is just 100 DPI. For me that hasn't been a serious concern to date, but others may find the drop in resolution more distracting.

Initially, there was also a significant amount of ghosting with the colour display. However, I believe an update helped to resolve that issue because I don't notice it as much any more and it is easy to select a gesture to refresh the screen.

So long as you are okay with the limitations of a colour screen, they are wonderful. Personally, I feel their benefits outweigh their drawbacks, but a lot of others would disagree.

[kandwo]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

You all bring up good points.

I have a Nova 2 and a Note Air 2. When I look at both, side by side, with the light completely off, the Nova 2 has juuust a bit better contrast, but the difference is slight. I wouldn't want to use either without the frontlight. I like both devices, but the battery on my Nova doesn't last quite as long as it used to. I could try changing the battery myself, or I could look into a new Nova-like device. Hence my interest in the Nova Air C as well as the Nova Air. Ironically, both have a smaller battery than my Nova 2 does. The Nova 3 might be a better option, but it's not as easy to find. Still, I've never had a color E-Ink device, so my curiosity leads me here. We shall see!

According to My Deep Guide the Nova 3 has a bit brighter screen than the Nova 2. I'm not sure if that matters to you, though, as you use your devices with the frontlight on.

I always have the frontlight off, and the Nova 3 is just about as dark as I can manage. Both my PW3 and Hisense A5 Pro are more legible in my usual lighting conditions.

But considering all the drawbacks of colour e-ink: extremely dark screen, low PPI, ghosting, etc., I find it hard to justify buying one instead of just using a tablet. In both cases you're going to have to use the front-/backlight. Might as well use a tablet with a low light setting.

[underscore]

Originally Posted by Question Mark

Thanks for sharing the link to that video. Yes, there is a big difference in contrast between the two devices. However, the Nova Air C is still very readable. That said, from my experience with the Nova 3 Color and the Hisense A5Pro C, one needs to use the light or be in a brightly lit environment to use such devices. If one is sensitive to light, it might not be a good investment.

being those niche expensive devices, i think i would rather test those screens on a relative cheaper smartphone, which is more keen to outdoor usage.
If i have the choice (room light control) i never use nova2 light as it totally ruin the reading experience

[Question Mark]

Originally Posted by underscore

being those niche expensive devices, i think i would rather test those screens on a relative cheaper smartphone, which is more keen to outdoor usage.

That's exactly what I did. I got the Hisense A5 Pro C first. As I was very much impressed by that device, I then got the Nova 3 Color. I will now wait until some substantial improvements have been made in such technology or until one of my devices becomes no longer functional (which I hope will be a rather long time).

However, I must say that the N3C is very portable. I would certainly take it with me if I were going hiking as it provides greater screen real estate which is advantageous when looking at maps.

[joblack]

As long as it is so dark without the front light on, I am not interested in a color e-ink device.

[SleepWithMachine]

Sounds like a nice device with the latest technology, might be annoying for those who have just bought a 2nd generation color device, when this should already be the third stage of development.

In any case, the review at Good-e-Reader convinced me and I ordered it straight away, 449€

New Touchscreen Technology Improves Contrast of E Ink Screens

Nova Air C vs Nova 3 Color Comparison

[psbernitz]

Well as far as i underderstand it, the third generation of kaleido will be sometime this year with more improvements, but the onyx is only implementing generation 2, so I will wait for third generation kaleido devices

[kandwo]

I would love to see the On-cell touch technology being used on their BW devices. And preferably without shrinking the battery...

[SleepWithMachine]

Originally Posted by psbernitz

Well as far as i underderstand it, the third generation of kaleido will be sometime this year with more improvements, but the onyx is only implementing generation 2, so I will wait for third generation kaleido devices

Generation 2 and first device with On-Cell touch.

Once Generation 3 ist developed it takes another year before it's available in a device. According to eink.com, Kaleido Plus was developed in early 2021. That would mean for the third generation, about 1,5 years from today before you can hold it in your hands.

In the meantime they are working on generation 4 or 5, so again no reason to buy it

[Marinolino]

E INK Kaleido 3 Color E-paper (8", 10" and 13" panels)

https://goodereader.com/blog/e-paper...-now-available

[IMG][/IMG]