3 ms·

Interesting - thanks for writing up the differences. For me, lack of android is more of a feature for this kind of device.

codethief 5y ago
Not sure why you're getting downvoted – this is certainly a matter of taste. Why do you consider it a feature, though? Here's why I prefer Android over plain Linux on anything that's not a laptop or desktop computer (or a server): - Much more secure. Every app is running in a sandbox and permissions are clearly defined. (This is a big one! I don't want to have to trust the apps I'm running.) - Data encryption by default - Clearly defined ways for apps to talk to one another (intents etc.), for user data to be separated from app cache etc, for user data to get backed up via Google Backup / Seedvault. Anyone who's trying to do the same on Linux needs to re-invent the wheel here. As Ratta is planning to open up their Supernote platform for 3rd-party apps, this is crucial. - A/B updates – it's hard to break your device - Bluetooth & fingerprint support. I wish the Supernote came with a fingerprint reader but it does allow you to use a bluetooth keyboard (though typing comes with a rather long delay)
- fossuser 5y ago
  Part of the draw for me is a device that does very few things with hardware/software optimized for doing those few things well. In a lot of ways that's the opposite of Android. It doesn't mean that an Android implementation as the base OS has to be bad, but it requires extra effort to constrain it to be good. I've also had performance issues with Android in the past, but maybe that's better now.
eloisant 5y ago
It's important to note that unlike the Onyx Boox that exposes the Play Store, the Supernote is only using Android under the hood, it's not visible. It's still an experience controlled by Supernote. That why they could preinstall the Kindle app, however they don't let you install apps and have a bad experience in the Play Store, bad experience with apps that work but are clunky on an e-ink display...

codethief 5y ago

Not sure why you're getting downvoted – this is certainly a matter of taste. Why do you consider it a feature, though? Here's why I prefer Android over plain Linux on anything that's not a laptop or desktop computer (or a server): - Much more secure. Every app is running in a sandbox and permissions are clearly defined. (This is a big one! I don't want to have to trust the apps I'm running.) - Data encryption by default - Clearly defined ways for apps to talk to one another (intents etc.), for user data to be separated from app cache etc, for user data to get backed up via Google Backup / Seedvault. Anyone who's trying to do the same on Linux needs to re-invent the wheel here. As Ratta is planning to open up their Supernote platform for 3rd-party apps, this is crucial. - A/B updates – it's hard to break your device - Bluetooth & fingerprint support. I wish the Supernote came with a fingerprint reader but it does allow you to use a bluetooth keyboard (though typing comes with a rather long delay)

fossuser 5y ago
Part of the draw for me is a device that does very few things with hardware/software optimized for doing those few things well. In a lot of ways that's the opposite of Android. It doesn't mean that an Android implementation as the base OS has to be bad, but it requires extra effort to constrain it to be good. I've also had performance issues with Android in the past, but maybe that's better now.

eloisant 5y ago

It's important to note that unlike the Onyx Boox that exposes the Play Store, the Supernote is only using Android under the hood, it's not visible. It's still an experience controlled by Supernote. That why they could preinstall the Kindle app, however they don't let you install apps and have a bad experience in the Play Store, bad experience with apps that work but are clunky on an e-ink display...