3 ms·

I've got a Palma 2 and I like it. It replaces the Kindle for me: fits in the pocket, more book apps, actual feed reader and read later apps, good for typing qui

by _23sd 2y ago

I've got a Palma 2 and I like it. It replaces the Kindle for me: fits in the pocket, more book apps, actual feed reader and read later apps, good for typing quick notes and using Anki. You can also use Terminus to ssh to a box in a pinch. I would never think of daily driving it as a phone if it had a modem. The biggest dealbreaker is that streaming music is a pain on e-ink devices: all of the services except Apple Music (which doesn't support 2FA sign in on Android so it's useless to me) are dark mode only, and dark mode is the enemy on e-ink. Another problem is that the camera is pre smartphone level, it's really bad and with e-ink it's harder to see if the focus is good. And of course, it's running an obsolete version of Android and is continuously phoning home to China, so you probably don't want any important data on it. But as an e-reader, I strongly prefer it to the walled garden tablets.

csdvrx 2y ago
> The biggest dealbreaker is that streaming music is a pain on e-ink devices It's funny: I now use my eink device (Moaan) almost exclusively for music, because there's no streaming so I have to curate my playlist. For the light theme, try poweramp or the likes that support themes. > I would never think of daily driving it as a phone if it had a modem I would never had purchased it if it had a modem. I like to disconnect, I don't want to be tempted by apps. > And of course, it's running an obsolete version of Android and is continuously phoning home to China, so you probably don't want any important data on it. I prefer the Mooan because I do not want the google play store on my devices: I can still install apps from F-Droid. e-ink phone sized devices are excellent for a minimalistic experience: without color or a modem, you are less tempted to use apps. I also do not want a camera: I prefer the smoother back both to put a credit card holder there, and have no temptation to take a picture.
- _23sd 2y ago
  The point about playlist curation makes sense, it's a valid way to go about it. Another app that works well on e-ink is Plexamp, which can be used for a NAS-based library as a sort of middle ground. I've been down that road though and concluded that I do prefer streaming, particularly when it comes to keeping up with today's artists who like to do digital releases almost to the exclusion of anything else. >I like to disconnect, I don't want to be tempted by apps. Fair, but I was specifically addressing the people who want a device that fulfills the good/essential functions of a smartphone (messaging apps, GPS, music) with less app temptation. A cell modem is essential for that use case. > temptation to take a picture Hah, not really an issue for me. My friends are always complaining that I go on holiday for 2 weeks and come back with 2 photos. But that would be a consideration for those that have it and for the smooth back (the Palma 2's camera is almost flush but not quite). Depending on where you are in the world, having a camera may count as essential due to prevalence of QR codes. And the Palma 2's camera is so bad it usually can't read one from more than 6 inches away. Just really wanted to emphasize whatever it cost Boox to add a camera was completely wasted.
  - csdvrx 2y ago
    > I've been down that road though and concluded that I do prefer streaming, particularly when it comes to keeping up with today's artists who like to do digital releases almost to the exclusion of anything else. Yes, even with stores like supraphonline.cz I often depend on yt-dl for new songs I wish there was a more direct way to support the work artists I like without being forced to use streaming (which I don't like) > Hah, not really an issue for me. My friends are always complaining that I go on holiday for 2 weeks and come back with 2 photos That's GOOD: it means we live in the moment and we enjoy the experience instead of wasting time and storage to take pictures we'll never look at ever again! > Just really wanted to emphasize whatever it cost Boox to add a camera was completely wasted. I could see a usecase for QR codes or for translation, but if it can't even do that I'd rather have the slick and flush back like on my Mooan

by _23sd 2y ago

csdvrx 2y ago

> The biggest dealbreaker is that streaming music is a pain on e-ink devices It's funny: I now use my eink device (Moaan) almost exclusively for music, because there's no streaming so I have to curate my playlist. For the light theme, try poweramp or the likes that support themes. > I would never think of daily driving it as a phone if it had a modem I would never had purchased it if it had a modem. I like to disconnect, I don't want to be tempted by apps. > And of course, it's running an obsolete version of Android and is continuously phoning home to China, so you probably don't want any important data on it. I prefer the Mooan because I do not want the google play store on my devices: I can still install apps from F-Droid. e-ink phone sized devices are excellent for a minimalistic experience: without color or a modem, you are less tempted to use apps. I also do not want a camera: I prefer the smoother back both to put a credit card holder there, and have no temptation to take a picture.

_23sd 2y ago
The point about playlist curation makes sense, it's a valid way to go about it. Another app that works well on e-ink is Plexamp, which can be used for a NAS-based library as a sort of middle ground. I've been down that road though and concluded that I do prefer streaming, particularly when it comes to keeping up with today's artists who like to do digital releases almost to the exclusion of anything else. >I like to disconnect, I don't want to be tempted by apps. Fair, but I was specifically addressing the people who want a device that fulfills the good/essential functions of a smartphone (messaging apps, GPS, music) with less app temptation. A cell modem is essential for that use case. > temptation to take a picture Hah, not really an issue for me. My friends are always complaining that I go on holiday for 2 weeks and come back with 2 photos. But that would be a consideration for those that have it and for the smooth back (the Palma 2's camera is almost flush but not quite). Depending on where you are in the world, having a camera may count as essential due to prevalence of QR codes. And the Palma 2's camera is so bad it usually can't read one from more than 6 inches away. Just really wanted to emphasize whatever it cost Boox to add a camera was completely wasted.
- csdvrx 2y ago
  > I've been down that road though and concluded that I do prefer streaming, particularly when it comes to keeping up with today's artists who like to do digital releases almost to the exclusion of anything else. Yes, even with stores like supraphonline.cz I often depend on yt-dl for new songs I wish there was a more direct way to support the work artists I like without being forced to use streaming (which I don't like) > Hah, not really an issue for me. My friends are always complaining that I go on holiday for 2 weeks and come back with 2 photos That's GOOD: it means we live in the moment and we enjoy the experience instead of wasting time and storage to take pictures we'll never look at ever again! > Just really wanted to emphasize whatever it cost Boox to add a camera was completely wasted. I could see a usecase for QR codes or for translation, but if it can't even do that I'd rather have the slick and flush back like on my Mooan