E-readers such as Amazon’s Kindle range or from rival Kobo let you buy, download and read e-books, but they are devices that largely run on Wi-Fi and are designed simply to act like a book most of the time.That means they are firmly in the camp of single-purpose devices, purposefully limited in their functionality to only be for reading, and hence less distracting.Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Read more: Amazon confirms the ultimate Kindle upgrade, just do not look at its UK price Read more: The new Kobo isn’t all-new, but it’s still a compelling Kindle alternative But if you love your E Ink e-reader and do want it to be able to do more, there’s a new gadget from Chinese manufacturer Onyx that could be for you.The firm has just announced (via Chinese social site Weibo) the Boox P6 Pro, a smartphone-sized E Ink device running Android.Unlike older versions the company has produced, this model has a SIM card slot and full 5G support, so you’ll be able to use it on cellular networks and away from Wi-Fi.This means the P6 Pro might be able to be used akin to a regular smartphone to make calls and use data service for apps, but remain primarily an e-reader.
Onyx has announced a monochrome and a colour version, which for now are only for the Chinese market.Fans of e-readers could well flock to a device like this that offers the functionality and comfortable reading experience of E Ink but with the ability to use messaging apps to keep in touch while on the go.If it could be used as a phone, it could replace a regular smartphone entirely.Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTPromotional videos for the P6 Pro show it being used as a phone, but it’s unclear if this is through data-first apps such as WhatsApp or whether the device has a native phone app.The Boox P6 Pro the sequel to the Boox Palma and Boox Palma 2, the latter of which I reviewed last year.
I loved the versatility of the Android platform allowing me to carry around the Kindle and Kobo apps, as well as other apps for reading.But as it ran Android, I could have put messaging and social media app on it too, but only use them on Wi-Fi.Given the popularity of e-readers it’s a little surprising that hardly any E Ink smartphones exist.Another little-known company Bigme makes an E Ink phone called the HiBreak Pro, and TCL has some phones that uses its matte NXTPAPER tech.For now, the P6 Pro has only launched in China.
Both versions have a 16MP camera that looks like it is mostly for scanning documents, an SD card slot for memory expansion past the 128GB built in, 8GB RAM, Bluetooth 5 and 3,950mAh batteries.It even has stylus support.The New Kindle Voyage – Passionately Crafted for Readers The colour version has a Kaleido 3 colour E Ink screen similar to the one seen on the Kobo Libra Colour.Even if the devices don’t have a phone app, they could be used as mobile communications devices with access to every other app., Unfortunately they run Android 13, an ageing version of Android.I wouldn’t expect any updates to newer versions, though Onyx has done well to send feature updates and bug fixes to the Palma 2 I’ve tested.The P6 Pro will sell for CNY 2,516 (£265) while the colour version is CNY 2,991 (£315).
Fingers crossed Onyx announces international availability soon, as this is a gadget I’d be very interested to test out.Read next SUBSCRIBE Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you.This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding.
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