Kindle Paperwhite vs Onyx BOOX

2023. Kindle Paperwhite gets new Kindle Scribe features



Amazon has rolled out a fresh firmware update, labeled as version 5.16.2.1, for the 7th generation Kindle, 11th generation Kindle Paperwhite and the Signature edition. To obtain and install the update, users can navigate to the settings menu and check for available updates. In case the update is not yet accessible in a particular region, it is expected to be released within the next few weeks. The update incorporates a range of Kindle Scribe features, including drawing, notebook management and sticky notes. However, these features are presently disabled and non-functional. This deliberate decision by Amazon enables them to maintain a unified code base for both their e-readers and the Kindle Scribe. Consequently, whenever an update is released for one model, it can be applied to all of them simultaneously.


2023. Amazon releases new colors and covers for the Kindle Paperwhite



Amazon has just introduced two new colors for the Kindle Paperwhite: Denim and Agave Green. These new shades will be available for both the 16GB Kindle Paperwhite and the 32GB Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. Alongside the new color options, Amazon is also launching an Agave Green leather and fabric cover to complement the Agave Green device. You might remember that Amazon unveiled a 16GB Kindle Paperwhite — in addition to the existing 8GB version — last fall, providing customers with the option of more storage so they can carry even more books while on the go. Building on this, the Kindle team aimed to add some vibrant colors to a customer favorite.


2022. Kindle Paperwhite is now available with 16GB of storage



Amazon has introduced the option to get a standard Kindle Paperwhite with 16GB of storage, available with or without advertisements. Priced at $149, the 16GB Kindle Paperwhite costs $10 more than the 8GB model. Amazon has previously increased storage on Kindles without raising the price, so this seems like a tactic to charge an additional $10 for a Paperwhite with extra storage that most users might not require. Interestingly, the new basic Kindle, now featuring 16GB of storage, is priced at just $99. It appears somewhat absurd for Amazon to offer a “upgraded” Paperwhite model with only 8GB of storage for $139, making the addition of a 16GB option more understandable.


2022. Boox Tab8 tablet with improved E Ink display launched



Boox is introducing a new 8-inch reading tablet, the Boox Tab 8. This tablet features a 7.8-inch 300PPI E Ink screen with a resolution of 1872 × 1404. Boox states that the Tab 8 offers a light transmittance of 93 percent, representing a 30 percent enhancement. Luminous uniformity has increased by 13 percent and touch sensitivity has also seen a 30 percent improvement. Additionally, the device supports both cold and warm light, which is adjustable by the user. The company claims that these advancements result in the Tab 8 having the best display quality among all devices with an E Ink screen. The included stylus has a latency of just 24.17ms, with a 30 percent reduction in response delay. The screen layout has been redesigned to position the pen 25 percent closer to the ink and the display overall is 50 percent thinner. Boox asserts that these upgrades contribute to a more realistic writing experience.


2021. Onyx Boox refreshed 3 its Android eReaders



Onyx introduced three new enhanced Boox models: the 13.3-inch Max Lumi2 and the 10.3-inch Note5 and Note Air2 models, all featuring Android 11 and some new software capabilities. The new models come with minor hardware improvements, including increased RAM and storage and now utilize a faster and more efficient processor. They also include a couple of new and refined stylus pens and have upgraded the magnet that secures the stylus along the side. Additionally, the device now features a new type of pre-installed writing film to enhance the feel of the screen, similar to the Nova Air released a few months ago. Onyx’s previous generation models are expected to receive the 3.2 update in November. While they usually incorporate most of the new software features, they rarely update Android versions, so don’t anticipate any of the older models getting Android 11.


2021. Amazon launches Kindle Paperwhite for kids



Amazon has introduced the Kindle Paperwhite Kids. It is essentially the same as the standard Kindle Paperwhite but with software enhancements designed to make it more suitable for children. A significant advantage of the latest generation Kindle Paperwhite Kids is its IPx8 rating, which Amazon claims makes the new Paperwhite resistant to accidental water exposure—an important feature for a device intended for kids. The e-reader also includes Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise, which can be useful tools for children to improve their English language skills. Additionally, it supports the Open Dyslexic font, which is preferred by many individuals with dyslexia. The Paperwhite Kids comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, providing access to over a thousand eBooks and Audible audiobooks for children.


2021. Onyx Boox 3.1 update brings screen recording function



Onyx Boox has just released a significant new update for their previous generation e-readers and digital note-taking devices. It is being distributed via Wi-Fi when you navigate to the settings menu and check for new firmware. The update includes several notable features such as the ability to record what is displayed on the screen, new gesture controls and a complete overhaul of the eBook software, along with enhanced drawing tools. Specifically, the update introduces screen recording capabilities (each recording can last up to 2 hours), storage categories (a total of 10 categories), customizable system contrast, location information (some apps may only function with authorized location data; the location feature is off by default) and an option to always enable Bluetooth on device startup (Settings / Power).


2021. Onyx Boox adds screen recording function



Onyx Boox has just rolled out the new 3.1 firmware update for its e-readers Nova 3, Poke 3, Note 3, Note Air and Max Lumi. It introduces a range of new features, including a screen recording function that allows you to capture up to 2 hours of activity. You can also wirelessly share notes, images and files with smartphones and tablets. There are numerous other enhancements that are likely to impress. In the NeoReader, there is expanded support for EPUB, particularly for image files. You can long-press words to look them up in various dictionaries and add links in eBooks to internal documents or external websites. On the note-taking side, there are additional shapes, lines and border styles, along with the capability to record audio notes.


2020. Amazon issues new update for Kindle Paperwhite 3



Amazon has finally upgraded the Kindle Paperwhite 3 with all the new features it previously lacked. The model hadn't received a firmware update since December and was widely rumored to be discontinued. One of the new enhancements is an improved search experience, making it easier to navigate your search results within the book without losing your place. To use it, simply search for a term in your book and tap on a search result. They have also refreshed the Page Flip feature, which now displays recently read pages as dots on the progress bar, including your most recent page read from another device. If you have a FreeTime Unlimited subscription, children will see a new layout, enhanced search, book details and Audible support. In supported regions, kids with access to Amazon FreeTime Unlimited will see rows of recommended eBook and Audible content that are suitable for their age.


2020. Amazon has ended support for the Kindle Paperwhite 3



Amazon has discontinued support for the Kindle Paperwhite 3 and the e-reader will not receive any further firmware updates. The only exception would be if Amazon updates their Kindle Whispersync program and Kindle Store with a new version of TLS. The 7th generation Kindle Paperwhite 3 was one of Amazon’s most successful e-readers. It was released in 2015 and was heavily promoted for four years before being succeeded by the Kindle Paperwhite 4 in late 2018. The last firmware update for the PP3 was in 2019 and it is currently running version 5.12.2, while all the other modern Kindles are on version 5.13.1.


2020. You can now delete Kindle Books directly from Kindle



Until now, the only way to delete an ebook from your Kindle e-reader was to log in to your account via the Amazon website and remove the book there. With the 5.12.5 firmware update, you can now completely delete an ebook from your entire Amazon account directly on the Kindle. Simply go to My Library, find the title you want to remove and press and hold the cover art for two seconds. This will prompt a confirmation window asking you to confirm the deletion process. Once the removal is complete, the book will be entirely gone from your Amazon account and the title will no longer appear in the cloud section. If you accidentally delete the wrong book, you will need to purchase it again.


2020. Kindle ereaders get new font menu system



Amazon has released a new firmware update (5.12.4) with a revamped Aa menu for all recent Kindles. It provides users with increased flexibility and control over their reading experience. Essentially, Amazon has reorganized the menu and combined some of the additional settings into one section, eliminating the need to navigate through various menus or sub-menus. When you access the Aa menu on the Kindle now, you'll find several sections: Themes, Font, Layout and more. The first section, called Themes, allows you to create custom themes or choose from several presets like Standard, Compact and Large. The Font menu includes a dropdown for selecting fonts, with slider bars to adjust the font's boldness or size. With fewer font options on the screen, more text is visible in the book you're reading, which helps you see how the font settings look as you adjust them.


2020. Onyx unveiled E-Ink smartphone


Onyx Boox will be launching a new E INK smartphone—Onyx Boox Phone—later this year. It’s an Android device with access to the Google Play Store, featuring a 5.8-inch E Ink Carta HD display with 300 PPI. The phone includes a front-lit screen and a color temperature adjustment system. Inside, it has an octa-core processor, though the specifics of RAM and internal storage are not yet known. It features a USB-C port and a fingerprint sensor for security. The phone is equipped with dual microphones for enhanced call quality, a dual camera system on the back and two speakers for playing music, audiobooks, or podcasts. It will support WiFi, 4G/LTE and Bluetooth connectivity.


2020. Onyx Boox now allows to edit ebooks



Onyx Boox has just released a new firmware update for the MAX 2, MAX2 Pro, Note Pro, Note Lite, Note Plus, Note S, Nova Pro, Nova and Poke Pro. This update allows users to annotate ebooks in Mobi, PDF, HTML, TXT, Epub, Docx, AZW3 and RTF formats. Onyx is essentially treating ebooks like PDF files, enabling users to make underlines and add notes. Other new features include the option to revert the Note toolbars to the previous version with a toolbar on the left side, which does not obstruct the writing area; long-pressing on app icons for optimization is now available again; and protected files now require a password for deletion, renaming, or other file operations.


2019. Amazon heavily discounts the Kindle Paperwhite 4



Amazon has recently reduced the price of the Kindle Paperwhite 4 by $30. You can buy the basic 8GB model for $99 and the 32GB Wi-Fi version for $129. If you're looking for an e-reader with 4G/LTE connectivity, Amazon has slashed the price of this variant by $40, making it available for $209. This offer is exclusively for US customers. The Kindle Paperwhite 4 is water-resistant and features access to the Audible audiobook store. You can listen to audiobooks using wireless headphones or a portable speaker. The display is completely flush with the bezel, making it easier to turn pages using swipes and gestures.


2018. Onyx updated UI on all its e-readers


Onyx has launched firmware 2.0 for its e-reading devices. This significant upgrade introduces a range of new features, including a revamped UI, a new bookstore, a 30% increase in PDF file opening speed, improved two-page spread management, handwriting search and editing, Bluetooth keyboard input for notes and enhanced app management and optimization. Additionally, there are new stylus functionalities, such as the ability to select, move, rotate, duplicate, resize and delete handwritten notes and drawings. A new recognition feature has also been added, allowing users to search through their handwritten notes.


2018. The new Kindle Paperwhite is thinner and waterproof



Kindle Paperwhite has received several upgrades that will provide users with a more premium experience while maintaining the device’s starting price at $130. Waterproofing is the most notable among the upgrades. The reader features an IPX8 rating, meaning it can be submerged in two meters of water for up to an hour. Like the Oasis before it, this model has a flush front, unlike the raised bezels found on older, less expensive models. This design change gives the device a more premium feel and should help prevent water from penetrating its circuits. It also contributes to making this the thinnest and lightest Paperwhite yet. Another significant update is the increase from four LEDs to five. While it may seem minor, this enhancement helps maintain more uniform front lighting across the board, compared to the more uneven lighting of previous models.


2018. Onyx Boox Note+ features scratch resistant screen



Onyx Boox has launched a new e-reader called the Boox Note+. It features a 10.3-inch e-reader with a flexible E-ink Carta display and includes a glass-based layer for scratch resistance, as well as an electromagnetic handwriting (WACOM electromagnetic) layer for stylus support. Some users prefer taking notes on a glass-based screen because it resists scratches, allowing for more pressure with the stylus. It operates on Android 6.0 and a forthcoming firmware update will address the Google Play issue that affected other models. The Note+ will be $30 more expensive than the original Note, which is a worthwhile upgrade if you desire a flush screen and bezel, along with a glass-based display. It is currently available on the Onyx site in China, with no information yet on an international release.


2018. Kindle adds new search features



Amazon has rolled out a new firmware update for all Kindles released in the past five years. The in-book search now includes results from your notes and highlights and a clock is now displayed at the top of the screen while you’re reading. You can turn it off in the settings menu. Update 5.9.4 should be distributed to all Kindles in the next few days and will automatically install when the device is in sleep mode. You will likely see a restart the next time you use it, along with a notification window that informs you of the new updates.


2017. Onyx created Boox Typerwriter



Onyx unveiled its new product for writers - the Boox Typewriter, which is a two-in-one laptop featuring an E Ink display. It has a removable keyboard and supports a stylus, allowing for note-taking and highlighting when used in tablet mode. The Onyx Typewriter may not be released, as the company is gauging interest in this type of device. It includes a 9.7-inch capacitive touchscreen display, runs Android and offers Bluetooth and wireless internet connectivity. It boasts 25 days of battery life during use and about 50 days in standby mode. It appears that Onyx is aiming to compete with the Freewrite and other E Ink-enabled typewriters.