Kobo Nia vs Onyx BOOX

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. 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. Kobo introduces $99 e-reader Nia to replace Aura



Rakuten has released a new entry-level e-book reader and it stacks up well against the least expensive Amazon Kindle in several key aspects. The Kobo Nia features a 6-inch screen with a 1024x758 pixel resolution and 212 ppi. It comes with Kobo's ComfortLight technology, allowing you to adjust the brightness of the display as needed. The Nia is quite sleek at 172 grams, with a thickness of 9.2mm around the edges. Inside, it has a 1,000mAh battery that provides "weeks" of reading on a single charge, plus 8GB of storage. Amazon's least expensive Kindle, which is a natural comparison for the Nia, starts at $89.99, but that includes Amazon's "Special Offers" ads; without the ads, the price rises to $109.99. It also has a 6-inch screen, but with a lower 165 ppi resolution and half the storage of the Nia. This makes the Nia a strong contender for anyone seeking an affordable e-reader who doesn’t want to be tied to Amazon's ecosystem.


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.


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. 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.


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.


2016. Onyx Boox Kepler Pro e-Reader is now available



Onyx Boox Kepler Pro is a new e-reader featuring a 6-inch capacitive touchscreen with an e-Ink Carta display. It boasts a resolution of 1442 x 1072 and 300 PPI, which is comparable to most leading e-readers on the market. The front-lit display allows you to read in low-light conditions. The Kepler Pro operates on Android 4.04, enabling you to install your own apps. It’s unclear whether this model includes Google Play. The device also features an SD card slot for up to 32GB of additional storage, along with wireless internet access and Bluetooth. The Onyx Boox Kepler Pro is priced at $232.87.


2016. Onyx Boox released C67ML e-Reader



Onyx Boox has introduced a higher resolution e-reader with the release of the C67ML. This model features an e-Ink Carta 2 display with a resolution of 1148×1072 and 300 PPI and includes a built-in front light. The C6 series is now in its 3rd generation and this is the first Onyx Boox e-reader to utilize the new Carta 2 screen. The device is equipped with a Cortex-A9 dual-core 1GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, 8 GB of internal storage and a MicroSD slot for expanding storage up to 32 GB. It also includes a 3.5 mm headphone jack for listening to audiobooks or music. Running Android 4.2, it allows you to install your own apps. You can buy this e-reader from Banggood for $200 US.


2016. Onyx Boox Just Released 9.7 inch N96 and N96ML e-Readers



Onyx Boox has recently updated their M96 Universe e-reader with two new models, the N96 and N96ML. The main distinction between the devices is that one features dual touch (capacitive + electromagnetic), while the other has an electromagnetic touchscreen and a front light. These e-readers should be attractive to anyone seeking a large-screen device. One of the drawbacks of these models is that they have relatively low resolution and use an older version of e-ink. Despite the resolution, there aren’t many 9.7-inch e-readers available that allow you to install your own apps. This could be beneficial for users with extensive collections of maps, documents, or PDF files.