Boox is an interesting company. The China-based E Ink device makersells so many productsthat it’s difficult to figure out what one is right for you. There’s the tiny, phone-likePalma 2, the pricey, stylus-equippedNote Max, and then the more e-reader-like Go series, including the Go Color 7 (and soon, the Go Color 7 Gen II).
Given the Boox Go 7’s 7-inch color screen size and overall design, the $250 tablet is designed to compete directly with e-readers likeKindle’s ColorsoftandKobo’s Libra Color. While I’m still loyal to my Libra Color because I appreciate its single-use simplicity, over the past few weeks I’ve jumped into Boox’s versatile, Android-powered E Ink world.
There are quite a few things I don’t like about the E Ink tablet that I’ll cover in an upcoming story, but it’s also surprised me in a few ways, particularly with regard to how versatile it is.
Boox Go Color 7
Boox’s Palma is a flawed E Ink gadget that helped me stop doomscrolling
The tiny e-reader has several issues, but it helped me overcome one of mine and read more.
Having access to Android apps is more useful than I expected
There’s still just enough friction to prevent me from doomscrolling
I always find it difficult to concentrate on reading longer-form content on my smartphone, tablet, or laptop. The siren song of the never-ending doomscroll or a randomYouTubevideo always calls out to me, and I find myself ditching whatever I’m reading far more quickly than I’d like. This is why I’ve been big on single-use e-readers like the Kobo Libra Colour. Despite their limitations, they keep me focused and, in turn, actually reading.
But after spending a few weeks with Boox’s Go Color 7, I understand the appeal. Throughout the day, I’ll often take down Notes in Google Keep, whether it’s grocery lists, tasks I need to complete, or even Pocket-lint headline or story ideas. Since the Go Color 7 is powered by Android, I can just open upKeepand write down whatever I need to without having to pull out my phone. The experience isn’t exactly smooth, even when you turn up the app’s refresh rate (more on this later), but it works and has me turning to my phone a little less, which I appreciate.
The Boox Go Color 7 is still capable enough for simple tasks like short note-taking or listening to a podcast.
This brings me to my next point. Part of what makes the Boox Go Color 7 work is that you can’t comfortably use it as an E Ink Android tablet (The Verge’s David Piercehad similar thoughts about the Palma). Social media apps are a laggy mess and YouTube videos look awful on the Go Color 7 E Ink display, regardless of how high you turn up the screen’s refresh rate. But a podcast onSpotifyorPocket Casts, or launching Firefox to quickly look something up? Boox’s Go Color 7 can easily handle these tasks if you turn the app refresh rate up.
Maybe you’re tired of typing in your passwords manually and want to install1Passwordon the E Ink tablet, just like you would on a smartphone? you’re able to do that too. There’s just enough friction here to prevent me from diving into apps I don’t want to be using when I’m focused on reading, but the Boox Go Color 7 is still capable enough for simple tasks like short note-taking or listening to a podcast. This means I’m comfortable leaving the house with just Boox’s Go Color 7 if I want to do some phone-free reading at a nearby park.
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Accessing my library of Kobo books was easier than I expected
One of the reasons I’ve never considered switching to a Kindle is because I already have a pretty substantial library of Kobo books. Thankfully, making the jump to Boox’s devices is simple if you’recoming from Kobo land. All I need to do is download the Kobo app from Google’s Play Store and sign into my account (of course, with the help of 1Password), and my library is there. I’m even able to pick-up books where I left off on my Palma 2, or Kobo Libra Color, making the reading experience that much more seamless.
This also makes installing apps likeLibby, which is commonly used by libraries, very easy, alongside Pocket (which youcan also use with a Kobo), Google’s eBookstore,Moon+(which is really popular with Boox users), and more. The fact that the Boox Go Color 7 runs Android opens up app compatibility that’s much wider than e-readers from Kindle and Kobo.
This $1,900 monitor is like using a giant Kindle Colorsoft
Boox has unveiled its new Mira Pro Color E Ink monitor.
I’ve never used a E Ink tablet that’s this customizable
You can really make Boox’s Go 7 your own
With the exception of Kobo’s app for some reason, you can customize exactly what you want the Boox Go Color 7 two side buttons to do. This is something I’ve really appreciated over the past few weeks. On top of that, each app’s refresh rate can be customized.
I’ve quickly learned that the Kobo app doesn’t need a fast refresh rate, but if I’m using Pocket Casts or Firefox, I have to turn up the refresh rate considerably for the app to be usable. To do this, select the three-line settings option beside the refresh button at the bottom of the Go 7’s navigation menu. you’re able to then pick betweenNormal,Speed,A2, andRegal. You can also change other settings like an app’s DPI and color by long-pressing on its icon and selectingOptimize.
Maybe you want to change the system-wide font? You can do that in the settings. Perhaps the standardAndroid System Baris an eye-sore for you. Don’t worry, just make it only appear when you swipe down on the display. You can also change the Home Screen to launch several different options, including your apps or settings. It’s even possible to change how many presses you need to make on the screen before it does a full-system E Ink display refresh (the default is 10).
I’ll have more on Boox’s Go Color 7 soon, including some of the key issues I’ve experienced with the E Ink tablet over the past few weeks.
This device was provided to Pocket-lint by Boox.
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