Let’s be honest, the tech world needs less “seamless connectivity” and a lot more common sense. This Boox announcement – a color e-note with 5G – deserves a hefty dose of playful skepticism, and let’s do it with a generous sprinkling of digital salt.

The core argument here is essentially, “We’re adding 5G to a paperless device. It’s… revolutionary?” It’s a wonderfully optimistic premise, immediately undermined by the reality of, you know, e-ink. Let’s unpack this.

The first major claim is “seamless connectivity” via a folio keyboard. “Seamless” is a remarkably vague term, isn’t it? What does it *actually* mean? Does it mean it magically syncs your notes across all your devices without a single tap? Does it mean the keyboard has some kind of quantum entanglement that allows instant data transfer? Because frankly, that’s the kind of “seamless” I’m after. The reality is, we’re talking about connecting a tablet to a keyboard. A very nice keyboard, granted, but still a keyboard. Connecting a device designed for reading and writing to the internet adds complexity and, quite frankly, reduces the core value proposition of an e-note: the ability to quietly, without digital distractions, capture ideas. It’s like adding a turbocharger to a bicycle – technically faster, but utterly unnecessary.

Then there’s the “upgraded pen stylus.” Let’s be clear: an e-ink device’s primary function is still reading. A pen stylus is a nice addition, improving the experience for note-taking. But “upgraded?” What’s upgraded? Is it now capable of drawing tiny, perfectly formed kittens? The improvements must be significant to warrant such fanfare. I imagine the biggest upgrade is probably that it now has a slightly more sensitive tip. We’re talking about micro-adjustments here.

And let’s not forget the Android 15 upgrade. Now, Android on an e-ink device is… a choice. It’s like putting a hyperactive puppy in a library. The potential is there for a fully-fledged mobile workstation, but the inherent limitations of the e-ink display – refresh rates, power consumption – make it a perpetually frustrating experience. Android, by its very nature, is designed for constant interaction, for notifications, for a barrage of distractions. Cramming it onto an e-ink screen is a recipe for eye strain and a deep, existential yearning for a traditional notebook. Android 15 is a clever addition, but it’s fundamentally misaligned with the purpose of an e-note.

Finally, there’s the “pocket-friendly” device. “Pocket-friendly” relative to what? A brick? Let’s be realistic. Even with the “pocket-friendly” designation, this 5G e-ink device is going to be bulky. It’s going to be heavier than most smartphones. You’ll be carrying around a slightly larger tablet just to scribble notes.

The implication here is that we need 5G connectivity to take notes. This is a fascinating concept. The only thing it’s actually improving is the time it takes to upload a photo of your notes to social media.

In conclusion, Boox has created a device that’s a bit of a misstep, a beautiful, expensive distraction. Let’s hope the next iteration focuses on enhancing the core value: quiet, distraction-free note-taking—not on adding layers of unnecessary technology. Perhaps they should consider adding a mute button.