In the category of e-readers, which are also digital note-taking tools (or digital notepads), Bigme offers machines that push the technical boundaries ever further. But haven’t they gone too far this time?

Bigme inkNoteX Color: presentation

Bigme is an Asian brand offering e-readers and digital notebooks that compete with the Kindle Scribe, the Kobo Elipsa 2E and the ReMarkable 2.

The Bigme inkNoteX Color features a large, 10.3-inch color screen using Kaleido 3 technology. It is sold with a stylus and offers most of the options and functions found in this style of e-reader/tablet.

Bigme also highlights the presence of a fast 2.4 Ghz octa-core processor and features to optimize the user experience when it comes to the color screen:

• Bigme xRapid technology: minimizes ghosting, an unpleasant blurring effect that can occur during fast scrolling. A mode designed for sharper, more responsive display (better screen refresh).
• Bigme xColor color management algorithm: improves image clarity, color richness, contrast, brightness and black depth. A mode designed for games, videos and photos.

In addition, the Bigme inkNoteX Color uses 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.

All this is managed by the Android 13 system, allowing new applications to be added.

Bigme inkNoteX Color : technical specifications

Here is a summary of the technical specifications of this machine:

• Screen: 10.3 inch color, E Ink Kaleido 3
• Resolution: Black & White: 300 PPI, Color: 150 PPI
• Front lighting: 36 levels of warm and cool light
• Blue light reduction
• Processor: octa-core 2.4 GHz ARM
• Random Access Memory (RAM): 6 GB
• Storage: 128 GB (expandable up to 1 TB with external memory card)
• Battery: 4000 mAh
• Operating system: Android 13 (third-party applications can be installed)
• Stylus: 4096 pressure levels
• Additional features: infrared pointer, voice remote control
• Microphone and speakers
• Front cameras: 5 MP, rear: 8 MP
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB Type-C port
• Security: fingerprint sensor integrated into power button

Bigme inkNoteX Color: too high a price?

This Bigme inkNoteX Color is priced at just under $800.

It’s a very high price, but one that reflects the technical specifications fairly well. In addition to the usual tablet components, it’s the large 10.3" Kaleido 3 screen that pushes up the price.

So the question arises: is it worth investing in a machine costing around $800, with a color screen that’s not as good as a tablet costing half that?

For the record, you can find a good Android tablet from a major brand like Samsung for this price, and even an iPad Mini.

As far as ebook reading functions are concerned, this Bigme inkNoteX Color offers everything you need, including the addition of new reading applications.

But its size makes it a machine that’s best suited to the home or office.

So, as far as I’m concerned, it’s not a reading machine, but a touch-screen tablet with a color e-ink screen.

In my opinion, machines of this type, which have the advantage of an e-ink screen, shouldn’t cost more than $100 than their equivalent with a conventional OLED or LCD screen.

The site (but this e-reader is not yet available): https://bigmestore.com/

If you have a Kobo e-reader and would like to know the model and serial number, here’s how to find out.

Note that this article only concerns Kobo e-readers, and that you can find the equivalent article for Kindle e-readers here.

Why do you need to know which Kobo e-reader model you have and what its serial number is?

For the model (or version), it’s important to find out about its various features, whether you want to buy an accessory (a protective case or a charger) and its age (how long it’s been available).

It’s also important to find out the exact model name of the e-reader if you want to buy second-hand, to make sure you’re being sold the right model.

As far as the serial number of your Kobo e-reader is concerned, its main use is with the free Calibre software, which allows you to remove DRM from Kobo ebooks.

You’ll find a full tutorial on this page.

Here’s how to find the exact model name of your Kobo e-reader:

More > Settings: you’ll find the name of your e-reader at the bottom

Here’s how to find the serial number of your Kobo e-reader:

More > Settings > Device information

And screenshots to help you navigate your e-reader (on a Kobo Libra 2 e-reader, but it is almost the same on other Kobo devices):

A new rumor has just emerged, suggesting that Kobo will be introducing color e-readers in 2024. But is it realistic?

UPDATE (5 april 2024): it is a Kobo Libra Colour e-reader!

As you know, Kobo will be renewing most of its e-readers this year. In any case, three new Kobo machines are expected for 2024, giving the range a fresh new look. Check the last news if you want to know more about it.

For a few days now, information has been circulating on the Internet about Kobo e-readers with color screens.

This follows the erroneous posting of product sheets for Kobo devices on a partner site and distributor of Rakuten products (Kobo’s parent company).

The devices put online are called Kobo Clara Color and Kobo Libra Color.

This means that Kobo is about to announce two color readers: a Kobo Clara and a Kobo Libra, both with color e ink screens.

What bothers me, however, is that the price remains the same as that of e-readers with black-and-white e-ink screens. So these two new e-readers wouldn’t cost any more, even though color screens are considerably more expensive to produce.

Clearly, this is unreliable information. We know that color screens are expensive, and that they are not yet produced on a large scale.

It seems unlikely to me that Kobo would release two color e-reader models at the same time at an unbeatable price. Color e-readers are mainly high-end models, like the Pocketbook InkPad Color 3, produced in small numbers and aimed at demanding readers.

As much as the prospect of a Kindle color e-reader in 2025 seems fairly certain to me, this one for Kobo seems rather unrealistic.

Note that the photo of the Kobo Libra Color e-reader is a photomontage and not a photo of a real Kobo e-reader.

If you have a Kindle e-reader you may need to know which version you have, or its serial number. This short tutorial will show you how to find out.

Note that this article only concerns Kindle e-readers, and that you can find the equivalent article for Kobo e-readers here.

There are several reasons why it’s worth knowing the version of your Kindle e-reader.

The first is if you want to buy an accessory compatible with your e-reader (charging cable, protective case, screen protector).

The second is if you want to buy a used Kindle e-reader and want to know the exact model of the e-reader you’re going to buy.

The main purpose of the Kindle serial number is to enable you to remove DRM from your ebooks using Calibre software.

To find your Kindle version and serial number, go to :

Settings > Device options > Device info

Here are screen shots of my Kindle Paperwhite if you want to follow along:

Why do we read? Why do we read more? What are the advantages of reading, and what benefits does reading have for us? Here are some answers in this article.

Unlike other forms of entertainment, reading has many advantages.

When I read, I always feel a certain sense of well-being that sometimes continues for hours after a long reading session. So I looked into why and came across a lot of information on the subject that I wanted to share with you.

The first is well known: it’s an affordable pastime. Books are inexpensive and easy to borrow from friends and family, or from the library. You can even read for free (download ebooks).

With an average price of around $10, a book that will take 6 to 10 hours to read also offers a good entertainment/price ratio.

But it’s not the economic aspect of the thing that’s interesting, but the effects of reading on our bodies and, more broadly, on our lives:

1. reading allows you to deepen your knowledge
2. reading makes you more open-minded
3. reading helps us better understand the world around us
4. reading allows you to share and exchange with other readers
5. reading helps you understand yourself better
6. reading gives pleasure
7. reading helps you succeed in your professional life
8. reading helps you live longer (reading 30 minutes a day can add 2 years to your life)
9. reading reduces stress
10. reading lowers your heart rate
11. reading helps you earn more money (or more precisely: people who read a lot earn more on average than those who read less)
12. reading increases memory
13. reading reduces the risk of dementia
14. reading improves communication
15. reading improves concentration
16. reading develops analytical skills
17. reading increases empathy

Of course, this list is far from exhaustive. More and more studies are being carried out on the subject, and science is discovering new things every day.

I invite you to share my article with your friends and family, as fewer and fewer of us read, so spreading the word can’t hurt.

E Ink, the company that produces e-ink displays, has just surprised everyone: after announcing a new generation of Kaleido 3 color displays, they’re working on a brand new color technology with Gallery 3.

Gallery 3 is the trade name for the Advanced Color E-Paper (ACEP) color display technology.

It will therefore be possible to display 50,000 different colors on screens with resolutions starting at 8 inches. This new technology should nevertheless be suitable for smaller diagonal readers (we’re thinking of 6" to 7" machines, of course).

Unlike Kaleido’s e-ink color screen technology, Gallery 3 offers brighter colors and better resolution. Unfortunately, this screen is slower to refresh.

In practice, it takes 350 ms to refresh a screen with black and white. For color, the situation is much worse, and there are 3 options here:

• A "fast" mode that refreshes a screen with color in 0.5 seconds
• A "standard" mode that refreshes in 0.75 seconds
• A "best colors" mode that refreshes in 1.5 seconds

In practical terms, this means that the Gallery 3 screen will take more than a second to refresh a page with the best color setting.

If you settle for a fast half-second refresh, you’ll get blander, less vibrant colors.

It remains to be seen whether future e-readers featuring this screen will be able to integrate software enabling us to choose the screen refresh mode, or whether the manufacturer will take care of this (and therefore the user won’t be able to change it).

In addition to this technical information, E Ink has announced that these new Gallery 3 color screens will be compatible with Wacom’s touch technologies (to have a touch screen) and with its own ComfortGaze lighting system, which reduces the effects of blue light during reading.

From the few visuals we have, it seems clear that this type of color screen is a clear plus over Kaleido screens.

However, it’s clear that the display of these screens will be very slow for the time being (so count on a good second to fully refresh the screen while displaying colors).

This is a major limitation, and it’s easy to see why the company is continuing to develop Kaleido color displays: they refresh much faster.

While we’ll have to wait and see before drawing any conclusions, it also seems that the Gallery 3 screen offers twice the color resolution of the Kaleido 3 screens (300 PPP for Gallery 3 vs. 150 PPP for Kaleido 3.

If this is indeed the case, Gallery 3 screens could finally make it possible to read comics comfortably on a e-reader, provided the diagonal is at least 10 inches.

Even if the screen takes a second to refresh a page, if the reading experience is as close to paper as E Ink claims, this could be a real revolution for digital reading.

If all goes well, we should soon have new images and videos to tell us more.

People are drawn to minimalism for a variety of reasons, often seeking a more intentional and fulfilling life. But what do minimalists do with books?

Not reading is out of the question, because reading has many benefits. The question of paper books still arises when you want to reduce your possessions.

First of all, let’s start with a few definitions.

Why anyone would want to become a minimalist?

People are drawn to minimalism for a variety of reasons:

Reduced stress and anxiety: Clutter, both physical and mental, can contribute to feelings of stress and overwhelm. Minimalism encourages decluttering physical possessions, leading to a calmer and more organized living space. This can have a positive impact on mental clarity and reduce overall stress levels.

Greater freedom and time: Owning less means spending less time cleaning, organizing, and maintaining possessions. This frees up valuable time and energy that can be used for more fulfilling activities, hobbies, and relationships. Minimalism also often translates to simpler routines, allowing for more flexibility and spontaneity.

Financial benefits: By focusing on needs over wants and reducing impulse buying, minimalism can lead to significant financial savings. This can free up resources for things that truly matter, such as experiences, travel, or supporting causes you care about.

Environmental concerns: Minimalism promotes mindful consumption and reducing waste. This aligns with environmental consciousness, as it encourages people to buy less, use what they have responsibly, and extend the lifespan of their belongings.

Intentionality and focus: Minimalism encourages living with intention, surrounding yourself with things that truly serve a purpose and bring you joy. This can lead to a greater sense of focus and clarity in life, allowing you to prioritize what matters most.

Personal fulfillment: Ultimately, minimalism is a personal journey towards a more fulfilling life. It’s not just about owning less, but about living more intentionally and finding joy in experiences and relationships rather than material possessions.

If you want to know more about minimalism, you can read this good blog.

What do minimalists do with books?

While the advantages of reading are undeniable, the desire to declutter can make holding onto physical books a tough call.

Here are some common strategies if you want to become a minimalist:

Curating a physical book collection

• Keep only books that hold significant value: This could be due to sentimental attachment, reference value, or being a personal favorite they plan to reread.
• Limit the number of books kept: This is a personal decision, but minimalists often have much smaller collections compared to the average person.
• Prioritize high-quality editions: If keeping physical books, minimalists might prioritize well-made, durable editions that they appreciate aesthetically as well.
• Selective buying and selling: Minimalists might only buy new books they are highly committed to reading and sell or donate books they’ve finished or no longer need.
• Utilizing libraries: Borrowing books from the library is a great way to access a vast selection without adding to personal possessions.

Embracing ebooks and e-readers

E-readers allow minimalists to carry a large library with them without physical clutter. They can also borrow ebooks from libraries.

Benefits of e-readers for minimalists

Here are the pros of using a e-reader when you’re a minimalist:

• Reduced physical clutter: Replacing physical books with an e-reader significantly reduces physical clutter in your home. This can lead to a more organized and peaceful living space, which is a key aspect of minimalism.
• Increased portability: E-readers are lightweight and compact, allowing you to carry a vast library of books with you wherever you go. This eliminates the need to choose between bringing your favorite book and saving space in your bag.
• Environmentally friendly: While the production of e-readers does have an environmental impact, studies suggest that over their lifetime, they can be more eco-friendly than printed books, especially when considering factors like paper production, transportation, and potential for book waste.

Concerns of e-readers for minimalists

Here are the cons:

• The "feel" of physical books: Some readers value the tactile experience of holding a physical book and turning its pages. You can’t have the same feeling with an e-reader.
• Eye strain: If you use an e-reader with a light, some people can have eye strain from prolonged e-reader use. If it is your case, you should adjust screen brightness, using nighttime mode, and taking breaks every two or three hours.

Which e-reader should I buy as a minimalist?

On the site, you’ll find a wealth of information about e-readers to help you find the one that’s right for you:

• Guide to the best current e-readers
• Discounts on e-readers
• Reviews of the latest e-readers

After 16 years online, Feedbooks will soon be closing its doors. It will be replaced by Cantook, a brand new online library to be launched in April 2024.

This new Cantook platform will only be available in the following countries: France, Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Therefore, it may not be available in the country registered in your customer account.

And out of luck, the new service is not available in the USA!

Since Feedbooks is going to close, it’s very important to get your books back on the platform before March 15, 2024, to save them before they disappear!

Why is it important to download your books locally?

As Feedbooks closes its doors and Cantook will only be available in a limited number of countries, it’s crucial to download your books locally to maintain permanent access to your ebooks.

Once downloaded, you’ll be able to read them offline, without depending on an internet connection or the availability of the platform.

Here’s how to download your books from Feedbooks:

• Log in to your Feedbooks account.
• Access your library.
• Select the book you wish to download.
• Click on the "Download" button.
• Save the file to your device (computer, tablet, e-reader).

You’ll need to do this quickly, before March 15!

After a fairly quiet year for Amazon and its Kindle e-readers, we can expect some new e-readers in the coming months, including the hypothetical arrival of a (long-awaited) color Kindle e-reader.

Writing a news story about a rumor is always difficult, but writing a news story about a rumor concerning both the Kindle e-reader range and color e-ink screens is virtually impossible.

And yet, that's what I'm trying to do here 🙂

The facts

So, it all starts with a piece of information given by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo a few month ago. Ming-Chi Kuo is a trusted reference for all consumer electronics news.

So, he has published that one or more color Kindle e-readers are expected from Amazon in the next fex months.

Manufacturing of these e-readers will start in 2024, for commercial release either in 2024 (Christmas) or early 2025.

He also indicated that these readers will probably not use Kaleido technology, but rather E Ink ACeP technology (i.e. Gallery 3), which provides colors that are better suited to Amazon's intended use.

All this, then, is just a statement from a source described as "reliable", but which may be wrong.

I think that a Kindle with a Kaleido 3 is a safe bet, because both Kobo and Pocketbooks brands have released such e-readers in the last weeks. So I doubt that the new Kindle e-reader will have a Gallery 3 screen.

What we really know about the Kindle Color (the safe and the very safe)

Picture: this is a photomontage of a Kindle color e-reader

Now I'll try to explain what we really know.

First of all, we know that Amazon doesn't know what to do with its most expensive e-reader, the Kindle Oasis, which has more or less been cancelled (at least in the USA, but I've probably jumped the gun a bit).

Next, we know that color screens are much more affordable now with the release of the Kobo Clara Colour and Kobo Libra Colour e-readers.

So a Kindle Paperwhite e-reader with a Kaleido 3 color screen would cost about $180, wich is not to bad!

But a simple 6-inch color Kindle would be sold for around $140 – $150 – which still makes it an affordable e-reader, given the technology involved.

What we also know is that Amazon has been investing heavily in color screens for years, and rumors of a color e-reader crop up regularly. Amazon even bought a color screen technology called Liquavista, without success.

It's clear, then, that they're interested in this subject and are actively working to bring out a Kindle e-reader with a color screen, especially as some of the software has been ready for years, such as the Kindle in Motion animated books.

Finally, we know that Amazon has made no announcement about the release of a color Kindle (at the time of writing).

Will Amazon release a color Kindle e-reader?

Here are my predictions on the subject.

First of all, I think we'll obviously see a color Kindle e-reader in the years to come. Kobo has released new color e-readers this year, so Kindle need to compete in this market.

I also think that Amazon is only going to release one Kindle color e-reader, probably at $180 in the end of the year 2024 or early 2025.

We can therefore expect a Kindle with a 7-inch diagonal screen to cost in the region of $180.