Boox Palma Review: The Kindle Pocket Amazon Should have Made
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2024
- This Boox Palma review explains why this small, smartphone-sized Ebook Reader is perfect for travel, is palm and pocket-friendly, and has a seriously easy-to-read screen. Amazon seriously missed a trick here - the Kindle Pocket that never was - install the Kindle app and you're off.
Helped along by crisp visuals at over 300 dots per inch, as well as a warm or cool backlight and auto brightness and temperature features. A small Kindle alternative, it's great in bed (not like that), thanks to the fact it's super-comfortable to hold one-handed, and it's even good for kids.
Not quite perfect, the Boox Palma runs Android 11, which is an outdated version of Google's operating system. So, while it's great that it supports third-party apps, its security credentials could be better. If you're happy with that, though, and want an ePaper or E Ink E-Reader that fits in your pocket, the Boox Palma could be the best option around.
00:00 Intro
02:20 Design
03:39 Display 01
05:00 Performance
05:20 Software & security
06:30 Reading on the Boox Palma
07:35 Use cases
09:00 Camera
09:35 Display 02
10:40 Verdict
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Would you swap out your Kindle for a Boox Palma, or are you happy with your smartphone for reading on the go? Let me know and ask any questions - I'll do my best to answer! Basil
Responsivness or lack of it is the main issue
part of me wishes this was just strictly an ereader without all the apps/internet browsing extras, makes me feel like im paying for more than what Id use it for (just reading books)
This, I really wish it was a mobile phone sized kindle. That would be perfect.
Full Google play support means I can have nook and kindle and libby and any even Google play books plus overdrive and even audible and hoopla....
@@moneytalks1219 then it's definitely for you, im just looking for something simpler 🤷🏼 but I get why it'd appeal to others
Is true but many of us also use 3rd party reading apps. This is awesome for that.
@@sharoncrisostomo7859 I'm not saying this device doesn't have an audience, I'm speaking more from a personal desire to have a very simple ebook that's smaller, but I'm glad others find a use for the additional features,
Hopefully the next version will have a SIM card slot or allow eSIMs - this would be an awesome minimalist smartphone
I can’t wait for Amazon to rip this off and make their own palm-sized Kindle!
With Amazon margins text will appear only on a middle of a screen...
It'll sell for sure but till they allow apps like dreame and other 3rd party apps, I'll stick with the palma. I've had kindles since 2008. Loved them all throughout the Years but they need to add more apps. I currently have the paper-white and oasis but like this smaller idea.
A kindle version would be mediocre since it would just be tied down to the kindle store
When it came time to upgrade my phone I got a 256 GB instead of a 512 GB, used the saved $$$ to put towards a Palma. Siideloaded tons of audiobooks and epubs on the Palma SD card slot. I find myself reaching for my Palma whenever there is downtime more than my phone. The only downside is now it's one more item I don't leave the house without. I going to have to just carry a slingpack to hold my phone, Palma, earbuds, keys and wallet to keep them all organized and together.
i wish they took out some features to make it cheaper because i dont see myself using this for its camera
I have a Kindle Oasis that I love but I'm so looking forward to getting the Onyx Boox Palma. I have small hands so the size is perfect and it still has page turning buttons. I also normally use small purses so I never take my Kindle outside of my house on a daily basis. So I'm so excited to be able to take an ereader on the go. I hate reading on my cell phone!
Sounds like it would be a great fit for you! Hope you enjoy it :) Basil
Same I haven't been able to comfortably hold my oasis without my hand going numb. I've used pop sockets cases that only increase the weight and nothing works. It's just too big for my hands.
I can imagine no better gadget for long, sunny afternoons lingering at the outdoor cafe or town square! Sunlight wrecks the otherwise delightful pastime of news or book reading in those casual, social places. This Boox Palma, plus ubiquitous WiFi, should make a fantastic match.
Just what I was looking for. Fast, pocket sized ebook with Playstore.
Can I run Home Assistant on it - ie does it run javascript? If not, thats a deal breaker? for 4G my phone can sit in my pocket while I'm at the beach or pool - hence the need for paper white..
Thanks for the video. Can this device do text-to-speech in the kindle or reader app?
Is it scratch resistant? Have you got any scratches on it?
Does this device support immersion reading in the kindle app?
They should’ve put a cell modem in there. It would be a hit with the minimalist niche.
For security just create a google account only for this device. Dont use mails, banks etc.on this. It's very good to read books, news, do some web browsing, podcast is OK. But dont use it for personal stuff and it will be fine.
A screen protector could damage the Palma's screen?
Alright Im sold. Buying one. I have a terrible problem with blue light screen so this looks like solving all my problems
I definitely want an eReader smaller than the Kindle, but I'm not sure if the smartphone form factor is what I'm looking for. (I also don't care enough about having otherrsmartphone functionalities for my eReader) I'm thinking more like what a Kindle Mini would look like, same form factor but smaller? Would be perfect for my hands.
Boox poke 5
Kobo?
Is that little vertical floating menu on the right side always visible while reading?
Doesn't have to be. You can hide it, or move it via a setting.
Any opinion on it for audiobooks?
I've heard of some security issues with Boox devices. Is this something you'd be concerned with?
I have Palma and I love it. No, I have no such concerns. I guess this concern comes from those who don’t like something just because it is made by a Chinese company or made in China in general. Hmmm…. what was that “spy" balloon again? How come the government never told us what it was spying about?
The only security issue I know of is the Android security patch level. So, you might not want to do your online banking on this ereader. If you have normal security and privacy concerns, keep the WiFi off of public networks and only use apps from reputable sources. If you’re deeply concerned, don’t allow any information onto the device that you’d be uncomfortable writing on a sticky note and leaving on your desk.
If it was cheaper I would have one in a heart beat. A couple years ago, I bought a cheap droid, but put no sim in it but 1T micro mem. I put on kindle, kobo, epub, podcasts, audiobooks, and use it as gps, and turn on grey scale ready for ereading and extend battery life. Can hotspot with my iPhone when needed. And has camera, and is smaller then Kindle basic.
This is interesting but TOO EXPENSIVE to get a small e-ink screen for $280! I mean the 7-inch Boox Page is $250 and can do more than this if not exactly the same. Boox Leaf2 is $200 and Boox Poke 5 is $170.
Why this is so expensive when it is not a cell phone?
Don’t know where you got your prices from but all other box devices are around or above this price up to 800$. For 260$, this is a really good offer. For Comparison: the Kindle in is better form costs 200$ the case for it 40$. A Kindle Oasis even with being somewhat outdated is at 350$ above. The Boox Palm on the other hand costs 260$ is a unique mobile size while having a full Android that allows you to use any reading app and format instead of being locked into amazons system, at the same time it supports the full Kindle app and others, so this means you get the same festures including DRM support. Considering all this the 260$ is perfectly priced.
This one takes photos. I think the camera is what makes the price so high.
well, you can buy Hisense A9/A7/A5/CC phones with einc display, it cost around 250-400$ 🙂
As I found my Kindle Paperwhite too small, I went for the Boox Note Air 3. For reading it's much better than the Kindle and for writing much better than my iPad Pro (I can't really get used to writing on a slippery glass surface). The Palma would be too small for my old eyes.
All reviewers never cover how kindle page turn performance is. It is horrible on my BOOX POKE 3 cos the Kindle app page turns are treated as scrolling. My Kindle OASIS is great at this but it is too wide to fit into pockets.
I use an Ipad mini to read my books and it makes my purse heavy whenever I want to take it with me, so i wanted to get something a little smaller that wasn't a Kindle. I have ordered one and I really hope it's worth the price!
I liked your review, but honestly I don't care about most of the apps you discussed. I mostly care about Goodreads, Libby and Kindle. I don't need anything else as that's the point of having a cell phone.
For me, the device makes a very good and cool impression, but here in Germany you can't get it for less than 330 euros, which I think is just too much when you look at what the competition (especially Kindle) costs.
I'm glad you mentioned the security issues. Android 11 in 2024... yikes.
So important that you mentioned the security and Android version update issues with this. I want one but, all of these Android powered ereaders share the same fault.
So this can’t replace a smartphone as i can insert a sim card
Correct. It's a memory card slot
Can you write on it / take notes on it?
You can type on it, so use Google Docs, Keep, or another notetaking app. But with no pen input, there's no writing support. Given the size, it could make a cool journalist jotter style notebook if there was pen support, but I personally didn't miss a pen on it. Hope that helps! Basil
Thanks a lot. I truly hope such a size with pen support will be released in 2024 - would be perfect for speeches and presentations :)
You can write on it with a stylus there's a video circulating demosntrating this without any hacks @@johannesdd
what I like about onyx boox's device is the updates. my nova 2, a device from 2020, still getting updates.
the only bad things about this device is the availability of it's case.
i would buy it as replacement for my Sony T3 but only if it comes with a similar Cover like the Sony.
i feel at some extent it may replace the mobile phone and can save us a little from the battery anxiety. for me the best scenario could be handle my day to day texting requirement including mails, chats (whatsapp, messenger, etc), music (as we don't require visual for listening), reading etc. heads up for the interesting device. i would consider this to include in my videos also.
You would *BURN* the battery down fast. Installing social media apps and messaging on it would require you to have wifi on more often than not. WiFi + social media notifications + messaging + video calling + any other multimedia app on at all times will shorten the experience on that device that you may as well stick to your smartphone - or tablet - instead. All of those are more of a distraction than what the thing should really be for primarily: reading ebooks in all formats it can in a pocketsized formfactor.
The *IMMENSE* storage space it has even before using a micro SD card (which can allegedly add 1TB of storage) practically means that you can install nearly an entire library's worth of books (be they fiction, non-fiction, text books, manuals, etc) is close to "perfect". In fact, it's the only e-reader device that I know of that has a whopping 128GB internal storage compared to Kindle's max storage of 64GB on their devices - and don't forget the ability to add MORE storage via SD card, which most e-readers do NOT provide.
It's easy to mistake this as a smartphone - when it's really not. I personally wish they got rid of the mic and camera so they can put in a bigger battery. As an e-reader, it really doesn't need them imo.
@@obsidiansands true folk, but for hard-core multimedia requirement i would rather suggest to go for smartphone. As boox support a e-ink displays so can full fill all my texting requirement. In case it is equipped with a good audio chip then can serve as a good audio player too
It's meant to be an e reader just one that fits in your pocket you want a phone carry your phone
What’s the battery life?
That's exactly what I'm also curious about. Despite overall great review, there wasn't any estimation of battery life, while it's actually my one and only concern in case of that device.
Wouldn't you rather just listen to his feelings for 12 minutes? Who cares about super important things like battery life when he can talk about his feelings that no one cares about :p
I heard it can last 4 days with regular use
I don’t understand why they wouldn’t have just put a sim slot in
$$$ - but also, releasing a version with and without could have been a great test to see if there was an appetite for it. I'm sure that will come in the future.
great eBook reading device! 👍🏽👍🏽
I've been enjoying it. Thanks for the comment 👍🏽
For my converted droid, cost me $100 cnd, + $10 case + $30 for 1T mem card. Using a Samsung A13.
I love this thing, but am so confused as to why as it has a camera given what it’s aiming to be and why it has no cellular connectivity option. I would LOVE to replace my phone with this thing as I really only use my phone to call/text and listen to content, but also carry my kindle with me everywhere for reading. This is without a doubt my dream device
I actually really love that this has a camera. There is an android app that I use to scan my handwritten notes and turn them into word documents, and because I plan to use this device to read things that I'll be taking handwritten notes about: having a camera on the device is perfect because it means not having to reach for my smartphone and potentially get distracted by social media apps.
get LTE on this and you’ve got a killer product
Loving mine and have seen the amount I read go up quite a bit in the few days I’ve owned it. It’s just so easy to hold and read on. If this is popular I can’t see Amazon not producing a competitor for this.
I would’ve bought it if it was actually a phone sized E-READER rather than trying to be a smartphone with all the apps and browsers
I would buy this if it were a phone
I like the Palma, but you *really* have to want e-ink to prefer it over some of the alternatives. For example, one could pick up a Samsung S10e (a smartphone from 2019) and have a device that’s lighter (150g), cheaper (you can pick one up for less than $100), has a significantly (and noticeably) higher resolution screen (438ppi), runs a newer version of Android, and of course, has color (you mention the lack of color as a potential downside of e-ink).
If you really need e-ink (eg, for bright sunlight), the least expensive 6” Boox e-reader is excellent and can be purchased for about $170, making the combo not only more versatile than the Palma, but cheaper also.
wish the boox e-reader were google play. I like to read the news and journals posted on websites.
@davefink2326 - the boox ereader does have full access to the Google Play store.
@@davefink2326 - I'm not sure I understand your comment. The Boox e-reader is an android device and *does* come with Google Play installed.
The e ink, the portability, and the camera and fact that it runs android are all perfect for my use case.
Pointless to mention phones at all since they're terrible to read anything on for more than a few minutes without eye strain, there are cheaper e reader alternatives of course if the palma does not fit your use case
S24 is 168g
Just put a matte screen film on your phone/tablet and it'll make it VERY eye frinedly and functiin better than e-reader.
Android 11 in 2024 is a non-starter, which is unfortunate.
I wonder why this device is necessary.
What is the average age of a book reader? How likely are they to need to use readers?
Complexity in loading Amazon Kindle books?
Interesting looking and nice looking panel, but the market for this device is unclear to me
Thanks for the comment. It's particularly suited to anyone who wants to cut back their smartphone screen time without cutting back their reading. I agree, it's even unclear when using it as it blurs the lines between Kindle and Android device, but I still found I appreciated it before sleeping and when travelling. Basil
I'm considering this device for a kindle alternative that allows me to easily load library books. My local library app doesn't interface with kindle, but I don't want to get a Kobo device that would be a single use device for one library type again.
To much distraction for use as an ereader. The complete google playstore of an ereader? Why?
@@Jeroen_Obecause it’s much better this way? Consider the kindle: it’s completely locked into amazons system and trying to get other books into the device is not impossible, but very cumbersome. Then there’s other e readers, which a more open, but usually lack amazons bookstore and don’t support DRM contents which means that many official content won’t be able to run even if you get the files onto this devices.
Now this on the other hand allows you to use the official kindle app, so you get the full kindle experience, but also all the other e book apps. And it supports all files and types. This is not ment to use every app like a regular phone (although you can) but to brake you free of all the limitations other readers have. And once you spend a lot of time researching like I did. You get to appreciate this as you start to find out that all those cool readers up to premium e ink tablets like the remarkable 2 actually have a lot of limitations
@@Jeroen_O im wondering if you can strip it down to and even delete the Google play store.
only for people with good eyesight
It would make sene to me only if I could make a phone calls and sms using it.
WhatsApp
if you have a hotspot theres also google voice since it has google play
Overpriced! Why can't any of you reviewers just say that? It's price is a rip-off!
On a hardware level, I disagree with you. This has a fast chip, a fast display, good battery life. Explain to me how its overpriced
FFS, cant they put sim card slot so that I can buy phone that isn't boring shit!
It's too expensive for what it does, with some unnecessary features. Amazon is going to eat their lunch.
The way he swore to defend our booxxx palma 😂🫠🫥🫠😂🤣