A6X2 Nomad review & VERY long-term Supernote thoughts | The best notebook I own is an e-ink tablet

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4 Jan 202408:58

TLDRThe video review discusses the Supernote A6X2 e-ink tablet, highlighting its improvements over the previous A6X model. The FeelWrite2 film offers a more textured writing experience, and the device now allows for battery replacement and SD card storage expansion, promoting longevity. Processing enhancements include doubled RAM for faster operations. New features include note linking, PDF template usage, handwriting recognition, search, screen sharing, and a specialized sketching app. The review praises Supernote's commitment to user experience, noting the addition of new features and refinement of existing ones, such as improved navigation gestures and tag management. The platform is designed to mimic the notebook experience, with the added benefit of handwriting recognition. The Calendar app has also been improved for better note organization. The reviewer expresses minor wishes for future updates, such as a screen saver feature and the ability to draw straight lines and shapes, but overall, they are impressed with Supernote's progress and anticipate further improvements in 2024.

Takeaways

  • πŸ“ The Supernote A6X2 features a new FeelWrite2 film that offers more texture and improves the writing experience over time.
  • πŸ”‹ A significant update is the ability to replace the battery and expand storage with an SD card, enhancing the device's longevity.
  • πŸ’» Processing improvements include doubled RAM compared to the X-series, making operations like handwriting to text conversion faster.
  • ↔️ The device now has two slide bars for easier navigation, especially when using the new auto-rotate feature and landscape mode.
  • πŸ”— New features include the ability to link notes to each other and to web pages, and using PDFs as templates while keeping links intact.
  • πŸ” Handwriting recognition and search have been added, allowing users to search through their handwritten notes.
  • πŸ–ŒοΈ A specialized sketching and drawing app is included and is being improved, offering various tools like layers and different pencil and pen options.
  • πŸ“š The Calendar app has been enhanced, allowing users to jot down notes and view all notes created on a specific day.
  • πŸ“š Reading functionality remains basic, but improvements have been made to the zoom in PDF, and landscape mode is recommended for better convenience.
  • πŸ“ˆ Ratta has shown a commitment to continuous improvement, regularly rolling out software updates that add and refine features based on user feedback.
  • 🌿 The company emphasizes sustainability and supports a DIY community by providing 3D print specs for the back cover and customizable magnets.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the discussion in the transcript?

    -The main focus of the discussion is the transition of Supernote to their X2 series of tablets, including new features, changes, and an update on the user experience after using the platform for about 3 years.

  • What is the first noticeable change in the Supernote A6X2 compared to the A6X?

    -The first noticeable change is the new FeelWrite2 film, which has more texture than the older, smoother film, providing a better writing experience.

  • How does the FeelWrite2 film break in after a few days of use?

    -The FeelWrite2 film becomes less toothy or rough after a few days of use, offering a more textured feel that is still smooth and has a little less slip than the old film.

  • What is a significant hidden change in the Supernote A6X2 that the user appreciates?

    -The significant hidden change is the removable back cover, which allows users to change the battery or expand storage with an SD card, contributing to the device's longevity.

  • How does Supernote support sustainability and a DIY community?

    -Supernote supports sustainability and a DIY community by making the back cover specifications available for 3D printing and offering customizable magnets for covers, reinforcing a sense of sustainability and support for user customization.

  • What processing improvements have been made in the Supernote A6X2?

    -The Supernote A6X2 has doubled the RAM compared to the X-series, making operations like handwriting to text conversion faster and more efficient.

  • What new user interface features have been added to the Supernote A6X2?

    -New user interface features include two slide bars on the right and left sides of the device and a new auto-rotate featureι…εˆ landscape mode, which is particularly helpful for viewing PDFs.

  • How does Supernote approach the addition of new features and software updates?

    -Supernote adds new features and rolls out software updates to existing users, planning to continue this approach with the same firmware on X2 devices and previous X tablets for as long as possible.

  • What is one of the most significant new features added to Supernote?

    -One of the most significant new features is the ability to link notes, allowing users to connect their notes to each other and to web pages, as well as using PDFs as templates with links intact.

  • How has Supernote improved its handwriting recognition and search feature?

    -Supernote has added handwriting recognition and search, allowing users to search their handwritten notes and convert text on the device to save as a text or Word file.

  • What are some of the refinements made to existing features on Supernote?

    -Refinements include adding new gestures for easier navigation and note-taking, more convenient tag or keyword management, an improved global search function, the ability to navigate favorite folders from the sidebar, and different color choices for headings.

  • How does the user describe the overall experience with Supernote compared to other tablets?

    -The user describes the Supernote platform as being very consciously designed to feel like using a notebook but better, focusing on improving the note-taking and productivity experience in a deliberate and cohesive way.

Outlines

00:00

πŸ“ Supernote A6X2 Tablet Review and Features

The video script discusses the transition of Supernote to their X2 series of tablets, focusing on the new features and changes in the Supernote A6X2. The FeelWrite2 film offers more texture and improves the writing experience, which becomes less rough after a break-in period. The device also allows for easy battery replacement and storage expansion, promoting a longer product life. The company's commitment to sustainability and DIY customization is highlighted, with plans to share back cover specs for 3D printing. Processing improvements include doubled RAM, enhancing resource-intensive operations like handwriting conversion. New features such as auto-rotate, landscape mode, and additional slide bars for easier navigation are also covered. The script praises Supernote's approach to software updates and the addition of linking notes, PDF template usage, handwriting recognition, and search, as well as screen sharing and a sketching app. The presenter appreciates the refinement of existing features, such as new gestures and tag management, which contribute to an improved note-taking and productivity experience.

05:01

πŸ“š Comparison with Other Tablets and Supernote's Advantages

The second paragraph compares the Supernote platform with other tablets like the Kindle Scribe and Boox tablets, noting the lack of organizational features in the former and the absence of certain intuitive note-taking features in the latter. The presenter emphasizes Supernote's design that mirrors the experience of using a physical notebook, with added benefits like handwriting recognition. This feature allows users to search and convert handwritten notes to digital text formats. The ability to navigate through different headings and access specific pages or documents from anywhere is highlighted as a significant advantage. The Calendar app improvements are also mentioned, allowing users to record and review notes on specific dates. While reading capabilities are considered basic, the video acknowledges the device's effectiveness with PDFs and epubs, and the Kindle app's compatibility. The drawing app is praised for its various tools and potential as an alternative to a physical sketchbook. The presenter concludes with suggestions for future enhancements, such as a screen saver feature and the ability to draw straight lines and shapes, and expresses optimism for further improvements in 2024.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Supernote A6X2

The Supernote A6X2 is an e-ink tablet that is part of the X2 series by Supernote. It represents an upgrade from the previous model with new features and improvements. In the video, it is discussed how the A6X2 offers a better writing experience with a FeelWrite2 film and added functionality such as battery replacement and storage expansion, which are significant for the device's longevity.

πŸ’‘FeelWrite2 film

The FeelWrite2 film is a new feature of the Supernote A6X2 that enhances the writing experience by providing more texture compared to the previous model. It is described as feeling less 'toothsome' or rough after a break-in period, offering a more textured and smooth writing experience akin to a wet gel pen rather than a traditional pencil.

πŸ’‘Planned obsolescence

Planned obsolescence refers to the deliberate design of a product to become obsolete after a certain period by making it difficult to repair or upgrade. In the context of the video, the ability to replace the battery and expand storage in the Supernote A6X2 is highlighted as a countermeasure to planned obsolescence, allowing the device to be used for a longer period.

πŸ’‘DIY community

The DIY (Do-It-Yourself) community is a group of individuals who enjoy creating, modifying, or repairing things on their own. The video mentions that Supernote supports this community by making the specifications of the back cover available for 3D printing and offering customizable covers, which aligns with the theme of sustainability and user empowerment.

πŸ’‘Handwriting recognition

Handwriting recognition is a feature that allows the conversion of handwritten notes into digital, editable text. It is a highly anticipated feature in the Supernote platform, enabling users to search through their handwritten notes and convert them into text or Word files directly on the device.

πŸ’‘PDF templates

PDF templates are pre-designed documents that can be used as a starting point for new documents. The Supernote A6X2 allows users to use PDFs as templates while keeping links intact, which means that users can insert pages into a PDF and manipulate PDFs directly on the device, enhancing the functionality for note-taking and document organization.

πŸ’‘Global search function

The global search function is a tool that allows users to search across all their notes, documents, and even within PDFs for specific keywords or tags. This feature is highlighted in the video as being improved for easier use, which is crucial for navigating and organizing extensive amounts of information.

πŸ’‘Sustainability

Sustainability in the context of the video refers to the ability of a product to be used for an extended period without needing to be replaced. Supernote's approach to product design, such as allowing battery replacement and storage expansion, is seen as promoting sustainability by reducing electronic waste and extending the life of the device.

πŸ’‘Ratta

Ratta is the company behind the Supernote platform. The video discusses how Ratta has been responsive to user feedback, adding new features and refining existing ones to improve the user experience. The company's commitment to continuous improvement and support for the DIY community is emphasized.

πŸ’‘Screen share

Screen share is a feature that allows users to share their screen with others in real-time, which can be particularly useful for collaboration. The video mentions that Supernote has added this feature, enhancing the device's utility for working with others.

πŸ’‘E-ink

E-ink is a display technology that mimics the appearance of ink on paper, used in the Supernote A6X2. It is known for its readability in sunlight and low power consumption. The video discusses the Supernote's e-ink display in the context of its note-taking and reading capabilities.

Highlights

Supernote is transitioning to their X2 series of tablets with new features and improvements.

The new FeelWrite2 film on the A6X2 offers more texture and improves the writing experience.

The film on the A6X2 breaks in over a few days, providing a better feel compared to the initial texture.

The A6X2 allows for the back cover to be removed, enabling battery replacement and storage expansion via SD card.

Ratta, the company behind Supernote, supports a sustainable approach by enabling battery replacement and storage expansion.

Users can 3D print their own back cover and customize it with magnets, reinforcing a DIY community.

The A6X2 has double the RAM of the X-series, making operations like handwriting to text conversion faster.

New auto-rotate feature and landscape mode enhance the viewing experience for PDFs on the A6X2.

Ratta has a history of delivering on promised features and providing software updates to existing users.

Notes can now be linked to each other and to web pages, enhancing organization and accessibility.

PDFs can be used as templates while keeping links intact, allowing manipulation directly on the device.

Handwriting recognition and search have been added, allowing users to search handwritten notes.

Screen sharing feature added for better collaboration.

A specialized sketching and drawing app is under development with continuous improvements.

Refined existing features include new gestures, tag management, and global search enhancements.

Supernote's design focuses on improving the note-taking and productivity experience.

Handwriting recognition allows searching and converting handwritten notes to digital text formats.

The Calendar app has been improved with the ability to jot down notes and view all notes created on a certain day.

The drawing app offers various tools and features, providing a digital alternative to traditional sketchbooks.

Suggestions for future improvements include a screen saver feature and the ability to draw straight lines and simple shapes.

Supernote continues to enhance its user experience, with plans for further improvements in 2024.