Community firmware for the Xteink X4 e-paper reader

Posted by dmos62 4 days ago

Community firmware for the Xteink X4 e-paper reader(github.com)

154 points | 64 commentspage 2

randusername 2 days ago|

Crosspoint and KOReader are fascinating to me.

The lack of consensus on what features are essential in an e-reader must be hard to manage. Surprisingly exotic features sometimes.

- No deal, this e-reader doesn't let me play chess.

- No deal, this e-reader doesn't support bluetooth page-turning.

- No deal, I don't actually look at the screen I use text-to-speech.

jerojero 2 days ago|

If you wanna play chess you can use the crosspet fork, it does have a few games.

You're right though, the crosspoint firmware is supposedly exclusively for reading.

wolvoleo 2 days ago||

Really nice device, I'm just waiting for a version with front light.

gangstead 2 days ago||

Front light would make it the perfect device. I use it on the go everywhere now, to limit the distractions inherent with trying to read from my phone. But in bed having to pull out a book light or a headlight is an annoying step that risks disturbing my partner.

nosrepa 2 days ago||

I bought the book lights that they sell along with the device and they're perfect for it. They include an adapter so they magnetically attach to the back, or they can clip to the folio.

wolvoleo 2 days ago||

Meh I used those with my old Kindle 2nd edition. It had a really nice leather case with a solder slide out light.

But it wasn't nearly as good as the front light ones that came later.

wolvoleo 1 day ago||

Oh it was the 3rd gen actually

asdfqwertzxcv 2 days ago||

The S4 is the new version coming soon with a front light.

wolvoleo 2 days ago||

Ah yes but that one is probably going to be much more expensive as it runs android and more powerful hardware. It won't support crosspoint-reader then either :'( Though you could install KOReader then, which is a good alternative. It also seems to lack page turn buttons.

But I read there's also an "X4 v2 pro" coming with frontlight: https://www.joshualowcock.com/xteink/xteink-x4-v2-pro-xteink...

So I'm waiting to see which one will be the best price/quality in this regard.

skrtskrt 1 day ago||

It would be nice to get a backlight and no touchscreen.

asdfqwertzxcv 1 day ago||

That's what I'm hoping for as well

lovelyviking 2 days ago||

I wonder, how difficult would it be to do something similar for "Onyx Boox Tab X C 13.3" ?

Btw, did Onyx publish sources as required by GPLv3 for that device? AFAIK there are no sources in the open (if I am not mistaken ) and I have no idea what can push them toward publishing them.

zabi_rauf 2 days ago||

I love this device and the firmware. It has increased the amount I read now, just because it's convenient to have all the time and use it instead of doom scrolling.

P.S: Shameless plug, I also built an OSS iOS/Android app to help syncing files and clipping web articles/blog and sending to X4 on the go https://crosspointsync.com/

jhogervorst 2 days ago|

Cool app! Have you considered integrating with Readwise Reader? I would love something like that.

wewewedxfgdf 2 days ago||

I'd like to use this as a multiplayer chess game on the fridge with my dad who lives 100KM away.

Anyone know if there is remote chess for this?

arjie 2 days ago||

Oh this is very cool. I've bought one and plan to use it to show some kind of status around the house.

oybng 2 days ago||

This device would be an instant buy if it were backlit, replacing my kobo mini

dtm987654123 2 days ago|

I wonder if there's a way to get offline Wikipedia on this

antonyt 2 days ago|

The X3 and X4 both have an SD card slot, so it's theoretically possible to store it at least. Actually searching and browsing it is another question.