They run Android apps, but only the included, closed-source apps like the note-taking app and browser get fast screen updates at high quality. If you try to install a third-party note-taking app the experience is crap.
https://zubersoft.com/mobilesheets/forum/archive/index.php?t...
The kicker is this: “- Freeform annotations with the stylus utilize special rendering on Boox devices allowing the drawings to show up in real time. This makes it much easier to write and draw.”
I use this app on a Boox Max Lumi and the effect is very pronounced. It really doesn’t have any noticeable delay, just like the “native” Boox apps.
So, I think someone did indeed crack the code for fast updating.
The Boox tablets are touted for their ability to run third-party Android apps, so I highly doubt they would deliberately cripple them.