Comment by csdvrx | Hacker News Reader

Comment by csdvrx | Hacker News Reader

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> The biggest dealbreaker is that streaming music is a pain on e-ink devices

It's funny: I now use my eink device (Moaan) almost exclusively for music, because there's no streaming so I have to curate my playlist.

For the light theme, try poweramp or the likes that support themes.

> I would never think of daily driving it as a phone if it had a modem

I would never had purchased it if it had a modem. I like to disconnect, I don't want to be tempted by apps.

> And of course, it's running an obsolete version of Android and is continuously phoning home to China, so you probably don't want any important data on it.

I prefer the Mooan because I do not want the google play store on my devices: I can still install apps from F-Droid.

e-ink phone sized devices are excellent for a minimalistic experience: without color or a modem, you are less tempted to use apps.

I also do not want a camera: I prefer the smoother back both to put a credit card holder there, and have no temptation to take a picture.

The point about playlist curation makes sense, it's a valid way to go about it. Another app that works well on e-ink is Plexamp, which can be used for a NAS-based library as a sort of middle ground. I've been down that road though and concluded that I do prefer streaming, particularly when it comes to keeping up with today's artists who like to do digital releases almost to the exclusion of anything else.

>I like to disconnect, I don't want to be tempted by apps.

Fair, but I was specifically addressing the people who want a device that fulfills the good/essential functions of a smartphone (messaging apps, GPS, music) with less app temptation. A cell modem is essential for that use case.

> temptation to take a picture

Hah, not really an issue for me. My friends are always complaining that I go on holiday for 2 weeks and come back with 2 photos. But that would be a consideration for those that have it and for the smooth back (the Palma 2's camera is almost flush but not quite). Depending on where you are in the world, having a camera may count as essential due to prevalence of QR codes. And the Palma 2's camera is so bad it usually can't read one from more than 6 inches away. Just really wanted to emphasize whatever it cost Boox to add a camera was completely wasted.

> I've been down that road though and concluded that I do prefer streaming, particularly when it comes to keeping up with today's artists who like to do digital releases almost to the exclusion of anything else.

Yes, even with stores like supraphonline.cz I often depend on yt-dl for new songs

I wish there was a more direct way to support the work artists I like without being forced to use streaming (which I don't like)

> Hah, not really an issue for me. My friends are always complaining that I go on holiday for 2 weeks and come back with 2 photos

That's GOOD: it means we live in the moment and we enjoy the experience instead of wasting time and storage to take pictures we'll never look at ever again!

> Just really wanted to emphasize whatever it cost Boox to add a camera was completely wasted.

I could see a usecase for QR codes or for translation, but if it can't even do that I'd rather have the slick and flush back like on my Mooan

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