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Comment by NDlurker | Hacker News Reader

This is competition for the new XTEINK X4 Pro. Cost about half the price and is compatible with Crosspoint too.

I really don't understand why the XTEINK X4 Pro doesn't have a built-in USB-C port. A good part of the appeal of a device like that is less lock-in, but then you're stuck with a proprietary connector.

I guess this makes it a bit thinner and maybe a larger battery? I'd much rather have a slightly larger/thicker device and built-in USB-C.

I was disappointed by that too. I didn't think it would be hard to keep track of the pogo adapter for my x3, but I did end up losing it pretty quickly.

I really didn't want to buy the x4 pro, but I'm working on custom firmware for the x4 and I want to make sure it's compatible with the new device. Also, the lack of light was kind of annoying when I took the x4 on a camping trip. Not $100 worth annoying, but mildly annoying.

The "original" XTEINK X4 (not pro) has a USB-C port - that's explicitly why I bought it. It looks like it is out of production now. The good news is they are a proven, very popular device (it's just an e-ink display glued to an ESP32 with good third party support) so this class of device should be available on AliExpress soon if not already.

Just to point out the usb-c on the original x4 is for charging only.

Also firmware updates (on the non-locked variants), no?

What other potential uses are there? Uploading books without WiFi is the only one that comes to mind.

As far as I can tell, firmware updates are only via WiFi.

I got the Xteink X4 Pro a few days ago. I was so convinced everything these days has a USB-C port, I didn't even check. Honestly it's the only downside of the device, I love everything else about it. Sure, it's small, but it's almost entirely an advantage for me. I don't even think about "should I take it with me?" - I just do, which means I read much more. The light is great for reading in bed. And CrossPoint is super solid (flashing took a minute).

M5Stack and LilyGo products aren't necessarily end user ready. They are awkward middle grounds between shoebox sized literal circuit level prototype of smartphones and on-stage-CEO-showing-off prototypes. A bit like bake at home dough. Not competitors to real products.

From what I understand, they also have no certifications (CE/FCC/VCCI and similar) and cannot really be sold as consumer products, only as kits.

They do come with radio certifications and IIRC the European crossed bin sign. But yeah, not with full consumer product formalities.

I just for the one that's a hair smaller than the 4, flashed it with Crosspoint, and man, I'm pretty happy with it.

and has a touchscreen

And a RTC!

Redundant. ESP32 already has an internal RTC, with its own separate CPU and memory!

https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/stable/esp32/...

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