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E-Ink iPad Rival 'reMarkable' Sells More Than 1 Million Devices
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I have the reMarkable 2 since last year (with the Connect subscription, Marker Plus and leather book folio) and use it daily for work and privately. It has completely replaced paper for me.
+ light weight
+ thin
+ matte and non light-emitting screen
+ battery life
+ paper-like feel
+ writing on pdfs and taking notes
+ design
+ cloud sync (I use their sync service and also Microsoft One Drive),
+ importing and exporting files
+ desktop app and browser integration to access files online and on PC/Mac
+ regular software updates adding functionality and value
+ touch gestures and short cuts for navigation
+ templates (I misty use checklists and small lined)
+ easy to magnetically attach and detach from folio
+ the interface disappears completely
+ developer community (also for PDF templates)
+ easy to put to sleep and wake up
+ language support and quality of handwriting conversion
+ moving and editing files
+ chrome extension to add webpages (as pdf) to the tablet
+ ePub support
+ excellent palm rejection
+ stability of software
+ adding an empty page to an existing pdf
- functionality of the iOS app (can't import files)
- magnetic attachment of Marker Plus could be stronger (easy to detach inadvertently)
- hack needed to add customised templates or desktop images
- no safari extension support (similar to Chrome extension)
+ light weight
+ thin
+ matte and non light-emitting screen
+ battery life
+ paper-like feel
+ writing on pdfs and taking notes
+ design
+ cloud sync (I use their sync service and also Microsoft One Drive),
+ importing and exporting files
+ desktop app and browser integration to access files online and on PC/Mac
+ regular software updates adding functionality and value
+ touch gestures and short cuts for navigation
+ templates (I misty use checklists and small lined)
+ easy to magnetically attach and detach from folio
+ the interface disappears completely
+ developer community (also for PDF templates)
+ easy to put to sleep and wake up
+ language support and quality of handwriting conversion
+ moving and editing files
+ chrome extension to add webpages (as pdf) to the tablet
+ ePub support
+ excellent palm rejection
+ stability of software
+ adding an empty page to an existing pdf
- functionality of the iOS app (can't import files)
- magnetic attachment of Marker Plus could be stronger (easy to detach inadvertently)
- hack needed to add customised templates or desktop images
- no safari extension support (similar to Chrome extension)
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Can you now search your handwriting? This is the biggest issue I have and have kept to an iPad mini and Goodnotes for writing ( the screen protector brand I’ve settled on gives me a pleasant enough experience).
I don't get it ,even without the subscription you still can do everything you want can't you ? it's only for cloud if I get it right
Did Apple encourage Adobe and Microsoft? This company probably wanted to get a continuous stream of revenue for R&D, pay employees or however they needed a $7.99 per month subscription requirement. Apple might have help to popularize for smaller companies, but I’d say Office 365 and Creative Suite would be the models.
Also, app developers don’t have to offer subscriptions if they do not want to do it. Apple just offers a service for those who want to use it. However, if you want to give Apple the credit for this one, go ahead. I think Microsoft deserves bigger credit for turning Office into a yearly subscription, which has done so well that they’re moving Windows to this model.
According to their webpage, their “Free Tier” means “all your notes stored in one place.” Guess that means they won’t be leaving it.
Connect
reMarkable - "Replace your notes and printed documents with a digital notebook that feels like paper."
remarkable.com
Don’t sell yourself short. I‘m sure there’s something interesting there somewhere. ?
I’m not so much talking about you but there are others out there I’m sure that have some stuff in there worth something to someone in “China’s party.”
It’s like all niche’s, including the Mac. Smaller market usually means higher average price. Here’s another product for the “maintaining focus” niche that must sell even fewer.
Writing Tools
Freewrite is a dedicated drafting device for anyone who writes without the distraction – or temptation – of browsers, apps, or notifications. In short, Freewrite devices are the right tool for the job. Get in writing flow and develop more prolific writing sessions by separating the drafting...
getfreewrite.com
They have a cheaper plan at $5.99 that does the cloud sync only: excludes conversion of notes to text, DropBox integration, and mirroring of the tablet to a computer in real time, but full cloud sync between devices. But even if you don't subscribe you still have cloud sync. They state that for the free tier files that have not been updated in 50 days will no longer sync. But it is very unclear to me how that would work.
Although I own and use an iPad, it is neither a good reading device (not for your eyes in the long run) nor good for writing (slippery, glassy surface). Therefore e-ink tablets make sense:Top 5 note taking e-readers you can buy in 2022
On the other hand, I have been waiting for decent color e-ink technology for ages....
On the other hand, I have been waiting for decent color e-ink technology for ages....
I was an academic and a mathematician having produced so many equations and notes, lost in countless papers, that I was always fascinated with digital notetaking and annotating pdf documents.
As a result, I was always buying and trying everything that had a decent pen/stylus.
The first Samsung Note, the first Samsung tablet Note, the first iPad Pro, the first Surface book, the first Remarkable and so on.
1) The best devices that I had so far were the iPad Pro 12,9 and the remarkable.
2) I can never live without an IPad Pro 12.9. It is not the best notetaking experience but the most complete package by far for my notetaking needs.
3) the e-ink device complements the iPad and does not replace it. You need to understand the limitations and the benefits of the e-ink technology.
- No colour
- lines are not smooth they are a bit pixelated. I use the mechanical pencil mode of remarkable to cover this limitation other brands implement some form of smoothing interpolation
- no backlight (in some devices exist but deteriorates the handwriting experience or adds weight )
- software : although there are brands with proper tablet functionality
- latency these devices are not for youtube and watching video or reading magazines
+ in well lit environment the image is amazing like paper - your eyes just feel pleasure and being so relaxed
+ the handwriting is superb especially on the plastic screens - the noise , the feeling everything is so close to the paper experience
+ the Wacom technology is simply the best. You can use any compatible pencil you want - some of them are like real pencils super light no battery needed no charging needed , interchange tips , so much variety to choose from, some even costing 20£. What else you can ask for ???
4) I like remarkable but is not my first choice. I need A4 size for proper paper annotating and I hate the subscription model. (Although I am pre subscription customer and this model does not apply to me. ) and the software needs the hacks.
5) Fujitsu Quaderno A4 2 seems to be currently my favourite device - amazing hardware but lacking software so I am not buying yet. 350 grams for 13.3 inch using any Wacom Erm stylus and a plastic screen.
6) I much prefer the writing on the plastic screens for notetaking thus I prefer even remarkable 1 from remarkable 2.
7) I love the 4:3 screen ratio of iPad 12.9. Nothing is better than a more square ratio for this job. The 16:9 ratio of Samsung Note 10.1 is terrible. What Samsung is thinking to still using these tv ratios for handwriting???
8) the iPad definetely needs a mate screen protector. The handwriting experience improves dramatically. I have the elecom which I believe is one of the best. I like the shape of the tip of the Apple Pencil but is hard and with the glass makes so much noise. This noise is the most negative aspect of the handwriting experience of the iPad. The surface book pen does not have this problem because the tip is soft. The problem here is that you do not have the choice to use an alternate pen when the circumstances request.
I hope Apple will enter this space and do an e-ink device or of similar type which will be specifically academically oriented. No need for M1 or crazy computing functionalities but a device that will be more focused on the notetaking and educational experience.
Apple is the giant that is needed that really can move this experience forward. Not sure how much profitable for Apple this can be but will definitely help advance and improve the education of our kids and this is something really important.
As a result, I was always buying and trying everything that had a decent pen/stylus.
The first Samsung Note, the first Samsung tablet Note, the first iPad Pro, the first Surface book, the first Remarkable and so on.
1) The best devices that I had so far were the iPad Pro 12,9 and the remarkable.
2) I can never live without an IPad Pro 12.9. It is not the best notetaking experience but the most complete package by far for my notetaking needs.
3) the e-ink device complements the iPad and does not replace it. You need to understand the limitations and the benefits of the e-ink technology.
- No colour
- lines are not smooth they are a bit pixelated. I use the mechanical pencil mode of remarkable to cover this limitation other brands implement some form of smoothing interpolation
- no backlight (in some devices exist but deteriorates the handwriting experience or adds weight )
- software : although there are brands with proper tablet functionality
- latency these devices are not for youtube and watching video or reading magazines
+ in well lit environment the image is amazing like paper - your eyes just feel pleasure and being so relaxed
+ the handwriting is superb especially on the plastic screens - the noise , the feeling everything is so close to the paper experience
+ the Wacom technology is simply the best. You can use any compatible pencil you want - some of them are like real pencils super light no battery needed no charging needed , interchange tips , so much variety to choose from, some even costing 20£. What else you can ask for ???
4) I like remarkable but is not my first choice. I need A4 size for proper paper annotating and I hate the subscription model. (Although I am pre subscription customer and this model does not apply to me. ) and the software needs the hacks.
5) Fujitsu Quaderno A4 2 seems to be currently my favourite device - amazing hardware but lacking software so I am not buying yet. 350 grams for 13.3 inch using any Wacom Erm stylus and a plastic screen.
6) I much prefer the writing on the plastic screens for notetaking thus I prefer even remarkable 1 from remarkable 2.
7) I love the 4:3 screen ratio of iPad 12.9. Nothing is better than a more square ratio for this job. The 16:9 ratio of Samsung Note 10.1 is terrible. What Samsung is thinking to still using these tv ratios for handwriting???
8) the iPad definetely needs a mate screen protector. The handwriting experience improves dramatically. I have the elecom which I believe is one of the best. I like the shape of the tip of the Apple Pencil but is hard and with the glass makes so much noise. This noise is the most negative aspect of the handwriting experience of the iPad. The surface book pen does not have this problem because the tip is soft. The problem here is that you do not have the choice to use an alternate pen when the circumstances request.
I hope Apple will enter this space and do an e-ink device or of similar type which will be specifically academically oriented. No need for M1 or crazy computing functionalities but a device that will be more focused on the notetaking and educational experience.
Apple is the giant that is needed that really can move this experience forward. Not sure how much profitable for Apple this can be but will definitely help advance and improve the education of our kids and this is something really important.
A friend had one and raved about it. I tried it a year ago and the writing experience felt exactly like paper and pencil. I was super impressed. I ended up getting an iPad Mini with an Apple Pencil 2, well, because I'm an Apple Fanboy The iPad does not write/draw nearly as nicely IMO. But, it integrates with the whole ecosystem.
The iPad does not write/draw nearly as nicely IMO. But, it integrates with the whole ecosystem.
Yup. Wait until Big Corporate Brother finally gets a monopoly on pets and companion animals. All the filthy rich millionaire Senators will support the corporations in having a legal monopoly on ALL pets. Then they will say: "Oh sure, every citizen can still have pets. You can buy whatever pet you want from us, or from our competitors. But.... you will have to pay a monthly subscription ownership fee to keep Fido. And you will also pay another monthly fee.... to pay for Fido's mandatory pet insurance, which is a legal requirement to own a pet (just like the insurance requirement to own an auto)."
The subscription thing is becoming absolutely insane....
No, I can't say I like it. I detest unnecessary subscriptions as much as the next guy. Would love to better the stock mail and calendar apps with something else for example, but when all options comes with a 5 dollar/month subscription it is a no go for me.
You make a good argument and I agree with you. Crippling basic functionality on a hardware device is a pretty tough cookie to swallow.