Android apps, color screen and pen

With the arrival of electronic books, reading is within everyone’s reach, since there are free resources that bring culture to any device compatible with this format. Cell phones are one of them, but, without a doubt, The best reading experience is achieved by using e-book readers, thanks to its electronic ink screens.

At EL ESPAÑOL – El Androide Libre we have tested one of the best alternatives that currently exist on the market if you are looking for versatility, the BOOX Note Air3. This model, which is aimed at the high-end segment of these devices for a price of 449.99 dollars, It includes a tactile stylus which can be very useful for taking notes and even writing texts. It therefore competes directly with models like the Kindle Scribe or the Kobo Libra Color.

It’s not exactly a small model, since it has a 10.3-inch screen that allows you to take advantage of more space, which will also be positive for using the pencil. Additionally, having Android as an operating system it is possible to install all types of applicationssomething that gives it many possibilities and differentiates it from other models.

A very stylish design

In general, e-readers are not devices in which aesthetics are particularly valued, in fact they are usually relegated to the background. However, This model catches the eye thanks to its stylized lines and small aesthetic details that suit it very well, in addition to its thinness, with only 5.8 mm thickness.

On the front we find a large frame on the left side, which is of great importance to be able to comfortably place your finger while holding the device. This gripping surface makes the grip more comfortable and prevents us from touching the touch screen. Regardless, the black bezel surrounding the screen is the same thickness on all sides, and offers a pleasant sensation to the eye.

In back, a red line crosses the device from one side to the other, and the shape is a detail that contributes a lot to its aesthetic. It also has two speakers on the left side, in addition to USB Type C through which it charges. On its upper edge is the power button with which you can put the e-book in standby mode or activate it.

Generally speaking, thanks to its thinness, it is quite comfortable to use, and the wide edge does not detract from the design. If used without a case, the matte feel of the back is very pleasant, although Care should be taken if left on a slippery surfacebecause it can leak.

Screen made to read

The BOOX Note Air3 is not one of those e-books that takes up little more than a large cell phone and can practically be carried in your pocket to read on public transport. It is large and ideal for long reading sessions, although Due to its lightness, it also does not hinder transport.. Its screen is 10.3 inches in size with a resolution of 1872 x 1404 pixels, which means there is no shortage of space for reading and taking notes.

It is an electronic ink, so it is perfectly visible in sunlight, but As it is also backlit, its subtle glow will make it readable in the dark as well. without tiring your eyes. If you want to get a greater feeling of fluidity, it is possible to activate a mode with the fastest screen update, but at the cost of losing detail. It may be useful to activate it on certain occasions to use Android applications.

Its large size makes it reading and taking notes are very comfortable, being able to change the font size to make it larger without losing too much content. In order to use alternative reading-focused Android apps, this size is also very good for having more space to use touch controls.

Be backlit and able to display colors makes the browsing and reading experience more nuanced than in other readers who do not have these characteristics. These are not functions that should be essential in these devices, but they are appreciated for being able to use them in a greater number of situations and places.

Modified Android

In a device with these characteristics, Software is an important part of providing the best experience. After all, these are devices whose main mission is to read on them, but you can add extras that complete the experience and make the price even more attractive. In this case, the company has chosen to offer users more than just the possibility of reading, since this ebook has Android 12 as the operating system and allows the installation of applications.

In my case, for example, I decided to install Pocket, the application to save and read articles offline, as well as Feedly to be able to read the news. If you usually read a lot of content on a mobile phone or tablet, It is possible to switch to this device using the same applications, which can be beneficial for the eyes. You can install Kindle, Goodreads and all kinds of reading-related alternatives. It has 64GB of storage and microSD support, so you have plenty of space

Of course, applications that are not focused on reading, such as social networks or video streaming platforms, will not be seen correctly and it does not make much sense to install them on such a device. Navigation is controlled using gestures or virtual buttonsas usual in Android, but these are not the same gestures or buttons that we find on a classic tablet, but rather they are located differently to adapt to the type of device.

When moving through the interface, there is a permanent bar on the left margin through which you can quickly access applications, space for notes and the book library. In the player you can access the common formatting, display and annotation controls, in addition to having the possibility of reading the text aloud in certain titles.

The fact that it includes a tactile stylus gives it a lot of play, because thanks to its design it is a very comfortable device for writing, since It is completely flat on both sides. You can benefit from this pencil in several ways, such as with its note-taking application or through the possibility of taking notes in books, which can be appreciated in the workplace and in academia.

When not in use, it can remain fixed on one of its sides thanks to its magnetic system. Comes with several replacement tips and a cap to protect it when not in use. The feeling it offers when writing is very good, almost as if it were real paper.

I buy it?

This BOOX Note Air3 is an excellent alternative for those who want to enjoy the greatest number of possibilities in terms of reading, since thanks to Android and the touch pen it is possible to do much more than download and read e-books.

It is possible to download applications to read saved websites, magazines and any type of content directly from the device thanks to the large number of applications available on Google Play. In addition to being able to download alternatives like Kindle, it has its own bookstore.

As it has a 10.3-inch screen, it is important to keep in mind that this is not a device designed to be taken anywhere as is the case with other models that almost fit in a pocket. This does not mean that it cannot be taken out of the house, but it is true that it is not the most comfortable thing to read on a daily basis on public transport. In return, This large screen provides an excellent typing experiencewhich makes the process comfortable and touching the panel almost like writing on paper, which is very good for taking notes in books.

Its price is 499 dollars, so this represents a significant expense, but it may be worth it if it is used intensively for several hours a day, in addition to using its touch pen. People who have years of study ahead of them or whose work is based on reading and correction can get the most out of it.