For those who missed out on the JB Hi-Fi or Officeworks deals, The Good Guys now have this on clearance (I assume) at $349. A few stores around my area (WA) have stock for Click and Collect, however they are also doing these for delivery orders.
Great price if you are willing to play around with installing Android apps on it. Not for me but I thought I'd share the deal for others to enjoy.
Thanks. Will cancel my OW order.
This is a good catch!
Same price of $349 on Amazon AU (although says you may have to wait 1-2 months) - https://www.amazon.com.au/Lenovo-Smart-Paper-Tablet-Handwrit…
Kobo is announcing a new range of colour eReaders. Kindle will have no choice but to follow.
Neither Kobo nor Kindle can browse the web comfortably or install Android apps.
The web browser on Kindle Scribe is terrible.
Nothing e-paper will ever easily browse the web because of the refresh rate. The colour is missing for comics and textbooks.
Even if you upped the refresh rate you’d quickly lose the week long battery.
Depends what you mean by easily. Not for scrolling through youtube results maybe, but for most modern pages it's fine. I have an android e-ink and it works great, batt life for days even with browsing. And colour e-ink is already here
It depends.
I had it from Jbhifi deal and its surprisingly good for forums etc.
Wouldnt be great for websites with gifs/frequent changes etc
not true anymore, you can get eink smartphones, sure the refresh rate isn't quick but enough to watch youtube, and it keeps improving each couple years
Glad there's a new colour ereader coming but it's a shame it's also using the older tech with a lower ppi for colour:
300 PPI—black-and-white content
150 PPI—colour content
The main problem is that there are no replacement smart pens (magnetic) or nibs available when they wear out. They won't be coming out anytime soon, based on the update from the lenevo support team.
Did you make an account just to post the same comment on the 3 deals for this product?
I appreciate the consistency in comments.
You can order replacement pens (comes with 5 nibs) off Lenovo uk store but pricey (£35). I just got one and had delivered to a friend. I figured this is being phased out so will be even harder in the future.
The pen is using the same wacom technology like samsung mobile/tablet. I have tried the samsung ones and works well. Also in the setting - more, you can turn on the side button function if your wacom pen has it.
You can use any Wacom EMR based pen such as those from the Kindle Scribe and Remarkable - there are also many generics available online.
If you just want replacement nibs it should use the same nibs as those in the Kindle Scribe - there are also many generics available online.
to FYI, the pens for kindle scribe work perfectly on this, i find it more comfortable and lightweight to use on this than the metal lenovo one. Magnets work too
I’ve been wanting a Kindle Scribe for a while but they’re always around the $600-650 mark. How do these compare? For almost half the price. I’m thinking the writing is smoother on the Scribe? Maybe the resolution too?
It's $549. Down a bit more with cashback/giftcard/TRS.
Kindle is sharper display but no apps
https://www.pocket-lint.com/lenovo-smart-paper-vs-amazon-kin…
The $549 is the 16gb with basic pen (which according to Camelcamelcamel) is (pretty much) the standard pricing (https://au.camelcamelcamel.com/product/B09BS5XWNS).
I really wanted a Scribe mid to late last year (16gb with premium pen) and kept my eye out (including during Black Friday), but disappointingly the price did not drop. Looking at Camecamelcamel (https://au.camelcamelcamel.com/product/B09BRW6QBJ), it looks like it dropped in December to a decent price, but otherwise hovering around its normal pricing.
Is there a benefit in apps if you already have an ipad for web browsing? Surely the experience will be poor on this with a greyscale screen?
Weighing this up against the coming kobo colour readers
Can confirm. Watching pron on paper tablet isn't ideal, but adds a new dimension of surrealism.
It depends what you would use the colour for. Colour e-ink very washed out looking and not really great for photographs. The Kobo publicity shots show it being used for highlighting text and colour cover thumbnails, which is not very compelling. Some people like it for reading comics. It could also be useful for colour diagrams and graphs.
As for android apps on the Lenovo, reviews say that many apps perform badly if not designed for e-ink. You could install the Kindle app if you have a large kindle library.
I just watched a Youtube review from a guy who really likes e-ink tablets and uses them every day for work. He doesn't rate it highly against the competitors.
Please DON'T Buy the Lenovo Smart Paper Before Watching This!
I find having your email app on this to be really handy. Not just for reading, but for opening PDF attachments. Don't think Gmail would work, as Google apps can't be side loaded on this, as the require Google Services you can still access it via a browser, but I can confirm that the Yahoo Mail app works with no issues.
Mine arrived from Officeworks on Monday.
The primary use case is browsing websites in the evening. The refresh issues when scrolling and animated adverts can be a bit annoying, but if you can accept that then it serves it purpose well.
The location of the USB charging port is annoying because you cannot open or close the cover without removing the cable.
The lighter weight compared with a lenovo chromebook duet, makes it easier to hold.
How is battery life? What apps have you installed?
I haven't installed any apps at this stage.
It is a bit early to tell about battery life. After a few hours usage the battery is sitting at 73%
$298 at TGG Commercial, $5 delivery, seems like plenty of stock in SA
It's $312 on my end. Have you successfully bought one?
I am trying but can not proceed payment with paypal it's keep coming back after confirming place order at very last page.
I added to cart and selected store for pick up - all seems fine.
Then I started going through the reviews and this one made me stop it… tempted though…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOnjRIEYIzY
I watched that video too, but don't forget he's comparing it at 400 pounds, over twice of what it's going for here. That doesn't change everything, but the things he's suggesting instead are in a completely different price range.
I ordered one for $312 successfully, but that wasn't with PayPal.
I ordered one for click and collect via PayPal this morning @ $312
Picked one up from one of the previous deals.
I also watched the Please DON'T Buy the Lenovo Smart Paper Before Watching This!. IMO, the main thing this device has going for it is price. If you look at the other devices mentioned at their cost and think about whether you can accept the compromise.
The channel also has a few other videos comparing iPads and similar devices which are also worth watching if considering this or a similar device.
For many users, a different device may be better. For me, where it shines is a few books/docs which don't reflow well, B&W comics.
Compared to my other devices -
which comic reader app did you install? YAC?
Mihon for now.
I'm still planning on trying other options. I haven't tried any paid apps yet.
@impoze: Nice! Thanks for the reply.
I'm quite happy with the one Google Play app for now, but may consider that in the future.
any way to install GAPP?
moonreader and libby and possible kindle are the 3 apps that I need to use.
or just look for apks for those apps?
This reddit thread mentions installing GAPPs and having issues.
I used a file manager(Solid Explorer) to extract the Kindle app and then copied it onto the Smart Paper. I'm not sure how other apps would work as there may be some DRM for paid apps.
thanks for your suggestion on extracting the kindle app.
I did see the reddit post, it wasnt heavy on details.
Won't catch me buying another Lenovo Android device. They're garbage.
anyone got order confirmation from GG Commercial yet?
placed an order this morning
I placed two GG Commercial orders early this morning (one for this and one for something else) and got a pickup text message about 20 mins after they opened. The text message didn't have the order numbers or other details, just said your order is ready. No email to confirm the order was ready, just the text message.
Yeah, I ordered last night and got a shipping notification this arvo.
I've spent the better part of last night researching this product and I really don't think its worth it - even at 349$
There are far too many reported issues with this and the software/UI is garbage.
It depends on what you will use it. I'm pretty happy with it for over a week use. The original book reader app is great for me. The firefox browser is ok, but I use EinkBro more. Shredder Chess is a good game on it as well.
Battery life is great. I would say it will last for a week if you read books 3hour per day.
OOI, what are you aiming to do with an e-ink device? What are you considering instead?
how is this different from the remarkable2?
what's the use case for writing tablets like these?
i'm just wondering why would i want to get this compared to an ipad.
It's less than half the price of a remarkable 2 with the accessories included ( ~$750), and runs Android so you have the possibility of sideloading apps such as OneNote. Some people place high value e-ink (less eye strain), paper like writing feel, and a distraction free device.
An iPad with similar accessories runs for around $1000. It's also glass, so you'll need to add a special matte paper-feel screen protector (imo these still feel much worse).
Tbh, if you have iPad money just go for the iPad.
picked it up yesterday and finding it quite nice, sideloaded a few apps as recommended.
Just started using it today, and installed Mihon, put on some one piece, and off it goes. You definitely need to change the background colour to white, otherwise there will be ghosting.
Not sure what else I would be using it for
Have found the size great for manga compared to my Kindle PW
Has anyone loaded the kindle app? Do do you find the experience better or worse than the Kindle?
I side-loaded the Kindle App and didn't like it - it is the Kindle Android app, so the experience is different to the normal Kindle E-Readers. I ended up installing KOReader, and after some customisations, I think it's pretty perfect as an reader for an e-Ink screen (it feels very close to the experience of using a Kindle eReader now).
Thank you so much @S3ISOR.
No worries, when you first open KOReader it looks a bit 'raw', but once you've loaded books, I changed the home screen default, the home screen style (display size, columns, rows, etc), and now it effectively looks like a Kindle/Kobo home screen. I also changed or turned off a lot of the gestures and things and modified the normal things like fonts, margins, etc. I also side-loaded the Kindle Bookerly font from here: https://developer.amazon.com/en-US/alexa/branding/echo-guide…
Could you also please give some tips in terms of a eink native/compatible notetaking app as well? Today I took some notes on the default note taking app, left the app open, closed the lid and came back to see that the notes flashed momentarily before completely disappearing. Didn't spring for the cloud storage.
few people are using onenote
@taikonaut, does that mean you will have to keep export a note periodically as WIP notes to Google drive if you don't want to accidentally loose any notes? What is the cost of the cloud storage?
@Ronney: So I googled it and someone else was having the same issue: https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Android-based-Tablets-an…
I created a Lenovo ID and activated cloud storage (they give you 5gb free for 3 months). When I did that it asked me if I wanted to change the data format or something like that - hopefully this will fix it. I think the pricing can be found on the Lenovo Smart paper app. I have no intention of paying for cloud storage.
@taikonaut: I tried but couldn't find the actual price. I could be wrong (and hope I am) but I believe some reviewer said its like $300 for 5gb per year or so. Again I am hoping this isn't true.
@taikonaut: I found the pricing in the Lenovo Smart Paper Windows App.
The purchase instructions are found here.
@taikonaut: @taikonaut I assume that you were not logged into your Lenovo account when you first created your notes. Not sure if this is an issue when you are not signed in. Check this thread where someone was able to recover the missing notes.
@Ronney: I have the same issue. Notes keep disappearing everytime I am logged out, which happens every day. To recover you need to log back in. Exceedingly awful design.
Anytime a sign in is made on the device notes that were created without a login get associated with the login and are no longer available if you are not logged in. I do not know what will happen if two different people login on the same device.
@taikonaut: Sideloading apps is easy. Just load the APKs into Google Drive or Nextcloud and off you go. Definitely the easiest part about the device.
@bonechiller: Can also install through fdroid, aurora, Amazon store for easier updates
What other apps are you running?
@impoze: Not with these apps. I had an issue with notion as it appears it’s a web app. I could not get Notion to work.
Also tried installing the play store but was not successful.
Fdroid and Aurora work very well. As do many apps such as moon reader, kindle, etc.
@impoze: Even though OneNote works and is usable the performance is not as good as the stock app.
I take notes on the stock app, export them to PDF in Nextcloud and import them into OneNote and or Notion.
I have had a few instances where the notes app restarted but unlike others I did not lose my notes. Touch wood. I am logged into Lenovo however.
@quickling: @quickling This is happening to me everyday now (i.e., getting logged out of my lenovo account) and its getting on my nerves. Is this happening to everyone?
@taikonaut: It started happening to me. I just initiated a return with Officeworks as the noted disappearing is a deal breaker
@bonechiller: Use another app like OneNote
Also see - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/15195626/redir
@impoze: Is there an eink native android app? I have tried onenote but I don't like how the screen keeps refreshing (either with fast mode and inking enabled).
@impoze: Thanks! I tried OneNote but as someone has said, the screen constantly refreshing and moving around is not the best experience. I really like the stock notes app. I will see if using it logged out with Syncthing will help.
@taikonaut
If you have good guys commercial you can get it for $312.