
Microsoft is stupid for not making an E-ink tool for OneNote
Residing in a globe of innovative innovation, I encounter numerous tricks or excessively complex points (like virtual reality) that simply don’t match my operations. Certainly, a few of that gets on me, yet typically sufficient, it’s part of firms’ hit-and-miss method to providing brand-new experiences.
Among one of the most outstanding little bits of technology that I lately acquired is Amazon.com’s Kindle Scribe with E-ink (or ‘digital ink’). It’s a $330 e-reader with a charitable 10.2-inch Paperwhite touchscreen, front light (with shade temperature level controls), and also, as the name recommends, the capacity to be made use of for notetaking many thanks to the pen. However, the cost leaps considerably if you include the Costs Pen (push button eraser) or increase from the entry-level 16GB of storage space.
Besides being the very best Kindle visitor I’ve had merely as a result of the display screen dimension, the ‘Scribe’ component has actually been a video game changer for my task. It’s the technology I would certainly have eliminated to have in graduate institution, and also any kind of trainee or white-collar worker would certainly love its abilities.
Sure, the inking capability is excessively simplified contrasted to the preferred (and also a lot more costly) reMarkable2. Still, given that I don’t attract and also all I wish to do is take standard notes, I locate the experience sufficient. And also, Amazon.com has actually assured software program improvements to include even more capability around notetaking and also some assistance for Microsoft Word.
You’re possibly interested why I’d desire Scribe versus a Windows laptop computer like Surface Area Pro 9 that can ink and also do a lot more. It’s an excellent inquiry. A great deal of my option boils down to function. Kindle Scribe has 2 features: Review publications and also make note. It does that while being incredibly light (15.3 oz / 433 g) with a battery that can recently. It likewise really feels even more like pencil and also paper as a result of the texturized display screen. Generally, Scribe toenails its 2 features.
Tattooing on a Windows laptop computer for notetaking is superb, particularly when you utilize OneNote. Yet the experience is not rather as pleasing as utilizing Scribe. That boils down to the sensation along with battery stress and anxiety.
While I remained in Las Las vega covering CES, all I made use of was the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s with 5G, Kindle Scribe, and also a Google Pixel 7. Those 3 points were exceptionally light to lug, and also each had all-day battery life. Certain, a Surface Area Pro 9 5G can have been made use of rather, yet there’s a possibility I would certainly have needed to lug a battery pack (or a minimum of a battery charger) with me given that my day was so disorderly and also all over the map.
That configuration was the coolest one I have actually ever before made use of. Keeping in mind throughout meetings and also conferences seemed like I was utilizing a note pad. The illumination made it readable in any kind of problem. And also it was incredibly quick to enter and also from it without the common computer concerns.
Lenovo Smart Paper and also what regarding Microsoft?
While at CES 2023, I obtained hands-on with Lenovo’s upcoming Smart Paper. It’s like Amazon.com’s Kindle Scribe in dimension and also feature yet utilizes Android and also is a lot more open resource. You can also sideload any kind of Android APK on it for running applications and also make use of e-pub publications for analysis. Creating capabilities are a lot more born down Smart Paper than Scribe, yet Amazon.com can offset a few of that by means of those software program updates.
Lenovo likewise has creative sync software program to operate on Android, iphone, and also Windows to share files and also relocate them anywhere you desire. Cloud assistance by means of Google exists also.
The coolest point, nonetheless, is Lenovo consists of the pen and also cover (unlike Amazon.com), and also the pen suits a silo because cover, which is a dazzling layout.
Once Again, I would certainly have enjoyed for Lenovo Smart Paper to exist years earlier. The latency of the ink, the feeling, the battery life, it’s all excellent things. Furthermore, Lenovo allows you document sound while notetaking and also play it back, much like Microsoft’s OneNote. I want Kindle did that, yet maybe later on it will.
All this makes me question why Microsoft hasn’t leaned a lot more right into E-ink.
Could you envision a 10- or 11-inch e-reader with Microsoft’s pen innovation developed around running Microsoft 365’s Workplace applications like Word, Overview, and also OneNote? The E-ink refresh price suffices that it doesn’t really feel strange to utilize it for greater than simply reviewing (it’s superb for inking currently), so I don’t see why a mobile Microsoft Workplace visitor with pen assistance wouldn’t be awesome. Bear in mind in OneNote, conserve to OneDrive, or mail something off in Overview. Sight your schedule on the lock display, and so on.
A few of this looks like a piece of cake, although I obtain just how it can cannibalize a few of the disagreements for Surface area Pro tools. Yet, on the various other hand, inking on Surface area Pro appears far better fit for expert musicians, designers, and also imaginative kinds that require dynamic shade and also the power of a computer behind everything. Nonetheless, a Microsoft Scribe-like tool would certainly profit white-collar worker, pupils, and also reporters. In addition to such a gadget would certainly be more affordable to buy. Hell, Microsoft can also link it right into Microsoft 365 memberships with discount rates on dedications to the solution or pay it off monthly like a mobile phone.
Certainly, there’s no proof of Microsoft relocating in on such a task, which is an embarassment. So, I’ll maintain utilizing my Kindle Scribe and also await Lenovo’s Smart Paper to load that gap in my heart.
Yet Microsoft, if you’re paying attention, provide it an idea, m’kay?

