SVARTLING NETWORK

XTEINK X3, X4 and X4 Pro - A simple comparison

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 14:53:12 +0200

The Ultimate Pocket E-Reader Showdown: XTEINK X3 vs. X4 vs. X4 Pro

The pursuit of the perfect, distraction-free reading device has led to a fascinating evolution in the e-reader market. We are no longer limited to hauling around tablet-sized screens; the latest trend is the ultra-portable, magnetic pocket e-reader. At the forefront of this movement is XTEINK, a brand that has garnered a cult following for its minimalist, smartphone-attachable E-Ink devices. After spending considerable time with the company's core lineup—the X3, the standard X4, and the newly minted X4 Pro—it is time for a definitive breakdown. Which of these pocketable companions truly deserves a spot on the back of your phone?

The Display Dilemma: Whiteness and Screen Clarity

When it comes to E-Ink, screen clarity and background whiteness are paramount. Putting the three devices side-by-side reveals a surprising quirk in visual perception. The compact X3 emerges as the device with the whitest-looking display. However, this is partially an optical illusion; the X3’s stark black bezels create a high-contrast framing that tricks the eye into perceiving a brighter white canvas.

In contrast, the standard X4 (specifically in its frost white colorway) and the X4 Pro sit slightly lower on the perceived whiteness scale. The X4 Pro, in particular, has a slightly darker tint compared to the minimalist X3. This is a common technical trade-off: the Pro model is equipped with both a capacitive touch layer and a front-light layer. These two additional layers sit between your eyes and the e-ink capsules, subtly pushing the text further away and reducing the raw brightness. Despite this, the text on the Pro remains incredibly crisp—vastly superior to many mainstream e-readers—but purists who demand the rawest E-Ink experience will notice the difference.

Device Breakdown

XTEINK X3: The Ultra-Light Minimalist

If portability is your absolute highest priority, the XTEINK X3 is a masterclass in miniaturization. Featuring a 3.7-inch display and weighing a mere 58 grams, this device is designed to live in a jeans pocket all day long. It ditches modern USB-C ports in favor of pogo pins for data transfer and charging. In practice, you rarely need to consciously charge its 650mAh battery; simply plugging it in to update the Crossink software provides enough trickle charge to keep the device alive indefinitely. The physical page-turn buttons are its primary control method, though their placement on the opposite sides can feel awkward. Thankfully, the software allows you to map both buttons to "page forward."

XTEINK X4: The Aesthetic Middle Ground

Stepping up in size, the standard XTEINK X4 features a 4.3-inch display. The white version of the X4 is a particular standout. The white bezels blend seamlessly with the background, allowing users to push the software margins incredibly thin—down to a setting of one or two—maximizing text real estate. With robust magnets, the X4 mounts flawlessly onto larger smartphones like the iPhone Air, sitting flush without overhanging the edges. Note that XTEINK recently sold out and discontinued the standard X4 to focus on the Pro, making the original a bit of a collector's item.

XTEINK X4 Pro: The Undisputed Champion

Retaining the 4.3-inch form factor, the X4 Pro fundamentally transforms the user experience by adding a touchscreen and a dual-tone front light. The front light is a game-changer for night reading in bed. The touchscreen allows for instantaneous dictionary lookups (via long-press) and seamless clipping. What makes the X4 Pro brilliant is its software flexibility: if you hate accidental screen taps, you can disable capacitive touch entirely, relying on physical buttons or a simple swipe gesture to turn pages.

Quick Spec Comparison

Feature	XTEINK X3	XTEINK X4	XTEINK X4 Pro
Display Size	3.7 inches	4.3 inches	4.3 inches
Input Method	Buttons only	Buttons only	Touchscreen + Buttons
Front Light	No	No	Yes
Battery	650mAh	650mAh	1100mAh

Key Takeaways

Best for minimalists: The X3 remains the most pocketable and features the highest perceived screen contrast.
Best aesthetics: The white X4 provides the illusion of a larger screen and thinner margins.
Best overall functionality: The X4 Pro wins with its front light, touch dictionary support, and customizable touch controls.

Ultimately, if you are investing in a pocket e-reader today, the XTEINK X4 Pro is the clear recommendation. It packs everything a modern reader needs into a tiny, magnetic footprint, ensuring your library is always just a flip away.

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https://www.xteink.com/

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My review of the Awesome viwoods AiPaper e-Note Tablet!

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:36:27 +0200

The Viwoods AiPaper Is a Note-Taking Marvel That Redefines E-Ink Whiteness

The quest to build the perfect digital notebook often involves throwing every conceivable feature at an e-ink display until it becomes a compromised jack-of-all-trades. But what happens when a device strips away the excess to focus on the absolute fundamentals of reading and writing? Enter the 10.65-inch Viwoods AiPaper, a black-and-white e-Note tablet that delivers one of the purest, most paper-like experiences on the market.

A Display So White, You Won't Miss the Front Light

The most striking thing about the Viwoods AiPaper is its screen. In a market crowded with grayish, muddled e-ink panels, the AiPaper boasts what might just be the whitest display ever seen on an e-reader. The contrast is incredibly sharp, making text pop beautifully whether you are reviewing documents or reading a thriller on the Storytel app.

To achieve this stark clarity, Viwoods made a controversial design choice: they omitted the front light entirely. While this might sound like a dealbreaker for late-night readers, the screen's natural brightness compensates in almost any decently lit room. If you are sitting in a well-lit office or reading by a sunny window, the lack of an artificial glow is actually a relief. It forces the tablet to behave like an actual pad of paper—if it's dark, you need a lamp. For those who prioritize screen crispness over reading in the pitch black, it’s a trade-off that makes perfect sense.

Writing That Actually Feels Like Paper

An e-Note device lives or dies by its stylus, and the Viwoods AiPaper absolutely nails the tactile experience. The included pen feels excellent in the hand, gliding across the textured display with a satisfying, paper-like friction. It sounds and feels like you are dragging a real graphite pencil across a thick sheet of notebook paper.

The digital erasing experience is equally refined. A dedicated button on the stylus offers precise, controlled erasing, sidestepping the clunky software toggles that plague lesser tablets. Viwoods has also built out a robust daily planner and note-taking ecosystem. You can lasso handwritten text to instantly add it to your calendar or to-do list, making it a formidable productivity tool for journaling and daily task management.

Cloud Syncing and Android Flexibility

Thanks to a recent software update, Viwoods has introduced seamless cloud syncing. If you happen to own the smaller AiPaper Mini, your daily logs, to-do lists, and reading notes automatically update across both devices via the Viwoods Cloud. You can jot down a thought on the large 10.65-inch tablet at your desk and pull it up on the Mini while on the go.

Under the hood, the AiPaper runs Android and fully supports the Google Play Store. While heavy web browsing in Chrome can be a bit laggy—par for the course with e-ink—apps like Reddit run surprisingly well. Scrolling is snappy, and the device handles ghosting expertly with its customizable refresh modes. Whether you prefer ultra-fast refreshing or the crispest possible text, the display settings are highly granular.

Unprecedented Battery Life

Perhaps the most shocking feature of the Viwoods AiPaper is its battery endurance. Android-based e-ink tablets are notoriously power-hungry, often dying after just a few days of use. The AiPaper shatters this expectation. Straight out of the box at an 80 percent charge, the device can easily power through 12 days of daily journaling, task logging, and reading without ever seeing a charging cable. This is Kindle-class battery life on a full-fledged Android tablet, an incredibly rare feat.

A Few Rough Edges

No device is perfect, and the AiPaper does have a few minor quirks. The Wi-Fi antenna isn't as robust as some competitors, struggling to hold a signal outdoors where devices like the Bigme HiBreak Pro Color remain connected. Additionally, while the tablet itself is remarkably thin, light, and easy to hold, the included folio cover tends to attract dirt and fray at the edges after a few weeks of heavy use. You might find yourself wanting to upgrade to the premium leather case option.

Finally, while the built-in fingerprint sensor is a welcome security touch, the cover design occasionally makes it slightly awkward to access quickly.

The Verdict

The Viwoods AiPaper isn't trying to be a multimedia powerhouse. It is a focused, premium e-Note tablet designed for people who take their reading, journaling, and note-taking seriously. By ditching the front light, Viwoods managed to create an astonishingly white display that, combined with exceptional battery life and a true-to-life writing feel, makes it an absolute joy to use. If you want a digital notebook that truly feels analog, this is the one to get.

Official site:

https://viwoods.com/

AiPaper:

https://viwoods.com/products/viwoods-aipaper

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CrossInk for XTEINK X4 Pro! A lot of cool things available

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 14:03:17 +0200

CrossInk Beta Transforms the XTEINK X4 Pro: Gestures, Offline Sync, and Library Support

The e-reader market is crowded, but true power users know that hardware is only half the battle. The software running on your e-ink device dictates whether it is a seamless reading companion or a frustrating paperweight. For owners of the XTEINK X4 Pro, the newly released CrossInk beta firmware is proving to be a massive leap forward. Pushing the boundaries of customization, gesture control, and offline capabilities, this firmware update effectively turns the X4 Pro into an entirely new device. Whether you are using it alongside a premium color display or as your standalone workhorse, CrossInk unlocks features that standard e-readers simply cannot match.

Key Upgrades at a Glance

Granular Touch Controls: Disable screen taps to avoid accidents while retaining deliberate swipe gestures.
Custom Button Mapping: Reassign any physical key, such as using the power button to toggle the front light.
Offline Peer-to-Peer Sync: Transfer reading progress and entire books between devices without any internet connection.

The Best of Both Worlds: Granular Touch and Tactile Control

One of the most pervasive dilemmas with modern e-readers is the touch screen itself. While essential for navigation, touch displays often lead to accidental page turns when you are just trying to hold the device comfortably. The CrossInk firmware introduces an elegant solution: the ability to turn off the touch display entirely, allowing the X4 Pro to operate strictly via its physical buttons, much like the standard non-touch X4.

However, the true genius lies in its granular customization. Users can disable general touch sensitivity while keeping specific swipe gestures active. This means you can grip the device naturally, completely immune to stray taps, but still use a deliberate thumb swipe to turn the page. Furthermore, every physical button is fully reprogrammable. Want to use a short press of the power button to instantly toggle your front light on or off? With CrossInk, assigning that shortcut takes just a few seconds.

Smart Reading Tools and Seamless Annotations

An e-reader is only as good as its reading tools, and CrossInk brings a suite of powerful utilities right to your fingertips. Long-pressing a word instantly summons a comprehensive, multi-page dictionary—such as Cambridge—which you can easily dismiss with a quick swipe.

Highlighting, referred to in the ecosystem as "clippings," is also receiving a smart overhaul. While dragging a finger across an e-ink screen to highlight text can occasionally feel fiddly due to the screen refresh rates, CrossInk offers a highly precise alternative. By simply tapping the first word and the last word of your desired passage, the software instantly creates a clean, accurate clipping. You can easily access these clippings, along with bookmarks and global settings, through a dedicated swipe-up menu or custom gestures like a double-tap for the home screen.

True Offline Independence and Peer-to-Peer Syncing

Perhaps the most futuristic addition in the CrossInk beta is its approach to device syncing. Typically, keeping your reading progress updated across multiple devices requires a steady Wi-Fi connection and a cloud server. CrossInk introduces a "nearby position sync" feature that completely bypasses the internet.

Using a direct peer-to-peer connection, you can sync your exact reading location—or even transfer an entire book file—between two CrossInk-enabled devices. You could be sitting in a remote cabin in the woods with zero mobile connectivity, and your XTEINK devices will still seamlessly communicate with each other.

The Verdict

While still in its beta phase, the CrossInk firmware for the XTEINK X4 Pro is already polished enough to serve as a daily driver. It is a shining example of how open, highly customizable software can elevate e-ink hardware from a simple reading tablet into an absolute powerhouse tailored precisely to the reader's habits.

Inky:

https://inky.crossink.dev/

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My review of the viwoods AiPaper Reader C (color)

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 12:46:06 +0200

The Viwoods AiPaper Reader C Review: A Pocket E-Reader That Shines Brightest in Grayscale

The smartphone-sized e-reader market is an intriguing niche for those of us who want a dedicated reading device that fits effortlessly into a pocket without the distraction of a traditional smartphone. The latest contender to enter this space is the Viwoods AiPaper Reader C (also known as the Reader Color), a device that packs a Kaleido 3 color e-ink display into an ultra-portable form factor. After spending considerable time with it, the Reader C proves to be a fascinating, albeit flawed, addition to the pocket e-reader landscape.

The Kaleido 3 Trade-Off and Illumination

Upgrading to a color e-ink display always comes with a built-in compromise, and the AiPaper Reader C is no exception. Because of the Kaleido 3 technology, the screen is noticeably darker than its standard black-and-white counterpart. If you try to use it with the front light turned completely off, you are met with a dark gray canvas that is difficult to read. Essentially, you are required to keep the front light active at all times.

Fortunately, the front light on the Reader C is genuinely outstanding. It gets incredibly bright, outperforming many other Kaleido 3 devices currently on the market. More importantly, unlike the black-and-white AiPaper Reader, this Color version includes an adjustable warm front light. This alone is a massive selling point, making it exceptionally comfortable to read in a pitch-black room. Keeping the light on constantly does impact the battery, but it still comfortably delivers two to three days of life on a single charge—only a minor step down from the monochrome version.

The Color Calibration Conundrum

Here is where the device stumbles: the color calibration. If you are buying a color e-reader specifically for rich, accurate image rendering, the Reader C might disappoint. The colors are overwhelmingly saturated, particularly in the red spectrum. When scrolling through web feeds or viewing photos of people, skin tones often look artificially red and blown out. Compared to competitors like the Bigme HiBreak Pro Color—which handles Kaleido 3 color calibration significantly better—the Reader C falls short.

However, there is an ironic twist to this color e-reader: its best feature might actually be its Grayscale mode. When you turn off the color rendering, the device transforms. Scrolling through news feeds in Grayscale, illuminated by that warm front light, is a gorgeous, distraction-free experience. In fact, if you want a compact black-and-white e-reader with a warm light, the Reader C is arguably a better purchase than the actual black-and-white version, provided you do not mind the darker baseline screen when the light is off.

A Refined Reading Experience

When it comes to its primary purpose—reading text—the AiPaper Reader C excels. Firing up platforms like Storytel or KOReader yields crisp text, excellent contrast, and sharp typography. Viwoods has also implemented a remarkably effective "Quick Refresh" mode. As you scroll through text or articles, the device automatically refreshes the display the moment the page stops moving, instantly wiping away any ghosting. It is a seamless software trick that makes navigation feel snappy and responsive.

Hardware, Controls, and Ecosystem Syncing

The hardware itself is thoughtfully designed for avid readers. The physical volume buttons can be utilized as page-turn buttons in reading apps like KOReader, BookFusion, and the Kindle app, making one-handed reading a breeze. Additionally, the device features a reliable fingerprint sensor for quick security.

Viwoods also offers programmable hardware keys. You can remap the dedicated AI button to perform a manual screen refresh—a highly recommended tweak that prevents accidental AI prompts while giving you complete control over screen clarity.

The Verdict

The Viwoods AiPaper Reader C is a paradox. You are paying a premium for a color display that is ultimately let down by poor calibration and over-saturation. Yet, thanks to its brilliant warm light, snappy automatic refresh modes, and tactile page-turn buttons, it manages to be a superb ultra-portable reading device—if you use it primarily in Grayscale mode. For readers looking for a phone-sized companion that won't strain their eyes at night, the Reader C is a compelling, if slightly contradictory, choice.

Official site:

https://viwoods.com/

AiPaper Reader C:

https://viwoods.com/products/viwoods-aipaper-reader-colour

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How to use Dictionaries on the XTEINK X4 Pro!

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 12:02:01 +0200

XTEINK’s Latest Update Brings Dictionaries to the X4 Pro—Here’s How It Works (and Where It Falls Short)

For dedicated e-ink enthusiasts and avid digital readers, a robust, offline dictionary is not just a luxury—it is an absolute necessity. E-reader ecosystems have historically struggled to balance open-source flexibility with intuitive user interfaces. However, for users invested in the XTEINK ecosystem, reading just received a significant upgrade. The latest iteration of the Crosspoint firmware introduces comprehensive dictionary support to the XTEINK X4 Pro, transforming the reading experience for those tackling complex literature or foreign languages.

While the implementation is a massive step forward, it still lacks the sophisticated, cascading query systems found in competing software. Here is a deep dive into how to set up the new dictionary feature on the XTEINK X4 Pro, how it adapts to older hardware like the X4 and X3, and the one crucial update developers need to prioritize next.

The Technical Setup: Embracing Open Standards

Unlike mainstream e-readers that lock users into proprietary store dictionaries, Crosspoint takes a decidedly open-source approach by supporting the widely adopted StarDict format. Sideloading these files requires a bit of manual file system management, but it offers unparalleled freedom to customize your reference library.

To populate your device with definitions, you will need to bypass the cloud and interface directly with the hardware's local storage:

Extract the Storage: Power down your XTEINK device completely, and carefully remove the MicroSD card from the chassis.
Mount to a Computer: Using the dedicated USB-A adapter that ships with XTEINK devices, mount the SD card to your desktop computer (or a compatible smartphone with file management capabilities).
Establish the Directory Hierarchy: Navigate to the root of the SD card and create a new master folder titled exactly dictionaries.
Transfer StarDict Files: Drag and drop your downloaded StarDict files into this new directory. Crucially, each specific dictionary (e.g., Oxford, Cambridge, or a specialized technical glossary) must reside in its own dedicated subfolder within the main dictionaries directory.

Once the transfer is complete, safely eject the SD card, reinsert it into your XTEINK device, and power it back on. The Crosspoint software will automatically index the newly added reference materials.

Configuration and Interface Mapping

With the files successfully indexed, the next step is routing the software to recognize your preferred workflow. Navigating to Settings > Reader Mode > Dictionary reveals a populated list of every StarDict package you transferred. Here, you must designate your primary active dictionary.

To make the feature seamless during active reading, you need to map the dictionary trigger to a hardware action. On the XTEINK X4 Pro, the most efficient method is assigning the dictionary function to the long-press action of the front capacitive touch menu button. Once mapped, engaging with the text is incredibly fluid: a simple long-press on the menu button activates dictionary mode, allowing you to tap any word—like "fluttered" or "brilliant"—to instantly summon a pop-up overlay containing the full definition. Exiting the overlay immediately returns you to an uninterrupted reading state.

Backwards Compatibility: The X4 and X3 Experience

One of the most commendable aspects of this firmware release is its backwards compatibility. The dictionary feature is not artificially gatekept behind the newer "Pro" moniker. Users operating the standard XTEINK X4 or the older X3 models can utilize the exact same feature via the latest Crosspoint or CrossInk updates.

The core setup—managing the SD card and selecting the StarDict files—remains identical. The only divergence is in the user experience mapping. Because the X4 and X3 lack the capacitive touch display layer found on the X4 Pro, users must map the dictionary activation and word-selection navigation to the physical hardware buttons instead.

The Missing Link: Cascading Fallbacks

Despite the excellent file format support and fluid touch implementation on the Pro, the current software has a glaring architectural flaw that prevents it from competing with advanced reading software like KOReader.

Currently, the Crosspoint software operates on a strict, one-to-one query limitation. If you select a word that does not exist within your currently designated primary dictionary, the system simply returns a "not found" error. It forces the user to manually dive back into the settings menu, select an alternative dictionary, and try again.

In contrast, software like KOReader utilizes a cascading query system. If the primary dictionary fails to yield a result, the software automatically and instantaneously searches the next available dictionary in the directory, seamlessly jumping through resources until it finds a match. For a device built for power users, the lack of an automated fallback mechanism creates unnecessary friction.

The introduction of dictionary support is a phenomenal leap forward for the XTEINK ecosystem. If the development team can refine the software to include a cascading dictionary search in a future patch, the XTEINK X4 Pro will cement its status as a premier, uncompromising reading device.

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https://www.xteink.com/products/xteink-x4-pro-pocket-ereader

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You don't like Touch Display on the XTEINK X4 Pro? Check this out in Crosspoint!

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 14:04:08 +0200

How Open-Source Software Fixed the XTEINK X4 Pro’s Most Divisive Feature

When XTEINK released the X4 Pro, the successor to its cult-favorite pocket e-readers, it introduced a feature that immediately polarized its dedicated user base: a touchscreen.

For years, minimalist reading enthusiasts championed devices like the XTEINK X3 and the original X4 precisely because they lacked a touch interface. Operating entirely via physical buttons, those earlier models offered a tactile, distraction-free experience that felt closer to reading a physical paperback than scrolling through a smartphone. The X4 Pro disrupted that legacy by adding a capacitive digitizer over its compact 4.3-inch E Ink display, replacing the traditional page-turn buttons on the front with a single circular home button and a touch-driven interface.

The Ergonomic Problem

While the addition of touch brought modern conveniences—like easier menu navigation and quicker typing—it introduced a significant ergonomic hurdle. The X4 Pro weighs a mere 72 grams and is barely thicker than a few credit cards. It is designed to be gripped securely in one hand, often with fingers resting slightly over the screen’s bezel. On a capacitive touch display, a resting thumb is easily misinterpreted as a tap, resulting in accidental, frustrating page turns.

Some users simply want to hold their e-reader naturally without having to meticulously hover their fingers over the screen. For these readers, the manufacturer's default touch implementation felt like a step backward in usability.

The Open-Source Solution

Enter CrossPoint, the open-source e-reader firmware built specifically for ESP32-powered e-ink devices. Maintained by a dedicated community of developers, CrossPoint is effectively an aftermarket operating system that unlocks absolute control over how devices like the XTEINK series function.

One of the most brilliant implementations within CrossPoint is its granular control over the touchscreen digitizer. If you find the X4 Pro’s touch layer obtrusive, CrossPoint allows you to neuter it completely. By navigating to the device’s settings, opening the controls menu, and selecting "Touch reader controls," users can turn off the touchscreen entirely during reading sessions. This effectively reverts the X4 Pro into a button-only device, mimicking the beloved user experience of the older X3 and X4 models.

The "Swipe-Only" Sweet Spot

However, shutting off the touchscreen entirely isn't the most elegant solution. The side buttons on the X4 Pro is awkwardly placed for extended reading, particularly if you hold the device in your left hand. Reaching to the other side to click the button to advance the page requires a constant, uncomfortable shifting of your grip.

This is where CrossPoint’s "Swipe Only" feature shines as the ultimate sweet spot, and it is a trick that completely changes the hardware's usability.

By setting the touch controls to recognize swipes rather than taps, the software fundamentally alters how the device interprets inputs from your fingers. A static tap—like an accidental brush of the thumb—is ignored. But a deliberate swipe across the screen registers as a page turn.

This configuration offers the best of both worlds. You can grip the X4 Pro firmly without worrying about errant taps jumping you three pages ahead. At the same time, you aren't forced to contort your thumb to reach the physical buttons. Whether you are holding the reader in your left or right hand, a simple, lazy swipe of the thumb anywhere on the screen effortlessly advances the text. It also preserves vertical swipe gestures, allowing users to swipe up to access the reader menu or swipe down to toggle the adjustable front light and dark mode.

Future Updates and Evolution

It is a subtle software tweak that solves a glaring hardware friction point, proving why open-source projects like CrossPoint are so vital to niche hardware communities. Instead of forcing users to adapt to the manufacturer's rigid vision of how a device should be used, it empowers the user to mold the technology to their own physical habits.

And the firmware continues to evolve. While the X4 Pro currently lacks the dictionary lookup available on button-only models, the CrossPoint development community is already implementing robust dictionary support specifically tailored for the touch interface in an upcoming release.

The XTEINK X4 Pro might have alienated some purists right out of the box, but with a few taps in the CrossPoint settings, it transforms into the most versatile, pocketable reading device on the market today.

Buy the XTEINK X4 Pro here:

https://www.xteink.com/products/xteink-x4-pro-pocket-ereader

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Viwoods AiPaper - First Look at this awesome 10.65-inch e-Note

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Sun, 2 Aug 2026 14:35:32 +0200

The Viwoods AiPaper 10.65” First Look: An E-Ink Display So White, You Won't Miss the Front Light

When you think of modern e-notes, a built-in front light feels like a mandatory feature. But what if the underlying screen technology was so brilliantly white that it didn't need one? Enter the Viwoods AiPaper, a 10.65-inch pure black-and-white e-note device that challenges the current status quo in the e-reader space. After unboxing and setting up this tablet, it is clear that Viwoods has engineered a display that must be seen to be believed.

Unboxing: Premium Feel, Thoughtful Design

Out of the box, the Viwoods AiPaper delivers a premium experience. Along with the standard USB-C cable and a quick start guide, you get a textured, tactile magnetic cover—identical in feel to the one found on the Viwoods AiPaper Mini, but scaled up for this 10.65-inch canvas. The magnetic cover does more than just protect the screen; it features a clever storage compartment for spare nibs.

The included stylus immediately stands out. It is lightweight, slightly longer than the pen bundled with the Mini, and provides an impressive amount of friction. When you drag it across the screen, it genuinely feels like a traditional pen gliding over paper.

The Display: The Whitest E-Ink on the Market

Booting up the device reveals its core selling point: an impossibly white e-ink display. The contrast is staggering. Most e-paper displays have a grayish hue that manufacturers mask by blasting a front light. Viwoods has opted for a pure black-and-white panel that reflects ambient light so effectively, a front light is entirely unnecessary in normal room lighting.

To explain the technical significance of this at a detailed, high level: traditional e-ink (electrophoretic display) relies on millions of microcapsules containing positively charged white particles and negatively charged black ones suspended in a clear fluid. Achieving a truly "white" background usually requires sacrificing resolution or relying heavily on internal LEDs (the front light) and a light-guide layer to trick the eye. By maximizing the reflectivity of the white particles and removing the light-guide layer entirely, the Viwoods AiPaper achieves a sharper, more analog contrast ratio. The result is a gorgeous, glare-free aesthetic that significantly reduces eye strain, provided you are in a well-lit room.

A Notetaker’s Paradise

If you are a person who writes heavily or sketches, the expansive 10.65-inch screen is a revelation. The software ecosystem backing this hardware is equally robust. Viwoods has implemented an intuitive template system where you can seamlessly switch between layouts like wide-ruled lines, custom grids, and blank canvases.

One of the standout software features is the built-in Daily planner and To-Do list system. Unlike static digital notebooks, the AiPaper is dynamic. If you write down a task with the pen or the on-screen keyboard and fail to complete it by midnight, the operating system automatically prompts you to roll it over to the next day. It is an intelligent approach to task management that bridges the gap between analog journaling and digital productivity.

The Knowledge Base and Visual Notes

While note-taking is phenomenal, the device’s "Knowledge Base" and "Visual Notes" features truly elevate the overall experience. Because the AiPaper allows you to activate Google Play Services, you can pull up virtually any Android application and instantly annotate over it.

For instance, if you are reading an e-book through your Storytel subscription, you can capture a visual note of the page, crop a specific paragraph, scribble your thoughts directly over the text, and save it to a dedicated notebook in your Knowledge Base. You could be browsing Google News or Reddit, spot an interesting article about Apple iOS, take a snapshot, and file it into a custom "Apple" notebook. This system-wide global annotation capability turns the tablet into a powerful research and learning tool.

The Missing Link: Syncing

There is a catch, though it is likely temporary. Currently, if you own multiple Viwoods devices—such as the 10.65-inch AiPaper and the AiPaper Mini—your Visual Notes, Knowledge Base, and AI Notes do not automatically sync between them. However, Viwoods has confirmed they are actively developing a firmware update to introduce full ecosystem syncing. Once that feature goes live, the ability to seamlessly move a project from the expansive 10.65-inch screen down to the pocketable Mini will make this an almost unbeatable digital stationery setup.

Final Thoughts

The Viwoods AiPaper 10.65-inch e-note isn't just another tablet; it's a statement that fundamental display technology still has room for improvement. It relies on the raw quality and reflectivity of its e-ink rather than artificial illumination. For artists, researchers, and dedicated note-takers, the sheer size, paper-like writing feel, and high-contrast display make it a phenomenal piece of hardware. If you can live without a front light, this might just be the best black-and-white e-note on the market right now.

Official site:

https://viwoods.com/

AiPaper:

https://viwoods.com/products/viwoods-aipaper

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Viwoods AiPaper Reader C (Color) - Unboxing and first look!

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Sat, 1 Aug 2026 12:31:19 +0200

The Viwoods AiPaper Reader C Review: A Bold Step Towards the E-Ink Smartphone

The e-ink revolution is quietly reshaping how we think about mobile devices. For years, the conversation has been dominated by large-format tablets and traditional e-readers. But there is a growing appetite for pocket-sized e-ink devices—tools designed to curb our doom-scrolling habits while offering a sanctuary for reading and focused productivity. Enter the Viwoods AiPaper Reader C, a compelling new entrant that packs a color Kaleido 3 e-ink display into a form factor that feels strikingly like a modern smartphone.

Unboxing the E-Ink Future

Straight out of the box, the AiPaper Reader C makes a strong impression. Viwoods has established a reputation for stellar hardware with its beloved black-and-white AiPaper Reader and the AiPaper Mini, and the Reader C follows suit. The device is lightweight, perfectly proportioned for one-handed use, and ships with a beautifully braided charging cable, a SIM ejector tool, and a protective case (though e-reader purists may find the case remarkably tight-fitting and opt to use the device without it).

What truly sets the AiPaper Reader C apart from a standard e-reader is its ambition to be a connected companion. It features a SIM card tray with 4G/5G cellular data support. For those looking to escape the hyper-stimulation of standard OLED screens, this device presents a fascinating proposition: use the AiPaper Reader C as a daily driver for reading, browsing, and messaging, and relegate a traditional device—like an iPhone Air—to a secondary role for tasks that require a camera or NFC, which this e-ink device purposefully omits.

Hardware controls are thoughtfully laid out along the chassis, featuring a USB-C port, integrated microphones, a power button, a volume rocker, and a dedicated AI button. Thanks to recent firmware updates, users can fully customize these buttons to suit their workflows—or disable them entirely to avoid accidental clicks while reading.

The Realities of Kaleido 3 Color

The star of the show is the Kaleido 3 color e-ink display, but it comes with the inherent trade-offs of current color e-paper technology. When you set the Reader C next to its black-and-white sibling, the difference is immediate. The Kaleido 3 technology utilizes a color filter array layered over a traditional black-and-white e-ink capsule layer. This physical color filter inevitably blocks some ambient light, resulting in a display that is noticeably darker and grayer when the screen is unlit.

Because of this optical reality, the front light isn't just an option for night reading; it is a necessity for daytime visibility and contrast compensation. Balancing the color temperature is critical. By dialing in a careful mix of cool and warm light (for instance, a cool light setting of 12 and a warm light setting of 9), users can offset the slightly greenish-yellow tint of the raw display, achieving a neutral, paper-like white background that allows the colors to pop.

Software and the Art of Tweaking

Once Google Play Services are activated and your favorite apps are downloaded, the true e-ink experience begins—which is to say, the tweaking begins. E-ink is not a plug-and-play technology when applied to standard Android applications.

Because apps like Google News, Reddit, or Chrome are designed for high-refresh-rate LCD or OLED screens, navigating them on e-ink requires finding the right refresh mode. Viwoods offers granular control over these settings. You can set "Quick Refresh" as the system-wide default from the homepage, which sacrifices some image clarity for faster response times, making scrolling smooth and even allowing for casual video watching.

Furthermore, the color layer demands calibration on a per-app basis. Pushing the contrast too high might make text beautifully sharp, but it will inevitably turn human faces in photos into a sunburned, unnatural reddish hue. It requires a delicate dance of adjusting contrast values and saturation sliders to find a compromise where both text and images look natural. Once dialed in, the display is quite stunning, providing a muted, pastel-like color palette that is incredibly gentle on the eyes.

A Focused Companion

The Viwoods AiPaper Reader C isn’t just an e-reader; it’s an experiment in intentional computing. It challenges the notion of what a pocketable screen should be. While it demands some patience to configure and lacks the multimedia prowess of a traditional smartphone, its excellent form factor and eye-friendly color display make it a stellar companion for those who prioritize reading, browsing, and visual comfort. For the dedicated digital reader looking to downsize their distractions, it just might be the perfect fit.

Official site:

https://viwoods.com/

AiPaper Reader C:

https://viwoods.com/products/viwoods-aipaper-reader-colour

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My review of CrossPoint firmware for the XTEINK X4 Pro

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:53:32 +0200

The Custom Firmware That Finally Unleashes the XTEINK X4 Pro

The ultra-compact e-reader market is fiercely competitive, but the brand-new XTEINK X4 Pro has carved out a unique space. It is a micro-sized powerhouse, built to be the perfect dedicated reading companion to a primary device—like the Bigme HiBreak Pro Color. But as any enthusiast knows, capable hardware is only half the battle. Out of the box, the X4 Pro’s stock firmware leaves a lot to be desired. Enter CrossPoint, a custom operating system that transforms this compromised reader into an absolute necessity.

Let us look at why the current Beta 4 release of CrossPoint is an essential upgrade for the X4 Pro.

Fixing the Fundamentals: Typography and Syncing

The most glaring issue with the XTEINK X4 Pro’s original firmware is its handling of international languages. If you read outside of English—specifically in languages like Swedish—the text formatting is frankly unacceptable. The hyphenation is broken, and the layout feels chaotic. CrossPoint instantly remedies this. Booting up a Swedish novel on the new beta reveals gorgeous, properly formatted text with zero hyphenation errors. It is a night-and-day difference that makes reading in local languages genuinely enjoyable.

Beyond typography, CrossPoint brings KOReader sync to the table. The original firmware locks you out of this beloved ecosystem, but with CrossPoint, syncing your reading progress across all your devices works flawlessly. It even restores the simple joy of displaying your current book cover on the sleep screen—a feature bafflingly absent from the stock OS.

Illuminating the Hardware: Lighting and Layers

Adding a front light and a touch layer to a micro-sized e-ink screen is always a balancing act. Because of those extra layers, the X4 Pro’s display isn't quite as starkly white or crisp as the base X4 or X3 models. However, it remains a stunning display compared to other lit e-readers on the market.

Where CrossPoint truly excels is in granular light control. The stock firmware’s lowest brightness setting can feel blinding in a pitch-black room. CrossPoint significantly lowers that floor. Dialing the front light down to 5% or 6% provides the perfect, subtle illumination for late-night reading. You also get full access to warm lighting controls and a true dark mode for those who prefer white text on a black background.

The Quirk of Touch and Buttons

The X4 Pro features physical page-turn buttons, but their placement—directly mirroring each other at the same height on both edges—is not ideal. A rocker design on one side, similar to the older X4, would have offered a much more ergonomic one-handed grip.

CrossPoint navigates this hardware limitation by offering excellent touch controls. Tapping the sides of the screen to flip pages is remarkably fast and responsive. Unfortunately, the beta currently lacks swipe-to-turn functionality; you can only tap to change pages, though you can still swipe to back out of system menus.

CrossPoint makes up for this minor setback with deep customization. If you prefer to grip the device tightly, resting your thumbs directly on the display, you can completely disable the touch reader controls. This locks page-turning exclusively to the physical buttons, preventing accidental jumps while keeping the home button functional.

The Verdict: An Essential Upgrade

Despite being in its fourth beta, CrossPoint feels like mandatory software. By installing it, the XTEINK X4 Pro finally lives up to the promise of its micro-sized form factor, becoming the ultimate library in your pocket.

CrossPoint Beta 4 on XTEINK X4 Pro: At a Glance

Feature	Original Firmware	CrossPoint Beta 4
International Formatting	Poor (broken hyphenation)	Excellent (flawless rendering)
Low-Light Brightness	Too bright	Dim and comfortable (5-6%)
KOReader Sync	Unsupported	Fully Supported
Sleep Screen Cover	Missing	Supported
Page Turning	Buttons & Touch	Buttons & Touch (Tap only, no swipe)

Key Takeaways:

Network Flexibility: Connect via Wi-Fi, tether to your phone's hotspot, or use Calibre wireless seamlessly.
Sun Fading Quirks: Some minor sun fading in direct sunlight.
Disable Touch on Demand: A standout feature allowing you to rest fingers directly on the screen without triggering page turns.

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Tutorial: How to install Crosspoint on XTEINK X4 Pro

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:15:00 +0200

Hack Your Reading: How to Supercharge the XTEINK X4 Pro with Crosspoint Firmware

If you’re serious about e-ink, you know that a device is only as good as its software. The XTEINK X4 Pro is a phenomenal piece of hardware—crisp, lightweight, and perfectly sized for marathon reading sessions. But for power users, stock firmware can sometimes feel like a gilded cage. Enter Crosspoint.

With the release of the third beta of the Crosspoint firmware, the developer community has delivered a massive upgrade for the XTEINK X4 Pro. It is not an exaggeration to say that this custom firmware changes everything. If you've been searching for the ultimate reading setup—one that lets you comfortably read in bed in the pitch black without searing your retinas—this is the update you've been waiting for.

Here is everything you need to know to ditch the stock experience and install Crosspoint on your XTEINK X4 Pro.

The Preparation Phase

Before we begin the flashing process, there are a few ground rules. First, ensure your device is turned on and sitting on the default home screen. If you’re currently in the middle of a novel, tap the home button and back all the way out.

You are also going to need your data cable—specifically, the magnetic Pogo pin cable that interfaces with the device (an XTEINK X3 cable works perfectly here if you have one lying around). Snap the magnetic connector onto the X4 Pro, plug the USB end into your computer, and verify that the device remaining on that crucial home screen.

The Web Flasher Magic

Gone are the days of wrestling with command-line interfaces to flash custom ROMs onto e-readers. The Crosspoint installation is delightfully modern, utilizing a web-based flashing tool.

Open up a Chromium-based browser (like Google Chrome) on your desktop and navigate to crosspointreader.com. From the main page, select the “Get Crosspoint Flash Firmware” button. You will be greeted by a menu of supported devices; look for the new option dedicated to the XTEINK X4 Pro.

Clicking this will bring you to the firmware selection screen, highlighting "X4 Pro Beta 3, or any newer version." (A quick pro-tip: this page also hosts the original stock English firmware. If something ever goes sideways, or you just want to revert to the factory settings, you can re-flash the stock image here. Just be warned that flashing the original firmware is a heavier lift, sometimes taking upwards of 25 minutes, requiring a hyper-stable connection so the device doesn't time out. Fortunately, the Crosspoint firmware flashes much faster.)

Once you've selected Beta 3, review the prompt ensuring your device is powered on and on the home screen, and click "Flash." A small browser dialogue box will pop up asking you to select your connected device. Choose your XTEINK, hit "Connect," and let the browser do the heavy lifting.

Booting into a New Ecosystem

The flash takes just a few moments. Once the progress bar wraps up, the tool will instruct you to press and hold the power button to boot into Crosspoint. However, for good measure, it is highly recommended to give the physical reset button a quick press before holding down the power button to boot it up.

When the screen refreshes, you will be greeted by the new Crosspoint UI. The transformation is immediate. The interface is highly responsive to both physical button presses and touch inputs.

First Steps in Crosspoint

Diving into the system settings reveals why this firmware is so beloved by the e-reading community. Core features like KOReader sync are readily available, making cross-device library management a breeze.

You'll also want to connect to Wi-Fi right away to take advantage of the font manager. Downloading custom fonts directly to the device—like the excellent "Bitter" typeface—takes just seconds.

But the absolute killer feature of this beta is the lighting control. By simply swiping down from the top of the screen, you can access an intuitive lighting menu. The granular control here is outstanding. You can dial the brightness all the way down to a true 1% and crank the warmth slider to the absolute maximum. For nighttime readers, this ultra-dim, ultra-warm profile is the holy grail, allowing you to read in total darkness without eye strain.

The Verdict

The third beta of Crosspoint isn't just a fun experiment; it is a fundamental shift in how the XTEINK X4 Pro operates. It turns a great e-reader into an exceptional one. If you own an X4 Pro, take the ten minutes to flash this firmware. It will completely redefine your reading experience.

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XTEINK X4 Pro - My Thoughts on the original firmware

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:16:53 +0200

Why the XTEINK X4 Pro Desperately Needs a Custom Firmware Intervention

The market for pocketable e-ink (electrophoretic ink) devices has never been more vibrant. E-ink technology relies on microcapsules filled with positively and negatively charged particles suspended in fluid; when an electric field is applied, the display mimics ink on paper, providing a glare-free sanctuary for readers. However, hardware is only as good as its software. Enter the XTEINK X4 Pro, a promising device currently hindered by its official software. After testing the device, it is clear that the original firmware—the low-level software programmed into the device's read-only memory serving as the critical bridge between hardware and interface—requires a serious intervention.

The Case of the Vanishing Features

Out of the box, the X4 Pro initially boasted robust customization options. Strangely, a recent official firmware update gutted the operating system. Crucial settings vanished overnight. The ability to customize physical buttons, assign the current book cover as the sleep screen, and access detailed progress bar settings disappeared. Users are left with an uncomfortably sparse menu allowing only basic network toggles, Bluetooth pairing, and language selection. Even the physical Quick Start Guide references features that simply no longer exist.

A Redeeming Companion App

This software regression is partially offset by the capable XTEINK companion app, perfectly suited for iOS devices like the iPhone Air. The app is a creative powerhouse for designing personalized fonts, downloading wallpapers, generating book covers, and managing RSS feeds. This ecosystem is crucial because the X4 Pro’s default system fonts are frustratingly diminutive. By utilizing the app’s font builder, users can upload bolder, legible typography directly to the device, salvaging the reading experience.

Linguistic Limitations and Hyphenation Hurdles

When reading, the X4 Pro is a device of stark contrasts. For English literature, the typography engine works wonderfully, handling hyphenation—the algorithmic process of splitting words at line ends using language-specific rules to maintain a uniform text block—with absolute grace. However, for Swedish texts, it is a linguistic disaster. The software lacks the dictionaries to process Swedish hyphenation correctly, resulting in words awkwardly severed after just one or two characters. For anyone reading extensively in Swedish, this flaw makes the stock firmware practically unusable.

Hardware Quirks and Front-Lit Triumphs

Hardware-wise, the X4 Pro introduces polarizing design choices. It features incredibly strong internal magnets for snapping onto a smartphone. However, unlike its perfectly sized predecessors (the X3 and X4), the Pro model extends awkwardly past the bottom edge of an iPhone Air, compromising its pocketability. Furthermore, the touch-sensitive home button invites accidental presses. Fortunately, a screen-lock feature disables the capacitive touchscreen entirely, allowing you to grip the device securely while relying on physical buttons for navigation.

A major hardware win is the inclusion of a front light. Unlike LCD screens that shine backlights directly into your retinas, front-lit displays use microscopic LEDs embedded in the bezel. These project light evenly across a layer on top of the electronic paper, reducing eye fatigue. This addition transforms the X4 Pro into a phenomenal bedside reader.

The Custom Firmware Solution

How do we fix solid hardware with crippled software? The answer lies in the developer community. Custom firmware like CrossPoint or CrossInk—third-party operating systems that completely overwrite the factory system to unlock advanced capabilities—is the lifeline the X4 Pro needs. With the CrossPoint beta available, users can look forward to recovering customizations, fixing language support, and enabling reading synchronization across the entire XTEINK ecosystem.

The XTEINK X4 Pro is a diamond in the rough—a brilliant piece of hardware trapped in a software cage. With a quick flash of custom firmware, it is poised to become the ultimate pocket companion.

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The brand new XTEINK X4 Pro is official now

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:29:35 +0200

The XTEINK X4 Pro Just Redefined Pocket E-Readers—And It's Only $99

The current landscape of e-readers is often a battle of massive screens and walled-garden software ecosystems. But a quiet revolution is happening in the pocket-sized space. Having daily-driven both the standard XTEINK X4 and the ultra-compact X3, I've seen firsthand how XTEINK has been iterating on the micro-e-Reader concept. Now, with the official launch of the XTEINK X4 Pro, the brand has delivered what might be the definitive minimalist reading device for everyday carry. My review of it will hopefully soon come on my Youtube channel.

Hardware That Disappears

At a remarkably thin 5.95mm and weighing just 72g, the X4 Pro isn't just small; it is practically invisible in a pocket. The genius built-in magnetic backplate that snaps securely onto the back of my iPhone Air, transforming a standard smartphone setup into a dual-screen powerhouse without the bulk of a dedicated tablet.

The visual experience relies on a 4.3-inch display pushing 219 PPI (Pixels Per Inch). From a technical standpoint, pixel density in electrophoretic displays dictates the sharpness of vector text rendering. At 219 PPI on a screen this compact, the microcapsules of black and white particles provide enough edge clarity that anti-aliasing artifacts are virtually unnoticeable to the naked eye. This makes reading long-form text incredibly crisp. Furthermore, XTEINK has integrated a dual-tone front light—a massive upgrade over the unlit X4 and X3. The ability to seamlessly adjust between warm and cool color temperatures ensures a glare-free, paper-like reading experience in any lighting condition.

Unlocked Freedom

One of the most compelling technical aspects of the X4 Pro is its pure developer operating system. Unlike heavily locked-down competitors that force you into specific storefronts, the X4 Pro offers complete "Unlocked Firmware Freedom" with zero third-party restrictions. You choose exactly how you want to read.

It comes equipped with a 16GB MicroSD card (expandable up to an impressive 256GB), providing vast local storage for massive libraries. It also includes native Bluetooth wireless technology alongside Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz.

XT-Cloud and Ambient Utility

The companion XT-Cloud platform elevates the X4 Pro from a mere book reader to an ambient lifestyle screen. Through the Vision app, the device automatically syncs reading schedules, RSS feeds, and localized weather updates. It is incredibly satisfying to glance at the e-ink display on your desk and instantly see if the temperature is sitting at 12°C with a wind speed of 5 m/s before stepping out for the day.

The X4 Pro can switch between photo modes, a desktop clock, or live market updates. This diversity in utility ensures it remains useful even when you aren't actively flipping pages—a smart way to reduce main-screen time and explore new ambient computing habits.

Supported Configuration Formats

[SYSTEM_FILE_SUPPORT_PROTOCOLS]
Document Formats: EPUB, TXT, MOBI, PDF
Image Formats: JPG, PNG, BMP
Font Formats: BIN, XTF
Storage: 16GB MicroSD (Expandable to 256GB)

What's In The Box

1 × X4 Pro E-Reader
1 × 16GB MicroSD Card
1 × Matte Screen Protector
2 × E-Reader Adhesive Metal Rings
1 × Magnetic Charging Adapter
1 × Quick Start Guide

The Verdict

At $99.00 USD, the X4 Pro is aggressively priced. Navigation is fluid, offering both touchscreen gestures and dedicated physical buttons for tactile, single-handed page turns. Powered by an upgraded 1100mAh battery utilizing an efficient Pogo-pin magnetic charging interface, endurance is exceptional.

Feature	X4 Pro Specification
Dimensions & Weight	111 × 69 × 5.95 mm / 72g
Display Type	4.3-inch, 219 PPI
Front Light	Dual-Tone (Adjustable warm/cool)
Battery	1100 mAh (Pogo pin charging)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz & Bluetooth

XTEINK has proven that you do not need a heavy, tablet-sized footprint to enjoy a premium, customizable, and distraction-free digital ecosystem. The X4 Pro isn't just a reading device; it is an essential piece of modern gear.

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CrossPoint vs. CrossInk: Choosing the Right Open-Source Soul for Your XTEINK E-Reader

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:22:42 +0200

CrossPoint vs. CrossInk: Choosing the Right Open-Source Soul for Your XTEINK E-Reader

The e-reader landscape is currently experiencing a quiet revolution. For years, the market has been dominated by massive tech ecosystems locked behind proprietary walls. But a growing movement of open-source developers is proving that hardware belongs to the user. At the center of this shift are the XTEINK X4 and X3, a pair of highly pocketable, minimalist e-ink devices powered by the ESP32-C3 microcontroller. While their affordable price tag and compact footprint make them incredibly appealing, the stock operating system has left power users feeling constrained by rigid button mapping and generic typography.

Enter the custom firmware scene, where developers are unleashing the true potential of these devices. Today, the community is largely divided between two exceptional open-source operating systems: the foundational CrossPoint firmware and its feature-rich, high-performance fork, CrossInk. Here is a deep dive into the technical differences and how to choose the right firmware for your workflow.

The Sturdy Foundation: CrossPoint Reader

CrossPoint is the bedrock of the XTEINK modding community. Developed as a free, fully hackable alternative to the official OS, its primary mandate is removing friction from the reading experience. The firmware elegantly solves the navigation quirks of the X3 and X4's six physical buttons by introducing contextual button labeling, ensuring the interface dynamically adapts to your current screen.

From an engineering perspective, CrossPoint is a masterclass in high-level optimization. The ESP32-C3 chip is highly efficient but severely constrained, offering roughly 380KB of usable RAM. To handle complex EPUB files without crashing, CrossPoint employs an aggressive data caching protocol. It actively pages metadata and complex document structures down to the device's microSD card, dramatically reducing the memory overhead. This technical wizardry allows the firmware to deliver smooth anti-aliased text, bold and italic rendering, and instantaneous chapter jumping without hardware lag.

The Power User's Upgrade: CrossInk

While CrossPoint provides a flawless, minimalist reading environment, CrossInk—a personal fork maintained by developer uxjulia—transforms the XTEINK hardware into a productivity-focused powerhouse. CrossInk is engineered for readers who demand granular control over their typography, advanced reading analytics, and seamless multi-device continuity.

If you find yourself juggling both the ultra-compact X3 for your pocket and the slightly larger X4 for home reading, CrossInk’s flagship feature is an absolute game-changer: device synchronization. The firmware allows all-time reading statistics and precise page-level progress to sync wirelessly between two CrossInk devices. You can put down the X4, grab the X3, and resume your book exactly where you left off.

Furthermore, CrossInk introduces an array of typographic and quality-of-life enhancements. Key additions include:

Expanded typography options including Lexend Deca and Bitter fonts.
A dedicated Bionic Reading mode to accelerate text processing.
Force Paragraph Indents for poorly formatted EPUB files.
Customizable Auto Page Turn intervals ranging from 5 to 120 seconds.

Installation and Flashing

Both firmwares are deployed using a brilliant Web Serial API installer natively hosted in your browser. By simply connecting your device via USB-C and navigating to the flashing portal, you can overwrite the stock OS in under a minute. It is an entirely reversible process, provided you keep a backup of the official firmware binaries.

Note for Linux users: You may need to grant serial port permissions before flashing.

sudo setfacl -m u:$USER:rw /dev/ttyACM0

Feature Breakdown: What Sets Them Apart?

Feature	CrossPoint (Base)	CrossInk (Fork)
Typography & Rendering	Standard anti-aliased text, fundamental bold/italics support.	Lexend Deca, Bionic Reading mode, Guide Dots, Force Paragraph Indents, and thicker underlines.
Reading Analytics	Basic saved location and chapter progress tracking.	Comprehensive tracking: total books, reading time, pages per minute. Includes a dedicated Dashboard theme.
Device Synchronization	Standalone, single-device experience. KOReader Sync.	Full wireless sync of reading progress and aggregate stats across two devices. KOReader Sync.
Interface & Automation	Folder-based screensavers, contextual button labels.	Customizable Auto Page Turn, ability to pin favorite sleep images, and a 3x3 grid view for recent books.

The Verdict

Choosing between CrossPoint and CrossInk ultimately hinges on your personal reading philosophy. If you view your e-reader as a pure, distraction-free digital paperback, the mainline CrossPoint firmware provides unmatched stability and an elegant, intuitive interface. Its highly efficient memory management guarantees a smooth experience without overwhelming the user with unnecessary menus.

However, if you love digging into the technical capabilities of your hardware—whether that means tracking your pages turned per minute, tweaking font sizes, or utilizing Bionic Reading to accelerate your pace—CrossInk is the definitive upgrade. More importantly, its ability to sync progress seamlessly makes it practically mandatory for multi-device owners. By bridging the gap between hardware simplicity and software sophistication, both firmwares prove that the future of e-reading isn't just in the hands of massive corporations, but in the creativity of open-source developers.

How to do Highlights (clippings) and Bookmarks in CrossInk on XTEINK X4 and X3

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 14:17:28 +0200

The Tactile E-Reader Renaissance: Mastering Highlights and Bookmarks in CrossInk

In an era dominated by ubiquitous, hyper-responsive touchscreens, a quiet revolution is happening in the e-reader community. Devices like the XTEINK X4 and its smaller sibling, the X3, are proving that there is still immense value in a purely button-driven interface. Stripped of the capacitive layers that can reduce screen clarity and introduce glare, these devices offer an unadulterated, paper-like reading experience. But navigating an operating system and managing annotations without a touchscreen requires intelligent software design. Enter CrossInk, an exceptional custom firmware fork that transforms the XTEINK hardware into a powerhouse for focused reading.

One of the most requested features for dedicated e-readers is robust annotation management. Readers need to bookmark pages, highlight essential passages, and aggregate these notes for later review. Historically, doing this via physical buttons was a clunky, frustrating endeavor. However, the latest updates to the CrossInk firmware have introduced an elegant, highly intuitive system for creating and managing "My Clippings"—a feature that brilliantly rivals the industry-standard Kindle ecosystem.

Navigating the Interface: Bookmarks and Highlights

The true triumph of CrossInk lies in how it maps complex interactions to simple hardware button inputs. Without the luxury of simply tapping the screen, the software utilizes a directional pad and contextual menus to achieve precise text selection. It is a brilliant solution that keeps the user engaged with the text rather than wrestling with the UI.

Adding a Bookmark

While inside a book, click the dedicated Reader Menu button.
Navigate through the settings and select the Next option to reach the Bookmark menu.
Choose Add Bookmark and click select. The page is instantly saved for future reference.

Creating a Highlight (Clipping)

Access the Reader Menu and proceed to the Bookmark menu.
Select Create Clipping.
Using the directional buttons, move the cursor to the first word of the passage you wish to save, then click Select.
Navigate down and right to the final word of the passage and click Done. A "Clipping Saved" notification confirms the action.

Aggregating Knowledge: Three Ways to Access Your Notes

Saving highlights is only half the battle; retrieving them efficiently is where an e-reader proves its worth. CrossInk addresses this by storing all highlights in a universal file, actively avoiding the trap of proprietary database lock-in. The firmware offers three distinct pathways to access this data, catering to different reading workflows.

Access Method	Workflow & Navigation	Best Use Case
In-Book Menu	Reader Menu > Bookmark Menu > View Clippings	Reviewing notes specific to the currently open book while actively reading.
Global Menu	Home Page > Menu > Bookmark & Clippings	Browsing all annotated books and diving into specific highlights without opening the source file first.
Raw Text File	Browse > "My Clippings.txt"	Exporting your entire master database of highlights to a computer or smartphone for archival or secondary processing.

Access Method

Workflow & Navigation

Best Use Case

In-Book Menu

Reader Menu > Bookmark Menu > View Clippings

Reviewing notes specific to the currently open book while actively reading.

Global Menu

Home Page > Menu > Bookmark & Clippings

Browsing all annotated books and diving into specific highlights without opening the source file first.

Raw Text File

Browse > "My Clippings.txt"

Exporting your entire master database of highlights to a computer or smartphone for archival or secondary processing.

The Technical Underpinnings: Why the .txt Format Matters

Under the hood, CrossInk operates with a refreshing level of simplicity and transparency. Instead of burying user data inside encrypted or proprietary database files that require companion apps to read, it actively appends new highlights to a standard .txt file. This mirrors the behavior of larger ecosystems but keeps the actual data open.

==========
Book Title: Example Tech Novel
Highlight Location: Page 42

This is how the exact text of the highlighted clipping appears, seamlessly saved as raw data for easy cross-platform export.
==========

This technical decision allows users to effortlessly transfer the file to an external device, ensuring that their intellectual property and marginalia remain entirely within their control.

The Final Frontier: Ecosystem Synchronization

While the current implementation of highlights and bookmarks is fundamentally brilliant, there remains one critical missing link for power users operating multiple devices. Currently, the CrossInk firmware boasts a fantastic local syncing capability—via the "File Transfer > Sync Nearby Stats" feature, users can seamlessly synchronize their reading statistics between the XTEINK X3 and X4.

However, the holy grail of this particular e-reading ecosystem would be extending this synchronization to the My Clippings text file itself. Imagine highlighting a profound paragraph on the highly portable X3 during a morning commute, and later picking up the larger X4 at home to find that exact highlight already waiting in the master file. Given the developer's excellent track record of implementing requested features, there is profound hope within the community that she will find a way to bridge this gap in an upcoming update.

Until then, CrossInk has undeniably proven that a touchscreen is not a prerequisite for a sophisticated, highly functional reading experience. By marrying intelligent software mapping with tactile hardware, the XTEINK devices continue to carve out a vital niche in the modern tech landscape.

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How I add books to XTEINK X3 or X4 and make them sync Reading Progress to KOReader e-Readers

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 16:37:25 +0200

Break Free from the Walled Garden: How to Sync Reading Progress Across XTEINK and KOReader Devices

By Stefan Svartling

There is a specific kind of freedom that comes with reading on an e-ink display—a distraction-free sanctuary away from the glaring LCDs and OLEDs of our smartphones. As an avid e-reader enthusiast who relies on devices like the XTEINK X3, XTEINK X4, and e-Readers running KOReader, I often switch between form factors depending on where I am. But moving between different e-readers usually introduces a frustrating problem: losing your reading progress.

If you are trapped in an ecosystem like Amazon's Kindle, cross-device syncing happens automatically behind the scenes. But what if you prefer open systems, or you want to sync your pocket-friendly XTEINK device with a jailbroken Kindle or a Kobo running KOReader? The good news is that you can achieve perfect, cloud-like synchronization across completely different hardware. The secret lies in KOReader Sync, and it is vastly easier to set up than you might think.

The Wireless Transfer: Cutting the Cord

Before you can sync your progress, both devices need the exact same digital book. Thankfully, transferring EPUB files to an XTEINK device doesn't require a tangle of USB cables. The XTEINK X3 and X4 (and remember, the X4 isn’t newer than the X3, just a different form factor in the lineup) feature excellent built-in wireless file transfer options.

From the XTEINK menu, you can connect directly to your Calibre library, but I often prefer the network transfer method. If you are at home, you can simply select the "Join Network" option. This generates a QR code on your e-reader that you scan with your phone, or you can navigate to crossink.local on your desktop browser. This opens a surprisingly robust web-based file manager directly on your phone or computer, allowing you to peek into the XTEINK’s storage seamlessly.

Even more impressively, if you are completely off the grid—say, out in a cabin without a local Wi-Fi network—you can use the XTEINK’s "Create Hotspot" feature. This initiates a Wi-Fi Direct connection between your phone and the e-reader. You do not need 4G or 5G cell service; as long as your phone's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are active, you can transfer books in the middle of nowhere.

The Secret Sauce: File Name Matching

Here is the most critical step for cross-device synchronization: KOReader relies heavily on file names to match documents across different platforms. If your book is titled spindeln.epub on your Kobo Libra H2O, it must be named exactly spindeln.epub on your XTEINK device. "Close enough" will not work.

When uploading the book via the XTEINK web interface, you have the opportunity to rename the file before you disconnect. Just tap the edit (pen) icon in the file manager and remove any extraneous text to ensure the file names are identical.

A crucial warning here: when uploading, never select the "Optimize EPUB" option. Modifying the EPUB structure during transfer will almost certainly break the syncing process.

Configuring KOReader Sync

Once the identically named book is on both devices, it is time to link them up. On your KOReader-enabled device (like your Kobo), ensure you are logged into your KOReader Sync account and that you have enabled "Keep documents in sync." Importantly, set your "Document matching method" to "File name."

Next, jump over to your XTEINK device. Navigate to Settings > System > KOReader Sync. Input the exact same username, password, and sync server details. Just like on the Kobo, you must ensure the document matching method is set to use the file name.

The Magic of Multi-Device Reading

With the setup complete, you are ready to read. When you open the newly transferred book on your XTEINK for the first time, have a little patience. E-ink processors prioritize battery life over speed, and the device needs a moment to index the file and generate the cover art.

Once it opens, the magic happens. Read a few chapters on your XTEINK, push your progress to the cloud via the progress sync menu, and later that evening, pick up your Kobo Libra H2O. With a quick tap to pull the remote progress, your Kobo will jump precisely to where you left off.

You are no longer tied to a single brand's ecosystem. By leveraging the open-source power of KOReader and the versatile wireless features of the XTEINK lineup, you can build a personalized, synchronized reading utopia that spans across all your favorite e-ink screens.

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My HUION Note E Review! - Excellent for Reading and Note Taking!

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Thu, 2 Jul 2026 17:27:24 +0200

The Huion Note E Proves You Don't Need E-Ink for a Perfect Digital Notebook

For years, the conventional wisdom in the digital productivity space has been absolute: if you want a distraction-free, paper-like writing experience, you need an e-ink display. Traditional LCD and OLED tablets, with their glossy screens and harsh backlights, were relegated to media consumption. Enter the Huion Note E, an 8.4-inch Android 15 tablet that aggressively challenges this dichotomy. By blending specialized hardware with a highly curated software experience, Huion has created an LCD tablet that feels remarkably like an e-reader.

Buy it here:【US Store】【UK Store】

The Anti-Glare LCD That Defies Expectations

The standout feature of the Huion Note E is undeniably its display. While it operates on a standard 60Hz LCD panel boasting a 1920x1200 resolution and a crisp 270 PPI, the surface treatment completely transforms the user experience. Huion utilizes an AG (anti-glare) nano-etched glass coupled with DC dimming to drastically minimize eye strain and eliminate harsh blue light. The result is a soft-light screen with zero glare or distracting reflections. It successfully mimics the matte, tactile drag of traditional paper, proving that a well-engineered LCD can rival the visual comfort of e-ink while still offering a vibrant 16.7 million color palette.

A Masterclass in Focused Writing

A digital notebook is only as good as its stylus, and the included PW510 pen is a triumph. Powered by PenTech 3.0 electromagnetic resonance (EMR) technology, the battery-free stylus offers 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. When paired with the textured glass, the tactile feedback is incredibly natural.

Just as impressive is Huion’s approach to the software. Despite running on a fully capable Android 15 architecture, the tablet boots into a customized, non-traditional launcher. Instead of a cluttered grid of distracting apps, the interface defaults to fixed side tabs dedicated exclusively to notes and to-dos. The note-taking UI is surprisingly robust, featuring seamless handwriting-to-text conversion (OCR), intuitive lasso tools, and the ability to sync handwritten strokes with recorded audio.

Performance and Battery Life

Under the hood, the device is powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 processor, backed by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. This is more than enough horsepower for seamless note management and PDF annotation. Battery life is a common pain point for LCD tablets trying to compete with e-ink, but the Note E holds its own. The built-in 4,500 mAh battery delivers approximately 6.5 to 8 hours of active screen time—an impressive feat for an Android LCD device, supported by 18W fast charging to get you back to work quickly.

The Catch: Bulk and Clunky Accessories

No device is without its flaws, and the Huion Note E stumbles slightly in its physical design. Weighing in at 348 grams, the tablet is noticeably heavy for its 8.4-inch footprint, especially when compared to its featherweight e-ink competitors. Extended one-handed reading sessions can become fatiguing. Furthermore, the included PU leather flip case—while premium in appearance—can be frustratingly difficult to attach securely, detracting from the otherwise premium feel of the hardware.

The Final Verdict

The Huion Note E is a fascinating hybrid. It proves that you do not need to sacrifice the fluidity and color of an LCD screen to achieve a comfortable, distraction-free reading and writing experience. While it carries a bit of extra weight and a finicky case, its phenomenal anti-glare display, excellent stylus, and deeply focused UI make it a highly compelling alternative to traditional e-ink notebooks.

Specification	Details
Display	8.4-inch LCD (1920x1200), Anti-Glare Nano-Etched Glass
Stylus	PW510 PenTech 3.0 EMR (Battery-Free)
OS	Android 15 (Customized Productivity Launcher)
Battery	4,500 mAh (Approx. 6.5 hours active use)
Weight	348g

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Checking out the INX firmware for the XTEINK X4 and X3

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 13:56:14 +0200

The INX Firmware on the XTEINK X4: A Powerful but Frustrating Upgrade

There's a growing movement of reading enthusiasts who are tired of bloated software and locked-down ecosystems. When you pick up a pocket-sized e-reader like the XTEINK X4, the hardware is almost magical—a 4.3-inch, 220 PPI e-ink display that weighs just 77 grams. The problem? The stock firmware simply doesn't do the device justice. That's where the open-source community steps in, but as a deep dive into the INX firmware reveals, custom software can sometimes create as many usability problems as it solves.

What is the INX Firmware?

For those unfamiliar, the XTEINK X4—which is not a newer model than the X3—is designed around a pure, tactile reading experience. It ditches the touchscreen entirely in favor of physical page-turn buttons, ensuring that you never accidentally skip a page. However, to truly unlock its potential, you need to replace the bare-minimum stock OS.

INX is a community-driven custom firmware, forked from the popular CrossPoint OS, built specifically for devices like the X4 and X3. It focuses on robust EPUB support, native image rendering, and typography controls. On paper, it sounds like the perfect upgrade.

The Flashing Process: Surprisingly Simple

Flashing custom firmware onto an e-reader usually sounds like a recipe for a bricked device, but the process for the XTEINK series is remarkably safe. Because your books are stored on the removable MicroSD card and the firmware flashes directly to the device's internal ROM, your library remains completely untouched.

Download the Firmware: Grab the latest firmware release directly from the INX repository.
Connect via USB-C: Plug your powered-on X4 or X3 into your computer.
Use the Web Flasher: Navigate to the web-based flashing tool. Select your device model, browse for the custom binary file you just downloaded, and hit flash.
Reboot: Once the flashing is complete, disconnect the device, hold the reset button briefly, and power it back on.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Stock OS	INX Firmware
Typography Controls	Basic	Advanced (but difficult to find)
Syncing	None	KOReader & Calibre Wireless Sync
Reading Interface	Minimal	Cluttered App-like Tab Bar

Feature

Stock OS

INX Firmware

Typography Controls

Basic

Advanced (but difficult to find)

Syncing

None

KOReader & Calibre Wireless Sync

Reading Interface

Minimal

Cluttered App-like Tab Bar

The UI Nightmare: Too Many Settings, Not Enough Logic

While the typography engine allows for deep customization—like minimizing screen margins completely for a flush, edge-to-edge look—getting those settings dialed in is an exercise in pure frustration.

Transitioning to INX comes with a harsh learning curve because the software completely abandons the intuitive, standard CrossPoint menus that users are already familiar with. Instead, you are greeted with deeply nested, poorly organized setting screens. It is incredibly hard to find what you are looking for simply because there are too many settings scattered without any logical flow. Trying to locate basic options, such as changing the default font to a favorite like Bitter, or properly mapping the physical buttons for standard page turns, requires endless menu diving.

The OS also introduces an app-like tab bar across the top featuring Recent, Library, Settings, Sync, and Statistics. While it sounds feature-rich, in practice on a 4.3-inch screen, it feels cluttered and overcomplicated compared to the streamlined menus of its predecessors.

The Verdict

The INX firmware is a technically capable piece of software that adds plenty of features to the XTEINK X4, but it severely lacks user-friendliness. By ditching the standard CrossPoint menus in favor of a bloated, confusing interface, it makes setting up your ideal reading environment a tedious chore.

If you have immense patience and don't mind spending an hour digging through chaotic menus, INX offers customization you won't find on the stock OS. But if you value a clean, intuitive interface that lets you get straight to your books, you might find this firmware more frustrating than it's worth.

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Your Bookfusion Book Library on your Kindle and other e-Readers

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:57:51 +0200

The Holy Grail of E-Reader Syncing: How BookFusion and KOReader Unite Your E-Ink Devices

For avid readers, the e-reader ecosystem has long felt like a series of walled gardens. You buy a book on one platform, and it stays locked to that specific piece of hardware. Switching between a traditional e-reader for home use and a pocket-sized e-ink device for the commute usually means manually finding your page and losing all your carefully curated highlights. But by combining the open-source reading software KOReader with the powerful BookFusion plugin, you can finally build a unified, cloud-synced library across virtually any device.

Breaking Down the BookFusion Plugin

At its core, the BookFusion KOReader plugin serves as a universal bridge for your digital library. Rather than relying on a single manufacturer's closed ecosystem, this setup allows you to manage your entire catalog in the BookFusion cloud and pull it down to any supported device. Whether you are using a jailbroken Kindle Paperwhite, an Android-based e-ink phone, iPhone or a dedicated reading tablet, the plugin ensures your reading progress, bookmarks, and annotations are continuously and automatically synchronized.

The technical implementation is remarkably seamless. Once installed within KOReader, the BookFusion plugin appears directly in your top menu. From there, you can browse your cloud shelves—such as "Currently Reading" or "Favorites"—and download EPUB files straight to the device's local storage. There is no need to plug into a computer or sideload via USB. You simply select the book, fetch it, refresh your home screen, and start reading.

Seamless Transitions: From Kindle to Android E-Ink

The true power of this setup reveals itself when you move between hardware. Imagine diving into a chilling thriller on a jailbroken Kindle Paperwhite. When you finish your reading session, KOReader automatically pushes your exact reading position to the BookFusion servers.

Later, when you leave the house, you might grab an e-ink phone like the Bigme HiBreak Pro Color. Because prolonged reading on traditional OLED screens—like the iPhone Air—can cause significant visual discomfort, maintaining an all-e-ink workflow is a massive advantage. On the Bigme device, you have two options: open the native BookFusion Android app, or launch KOReader and use the plugin. Either way, the system fetches your remote progress, and you are instantly on the exact paragraph where you left off. It is a completely frictionless transition across entirely different operating systems.

Integrating Classic Devices with Local Sync

But what about legacy or highly specialized hardware? Many readers prefer the tactile feedback of physical buttons over touchscreens, relying on devices like the XTEINK X3. While some of these specialized e-readers do not natively support the BookFusion plugin, they can still be integrated into this universal ecosystem using standard KOReader sync (sometimes referred to as Kosync).

The workaround involves running both syncing methods simultaneously. By keeping the BookFusion plugin active on your primary devices, you keep your cloud library updated. Simultaneously, you can enable standard KOReader sync to push progress to devices like the XTEINK X3. The critical technical requirement here is file parity: the book file must have the exact same filename across all devices. If the filenames match perfectly, you can long-press the sync button on your secondary device to fetch the remote progress, bridging the gap between BookFusion's cloud and your offline-centric e-readers.

Key Steps for Cross-Device Harmony

Cloud Management: Keep your main library on BookFusion to easily download EPUBs directly to KOReader.
Plugin Activation: Use the BookFusion KOReader plugin for automatic progress and highlight syncing on compatible devices.
Local Sync Bridge: Run standard KOReader sync alongside BookFusion to push progress to older or simpler hardware.
Filename Parity: Ensure your book files share the exact same filename across every device for local sync to recognize the file.

Syncing Methods Compared

Sync Method	Best Use Case	Requirements
BookFusion Plugin	Jailbroken Kindles, E-Ink Android Tablets, Kobo	Active Wi-Fi, KOReader installed
Standard KOReader Sync	Devices that only support KOSync (e.g., XTEINK X3)	Exact filename match, simultaneous sync enabled
Native BookFusion App	E-Ink Phones (e.g., Bigme HiBreak Pro Color), tablets, smartphones, iPhone	Android OS, iOS, Windows, Web, Linux, Mac

Sync Method

Best Use Case

Requirements

BookFusion Plugin

Jailbroken Kindles, E-Ink Android Tablets, Kobo

Active Wi-Fi, KOReader installed

Standard KOReader Sync

Devices that only support KOSync (e.g., XTEINK X3)

Exact filename match, simultaneous sync enabled

Native BookFusion App

E-Ink Phones (e.g., Bigme HiBreak Pro Color), tablets, smartphones, iPhone

Android OS, iOS, Windows, Web, Linux, Mac

Building this unified reading environment requires a bit of initial tinkering—jailbreaking a Kindle or configuring plugins is not for the faint of heart. However, the payoff is immense. By leveraging KOReader and BookFusion, you are no longer tied to the hardware limitations of a single company. You get the freedom to choose devices based on their screen tech, form factor, or physical buttons, all while maintaining a perfectly synchronized, highly organized digital library.

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My XTEINK X3 and XTEINK X4 e-Reader comparison

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 13:25:33 +0200

The XTEINK X4 vs. X3: Which Micro E-Reader Deserves a Spot in Your Pocket?

E-ink technology has aggressively evolved, breaking free from the standard 6-inch reading slabs to enter a new era of hyper-portable, everyday carry devices. Enter the XTEINK X4 and the XTEINK X3—two ultra-compact e-readers that challenge our assumptions about pocketable reading. Both devices operate on the highly versatile CrossInk firmware, but a deep dive into their hardware architecture, optical characteristics, and ergonomic integration reveals two wildly different reading experiences.

Optical Illusions and Display Fidelity

When engineering a micro e-reader, every millimeter of screen real estate dictates the user experience. The XTEINK X4, clad in a sleek white finish, leverages an optical trick to enhance readability: its white bezels seamlessly blend into the e-ink display. This lack of visual framing creates the illusion of a significantly larger canvas, a critical psychological factor when reading long-form text on a miniature device. In practical terms, operating at CrossInk's "X-Large" font setting, the X4 yields about two to three more lines of text per page compared to its sibling.

Conversely, the black XTEINK X3 relies on raw pixel density. Because it features a smaller physical display area, its pixel-per-inch (PPI) ratio is inherently higher, resulting in a noticeably sharper overall resolution. However, the stark black bezels create a high-contrast border that, through a visual optical illusion, makes the screen itself appear slightly darker under identical CrossInk refresh settings.

Hardware Actuation and Ergonomics

Physical navigation is the backbone of micro e-readers, and here, build quality diverges. The X3 takes the crown for tactile feedback. Its chassis is remarkably thin, housing mechanical buttons that are distinctly snappy and sturdy, offering a premium actuation force. It feels engineered for durability, and the inclusion of a dedicated status bar clock adds further utility without sacrificing battery life.

The X4, while utilizing slightly noisier button switches, wins on navigational layout. It implements a rocker-style mechanism that proves vastly superior when navigating the complex menus of the CrossInk OS or inputting network credentials. Fortunately, the open-ended nature of CrossInk allows users to remap these buttons on both devices, transforming a simple power button into a forward-page actuator for effortless one-handed reading.

The E-Ink Sun Fading Phenomenon

One of the most complex challenges in electrophoretic display (e-ink) technology is UV fading. When exposed to direct, intense sunlight, the microcapsules containing positively and negatively charged pigment particles can temporarily lose their charge states, causing text to severely fade.

This is where the XTEINK X3 flexes its updated manufacturing prowess. Sourced from a newer batch, the X3 completely mitigates UV fading natively within the hardware panel. The X4, stemming from an earlier production run, suffers heavily from this UV degradation. While the CrossInk firmware attempts to counteract this via a software-based "sun fading fix"—forcing aggressive, high-voltage screen refreshes—it remains an imperfect, battery-draining compromise compared to the X3’s native hardware resilience.

Magnetic Integration and Power Management

For users integrating these devices with mobile hardware—such as magnetically attaching them to an iPhone Air—the form factor is paramount. The larger footprint of the X4 perfectly blankets the rear chassis of the iPhone Air, turning the phone into a sturdy, balanced reading grip without covering vital phone bezels. The smaller X3 sits awkwardly low on larger smartphones, making page-turning cumbersome while attached. Instead, the X3 is better treated as an independent, ultra-lightweight device that vanishes into a shirt pocket.

Both units excel in power efficiency, sipping energy to easily deliver over three weeks of continuous usage. The X3 opts for a specialized pogo-pin charging interface. While proprietary connectors are often a drawback in a standardized USB-C world, the massive battery endurance renders this a non-issue. A rapid 20-minute pogo-pin dock charge completely replenishes the cell for another month of reading.

The Verdict: Specifications at a Glance

Feature	XTEINK X4 (White)	XTEINK X3 (Black)
Display & Text Density	Illusion of larger screen; +2 to 3 lines per page	Higher PPI density due to smaller panel size
Button Hardware	Rocker-style; intuitive menu navigation	Individual actuators; highly tactile and sturdy
Direct Sunlight Resiliency	Prone to UV text fading; requires software fix	Native hardware resilience against UV degradation
Smartphone Mounting	Perfect alignment and magnetic balance	Awkward positioning; better used independently
Charging Interface	Standard Port	Proprietary Pogo-Pin (20-minute rapid charge)

Ultimately, the choice between the two boils down to environment and ecosystem. If seamless smartphone integration and maximum text-per-page are your priorities, the X4 is the definitive winner. If you are a purist who reads predominantly outdoors and demands premium build quality, the X3 is a remarkable piece of pocketable engineering.

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The Best e-Readers June 2026 - My 7 most used right now ranked!

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 13:04:43 +0200

In this video I rank my 7 most used e-ink e-readers so far in June 2026. The ones mentioned in the video but not in right order so that I don’t spoil the excitement are: Kobo Clara 2e, Kindle Paperwhite SE 2022, XTEINK X4 and X3, Bigme HiBreak Pro Color, Bigme B7 Color, viwoods AiPaper Reader. I have over 20 ebook readers so in this video I only rank the ones I use at the moment and also why I use them.

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Let's talk about the Bigme HiBreak Pro Color again

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 16:20:51 +0200

The Dual-Device Lifestyle: Why an E-Ink Smartphone is My New Daily Driver

We are conditioned to expect one device to do it all. For years, I relied on traditional OLED screens for every digital interaction, accepting the inevitable eye fatigue as the cost of connectivity. But over the last few months, my workflow has fractured in the best way possible. The Bigme HiBreak Pro Color has steadily grown from a novelty into my primary digital tool, replacing almost all of my screen time while leaving my iPhone Air to handle the few things it simply cannot.

Embracing the Kaleido 3 Architecture

To understand the appeal of the Bigme HiBreak Pro Color, you have to understand the technology powering it. Unlike earlier iterations of color e-ink, which suffered from sluggish refresh rates and heavily muted palettes, this device utilizes the Kaleido 3 standard. At a high technical level, Kaleido 3 employs a Color Filter Array (CFA) layered over a traditional high-resolution black-and-white E Ink Carta screen. Because this filter inherently absorbs a portion of the ambient light, the unlit display appears slightly darker than a pure monochrome panel.

This means that utilizing the device's adjustable front light—mixing warm and cool tones—is necessary to achieve optimal contrast. Once dialed in, the visual experience is phenomenal. My eyes are no longer bombarded by the harsh backlighting of LCD or OLED panels when I am reading emails, browsing Reddit, or sorting through my YouTube watch later queue.

The Tethered Ecosystem: Bridging the Gap

The Bigme HiBreak Pro Color is not a total smartphone replacement. I still keep my iPhone Air—which handles my banking applications, mobile photography, and acts as the anchor for my Apple Watch Ultra. But the Bigme has become my primary companion around the house and at the office.

Its networking capabilities are surprisingly robust. The Wi-Fi antenna has excellent range and bandwidth, allowing me to tether to my iPhone Air’s hotspot seamlessly. I can leave my primary phone indoors, head out into my yard in Nyköping, and maintain a flawless connection up to 40 meters away. Even if the wind picks up to a brisk 5 m/s on a sunny, 22-degree Celsius afternoon, the e-ink screen remains perfectly legible, making outdoor reading a joy without the need for a dedicated 5G SIM card.

A Powerhouse for Research and Reading

Under the hood, the CPU and RAM are exceptionally capable. I use it as a dedicated research terminal, leaning heavily on Google Gemini Pro and NotebookLM to parse documents and manage my 5TB Google Drive repository. The device handles these AI-driven workloads without breaking a sweat.

For literature, my workflow relies heavily on KOReader. The Bigme features programmable physical buttons, which I have mapped for page-turning on both sides. Fine-tuning the device for the Kaleido 3 screen often requires a few specialized tweaks to optimize the front light behavior.

The device is also powerful enough to run my Storytel subscription flawlessly. Its immersive "sync listening" feature allows me to listen to real narrators while simultaneously following the text on the e-ink display.

Key Advantages of the E-Ink Companion Model

Eye Strain Reduction: Drastically limits exposure to blue light and screen flickering from standard smartphone displays.
Distraction-Free Environment: Prioritizes reading, research, and long-form content over doom-scrolling.
Sustained Connectivity: Exceptional Wi-Fi range allows for tethering over long distances.

Device Role	Hardware Tool	Primary Functions
Daily Driver & Research	Bigme HiBreak Pro Color	Emails, NotebookLM, KOReader, Storytel
Core Utilities	iPhone Air	Camera, Banking, Watch Sync, Hotspot
Pure Reading	XTEINK X3 / X4	Distraction-free black-and-white reading

The Verdict: An Essential Secondary Device

While the build quality of the Bigme HiBreak Pro Color is incredibly sturdy—a marked improvement over the plasticky feel of older models like the B751C—I still slip my black-and-white XTEINK X3 or X4 into my pocket for pure, front-light-free reading sessions. But for navigating the modern web, executing AI research, and managing daily communications, the Bigme is now firmly in my top three e-ink devices. It proves that sometimes, adding a second screen to your pocket is the best way to save your eyes.

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How to Sync Reading Stats between your XTEINK e-Readers running CrossInk

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 18:58:48 +0200

In this tutorial I show you how to sync your reading stats between your XTEINK micro e-Readers, running the latest version of CrossInk.

The Enthusiast’s Guide: Bridging the Gap Between Your XTEINK Micro E-Readers

The broader consumer electronics market often overlooks the appeal of single-purpose devices, but a dedicated community of digital readers knows better. For those who live at the intersection of digital minimalism and open-source tinkering, the micro e-reader has become an indispensable everyday carry. Pocketable e-ink devices like the XTEINK X3 and its successor, the XTEINK X4, offer the perfect balance of a compact form factor and a focused, glare-free reading experience that modern smartphones simply cannot replicate. However, there has always been a subtle friction point for power users who juggle multiple devices: keeping reading progress and lifetime statistics perfectly synchronized without relying on clunky third-party cloud workarounds.

Fortunately, the independent developer community never rests. For users who take the time to flash custom operating systems, the CrossInk firmware has consistently delivered advanced features tailored specifically for these compact screens. With its latest update, CrossInk has finally introduced a native solution to the multi-device dilemma, letting you harmonize your data with just a few taps. Here is a technical deep dive into how to leverage this new capability.

The Magic of "Nearby Stats Sync"

If you are running the newest iteration of CrossInk—especially utilizing its highly efficient Minimal UI—you now have access to a peer-to-peer data transfer protocol dubbed "Nearby Stats Sync." This feature is designed to effortlessly push your reading metrics from your most frequently used device (for example, the X4 you carry on your daily commute) to your secondary device (like the X3 you leave on your nightstand).

Before attempting a synchronization, verify that your mobile ecosystem meets the necessary baseline requirements:

Requirement	Specification
Firmware Version	The absolute latest build of CrossInk must be successfully flashed on all participating e-readers.
Hardware Supported	XTEINK X3, XTEINK X4 (the protocol supports synchronizing two or more devices sequentially).
Proximity	Devices must be physically near each other to establish the localized, peer-to-peer connection.

Requirement

Specification

Firmware Version

The absolute latest build of CrossInk must be successfully flashed on all participating e-readers.

Hardware Supported

XTEINK X3, XTEINK X4 (the protocol supports synchronizing two or more devices sequentially).

Proximity

Devices must be physically near each other to establish the localized, peer-to-peer connection.

Executing the Synchronization

The localized transfer process is refreshingly straightforward, bypassing the need for external web accounts or complex wireless network configurations. To initiate the sync, follow these precise steps on both of your e-readers:

Ensure that both devices are awake and have the same digital book files loaded locally within their storage.
Navigate to your primary settings layout (usually located at the bottom menu if you are using the Minimal UI layout).
Scroll to find the file management options and select the new synchronization feature to prime the connection.

For quick reference, the exact navigation path within the CrossInk system structure is as follows:

Menu Options -> File Transfer -> Nearby Stats Sync

Once you select this menu item on both the X3 and X4, the UI will display a "ready to sync" prompt. The most crucial step here is to only press sync on the source device. For instance, if you have been doing the majority of your recent reading on the X4, you will initiate the data push from that specific screen. The operating systems will bridge the connection, and within seconds, both screens will confirm the successful transfer of your reading metrics.

Consolidating Your Reading Life

The immediate payoff of this localized sync is found in the core "Reading Stats" dashboard. Frequent firmware flashers know the pain of wiping devices, reinstalling custom operating systems, and subsequently losing historical reading metrics. It is an occupational hazard of testing out new builds. However, with Nearby Stats Sync, that anxiety is virtually eliminated. Your data seamlessly populates into a unified "all books, all devices" view.

This means every page turned and every minute logged on your X4 on the train is accurately added to the progress you make on your X3 at home. It is a small, deeply technical refinement, but for the dedicated e-ink enthusiast, it is exactly the kind of polished functionality that makes navigating the world of custom firmware entirely worth the effort.

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My 3 favorite e-readers at the moment

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 13:28:15 +0200

Doomscrolling is Dead: The 3 E-Ink Devices Dominating My Daily Carry

The e-reader market has stagnated for years, dominated by closed-ecosystem, six-inch plastic slabs. But a quiet hardware rebellion is shifting the paradigm toward extreme minimalism and hybrid functionality. Right now, the three most compelling e-ink devices in my daily rotation aren't traditional tablets at all—they are highly specialized, distraction-free tools and full-fledged smartphone replacements.

1. XTEINK X4: The Ultimate Pocketable Library

Taking the absolute top spot is the XTEINK X4. This 4.3-inch micro e-reader fundamentally reimagines digital reading. Instead of a standard mobile System-on-Chip, the X4 is built on an Espressif ESP32-C3 microcontroller with extreme memory constraints. It features no touchscreen and no frontlight; navigation relies entirely on tactile physical buttons operating via a resistor ladder.

What makes it brilliant is the magnetic back, allowing it to snap effortlessly onto an iPhone Air for an instant, dual-screen everyday carry. But the real magic lies in the software architecture. By ditching the limited stock OS for community-driven open-source firmware like CrossPoint or CrossInk, this 74-gram device gains advanced EPUB rendering, Calibre library integration, and seamless KOReader progress syncing over Wi-Fi. It is the ultimate pocketable library for the hardware purist.

2. Bigme HiBreak Pro Color: The Ocular Health Powerhouse

In second place is the Bigme HiBreak Pro Color, a device that tackles digital fatigue by replacing the emissive smartphone display entirely. This is a fully functional Android 14 smartphone built around a 6.13-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 color panel.

Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset and 8GB of RAM, it bridges the gap between high-performance mobile computing and ocular health. The hardware stack easily handles 5G networks, and the hyper-refresh modes (pushing up to 43 FPS) minimize ghosting to a degree that makes browsing, app navigation, and typing surprisingly fluid. It retains crisp 300 PPI clarity for black-and-white text and 150 PPI for color layers, offering a complete smartphone experience without the constant dopamine drain of an OLED screen.

3. XTEINK X3: The Ascetic Minimalist

Rounding out the top three is the XTEINK X3. If the X4 is minimalist, the X3 is ascetic. Shrinking the footprint down to a mere 3.7 inches and weighing just 58 grams, it boasts a slightly crisper 250 PPI display.

In a bold hardware move, it abandons the standard USB-C port in favor of a specialized pogo-pin connection for charging and data transfer, further reducing its physical profile. Like its larger sibling, it thrives on third-party firmware, offering a pure, uninterrupted reading environment that easily slips into a shirt pocket.

Device Comparison Overview

Feature	XTEINK X4	Bigme HiBreak Pro Color	XTEINK X3
Display Size	4.3-inch E-Ink	6.13-inch Kaleido 3 Color	3.7-inch E-Ink
Processor	ESP32-C3	Dimensity 1080	ESP32
Key Characteristic	Magnetic back (iPhone Air compatible)	Full Android 14 Smartphone	Ultra-lightweight (58g), Pogo-pin

These three devices represent a fascinating divergence in consumer electronics. Whether it is an ultra-lightweight ESP32 terminal dedicated solely to text or a full-color e-paper smartphone capable of running Android Auto, the future of e-ink is highly specialized, profoundly hackable, and finally escaping the shadow of the traditional tablet.

My XTEINK X3 Review and simple comparison with XTEINK X4

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 18:39:05 +0200

The Micro E-Reader Rebellion: Why the XTEINK X3 and X4 Are the Ultimate Antidotes to Doomscrolling

In an era increasingly dominated by sprawling glass slabs, retina displays, and notification-heavy ecosystems, a quiet rebellion is taking place in the world of electronic ink. However, picking up a modern smartphone or a full-sized tablet often leads straight into the trap of endless doomscrolling. Enter the micro-reader: ultra-portable, single-purpose devices designed to fit in a pocket and do absolutely nothing but display text.

At the forefront of this minimalist hardware movement is the XTEINK X4, alongside its newly released, even smaller sibling, the XTEINK X3. After extensively testing both devices side-by-side, it is clear that they are not merely downscaled e-readers—they represent a complete architectural reimagining of the digital reading experience.

The Hardware Paradigm: Magnetic Sanctuaries

The XTEINK X4 establishes a highly compelling baseline for the micro-reader category. Weighing a mere 74 grams and featuring a 4.3-inch E-Ink display (220 PPI), it is remarkably unobtrusive. The defining physical characteristic of the X4 is its magnetic back. Snapping the device directly onto the back of an iPhone Air creates a fascinating dichotomy for your everyday carry: the front of the smartphone represents the chaotic, infinite scroll of the modern web, while the back offers a calm, paginated sanctuary.

The XTEINK X3 takes this ethos of extreme portability a step further. It shrinks the display to 3.7 inches but increases the pixel density to a razor-sharp 250 PPI, resulting in slightly crisper text rendering. Weighing just 58 grams, the X3 feels like a small deck of cards. However, this miniaturization comes with a notable hardware trade-off: while the X4 utilizes a standard USB-C port for charging and data transfer, the X3 relies on a proprietary magnetic pogo-pin connector to save space.

System Architecture: The ESP32 Engineering Miracle

To truly understand what makes the XTEINK series special, one must examine the silicon beneath the screen. Unlike flagship e-readers from Amazon or Kobo—which utilize robust multi-core ARM Cortex-A processors capable of running heavy, full-scale operating systems like Linux or Android—XTEINK has opted for the Espressif ESP32-C3 microcontroller.

The ESP32-C3 is a single-core, low-power RISC-V processor traditionally deployed in simple Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and smart home relays. It possesses absolutely no PSRAM (Pseudo-Static RAM) and operates within an incredibly constrained memory footprint of roughly 380 KB of usable SRAM. From a computer engineering standpoint, dynamically parsing, rendering, and paginating complex EPUB 3 document structures—complete with HTML formatting and CSS styling—within 380 KB of RAM borders on the impossible.

This hardware limitation forced a software revolution. Rather than loading the entire book into active memory, the firmware must aggressively and intelligently cache data to the external MicroSD card, swapping memory blocks in real-time as the user turns pages. It is a masterclass in embedded software optimization.

The Secret Weapon: Open-Source Firmware

While XTEINK provides a functional stock operating system, the true magic of the X3 and X4 lies in their vibrant, open-source developer community. The limitations of the stock firmware inspired independent engineers to build a custom, ground-up operating system known as CrossPoint Reader (and its popular fork, CrossInk).

Flashing CrossPoint or CrossInk transforms these $70 devices into highly sophisticated reading tools. The community firmware introduces features that rival premium readers, including:

Flawless EPUB Rendering: Anti-aliased typography with granular margin, line-spacing, and font-weight controls.
Wireless Synchronization: Native KOReader progress syncing across devices and Calibre OPDS library server support.
Bionic Reading & Typography: Advanced forks like CrossInk introduce Bionic Reading modes, which artificially embolden the first few letters of words to guide the eye and increase reading speed.
OTA Updates: Seamless over-the-air firmware updates directly from GitHub releases via the ESP32’s built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.

XTEINK X3 vs. XTEINK X4: Feature Comparison

Feature	XTEINK X4	XTEINK X3
Display Size	4.3 inches	3.7 inches
Pixel Density	220 PPI	250 PPI
Weight	74 grams	58 grams
Battery	650 mAh	650 mAh
Charging Interface	USB Type-C	Magnetic Pogo-Pin
Microcontroller	ESP32-C3 (RISC-V)	ESP32-C3 (RISC-V)

The Final Verdict

Choosing between the XTEINK X3 and X4 ultimately comes down to ergonomic preference and port universality. The X4 remains the definitive sweet spot for most users; its 4.3-inch screen is spacious enough for long reading sessions, and the inclusion of a universal USB-C port is vastly superior to proprietary cables. The X3, conversely, is an exercise in absolute minimalism—ideal for those who want the highest possible pixel density in a chassis that practically vanishes into a pocket.

Regardless of which model you choose, the XTEINK ecosystem proves that the future of digital reading isn't necessarily about bigger screens or faster processors. Sometimes, the most powerful device is the one that forces you to slow down, disconnect, and simply turn the page.

Buy the XTEINK X3 here.

Watch review here:

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XTEINK X3 with Stock firmware review and a tutorial on how to Flash CrossInk

stefan@svartling.net (Stefan Svartling) — Tue, 26 May 2026 13:49:31 +0200

In this video I review the original stock firmware that the XTEINK X3 comes with after doing an update to the latest version. I also show you how to Flash CrossInk to the XTEINK X3 in a tutorial in the end.

Buy it here.

The XTEINK X3 is a Pocket-Sized E-Reading Marvel—If You Ditch the Stock Software

Reviewing the ultra-compact reader's latest stock firmware and unlocking its true potential with the CrossInk 1.3.0 update.

In an era increasingly dominated by sprawling glass slabs, retina displays, and notification-heavy ecosystems, a quiet rebellion is taking place in the world of electronic ink. The XTEINK X3 represents the bleeding edge of the "micro-reader" movement. It is an unapologetically minimalist, pocket-sized device designed for a single purpose: distraction-free reading.

Weighing a mere 58 grams and featuring a beautifully crisp 3.7-inch E Ink display at 259 PPI, the X3 is designed to live on the back of your smartphone. Thanks to a clever magnetic back, it snaps effortlessly onto devices like a modern iPhone, effectively transforming the back of your daily driver into a gateway for digital literature. But hardware is only half the story. The software running beneath the glass dictates the entirety of the visual and interactive experience.

Hardware Specification

XTEINK X3 Detail

Display

3.7-inch E Ink, 259 PPI

Processor Architecture

Espressif ESP32-C3 (Single-Core RISC-V)

Usable Memory

~380KB SRAM

Weight

58 grams

Battery Capacity

650 mAh

The Stock Firmware Experience (XTOS)

Out of the box, the XTEINK X3 ships with the manufacturer's proprietary stock firmware. Over the past few months, XTEINK has pushed several updates to refine this software, smoothing out initial stability issues and improving basic navigation.

The latest stock update provides a functional, albeit bare-bones, reading experience. The UI is straightforward, allowing you to load TXT files and basic EPUBs. However, for serious readers who demand meticulous control over their digital typography, the stock OS leaves a lot to be desired. The native EPUB rendering engine can still struggle with complex formatting, occasionally mangling margins or breaking sentences awkwardly across the small screen. Furthermore, opening larger files often results in sluggish load times.

The stock firmware is entirely adequate for casual users, but the true magic of the X3 lies in its hackability.

Why CrossInk 1.3.0 is a Masterclass in Embedded Engineering

The e-reader hacking community has rallied around the XTEINK hardware, producing open-source firmware replacements that drastically elevate the device's capabilities. The most prominent of these is CrossPoint, and its highly popular, reading-focused fork: CrossInk. Unlike flagship e-readers that rely on robust multi-core ARM Cortex processors and gigabytes of memory, the XTEINK X3 is powered by an Espressif ESP32-C3 microcontroller. This single-core RISC-V chip provides extreme power efficiency but offers a highly constrained ~380KB of usable RAM. Rendering a massive, intricately formatted EPUB file on such limited memory is a significant computational challenge.

CrossInk solves this by aggressively caching book data down to the onboard SD card, bypassing the memory bottleneck entirely. The software parses the book, pre-calculates the pagination based on your font settings, and streams the visual data to the screen. It is a brilliant display of low-level software engineering.

The recent 1.3.0 update brings the X3 to full maturity. Here is what makes it a necessary upgrade:

Gyroscope Tilt-to-Turn: Version 1.3.0 taps into the device's QMI8658 IMU (gyroscope), allowing you to turn pages simply by tilting the device—a completely hands-free reading experience.

Advanced Typography & Bionic Reading: CrossInk introduces robust typesetting controls, superior grayscale antialiasing for crisp text, and Bionic Reading modes that guide the eye for faster comprehension.

Improved UI and Keyboard: The on-screen keyboard has been completely redesigned, making Wi-Fi setup and OPDS library searching remarkably smooth.

KOReader Synchronization: You can seamlessly sync your reading progress between the X3 and other devices running KOReader.

Tutorial: How to Flash CrossInk 1.3.0 to the XTEINK X3

Replacing the operating system on consumer hardware can sound intimidating, but the CrossInk community has engineered a foolproof, browser-based flashing tool. Because the ESP32-C3 chip supports Web Serial API, you can flash the device directly from a Chromium-based web browser without installing any complex command-line tools.

Follow these steps to upgrade your device:

Download the Firmware: Locate the latest CrossInk 1.3.0 `.bin` release file from the project's official GitHub repository and save it to your computer.

Prepare the Device: Ensure your X3 is charged and powered on (it cannot be in sleep mode). Connect the X3 to your computer using a high-quality USB-C data cable.

Access the Web Flasher: Open a Chromium-based browser (like Chrome or Edge) and navigate to the community flashing portal (typically hosted at crosspoint reader.com).

Backup (Optional but Recommended): Use the tool's interface to "Save full flash." This will pull a backup of your stock firmware to your computer, ensuring you can always revert if needed.

Flash the Custom Firmware: Navigate to the "OTA fast flash controls" section on the web page. Select the CrossInk `.bin` file you downloaded in Step 1. Click "Flash firmware from file."

Authorize the Connection: Your browser will prompt you to select a serial port device. Choose the port associated with the connected X3 and confirm. The flashing process will begin and usually takes about one to two minutes.

Reboot and Read: Once the progress bar reaches 100%, disconnect the USB-C cable. Press the Reset button on the device, then immediately press and hold the Power button. The device will reboot into the sleek new CrossInk interface.

With CrossInk installed, the XTEINK X3 transforms from a curious novelty into a highly capable, precision-engineered reading tool. By stripping away the noise of the modern web and maximizing the potential of its minimalist hardware, this little device reclaims the simple, profound joy of getting lost in a good book.

Watch my review video here:

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