Boox Challenges Amazon With New Color E Ink Devices Featuring 5G and Android Freedom If you found Amazon’s recent Kindle Scribe updates underwhelming, Boox is stepping up with two new Android-powered E Ink devices that feature color displays and far more flexibility. The company has announced the Palma 2 Pro and the Note Air5 C, both of which run on a full version of Android, allowing users to install any app they wish, a stark contrast to the walled gardens of the Kindle Scribe and reMarkable Paper Pro Move. The more intriguing device is arguably the Palma 2 Pro. It is a significant upgrade to the original Boox Palma, a phone-shaped E Ink gadget that gained a cult following as a less distracting alternative to a traditional smartphone. The new model elevates the concept with a 6.3-inch color E Ink screen, the same Kaleido display technology found in the Kobo Libra Colour. A major new addition is a SIM card slot for 5G data connectivity, moving it closer to being a true smartphone replacement. It also ships with Android 15, includes built-in A-GPS for navigation, and supports Boox’s InkSense Plus stylus for jotting down notes on the go. The other device, the Note Air5 C, is a refresh of Boox’s popular larger format E Ink tablet. This 10.3-inch Android slate is an update to the previous Note Air model and shares similarities with the Boox Go 7 series announced earlier this year. The key improvements for the Note Air5 C include the move to Android 15 and the addition of pogo pins on its back. These pins enable a new keyboard cover, making it much more practical for typing documents and engaging in light productivity work. Boox has also refined the included Pen3 stylus, promising a more comfortable grip and a removable cap that stores extra nibs. While the color experience on its Kaleido E Ink screen may not match the vibrancy of an iPad Pro, the open Android system and new keyboard support make it a versatile tool for reading and writing. Both new devices from Boox are available for order now, with shipments expected to begin in November. The Boox Palma 2 Pro is priced at 400 dollars. The Boox Note Air5 C starts at 530 dollars, or 607 dollars for a bundle that includes the keyboard cover.
