The hosts discuss their distraction-free setup and a surprise purchase of a tablet. They review and compare a new e-ink device for reading and writing. The pros and cons of iPad vs. tablet reading are explored. Link gathering workflow using Matter, Raindrop, and Obsidian is discussed. The Palma eink phone and its features are examined. The limitations and challenges of a specific device are highlighted.
John Voorhees shares his unique workflow for managing links, RSS feeds, and note-taking on an e-ink tablet called Books Tab Ultra.
The e-ink tablet provides a dedicated focus device for reading, with great battery life and a seamless, web-based reading experience.
Deep dives
Introduction and Hardware Overview
The podcast episode starts with the hosts discussing the device that John Voorhees has been hiding, revealing that he purchased an e-ink tablet called Books Tab Ultra. The tablet has a solid and dense build, similar in size to a standard iPad, with a keyboard cover and a good quality e-ink screen. It also has a stylus for taking handwritten notes. The tablet's hardware allows for a variable refresh rate, which can be set on a per-app basis, offering smoother scrolling or crisp page displays. John provides an overview of the various apps and services he uses with the tablet, including Obsidian, Feedbin, and Matter, as well as third-party browser Kiwi. He also shares his unique workflow for managing links, RSS feeds, and note-taking on the tablet.
Benefits and Use Cases
The hosts delve into the advantages and use cases of John's e-ink tablet. While John acknowledges that similar workflows could be achieved on an iPad or other Android tablets, he appreciates the dedicated focus device nature of the e-ink tablet. It allows him to have a device specifically for reading, with great battery life and a pleasant reading experience. He highlights its usefulness for his web-based reading workflow, where he primarily uses RSS feeds, bookmarking services like Raindrop, and obsidian to manage and process articles and links. John explains how the tablet's split-view feature and customizable toolbar JavaScript extensions enhance his reading and note-taking experience. He notes that the tablet's web services integration and e-ink screen contribute to a seamless, web-based reading experience.
Challenges and Limitations
The podcast addresses some of the challenges and limitations of using an e-ink tablet like the Books Tab Ultra. John acknowledges that its processing power is not as robust as an iPad, resulting in occasional delays or pauses when performing certain tasks. He also points out that the tablet runs on an older version of Android, limiting access to the latest Android features. In terms of app availability, John mentions that the Android ecosystem for e-ink tablets is limited, and many apps are not optimized for e-ink screens. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing which apps are best suited for e-ink and learning to navigate their specific limitations. John also comments on the tablet's relatively heavyweight and solid build, which may not be as lightweight as some users might prefer.
Final Thoughts and Future Plans
The podcast concludes with the hosts discussing their overall impressions of John's e-ink tablet setup. Federico expresses his intrigue and fascination with the unique workflow and extensive integration of web services. They discuss how this setup caters to John's specific reading and link-gathering needs, providing a dedicated physical computer for managing his preferred web-based reading workflow. John highlights the importance of open web standards and the ability to tie together various apps and services in a cohesive end-to-end solution. Despite the occasional challenges associated with the tablet, John believes this setup offers a practical and enjoyable way to read, process, and manage his digital content. He mentions his intention to write about this setup and further explore its capabilities in the future.
