Using the Xteink X4, a minimalist e-reader

In a highly uncharacteristic move, I recently purchased a brand new device: an Xteink X4 e-reader. The X4 is a minimalist e-reader that is the size of an old smartphone, but much thinner and lighter. Speaking of smartphones, a portable e-reader is great alternative to absentmindedly unlocking your smartphone and vanishing alarmingly large chunks of time. I feel much better about finishing reading a book than I do about finishing reading a list of misleading headlines. Here's what the X4 looks like: Limitations After glimpsing such a cute and portable e-reader, and learning that it supports open firmware at a full price of $69, you might be tempted to instantly buy one, but caution: the X4 is an extremely limited device that is not for all (or even most) people! Notably, the X4: Does not support any kind of copy protection (DRM) whatsoever Does not have a backlight Does not have a clock Does not support transferring books over USB The lack of DRM support might be a deal-breaker for…