<!-- Google tag (gtag.js) --> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-Q2MC6HHGTH"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-Q2MC6HHGTH'); </script><script id="Cookiebot" src="https://consent.cookiebot.com/uc.js" data-cbid="9a575506-32c3-4ed2-8123-3527a9a1f3a7" type="text/javascript" async></script> ![[AiPaper.png]] # Introduction As I continue to work through reviews of more e-ink tablets, I find that the experience on each of them is so different, almost jarringly so. For example, this blog post is being drafted on the [ViWoods AiPaper](https://viwoods.com/?ref=uwyhtpnc). By all accounts, this should be a capable machine in that it allows you to do many of the most basic functions of an e-paper tablet, and has the added benefit of AI being incorporated throughout the device. However, there are things you definitely need to know if you are considering purchasing this tablet, especially if it will be the only one you own. In this article, we will look at the highs and lows of using the AiPaper in a professional or academic environment. We will also address some early comparisons between a few different e-paper tablets I have used. # Setting Some Context Ok, so I am going off script here and adding this directly into [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/). I spend time talking with a lot of people who daily drive E-ink devices and there has been some great back and forth in the [Rants About Tech Discord](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0l0aWUxRzNEamhUamhLRVV1elNRVzdFcWRPd3xBQ3Jtc0tsTklhS2RhTW9OVmJ0QjUzcVFFZHYzdTJ1dlhDUFpEd0pPMFpIV3pLRWQxNTNqUTNHZkpvREY5S3Q1R0dMdFgweEJ5M0J4dW16TzI2RmtYNmxxX25vaVRBZ0tMTld2c3hOalpLQ0FUdmVXcmVUR3pJNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdiscord.gg%2F3bZsrajCb2&v=6Xzipt8UpW0) server. This being said, I want to provide a little bit of context for what I will cover about the device. I always try to think as if devices I use could be my only device. As someone who is highly organized and used a folder structure, the key features are always going to be the ability to create subfolders, the core notetaking functionality, and the ability to annotate PDFs and EPUBs. Please keep this in mind as you read. If you do not use the specific features I focus on or need my level of organization, feel free to try to put it in your own context. Now that we have gotten this out of the way, let's dig in. # Writing The writing experience on the AiPaper is both exceptional and frustrating at the same time. The slick, hard (although plastic) screen, combined with the provided EMR stylus and proprietary nibs (soft and plastic) is not a great writing feel at all in my opinion when compared to other device and screen/nib combinations. However, once you find a good screen/nib combination, the experience improves significantly. For example, most of the draft of this article was written with the [Staedtler Norris Digital Jumbo](https://amzn.to/4lou2ee) with the rubber tip. Combine that with exceptional latency, the brightness of the screen, and the overall simplicity of the note interface (perhaps too simplistic, but we will discuss that later) makes taking notes for just "stream of consciousness" handwriting very easy, and even fun. # Pen Selection The pen selections on the device are well thought out and implemented. There is enough variance without it feeling gimmicky. For example, in drafting this article, I will use all of the different pen styles (my actual hand-written draft will probably be provided on [Patreon](https://patreon.com/OrganizingforChange?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink)). Yes, I have some early favorites, but am trying to reserve judgments. Here are the various styles available: - Calligraphy - Fountain - Ballpoint - Fine liner - Pencil - ==Highlighter== - Thinkers There is the option to always have two different pens available on the toolbar at any given time. I know a lot of users prefer more options, but I tend not to switch it up too often. Perhaps a third option just to have the highlighter always present would be nice. However, having some selection here is enough to satisfy my needs. # Toolbar The Paper (first type of note) toolbar, and yes you did read that correctly, has the following items: | **Pen 1** | **Pen 2** | **Eraser** | **Text** | **AI** | | :--------: | :----------: | :--------: | :------: | :-------: | | **Lasso** | **Undo** | **Redo** | **Tag** | **Pages** | | **Layers** | **Template** | **Lock** | **More** | | *More - Name, Add Page, Share, Associate With Daily, Move Right (toolbar)* You might think, "wow, that is a lot of stuff." However, that is probably one sub, sub menu on the [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) platform. And even the [Supernote](https://supernote.com?sca_ref=5405083.rmKBHKIeVR) has far more options. In and of itself, a smaller and more condensed toolbar, or even a limited set of functions is not much of a problem, especially for me. After all, [reMarkable](https://amzn.to/4ls7NUV) has made a small fortune off of simplicity. However, in this case, it is more of an illusion of simplicity. Yes, there are less options, but that also directly leads to less functionality. Here are a few examples: - **Tags -** On most other platforms, you can tag keywords, and usually this is at the text level. For example, you could tag a faculty member's name with both "Faculty" and perhaps "English" for the department. You could even add their name as a keyword or tag. However, on the ViWoods, tags are only at the page level. You can add multiple tags to a page (more than the limit of five that BOOX currently sets), but there will be no indication what text that is tied those tags. Book highlights the text in the note once it is selected, while Supernote highlights it when you view search results. - **Outline or Headings -** This is currently a huge miss. There is no way to easily manage a notebook. You can't even search for or view names when you do the page overview. Even then, if the tag is long, you can only partially see it. While BOOX and Supernote both differ in their approach, at least they provide some sort of solution. - **Search –** The ability to quickly search for notes, specifically handwritten notes, is very important. Unfortunately, you cannot initiate a global search unless you are on the home screen. Also, there is no way to search within a note. You are limited to tags (clickable, more like filters) and titles. From the global search, I was at first able to search headings and filter by tags. However, this function completely stopped working, even after a reboot. # Inconsistent but Promising UI and UX Anyone who has ever watched my channel or read my blog knows, I am not a fan of buying something I need to be able to daily use, based on future or promised features. I expect the things I buy to deliver. Anything else: enhancements, new functionality, and other improvements are just icing on the cake. Maybe that is why I am currently of two minds about the AiPaper. What the system gets right, it really gets right. But what it misses is as equally epic. Here are just a few examples of this dichotomy at work. - **Calendar (Daily) -** This is arguably one of the best implementations of a calendar on the market right now. You can integrate with one calendar add both note types (Paper and Meeting) to a specific date, and you can hand write notes and a task list directly in the field on the bottom of the calendar, and the tasks show on the home screen. What’s more is that you can take action using it, to to prioritize, summarize, and create emails from the tasks and calendar notes using the AI functionality. - **Built in AI -** Although I am not on the AI hype train, I do think they have done a decent, although not uniform, job of building out some quality tools. You can choose a model (currently Chat GPT 4.0, Chat GPT 4.0, Mini, Deepseek, or Deepseek Research). You can also create custom commands, but do have to realize that not all features are available in all of the native apps (multi-page recognition in Paper for example). - **Google Play -** ViWoods has their own app store and Google Play (once you register the device). However, it is important to note that you cannot currently share from notes directly to any of these services. You can recognize with AI and copy the converted text between some of the other note types, but not with any other apps. - **Folder Organization -** Although I mentioned subfolders earlier, this is a huge issue for me. As someone who is folder-driven and then builds a very interconnected structure from that base (specifically in Obsidian), I have a lot of trouble working without folders. In the Supernote, I have the ability to create subfolders under any of the main director folders. In the AiPaper, that is limited to Paper, which also limits the types of notes you can organize into those folders. And that leads to the next topic, notes. - **The Notes Problem -** As good as the Daily (calendar) is, the Paper and Meeting apps (modules) are far more challenging and difficult to manage. Paper and Meeting differ in their toolbars, AI implementation, and templates. There is also no folder structure for Meeting, so everything gets dumped into one spot. You can also create notes in the Daily (calendar) and they don't show up anywhere else. Finally, and this was intentionally removed from the bullet point because it exists in a completely different place, there is the memo section. If you pull down for the settings menu or go into Apps and select memo, you get yet another note type and/or a todo. You can add a todo and set a date and time reminder, but it does not actually integrate with the Daily or communicate with anything else. # What About a Companion App? I get that some folks need to not connect to companion apps and there are real security concerns, especially in specific areas. However, not having a true companion app is another huge miss for the platform. There is a web interface that allows you to upload documents to the device or export to from the device. However, files are set to be deleted within 24 hours (customizable from 30 minutes to this maximum) and you can only send templates (Paper) or limited document types (Learning) to the device, although you can't see the files you uploaded. I'm not trying to be overly critical here, but when you are playing against reMarkable (arguably the best app experience, even if you have to pay for it), Supernote (an excellent app), and BOOX (not as sophisticated but usable), you really need to find a way to make it easy to get files on and off of the device. # Final Thoughts & To Be Continued I would like to say that there was a definitive conclusion here, alas, there will need to be more of a continuing series. This is the first device that I have no clear thoughts on who it is good for. While the hardware is among the best in the industry, the lack of basic notetaking and annotation tools, combined with virtually non-existent file management via folders creates a lot of friction, especially if this is your only device. However, there is a lot of potential and promise with AI Integration, a superior calendar (Daily), and email (Mailbox) experience, the future could be bright. All of this said, I have not, and will not recommend something for what it "could be," but what it actually is. After more updates and improvements, I may be able to recommend one, and hope to, in the future. Until then, if you are up for a challenge, interested in the features that work, and willing to accept the limitations and challenges, my hat is off to you and feel free to wade into the waters. Until next time, thank you for visiting my site and please feel free to read other [[Blog]] articles. You can also check out my various videos, podcasts, and social media below. 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