Oynx Suspends Development on their Boox Writer

Onyx debuted an E-ink typewriter in April and called it the Boox Writer. It had a detachable keyboard that allowed users to write and also featured pen input, so you could sketch on the screen. Onyx has confirmed with Good e-Reader that they are suspending development on the Boox Writer and it will not be turned into a commercially viable product.

There was obviously a clear lack of interest in an E-Ink typewriter. The docking station was connected via Bluetooth and latency was an issue. It is very likely that the new Onyx MAX PRO2 and Note with HDMI to act as a secondary screen was a prime factor in the typewriter being killed off.

Michael Kozlowski

Michael Kozlowski is the Editor in Chief of Good e-Reader. He has been writing about audiobooks and e-readers for the past ten years. His articles have been picked up by major and local news sources and websites such as the CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and Verge.

Heidi Steindel

No surprise. The whole thing is stupid. Who would want this when you can just use a laptop, pc or tablet?
Jose Manuel

Michael, I can see you have good contacts with Onyx staff, I want to ask you: Can we expect a Onyx Note more advanced with the same CPU, amount of RAM and storage as MAX 2 PRO?
Ayden Bird

I want it. eInk. Not having to charge as often, and mainly no eye strain.
Jmirko

While I appreciate the advantages of e-ink (usability in very bright environments and being eye-friendly), this product was clearly too niche to be viable. If you need the functionality, you can easily pair an e-ink tablet with a bluetooth keyboard and get the same functionality. See attached photo for my setup. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/05faac5df1d013d60c69c45de17498082143f03ad9df4e1ef949b2de11755ba3.jpg
jcam

Is there a Bluetooth keyboard big enough to hold the 13.3 Max 2? If not, I guess I’ll have to wait for he 10.3 note. I was thinking of getting a Bluetooth case for it.