The Onyx Boox Max2 Professional eReader is an Android tablet with an e-Ink screen

It’s been a while since I’ve thought about dedicated eBook readers, but the Boox Max2 Professional from Onyx is so much more than a dedicated eBook reader.  The Boox Max2 Professional has a giant 13.3″ eInk Carta flexible screen, WACOM + Finger dual-touch control, 1.6GHz quad-core processor, Android 6.0, HDMI, built-in mic and speakers, WIFI, Bluetooth 4.0, 2G RAM, and 32GB storage.  The eInk screen has 2200 X 1650 pixels, 16-step grayscale, and a 15:1 contrast ratio.  The screen is bi-stable, meaning it doesn’t use power to keep a static image on the screen, which helps it achieve the lowest power-consumption level in the eReader industry.  It’s perfect for reading A4 or US letter-sized documents in their original size.

Using the supplied stylus and the Wacom digitizer, you can draw and write on the screen just as you would write on a paper copy of your PDF.  You can also use your fingers on the screen, just as you would on an ordinary tablet.    Four mechanical buttons allow manual selection for menu, back, previous page, and prior page.

The Boox Max2 Professional supports the following file types:

  • Text:  PDF, EPUB, TXT, MOBI, CHM, DJVU, HTML, RTF, FB2, DOC, PDB, etc
  • Image: JPG, PNG, BMP, etc
  • Audio: MP3, WAV, etc
  • Other special formats can be supported with third-party applications

With the built-in speakers, you can listen to music, text-to-speech playback of books, or audiobooks.  A built-in mic allows voice recording. The Boox Max2 Professional is equipped with WiFi.  It also has Bluetooth 4.0, which allows you to connect an external keyboard, pedal, or audio device.  The 4100mAH lithium-polymer battery gives you about 4 weeks of stand-by time.

With 32GB of memory, you’ll have room for lots of text files, music files, and eBooks.  Since it’s running Android 6.0, you’ll be able to download apps, too.  And with an HDMI cable, you can even connect the Boox Max2 Professional to a PC and use it as a second monitor!

Onyx will release the Boox Max2 Professional on December 27, 2017.  You can pre-order it now for €671.34 (about $790.00).  You’ll receive a Wacom E/M stylus, USB cable, microHDMI-to-HDMI cable, and a protective cover with your purchase.  It ships worldwide from Germany; shipping to most areas is free.

Waterfield bags, Flexispot bike desk, Gift guides, and more – Weekly roundup

Is it just me, or are the days speeding by lately? It seems like just yesterday it was Thanksgiving and now we’re only 9 days away from Christmas. If you feel like you need to slow things down, I have just the thing for you. Go find a comfy chair, put on some holiday tunes in the background and check out a weekly list of everything that we’ve posted this week.

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Vibes Audio brings modular accessories to iPhones and Samsung phones

Have you been envious of Moto smartphone owners and their moto mods like the Hasselblad True Zoom Camera Moto Z Mod? Now you can add a similar capability to iPhone 6 – 8, and Samsung Galaxy S7 and S8 phones with Vibes Audio’s ROXON modular system.

The ROXON system consists of a BASEROX phone case, VIBROX IPX7 waterproof Bluetooth speaker which features a Vibration Sound Engine, and the VOLTROX 3000mAH battery pack. When you what to share your music, the VIBROX snaps on the back of the BASEROX case to offer full sound while keeping thins thin. When it’s time to charge your phone, remove the VIBROX and the VOLTROX snaps on the back of the case.

The ROXON modular system is priced at $29.99 for the BASEROX case, $129.99 for the VIBROX Bluetooth speaker, and $49.99 for the VOLTROX. For more info visit vibesaudio.com

Ride back to the future with the Schwinn Grey Ghost bicycle

You can relive your childhood, or give your favorite child a cool retro bike, with this offering from Dick’s Sporting Goods.  This limited edition Schwinn Grey Ghost replicates the 1968 Schwinn Classic bike, with its Sting Ray frame, high-rise ape handlebars, a sissy bar, and a banana seat.  The bike completes the retro look with a 16″ front wheel and a 20″ rear wheel.  Totally groovy, man!  The Schwinn Grey Ghost is currently available for $399.99 (normally $499.99) at Dick’s Sporting Goods.  Be sure to watch out for clowns in storm drains when riding this cool retro bike!

New audio with timeless design now available from SŌLIS

SŌLIS is not a name you hear every day in the audio world. But they plan on changing that with a new line of speakers that are stylish, wireless and incorporate much of today’s latest tech. SŌLIS has built the latest wireless streaming—Bluetooth and Google Chromecast—into each high-resolution speaker. SŌLIS  Combines simple forms, sleek lines and contrasting textures of Mid Century Modern style creating a timeless look.

You can use the Google Home app or Bluetooth to choose from music services like Spotify, Google Play Music, and Pandora. All SŌLIS speakers are hi-res audio compatible, meaning you can stream lossless audio from select streaming services that support hi-res audio. Plus, Chromecast allows multi-room streaming and wireless control from anywhere in your house. Each SŌLIS speaker will stream with any another SŌLIS speaker or can be used alone.

The SŌLIS SO-3000 has a low resonance wooden cabinet with tuned bass port, auxiliary input jack for connecting an iPod or other sources with analog outputs. It measures 6.3” (H) x 11.8” (W) x 3.7” (D) and sells for $229.99 US.

Mid-century modern design dominates the SŌLIS SO6000 speaker. It has a unique oval-shaped wooden cabinet with chrome highlights and measures 5.5” (H) x 9.5” (W) x 7.1” (D). It sells for $269.99 US.

The flagship SŌLIS SO7000 will fill a room with 360° sound using 5 speakers—4 x 2” Speakers, plus a 5.25” Subwoofer. It’s cube shaped wooden cabinet is accented by a high gloss black panel. It measures 7.9” (H) x 7.9” (W) x 7.9” (D) and sells for $359.99 US.

Visit solisaudio.com for more information.