There have been some rumors going around about Boyue coming out with a new ebook reader with an octa-core processor, and those rumors appear to be true.
A series of four YouTube videos were uploaded yesterday showing off a new 7.8-inch E Ink ereader called the Boyue Likebook Mars.
In the video description it says the device has a Rockchip RK3368 1.5GHz octa-core processor.
It also says it has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage space, which is expandable up to 128GB (presumably through a microSD card slot).
Other specs include Bluetooth 5.0, dual band Wi-Fi, and it has a 2800mAh battery.
The weight is listed at 290 grams and the device’s measurements are 198 x 144 x 9.3mm.
The 7.8-inch E Ink screen has a resolution of 1404 x 1872 (300 ppi) and it has a frontlight with adjustable color temperature.
The rumors have suggested that it will be running Android 6.0 like Onyx’s newer devices but the video description just says it runs “Likebook OS” so that still remains to be confirmed.
It’s good to see Boyue doing something different with their next gen devices but is an octa-core processor really necessary on an ereader?
Update: The Likebook Mars is now available to purchase from Amazon for $239.
I like their Warm Yellow color (instead of the Orange color some use).
As a person who reads a lot of pdfs I certainly see some advantages with faster processors as long as the battery time is still decent. So I’m curious of what the battery time specs could be.
Bring it on, that sounds like a really interesting device! As others mentioned, I hope the battery is going to last a bit. Great that in contrast to the Onyx Boox Note, which I otherwise like a lot, this one has a microSD-slot.
I also hope they finally properly implement USB-C power delivery, it’s a shame to have USB-C devices (like the Onyx Note) with USB-C connectors, but to connect them up to anything for charging or data you’re still forced to use a USB-A to C cable (or adaptors). At least I haven’t been able to charge my Note using a C-to-C cable from a USB-C PD charger, which then kind of defeats the purpose of having a universal connector. Also for data connection to another device with USB-C I need to use a USB-C-to-A converter on that device and am A-to-C cable rather than a simple C-to-C, which is plain silly (might be the other devices fault ad well though, don’t have a full laptop with USB-C yet to test for sure).
unfortunately the screen seems glass-based considering the weight is only slightly less than on the Boox Note in spite of the smaller screen, that’s a sought disappointment if true.
would be happy to be wrong about the screen though, if it’s plastic-based after all, all the better!
The screen definitely isn’t plastic-based at that weight. It’s 60 grams heavier than the Kobo Aura One. That must be one heavy processor! 😀
Why do you prefer plastic screen? Wouldn’t it scratch easier?
much lighter and less likely to break than the classical glass-based panels
Does New Likebook Mars E-Reader have Google Play Store and can install the web browser? And what is the return policy?
Looks like it offers the Play Store. Not sure on the other question, sorry.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/363543/octa-core-likebook-mars-e-reader-offers-google-play-store-ac
I saw a review of this elsewhere today and have to say this device seems tempting. I like having the different customization of the screen, the ability to add some reading apps, having headphone jacks (I don’t like depending on Bluetooth much), and other features.
I’d prefer for it to be waterproof, but combining that with headphone jacks doesn’t make sense. I doubt I’ll listen to anything on it so it doesn’t matter either way with the Audio for me.
I don’t care if it’s a bit heavier since I never paid that much attention to weight of e-readers.