The Boox Go 6 (Gen II) is a compact Android ereader designed for people who want more flexibility from their reading device. Unlike more restricted ereaders, it runs Android and provides access to Google Play and a wide range of apps for reading, buying, renting and listening to books and other documents. The latest model costs $200 and adds stylus support alongside a refreshed design.
Design And Display
The Go 6 (Gen II) has a suitcase-inspired design, with a gently textured rear featuring rows of smooth ridges. It is available in four colours: Shell, a creamy off-white; Custard, a pale yellow; Plum, a deep purple; and Stone, a light grey. The device supports Boox's InkSense Plus stylus, allowing users to mark up books, take notes and draw directly on the screen.
The InkSense Plus stylus is sold separately for $46, although it can also be purchased with the ereader as part of a bundle that saves around $13. Beyond the addition of stylus support, the main internal change from the first-generation model is an increase from 2GB to 3GB of RAM.
The Go 6 (Gen II) retains Android 11, which is an older version of the operating system. Android 11 no longer receives security updates, although apps can still be downloaded and most should remain compatible with the device for some time. Storage consists of 32GB internally, with a microSD card slot providing the option to expand it further.
Compact Size For Reading
The Go 6 (Gen II) has a 6-inch display, giving it a compact size comparable with entry-level Kindle and Kobo Clara BW models. Its dimensions make it suitable for carrying around while still providing enough screen space for comfortable reading. The device is small enough to fit into smaller bags and can also fit into the back pocket of many pairs of jeans.
One drawback to its portability is the absence of an IP rating for water or dust resistance. This means the device does not have the protection offered by water-resistant ereaders, making a protective case worth considering in situations such as trips to the beach, camping or use beside a swimming pool.
At approximately 160 grams, the Go 6 (Gen II) is lightweight enough to hold comfortably while lying in bed or relaxing on a sofa. Its adjustable front light can be dimmed or brightened and can also be changed between cooler and warmer tones. The 300PPI ePaper display is described as crisp and bright.
E Ink Performance And Refresh Settings
Ghosting can be noticeable when moving between applications and navigating device menus. Boox provides several refresh and colour modes to help reduce this effect, as well as controls for deciding how frequently the display refreshes.
The refresh frequency can be adjusted according to preference, including settings for individual applications. A quick-access gesture opens BOOX EinkWise, where users can adjust refresh and colour modes, layout, contrast and anti-flicker settings for specific apps. Ghosting is less noticeable during actual reading, and the Full Refresh Frequency can be set according to how often a complete refresh is wanted.
Battery Life
The Go 6 (Gen II) has a 1,500mAh battery. With a few hours of reading each day and moderate app use, it can provide several days of use. Battery life can be extended by switching off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when they are not needed, preventing apps from running in the background and keeping the front light low or switched off when lighting conditions allow.
Battery life is shorter than comparable Kindle and Kobo ereaders, which can last for weeks. This is one of the compromises associated with using Android on the device. The Go 6 (Gen II) can nevertheless provide extended use between charges depending on how it is configured and used.
Getting Books And Documents Onto The Device
Adding books and other files to the Go 6 (Gen II) can be done in several ways. BooxDrop allows files to be transferred wirelessly, while supported cloud storage services such as Dropbox and Google Drive provide another option. Files can also be transferred using a USB-C cable.
The built-in Boox store has a relatively small selection, consisting largely of public-domain works. Anyone wanting to buy or rent books directly on the device therefore needs to use another application.
The main advantage of the Android platform is the ability to use preferred reading applications. Different services can be used for obtaining books, reading them and managing reading activity without having to move between the ereader and another device. Moon+ Reader is also supported, although its settings may need to be adjusted to make books display more effectively on the E Ink screen and reduce ghosting.
Writing With The Stylus
The Go 6 (Gen II) is primarily an ereader rather than a dedicated digital notebook, but its stylus provides useful options for annotations and occasional note-taking. The stylus works with the default reader and with third-party applications, although the experience differs between them.
Within Boox's Neo Reader, users can write directly on books and documents. The side tab provides options for changing the pen type and line width, while the Smart Scribe tools include functions that can turn underlining into highlighting and scribbling into erasing. Annotated pages can also be found later through the Contents section, where marked-up pages are organised for the particular file.
Writing in third-party applications uses Boox's FreeMark tool. Notes created with FreeMark operate as a temporary overlay rather than remaining permanently on the page after the application is closed. When the notes are saved, they disappear from the page and a screenshot of the marked-up page is stored in the device's Gallery, organised according to the application used.
Those screenshots can also be accessed from within the application through the menu in the FreeMark toolbar. While this is less seamless than the annotation system in Boox's own reader, it still provides a way to mark up content in third-party apps.
The stylus has no noticeable lag when writing or doodling, with marks appearing immediately on the display. However, the writing experience is not intended to match that of an E Ink device designed specifically for writing. The Go 6 (Gen II) remains primarily focused on reading rather than functioning as a dedicated digital notebook.
Is The Boox Go 6 (Gen II) Worth Considering?
The Boox Go 6 (Gen II) is a versatile Android ereader that combines a compact 6-inch E Ink display with access to Android applications, expandable storage and stylus support. Its flexibility comes with some compromises, including an older version of Android, shorter battery life than comparable Kindle and Kobo devices, and no water or dust resistance.
For existing owners of the first-generation Go 6, the differences are relatively limited. The two devices are sufficiently similar that upgrading may not be worthwhile if the original model is still working properly. For someone looking for a new ereader, however, the Go 6 (Gen II) offers an option for those who want access to more third-party apps than are available on Kobo and prefer an alternative to Amazon products.
Setting up the device and adjusting individual applications so they work well with the E Ink display can require more involvement than with other ereaders. That additional flexibility is an important part of the overall Go 6 (Gen II) experience.
The Boox Go 6 (Gen II) combines portability, Android access, a crisp 300PPI ePaper display, expandable storage and optional stylus functionality in a compact ereader. Its limitations, particularly the older Android software, shorter battery life and lack of water resistance, are important considerations, but its ability to use a broad selection of reading apps gives it a distinctive level of flexibility.
Do write and share your reflections upon this matter…
0 Comments