> they also designed the USB-C port in what has to be a completely noncompliant way so as to keep any keyboards (or most anything else potentially useful) from working
I'm curious what that means. Is it a USB-C certified port? If it is certified and has USB host or USB-OTG on the logos, then it better work otherwise they'd fail compliance testing. If on the other hand it is just a USB-C connector for charging and for client mode, then that's normal. Most low end devices don't have a USB host controller and therefore can only be a USB client (like a thumbdrive) and thus can't connect to another USB client like a USB keyboard.
> There's something oddly hostile about e-ink device companies.
What are "e-ink device companies"? You mean like Amazon? Are they hostile?
Remarkable lists "Wi-Fi / USB-C / Accessory port" under "Connectivity" for the Remarkable 2, and "USB C connectivity for fast file transfer and charging" in its comparison. The device also does have the necessary hardware to be capable of acting as host, and connecting keyboards.
But of course, Remarkable don't actually state that the port is certified, and so it turns out that it doesn't behave at all in the way a normal person might expect.
File transfer is implemented, not via any usual method, but by having the device act as a network adapter, and having a web interface accessible at a fixed IP address, behind a setting that seems to reset itself to Off at various times.
While the port would support OTG, Remarkable has added a kernel module that, amongst other things, breaks the detection and switching needed for that to work automatically. You can configure it manually, in which case the port won't provide power, though a keyboard with a Y-adapter will work.
However, next to the USB-C port, there isa a set of five exposed contacts that appears designed for a magnetic attachment, and Remarkable notes that it's there to support potential future accessories. People investigating them have found that it's a USB interface. It supports OTG, will provide power, and can have a keyboard attached.
On the Remarkable 1, which doesn't have the accessory connection, and thus doesn't have the potential for future products, keyboards can apparently just be attached to the USB port.
>What are "e-ink device companies"?
Remarkable / Onyx / etc: companies that are built around e-ink devices.
> While the port would support OTG, Remarkable has added a kernel module that,
Remarkable is open source isn't it? The CEO posts regularly on HN. If that were true, wouldn't you just go in and disable the insmod/modprobe of that module?
> What are "e-ink device companies"? You mean like Amazon? Are they hostile?
Not a GP but I have been doing some research on which ereader / note taker to buy lately and although I wouldn’t call it hostile, there is definitely a pattern.
Most eink devices run some modified walled-of modifications of Android.
Most eink devices don’t support USB keyboards (for example, just something I am interested in), and even if they unofficially do, the companies would flat out deny it for some reason (Boox).
Seems like every device has it’s own perspective on how to export / import documents and content
> Most eink devices run some modified walled-of modifications of Android.
That's not that surprising is it? Doesn't regular Android have a lot of stuff that would break eink displays since they can't update like LCD?
> Most eink devices don’t support USB keyboards (for example, just something I am interested in), and even if they unofficially do, the companies would flat out deny it for some reason (Boox).
Sounds nasty. Any link to further details about what you're saying? Is it just a simple missing USB host capability or are they actively preventing people from using USB host somehow in software?
> Sounds nasty. Any link to further details about what you're saying?
I emailed Boox support if Boox Nova Air that just came out supports USB keyboard and got a one-liner response that their products to not support getting connected to USB keyboards.
I think the sibling commenter that mentions that they may just want to get rid of support requests is close to truth. I think Remarkable did actually make some design decisions that don't allow to just use USB keyboard (you actually need some aftermarket cable if you want to hack it together). No idea why (once you get the cable the keyboard apparently works).
Maybe these companies just really believe in the screen + pen paradigm.
> don’t support USB keyboards … and even if they unofficially do, the companies … deny it for some reason
Perhaps they don't want to deal with support calls for “my keyboard isn't working” or “the keyboard mapping is odd for [insert HCI device here]” or similar, and have decided that simply saying “we don't support USB keyboards” is not sufficient to ward that off.
I'm curious what that means. Is it a USB-C certified port? If it is certified and has USB host or USB-OTG on the logos, then it better work otherwise they'd fail compliance testing. If on the other hand it is just a USB-C connector for charging and for client mode, then that's normal. Most low end devices don't have a USB host controller and therefore can only be a USB client (like a thumbdrive) and thus can't connect to another USB client like a USB keyboard.
> There's something oddly hostile about e-ink device companies.
What are "e-ink device companies"? You mean like Amazon? Are they hostile?