E-notes need better-designed accessories

Vendors need to re-consider the design of their e-note accessories so that they are fit for purpose.

In the world of e-notes, accessories are often an afterthought. Kobo and Onyx BOOX are two examples of vendors getting it wrong with their design decisions. In the case of Kobo, the first generation of Elipsa was bundled with a flip case. The case provided excellent protection with a two-part design that allowed the front cover to be detached from the back. With the front detached, the back became like a smartphone hard case with raised edges to protect against drops. The back was relatively lightweight – the issue with the flip case was the weight and bulk it created when used as one piece. The case and pen weighed 365 grams – with the Elipsa included, the total weight was 748 grams.

As a cost-saving measure, Kobo decided not to bundle a case with the next-generation Elipsa 2E. Instead, they released a slim front cover that is purchased separately. The cover doesn’t have the bulk of the previous generation, but it is made of one front piece, which leaves the back unprotected. Using one piece does not appear to be a cost-saving decision, as the case is priced at £70/€70.

Instead of correcting the mistake of the previous generation’s case by making it slimline, Kobo chose to release a bare-bones front cover. The case was not included with the device, and its cost was also hiked while being made of fewer materials and providing limited protection. Kobo’s poor decisions with its e-note are out of place with its other accessories. For example, the origami sleep covers it produces for its other e-readers exemplify a slimline and well-thought design. It would’ve made sense if Kobo adapted the origami cover for Elipsa 2E by adding a slot for the pen.

Like Kobo, Onyx BOOX has made questionable decisions with its e-note accessories. For example, the case for its Onyx BOOX Note Air 2 series has no cutout for the charging port. Hence, when charging, the front cover must be open to expose the side where the port is located.

The Onyx BOOX Note Air series case has no cutout for the charging port.

Onyx BOOX Tab X’s cover is no different from other mass-produced trifold cases, with the front made from textured plastic. There are no magnets to lock the front to the back when folded backwards or create a stable stand. Similarly, Nova Air 2’s case does not magnetically lock the front to the back when folded backwards. More, the silver version of the case has a “brushed design with metal sheen”, which makes the front slippery when folded.

Amazon, however, is an exception with its Kindle Scribe’s flip cover. First, the outside of the case is made from a premium-feeling fabric texture with a microfibre interior. The case itself is relatively lightweight, weighing 200 grams. The edges of the cover protrude, protecting the sides from knocks while exposing them for easy access. By exposing the sides, there is no need for cutouts, and the pen can be magnetically attached to the right. Further, there is an option to store the pen in a loop at the bottom of the case for extra protection. Unlike Kobo Elipsa 2E’s cover, the Scribe’s folio case can be folded into two positions – upright and at a steeper angle (the first-generation Elipsa flip case could be folded into a stand, but Kobo decided to remove the feature with Elipsa 2E’s cover).

Kobo and Onyx BOOX should use the Kindle Scribe’s cover as a template. It is a cover that exemplifies the right design choices in being slimline, lightweight and providing the right amount of protection to the front and back. The case is not perfect and does not offer adequate drop protection, but it does not make any glaring design blunders, as seen in the e-note accessories produced by Kobo and Onyx BOOX.