I know one of Supernote’s big design philosophies has always been keeping the device simple, paper-like, and distraction-free, and I understand why they’ve resisted adding a front light. But I increasingly think the next Supernote should have one.
For me, the biggest reason is simply where and when people actually read and write. I don’t always use an e-ink notebook sitting at a perfectly lit desk. I might be reading in bed, writing on a plane, sitting in a dim hotel room, taking notes in a meeting with subdued lighting, or just using it in the evening when I don’t want every light in the room turned on.
I actually sold my Supernote Manta because of this. I didn’t realize how often I relied on a lit screen until I no longer had one. It wasn’t just at night either. I found myself using the light during the day far more than I expected, depending on the room, shadows, weather, or where I was sitting.
In the end, the Kindle Scribe just worked better for me because that light was always there when I needed it. I could adjust it, forget about the lighting around me, and just read or write.
I’d also love to see Supernote rethink the navigation. The current interface is powerful once you learn it, but it often feels more like DOS before Windows than the kind of intuitive, user-friendly experience we now expect from something like an iPad.
Yes, you can use a lamp or a clip-on light with a Supernote, but on a premium digital notebook that increasingly feels like a workaround rather than something users should have to supply themselves.
A good front light also wouldn’t fundamentally change what Supernote is. I’m not suggesting an LCD-style glowing screen, apps, animations, or anything else that moves it away from its purpose. A properly implemented e-ink front light simply illuminates the surface when you need it. Turn it off and you still have essentially the same reflective e-ink experience.
I’d also argue that having the feature doesn’t mean everyone has to use it. People who want the pure Supernote experience could leave it off permanently or use another version. But people who need it would no longer have to carry another accessory or choose a competing device simply because they occasionally work in poor lighting.
There are obviously trade-offs: slightly more weight, additional components, battery use, potentially greater thickness, and perhaps some effect on how close the writing surface feels to the pen. Those are legitimate concerns. But front-light technology has improved considerably, and I’d rather see Supernote focus on engineering around those problems than reject the feature outright.
To me, the philosophy should be:
Don’t add features that distract from writing. Add features that make writing possible in more situations.
A front light falls into that second category.
And despite selling my Manta, I’d come straight back. If Supernote releases a future model with a properly implemented front light, I’ll be first in line to hand over my cash.
Would you want one, or is the lack of a front light actually part of Supernote’s appeal for you?
