00:00This is the TCL Note A1 Next paper. It's a paper-like e-note-taking device, and it promises
00:07focus, clarity, and smarter thinking. And the writing experience is definitely interesting
00:12in ways that I wasn't totally expecting. Now, there are eight key things that you should know
00:16about this device, and by the end of this video, you'll know whether this device is the right one
00:20for you or not. So if you'd like to check out this device for yourself, there will be links in the
00:24description to check out their Kickstarter so you can learn more and buy one if you'd like.
00:28So big picture, what is this? Why should you care? So at a high level, this is a paper-like e-note-taking
00:34device. It's built specifically for handwriting, thinking, and focused work. It's not for
00:39entertainment or endless apps or distraction or like a powerhouse of multitasking. This is a very
00:45focused and calm device, which I genuinely love. The goal here is to replace notebooks, legal pads,
00:52even your e-ink devices that just are a little too clunky for you. If you've ever wanted a device that
00:57helps you think clearly without pulling you in 50 different directions because of distractions,
01:02this might be just for you. And the writing experience, which is what this device is built
01:07around, has some really interesting and unique design choices. Right, so as always, let's start
01:13with the form. Starting with the hardware, the device feels solid. It's thin as well and just really
01:18well-built with rubber feet, a nice aluminum body. The large bezel on the left-hand side, I actually
01:24really love because I like being able to grip a tablet like this, especially as a note-taking
01:29device, being able to write with it in hand and not having to worry about touching the screen.
01:33Now, I think the fingerprint sensor is like one of the first things that stuck out to me about the
01:37design of this device. It just is in the perfect place. It's well-made and it also just adds to like
01:43the design language. Like it's one of those like features that when you see the device, you're like,
01:47I know what device that is because of that design element. The next paper display is actually a full
01:54screen protector just already on the device. It's like a paper-like finish. The display is calm,
02:01readable, and just super easy on the eyes. A few things worth calling out about this display.
02:05There's low blue light performance and it's SGS certified under 2.44%, if that means anything to
02:12you. It's Tuve Rhineland certified, which you'll hear about a couple of things in this video, but
02:17this one's for its paper-like display quality, reflection-free and flicker-free performance.
02:22And it's got that 120 hertz refresh display because it is a true LCD, which really sort of
02:28differentiates this device from e-ink tablets you might have used in the past. It's fast,
02:33smooth, and has no ghosting, of course. All right, let's talk about the pen. This is where things
02:37start to get really interesting. It feels lighter than I would usually prefer for a writing utensil,
02:42but that's just my preference. This pen is actually designed to strike a balanced feel,
02:46not too heavy, not too light, with comfort during long writing sessions in mind. The
02:52shape of it is inspired by a traditional ballpoint pen with an eraser on the back, like a mechanical
02:57pencil or obviously a regular pencil. Now, what really stands out here is the way TCL has designed
03:02this pen to emulate a real writing like pen on paper feel. There's haptic feedback in the pen itself,
03:09so you feel like subtle vibrations, which sort of translate in your mind as resistance as you write
03:15on the screen. And there's even like very subtle intentional writing sounds as you're writing,
03:21which isn't something like I noticed at first. And I'll be honest with you, when they told me this,
03:25I thought they were lying because like I couldn't hear it, but I think it like adds to that whole
03:31writing experience. It's kind of wild. These things I have never seen in a writing utensil that's made
03:37for e-note taking before. It's a very unique way of attacking this, trying to make digital feel
03:44analog. And I really love it. You also get 8,192 levels of pressure. And this pen has received the
03:52world's first Tuv Rhineland pencil-like writing certification. Now, there's so many different
03:58writing utensils out there. And so everyone has their personal preference. But I do think that TCL
04:04has struck a good balance of weight and comfortability in the hand. And there's clearly
04:08a lot of thoughtful engineering happening here. Now, let's talk about the function of this device,
04:14starting with the writing experience. This is a note taking device first. So writing is at the core
04:19of the experience. Writing feels smooth, controlled, and pretty paper-like, especially paired with the
04:26matte display that's on the device. Between the pressure sensitivity, the haptic feedback, and the 120
04:31hertz refresh display that is on this device, it feels pretty natural for longer writing sessions,
04:36as opposed to like an iPad writing experience. I'll also say erasing with the back of the pen has
04:42already been improved since I got it through firmware upgrades, which is nice to know that they'll be
04:48rolling those out. Overall, the writing experience feels carefully considered and clearly central to
04:54how this device was designed. So let's talk about what I do really love. First off, using the home button,
04:59like the finger print sensor ID thing, if you click and hold, it starts a recording immediately,
05:05which I think is great. Running late into a meeting or late into a class, the professor, the lecturer,
05:10the CEO is already talking. You just click and hold that, pops open, starts recording quickly. Same
05:15thing too, if you double click that home button, it opens a brand new note, so you can start taking notes
05:19as well. Transcription actually works fairly decently well. There's, I think, eight microphones on this
05:24thing, so it's picking up sounds from every direction and it works great for work and the school setting.
05:30I think the inspiration space on this device is excellent. Basically, if you click and hold
05:34the button on the pen and you circle anything at all, it sends it to this inspiration space,
05:39which I think is cool. Like key moments from a meeting or you're writing down your journal for
05:44the day and you have a great idea for a new video, you can circle that and it just sends it all there.
05:48It's a little digestible area where all your best ideas live. I also love that there's not a ton of
05:53pre-installed apps here. There's a browser, there's a few different note-taking apps, but there's not
05:58like any sort of apps that will distract you, which I think really fits the whole vibe of this device.
06:04Now, I think that the AI features here are kind of stand out on this device. They really help you
06:09capture ideas quickly and then clean them up later, and I think the integration is really well done here.
06:14You get audio to text transcription, handwriting to text conversion, handwritten formula recognition
06:20for math problems, and a little AI toolbox for summarizing and refining your notes.
06:25I wanted to do a quick note about accessories with this device. The folio case is really nice.
06:30It feels really good in the hand. It doesn't add much weight at all to the device. And I love that
06:36the little flap that holds the pen in place can tuck away nicely to the back so that your device isn't
06:41like wobbling on the desk or something. These types of digital writing tablets have a problem
06:46where the pen, even though it's magnetic to the side, can fall out in a bag and get knocked off
06:50if you hit it too hard. So the flap is something I always enjoy. And I'll say that the keyboard case
06:54here is genuinely nice to have. Obviously slim profile, very easy to write on. I think the way that
07:00the case sort of folds around the device is different, but once you get used to it, it's kind of nice.
07:05And I do think that even though this device stands on its own as just an e-note-taking device,
07:09having the added keyboard support is just a nice little touch. It doesn't add a lot of weight to
07:13the device or bulkiness. So it could be nice to just keep that on there, especially if you're
07:17someone who just naturally does a lot of typing. So who's it for? I think this is like the perfect
07:23device for students, anyone who's taking notes on a subject, wanting to record someone speaking like
07:28a professor or a lecturer. I think it's great for professionals in meeting settings where maybe you
07:33don't want to be head down taking notes the whole time. You want to be taking like the most important
07:37notes, but also listening to everything that's going on. And then after that meeting, being able
07:42to have a transcribed quick summary of the meeting to send off to whoever you might need to. I also
07:47just think it's great for anyone who values focus in a device, their structure here, intentional design,
07:53it's not going to be pulling you in 50 different directions. You're going to be sitting down to write,
07:58take notes, et cetera. And that's what this device does well. Now, if you're expecting a full
08:03e-reader replacement or some like full blown tablet experience, this isn't it. This is a thoughtful,
08:10focused, well-designed e-note taking device with a very clear point of view. The screen is calm.
08:17The design is intentional. And I think the productivity tools are well implemented here.
08:22I think what's unique about this device is it sits in between like full on e-ink device and like full
08:29on tablet. It is not e-ink, but it has that same sort of experience while allowing you some things
08:36like 120 Hertz refresh rate that e-ink just can't do. But there's also a very focused nature to this
08:43device. That's something like a full blown iPad or Android tablet can't really do right. Special
08:48thanks to TCL for sponsoring today's video. Again, if you'd like to check out this device for yourself,
08:53there will be links in the description and we will try to get you all a discount code. Thanks so much for
08:56watching. If you're new here on this channel, we help people discover intentional well-made products
09:02to help you build a calmer, more focused life. So if that sounds cool to you, please subscribe.
09:07Like this video for more. Watch this video next. I think you're going to love it. And we'll see you all
09:11in the next one.
Comments