


I think e-book DRM is not something a lot of end users will appreciate learning about when they can't read a book they want to (even though I hate DRM with a passion – and would rather pay extra to have DRM-free if given the choice). I also bought my wife an RM2 – and she uses it happily for note taking and reading – but I do obtain e-books for it on her behalf, as the whole DRM-free thing is not something she's particularly understanding about, she previously used a Kindle so it is just frustrating. I am still using both devices, and occasionally wanting to read a book I cannot get DRM-Free (yes I know stripping it is possible), or wanting to use the device in the dark does mean that, as I am lucky enough to own both, I probably will keep using them both. You get an 8 core, full-Android running device that is the size of an A4 page, you can read in dark environments (and change the colour temperature to an orange night light), you can open DRM protected e-books via apps, use it as an external e-ink monitor and even watch YouTube if you really want. The Lumi on the other hand, is big, bold and backlit (actually front-lit, but that doesn't alliterate). You trade flexibility and power for form factor and a very custom UX, and you do get to join their pretty cool cult of devotees. The tl dr of it all is that the RM2 is kind of like the Apple of the e-writer world – simple (too much so for many), slick and very much built to a vision. I have been meaning to write a review of these two fascinating e-writer devices since I received them both at the end of last year, but I kept putting it off because I never felt sure how to conclude such a review.
