CrossNotes

Firmware for Xteink X4 and X3

Highlight. Tag.
Annotate.

CrossNotes adds tags and written notes to the Xteink X4 and X3. Edit them in a browser or export them as Markdown. CrossNotes is a fork of CrossInk, itself a fork of CrossPoint Reader.

Download v1.2.0 View on GitHub
Devices
X4 and X3
Foundation
CrossInk / CrossPoint
Release
CrossNotes 1.2.0
Licence
MIT
Notes Connect
crossnotes.local / highlights
CrossNotes browser interface for editing highlights, tags and notes
Notes and Bookmarks
Notes and Bookmarks grouped by book on an Xteink reader
Tag a highlight
Tag picker after saving a highlight on an Xteink reader

Screenshots

CrossNotes on device.

This is what CrossNotes looks like on your Xteink device.

  • Tag picker after saving a highlight

    Choose a tag

  • Writing a note with the on-device keyboard

    Write on device

  • Highlights with their tags and written notes

    Review highlights and notes

  • Notes filtered to one tag

    Filter by tag

  • A highlight shown with its attached note

    Keep the original context

  • Notes and Bookmarks listing annotated books

    Browse by book

  • CrossNotes home menu

    Open Notes and Bookmarks

  • Notes Connect in a desktop browser

    Edit notes in a browser

Swipe or use the arrow keys

Workflow

Write notes on device. Edit them in a browser.

Save a highlight, add a tag or note, and view it later, organized by book.

01

On device

Add a tag or written note.

After saving a highlight, choose one of nine symbols, type a note with the built-in keyboard, or skip both and continue reading.

  • Nine quick tags, or no tag
  • Written notes attached to highlights
  • Edit or delete from the notes menu
CrossNotes tag picker and on-device note keyboard
02

By book

Open Notes and Bookmarks.

Notes and Bookmarks lists every book that has highlights, notes or bookmarks. It shows a separate count for each.

  • Browse without reopening the book
  • Filter notes by tag
  • Sort by date or position in the book
CrossNotes Notes and Bookmarks library shown across three reader screens
03

Notes Connect

Edit and export in a browser.

Turn on the reader's hotspot and scan the QR code. Notes Connect opens in a browser on your phone, tablet or computer. The reader serves the page itself.

  • Edit tags and full written notes
  • Search highlight and note text
  • Copy selections or export Markdown
CrossNotes Notes Connect browser interface beside an Xteink reader
CrossNotes note list and highlight detail shown together
Highlight context. Notes and tags appear in both list and detail views.
CrossNotes note list being filtered and sorted
Filter and sort. Filter by tag and sort by date or book position.

Foundation

Based on CrossInk and CrossPoint.

CrossNotes 1.2.0 is based on CrossInk 1.5.0 and adds annotation features. CrossNotes releases are CrossInk releases plus the annotation layer.

  1. 01 Foundation

    CrossPoint Reader

    The open-source firmware base and the best-known project in the Xteink reader ecosystem.

  2. 02 Extra Features

    CrossInk

    CrossInk adds extra features on top of CrossPoint.

  3. 03 Notes

    CrossNotes

    Tags, written notes, Notes Connect and Markdown export.

CrossNotes purposefully adds only a thin layer on top of CrossInk. This helps maintain firmware stability and makes future update merges quick and easy. Switching among CrossNotes, CrossInk, CrossPoint and stock firmware remains straightforward.

Storage

CrossNotes stores notes and tags locally on the SD card.

Notes Connect runs on the reader's Wi-Fi hotspot. It needs no account, cloud service or separate application.

Notes and tags
/.crosspoint/notes/
JSON, one file per book.
Highlights
/.crosspoint/clippings/
CrossInk's clipping format.
Book files
Move a book to /Read and its notes move with it. Delete a book or clear its clippings and the linked notes are removed too.

Installation

Install CrossNotes.

CrossNotes v1.2.0 supports the Xteink X4 and X3. It follows CrossInk's hardware support, including X4 Pro support when that becomes available upstream.

Recommended: USB installer
  1. Download the X3/X4 firmware from the v1.2.0 release.
  2. Connect the reader by USB-C and wake it.
  3. Open the CrossPoint web installer, select the device, choose Custom .bin and flash.
Alternative: SD card install
  1. Copy the downloaded .bin file anywhere on the SD card.
  2. Open Settings → System → SD Card Firmware Update.
  3. Select the file and install. This method also works on devices with USB data transfer disabled.
Before installing

Follow all the standard precautions for firmware installation. Make a copy of your current SD card before flashing.

Questions

Common questions.

How is CrossNotes different from CrossInk?
It adds tags, written notes, Notes and Bookmarks, Notes Connect and Markdown export. Everything below these additions is CrossInk.
Does Notes Connect need the internet?
No. The reader creates its own hotspot and serves the page locally. Join it with a phone, tablet or computer.
Can I go back to another firmware?
Yes. The same installer can flash CrossInk, CrossPoint or stock firmware.
Is X4 Pro supported?
CrossNotes supports the X4 and X3. X4 Pro support will follow support in CrossInk.
What does it cost?
Nothing. CrossNotes is open source under the MIT licence.
What is the project status?
I use CrossNotes daily. It is a personal project, so bugs are possible. New releases track CrossInk.

CrossNotes v1.2.0

Download CrossNotes 1.2.0.

Download firmware Read the source

Found a bug? Open an issue on GitHub and, in order to help me fix it, please include as much information on it as possible.