Supernote Firmware Version 2.16.29

This page is an overview of the Ratta Supernote firmware, exploring the operating system and native apps. It was written to help people understand what is possible with the software prior to making a purchase.

Supernote tablets have two main versions of their firmware. This version is used on the X-series of tablets (Supernote A5 X, and Supernote A6 X), whilst the other is used on the X2-series (Supernote A6 X2 Nomad and Supernote A5 X2)

Operating System

• Runs a proprietary operating system called Chauvet
• Slight differences between the version of Chauvet used on the ‘X-series’ and the ‘X2 Series’ but they essentially have the same features
• It is built on top of Android 8.1

Navigation

• Supernote devices have a capacitive (touch-activated) bar on the right bezel
• A swipe down on the bar brings up the navigation menu, with options for:
  • Recent files: A list of the seven most recent notes and documents you have accessed
  • New note: Create a new notebook
  • Last opened note: Open the last notebook you were working on
  • Last opened document: Open the last document you were reading
  • Quick access: A customizable list of up to 8 regularly-used notebooks/documents that you can open with a tap
  • Files: Access the filesystem (see Filesystem below)
  • Digest: A summary of the highlights you have made in documents
  • Mail: E-Mail Client (see Native Apps below)
  • Calendar: Write-on calendar (see Native Apps below)
  • Todo: Task lists (see Native Apps below)
  • Kindle: The Kindle App (see Native Apps below)
  • Atelier: Drawing/sketching app (see Native Apps below)
  • Settings: Access the Settings menu
• A swipe down from the top of the screen brings up a set of configuration icons:
  • Wifi: Toggle wifi on/off (or long-press it to configure a wifi network)
  • Bluetooth: Toggle Bluetooth on/off (or long-press it to pair with Bluetooth devices)
  • Browse & Access: Turn on local wifi file sharing (via a web browser)
  • Screen Mirroring: Turn on local wifi screen mirroring (via a web browser)
  • Rotation: Rotate the screen between landscape and portrait
  • Synchronise: Synchronise your files with your chosen cloud drive (see Filesystem below)
  • Screenshot: Take a screenshot of your current screen (saved as a PNG image file in the SCREENSHOT folder)
  • Search: Search your Supernote for filenames, keywords (see Native Notetaking App below), Stars (see Native Notetaking App below) and handwriting (all notebooks will be searched for specified handwriting). You can also filter by specific file formats.
  • Settings: Access the Settings menu
• Synchronisation progress is also shown on this swipe-down menu
• The on-screen keyboard supports input either by tapping the keys, or handwriting (which is automatically converted to text)

Filesystem

• The Supernote filesystem is split into six folders:
  • Document: Contains all documents (e.g. PDF, ePub, Docx etc.)
  • EXPORT: Contains all exported files (e.g. a notebook that has been exported into PDF format)
  • MyStyle: Contains user templates and custom sleep screens
  • Note: Contains notebooks (in Supernote’s proprietary .note format, which cannot be read by non-Supernote software)
  • SCREENSHOT: Contains all screenshots
  • INBOX: Contains e-mail mailbox and files that have been uploaded via the Supernote Partner App (see below)
• This use of folders is recommended but not enforced – for example, you can keep a document in the Note folder if you want, or even create your own folder structure
• Long-pressing any file provides options for renaming, copying, moving, deleting and locking (locked files require a password to be opened)
• You can favourite files by tapping the star next to them and then filter by only starred files

File Transfers

• You can synchronise your folders and files with either the Supernote Cloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive
• You can only synchronise with one of these cloud drives (however, you can also choose to not synchronise at all)
• You can manually select which folders to synchronise
• Synchronisation provides a backup for your notebooks and documents
• You can also access your files through the cloud drive
• However, the notebooks are in a proprietary format, so you cannot open these unless you are using the Supernote Cloud (and Supernote Partner App) or you have manually exported them as a PDF file.
• Automatic synchronisation is only available for the Supernote cloud (for third-party clouds, you have to synchronise manually by swiping down from the top and tapping the synchronisation icon.
• There are also other ways to transfer files to and from the Supernote:
  • Using Browse & Access to connect to your Supernote over the local wifi using a web browser
  • Connecting the Supernote to your computer/laptop via USB
  • Using the email client to send/receive attachments (although not recommended)

Companion App

• The Supernote Partner app is available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android
• You can use the Supernote Partner app to view, upload, download, move, rename, copy and delete files, as well as view and update your todo lists
• The tasks/lists in the ToDo list app are also synchronised and can be accessed via the Supernote Partner app.
• However, your tablet must be configured to be using the Supernote Cloud rather than a third-party cloud – you can only select one cloud to sync with.

Settings

• In the Settings menu there is:
  • My Account: Personal user info and toggle TODO list synchronisation
  • Drive: Select and configure the cloud drive you want to use to synchronise your files (Supernote, Google Drive, OneDrive, or DropBox)
  • Wifi: Configure wifi networks
  • My device: Device patents and certifications. Also configure Bluetooth pairing and toggle on/off linkinf to the Supernote Partner App
  • Display and input: System-wide font, date/time, language, keyboard, stylus, gestures, and screensaver settings
  • Security and privacy: Toggle/configure screen lock, locked file password, and sideloading
  • Battery: Configure auto sleep and auto power off
  • System: Firmware updates, backup/restore, factory reset and other device info
  • Apps: Install Atelier and Kindle App, Customize the icons on the quick access bar
  • Feedback: Send feedback to Ratta Supernote, and get support
  • User Manual: Read the Supernote User Manual

Native Note-Taking App

• When you create a new notebook, you can choose either Standard, or Real-Time Recognition
• Standard notebooks do not support handwriting-to-text conversion, or handwriting search but support Layers and do not consume as much battery
• Real-Time Recognition notebooks do support handwriting-to-text conversion and handwriting search, but do not support Layers and they drain the battery faster
• You can also choose a name for the notebook and the default template

Toolbar, Navigation, and Search

• There is a toolbar on the left-hand side
• The toolbar can be dragged to the top, bottom and left edges, or to the middle of the screen (floating toolbar)
• You can also minimise the toolbar to get more canvas space
• At the bottom of the screen is a Page Number Bar that shows the page you are on and how many pages are in the notebook. There are also buttons to flick to next and previous pages (alternatively, you can swipe the screen left/right), and you can tap the page numbers to scroll quickly through many pages at once. The Page Number Bar also shows the name of your notebook.
• The Page Number Bar can be positioned at the top or bottom of the screen, or hidden by double-tapping on it
• You can also navigate around the pages in your notebook by using the Page Overview
• The Page Overview also allows you to copy, move, and delete pages, as well as insert new pages and bulk-change the templates being used
• You can also navigate using headings, keywords and stars:
  • Headings allow you to split your notebook into sections by flagging text as a heading/title – these headings are automatically added to a handy table of contents
  • Keywords allow you to tag handwriting with words, which can make search and navigation easier and quicker
  • You can draw a five-pointed star (in one stroke) anywhere on the screen to mark a page as important or requiring attention – stars can quickly and easily be searched
• As well as searching for keywords and stars, you can also navigate your notebook by performing a full handwriting search for specific keywords (real-time recognition notebooks only)
• Page turns can be configured to swipe left/right with one finger, swipe left/right with two fingers, or page turn swiping can be disabled completely

Templates & Layers

• Supernote tablets come pre-installed with around 28 templates, including blank, lined, grid, task list, daily calendar etc.
• The template can be changed for each page of the notebook
• Supernote also supports custom templates in PNG, JPG, WEBP, or PDF format (user templates can be copied to the MyStyle folder to make them easier to find)
• There’s a nice collection of custom templates that can be downloaded free here
• Layers can be thought of as several sheets of transparent paper stacked on top of one another
• Essentially, the template occupies the lower layer and you write on the layer above it
• Standard notebooks also support up to three additional layers, which can be hidden, deleted, or moved up and down the stack as needed

Pens/brushes & eraser

• Supernote supports three brush types;
  • Needle-point Pen: 11 thickness levels, no pressure sensitivity
  • Ink Pen: 3 thickness levels, pressure sensitive
  • Marker: Thick (one thickness level), no pressure sensitivity
• All brush types have the choice of four colours; white, light grey, dark grey, and black
• Supernote has three erasers;
  • Stroke eraser: Erasers pen strokes, three different thicknesses
  • Selection erase: All strokes within a freehand-drawn selection is erased
  • Erase all: Whole page is erased
• You can also activate the eraser without changing tools by holding two fingers on the screen (or, the second side-swipe bar on the left bezel for newer tablets)
• There are also undo and redo buttons

Lasso-selection

• The lasso-selection tool allows you to select handwriting and groups of pen strokes by drawing a ring around it
• Once selected, you can:
  • Move the selection
  • Resize the selection
  • Rotate the selection
  • Cut and copy (and paste the selection elsewhere in your notebook, or even in a different notebook)
  • Make a heading (which is automatically added to table of contents – see above)
  • Mark as a keyword (see above)
  • Add to calendar (handwriting is converted to text and a new event is added to your calendar)
  • Add to task list (handwriting is converted to text and a new task is added to your task list)
  • Link (turn the handwriting into a clickable link that goes to another page, another notebook/document or a website)
  • Delete (delete the selection)

Handwriting Recognition

• Handwriting recognition converts handwriting into text (real-time recognition notebooks only)
• Because real-time recognition notebooks automatically convert handwriting the background, this process is usually very quick
• Text can be exported in either TXT or DOCX formats
• You can select which pages to convert and export
• The TXT or DOCX file is saved in the EXPORT folder, and can be transferred to other devices using any of the File Transfer methods above

Export

• Notebooks can be exported in either PNG, PDF, TXT, or DOCX format
• You can select which pages are exported
• The exported file is saved in the EXPORT folder, and can be transferred to other devices using any of the File Transfer methods above
• You can also share a notebook (or selected notebook pages) in PDF or PNG format using a QR Code. The file is automatically uploaded to the Supernote cloud and the link to it is shown as a QR code on the tablet, which can then be give to others (expires and deletes after 24 hours)

Native E-Reading App

• The native e-reading app supports the following file formats: PDF, EPUB, DOC, DOCX, TXT, CBZ, FB2, XPS
• NOTE: DOC and DOCX files actually open in the Document Editor (see Other Native Apps below)
• It also supports the following image file formats: PNG, JPG, WEBP
• The e-reading app has a toolbar at the top, with buttons for:
  • Exit documents
  • Table of Contents, Keywords, Bookmarks, and Annotations
  • 3x customised brushes (as with the note-taking app)
  • 3x erasers (as with the note-taking app)
  • Lasso-select
  • Undo and Redo
  • Bookmark page
  • Gestures
  • Overflow menu
  • Hide toolbar
• On the Overflow menu are options for:
  • Add Keyword (as with the note-taking app)
  • Search (the text of the ePub only, not handwriting)
  • Display Settings (Adjust font, font size, row spacing and margins) for ePubs or Trim (adjust viewing area/remove margins) for PDFs
  • Contrast (change the boldness of the text)
  • Quick access (add a quick link to the ePub or a page from the ePub to the Quick Access menu)
  • Preferences
  • Gesture settings
  • Move Toolbar
• As with the note-taking app, the toolbar can be dragged to any of the four sides, or to anywhere on the screen (as a floating toolbar). It can also be hidden.
• At the bottom of the screen is the page number bar (as with the note-taking app)

General

• There is no dictionary, translation, or Wikipedia definition support
• Text cannot be selected or highlighted by long-pressing it
• Instead, square brackets must be drawn with the pen tool at the start and end of the passage of text you wish to highlight
• You can attach handwritten sticky notes to any text that you highlight using square brackets
• You can view all of your highlights (and attached handwritten sticky notes) by using Supernote’s Digest feature (see below)
• Swiping down from the top of the screen, and tapping the rotate button (or simply rotating the tablet for newer devices with a g-sensor) allows documents to be read in landscape mode – for PDFs, this shows a half-a-page of the PDF per screen

ePubs

• The marker tool (set to a light-gray colour) can be used to highlight text, however, this simply a visual stroke on a higher layer – the actual text below it is not retained
• You can write annotations on top of ePubs (in the same manner as using the highlighter)
• Pages with handwriting are logged in the ‘Annotations’ area for quick navigation, however the underlying text of the ePub is not shown – just the top-layer handwriting
• When there are handwritten annotations on an ePub, the display settings (e.g. font, layout etc.) can no longer be altered
• ePubs cannot be exported but highlights (using the square bracket method) can be exported using the Digest feature

PDFs

• PDFs have the same toolbar as ePubs, except instead of the bookmarks button, there is a text selection tool instead
• The text selection tool can be used to highlight or underline selected text, and add text-based (typed with the on-screen keyboard, not handwriting) sticky notes
• All highlights shown in the ‘Annotations’ area for quick navigation, but are not transferred the Digest feature
• If you want to use the Digest feature, you have to select text using square brackets (as with ePubs)
• PDFs (along with any handwritten annotations) can be exported – the exported file goes to the EXPORT folder

Other Native Apps

• Supernote offers several other apps with their firmware

Digest

• The Digest app summarises all of the highlights (and associated sticky notes) that you have made using the square bracket method (see Native E-Reading App above)
• When opened, it displays a list of all the documents that you have made highlights in
• When you tap on a document, you can see a list of all the highlights you have made, along with their associated handwritten annotations/Sticky Notes
• You can manually select specific highlights (and associated sticky notes) and export them as a PDF file (which goes to the EXPORT folder)

Document Editor

• The Document Editor is used to view (and provide limited editing facilities) for DOC and DOCX files
• The text in a file can be edited by long-pressing on the area that you wish to edit and then using the on-screen keyboard
• The stylus can also be used for editing:
  • Drawing a horizontal line through text will delete it
  • You can write (only a small number of words) and tap the Convert button to convert it to text and add it into the document
  • You can draw a ‘V’ followed by some handwriting, then tap the Convert button to add text in between existing words
  • Drawing a vertical line will add a line-break
  • You can transpose (swap around) words by drawing a horizontal ‘S’ shape around them
• After editing, you can save your changes directly to the file
• You can also create new DOC/DOCX files

Atelier (Drawing Software)

• Atelier is Supernote’s drawing/sketching/painting app
• There are more choices of brushes than the note-taking app:
  • Pencil (7x types)
  • Ink Pen (5x types)
  • Marker (3x types)
  • Spray (2x types)
• There is also more shade choice (black, white, and 14x shades of grey)
• There are 5 types of eraser
• There’s an area select tool (rectangular, elipse, and irregular) and selections can be copied, moved, resized, rotated, and warped
• There’s support for up to 5 layers
• Files can be exported in PNG format

Calendar

• Supernote’s calendar app has daily, weekly, and monthly views
• It can be synchronised with either a Google Calendar or an Outlook Calendar
• New events can be added from the calendar app itself or from the note-taking app
• You can write notes directly on the calendar, however, this only works for weekly and monthly views (not daily), and handwriting is neither converted to text, nor synchronised with Google/Outlook Calendars

Todo

• Supernote’s TODO app is used to manage lists of tasks
• It can be synchronised with the Supernote Partner app (see above)
• It consists of tasks (things that you want to do) and lists (groups of tasks)
• Tasks consist of a title and a due date
• By default, there are four ‘system’ lists:
  • Inbox: Default list for new tasks
  • Planned: A list of tasks with a due date set (in reverse chronological order)
  • All: A list of all tasks (across all lists)
  • Completed: A list of tasks that have been marked as complete
• You can also add your own custom lists (e.g. you may have a list for each project you are working on)
• Tasks can be moved to different lists as you need

E-Mail Client

• Supernote’s e-mail client supports connections to GMail, Microsoft Exchange, Outlook/Hotmail, and generic IMAP mailboxes
• Emails can be composed as pure handwriting (which is sent as a PNG image), or by using the on-screen keyboard (either tapping the keys or writing in short sentences and converting it to text)

Web Browser

• Supernote has a basic web browser installed
• It cannot be accessed directly (by tapping a button/icon) but will open if you tap on a link in a document or notebook
• There is no address bar, so you can only view the webpage in the original link or navigate by tapping links on the original webpage (you cannot type in a new web address)
• There are only three button; a Back button, a Reload button, and a Close button

Kindle App

• The Kindle App can be installed as an alternative to the native e-reading app (an Amazon account is required)
• It is an older version of the Kindle App that is available from the Google Play Store (it can be downloaded and installed from the Supernote Store)
• However, it has many features that the native e-reading app does not, such as dictionary support
• The Kindle App does not support handwritten annotation in documents (however, you can use the on-screen keyboard to convert handwriting to text for text-based sticky notes)

Third-Party Apps

• By default, third-party apps are not supported and there is no access to the Google Play Store
• However, it is possible to install APK files (Android app installation files) that have been downloaded from the Internet
• The process for installing third-party apps is a little technical (it requires connecting the Supernote to a computer and running Linux commands through a terminal window) – it is not a simple point-and-click interface
• It is possible to install F-Droid, which is an app store a bit like the Google Play Store, with a library of thousands of apps to install. Once it is installed (using linux commands), you then have a point-and-click interface for installing other apps.
• Although third-party apps can be sideloaded, their performance is not usually all that good
• Because Supernote runs an older (and now unsupported) version of Android, some newer apps may not work correctly (or at all)

Overall Verdict

The Supernote firmware has some of the best note-taking features on the market, including global handwriting search, star-tagging, and headings.

As well as the excellent note-taking software, Supernote provides a decent native e-reading app (not the best, but far from the worst), as well as other useful apps, such as the write-on calendar, todo list, and Atelier (drawing app). Although these additional apps are well-implemented, they do have limitations.

Everything runs smoothly and is mostly intuitive, although it can take a little time to learn how to navigate the system.

From a pure note-taking perspective, the Supernote firmware is my favourite, however they do not have the versatility and flexibility of Android e-ink tablets that support the installation of third-party apps from the Google Play Store (such as Boox).