I have a boox Poke 3, again, not quite the same. My workaround for the settings thing: install Lawn chair app. It’s an alternative launcher, and for some reason, it lets me access all the normal android settings. I have modified my DNS settings on it, and connected to VPN that way. Might work on the Palma.

I don’t have a Palma, but I have a Book Go 6, which looks like it has similar display tech. So I think I can answer some of your questions.

The backlight can go all the way off, to the point where it is invisible in a dark room. You can also adjust the backlight color temperature.

Typing is bad, but I’ve never spent time optimizing it. I would guess that the responsiveness on the Palma might be higher. I also never tried it in high-speed mode, which is much more responsive but has worse ghosting and generally worse image quality. For my use case (99% just reading) I don’t mind the slow response time.

It’s possible to access the normal Android settings, though I just picked up my Boox Go and I can’t actually figure out how. I know I’ve done it before somehow. The Boox settings app has a VPN section, but I don’t see DNS options. Pretty sure you can do this though.

One thing I want to point out is that the Palma is not technically a phone. It’s a wi-fi device, so it will not make calls or send SMS. You would be limited to internet-based messaging apps like Signal or Telegram. I can’t speak to how smoothly those run.

There are also a couple proper phones (with SIM cards) with similar display tech coming out this year. See:

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/6/24335983/tcl-60-xe-nxtpaper-e-ink-specs-ces

https://liliputing.com/the-minimal-phone-is-now-shipping-e-ink-phone-with-a-qwerty-keyboard/

How dim does the backlight go? Can it get so dim that you barely realise it is on — kind of like minimum phone brightness?

I can go dim enough that it won’t be seen in the dark.

What is the experience like when typing? Could you use the phone to send messages?

I haven’t sent messages as I am not using as a phone. It doesn’t have sim capacity or phone/sms. Typing is as expected from other e-ink devices but you can boost certain apps.

What does the hardware feel like? It seems the CPU is pretty weak, do you feel that at all when using? What do you think the longevity would be like?

Hardware is decent. I have a Pixel 8 Pro and that definitely runs smoother, but again I’m not using it as a phone more of an outlet for reading books and comics.

Do you think a usecase like leaving the display on as a button pad with a bunch of shortcuts would be a workable usecase?

Not sure what the usecase is here but I have mine shut off after 4 hours of nonuse. My display turns off after 5.

Can the customisable sidebutton be programmed to do literally anything? Like could I link it to a Tasker shortcut or something?

I recall someone attempting this but it’s been finicky. The screen unlock is fine in my use case.

I’ve noticed that people say the settings are rather limited compared to normal android? Has that limited you in any way, are things like DNS and VPN still usable?

I’ve been able to customize my DNS and VPN without much hassle.

Hope that helps.