This E-Reader Runs Doom But That’s Not The Interesting Part

Buy one here: https://amzn.to/4uw5BPG (affiliate) The XTEINK X4 might be the strangest e-reader I've used in years. On paper, it should lose to a Kindle in almost every category. There's no backlight, no touchscreen, no app ecosystem, and the stock software is rough around the edges. Yet somehow this tiny ESP32-powered e-reader has built one of the most passionate communities in tech. In this video, I take a look at the XTEINK X4, the custom firmware projects that transformed it, and why people have become so obsessed with this quirky little device. From CrossPoint and CrossInk to Sumi and community hubs like readme.club, the story isn't really about DOOM running on an e-reader. It's about what happens when people are free to improve the gadgets they own. Resources mentioned: • CrossPoint https://crosspointreader.com/ • CrossInk https://github.com/uxjulia/CrossInk • Sumi https://sumi.page/ • readme.club https://www.readme.club/ If you enjoy unusual gadgets, DIY projects, abandoned hardware, and communities that keep interesting technology alive long after companies move on, consider subscribing. That's basically what this channel is all about. #XTEINK #XTEINKX4 #eReader #EPaper #ESP32 #CrossPoint #Firmware #tech Join my discord: https://discord.gg/g97bYuk5Vv The products I use to make videos: Mac Studio: https://amzn.to/49O053W (affiliate) Mac Studio dock: https://amzn.to/3BbRxoC (affiliate) Mac Book Pro: https://amzn.to/3Wkq240 (affiliate) Camera: https://amzn.to/3XuhmcG (affiliate) Camera Remote: https://amzn.to/3RAqrwP (affiliate) Gimbal Camera: https://amzn.to/3XVW6fC (affiliate) Wireless Microphones: https://amzn.to/3xnQe4t (affiliate) Mic Charging Case: https://amzn.to/3C2cJ1p (affiliate) Lavier: https://amzn.to/3ze2LrD (affiliate) Tripod: https://amzn.to/4c0Y4jF (affiliate) Carbon Fiber Tripod: https://amzn.to/4c3JuHY (affiliate) Teleprompter: https://amzn.to/3Vv5ZPe (affiliate) Color Checker: https://amzn.to/3WmXib1 (affiliate) LED Video Light: https://amzn.to/42jCgOb (affiliate)Lantern Softbox: https://amzn.to/4g43sDG (affiliate) Heavy Duty Light Stand: https://amzn.to/3DZIkRS (affiliate) Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cCwNAtOCfDrghDFx0Jqlw/join 0:00 - Running Doom on a $60 E-Reader 0:58 - The Hardware Reality: No Backlight, No Apps 1:47 - The "Beta Energy" of Stock Software 2:42 - Why People Actually Love This Device 3:25 - The Community Firmware Explosion 4:08 - CrossPoint, Crossync, and Sumi 5:25 - Community Hubs & The ESP32 Rabbit Hole 6:00 - The Controversy: Is XTE Inc Locking Down? 6:54 - Why Hackability Matters for the X4 7:29 - Conclusion: A Gadget That Actually Belongs to You