Yesterday, a curious discovery unfolded during a review of the Viwoods AiPaper Reader. Initially, I relied on the company’s stated specifications, but a late-night Reddit post hinted at something more – a hidden capability I hadn’t uncovered.
The device, shaped like a phone, was described as having 4G/Wi-Fi connectivity, which I confirmed with a data SIM. However, Viwoods made no claim of actual calling functionality. It turns out, they were deliberately underselling its potential.
An email from a Viwoods representative arrived shortly after, requesting a correction to my review. The AiPaper Reader *can* make and receive calls, they explained, a “quiet extra” intended as a pleasant surprise for users.
Intrigued, I tested the claim with a prepaid SIM card. The moment it was inserted, I was able to dial my wife’s number, and the connection was clear. It functioned flawlessly within my home, though real-world signal strength remains untested.
Despite this surprising ability, labeling it a “phone” feels inaccurate. The AiPaper Reader lacks an external speaker. Calls require Bluetooth headphones or earbuds, significantly limiting its practicality as a primary communication device.
Beyond the speaker issue, other standard smartphone features are absent. There are no cameras – front or rear – and GPS functionality is nonexistent. Forget using it for navigation; Google Maps is out of the question.
The most perplexing question is why Viwoods hasn’t advertised this calling feature. The AiPaper Reader directly competes with devices like the Boox Palma 2 Pro, which *does* highlight its mobile data capabilities. Why leave a potential selling point on the table?
A possible explanation lies in regulatory compliance. It’s speculated that the device may not be officially certified by the Federal Communications Commission as a phone, preventing Viwoods from legally promoting it as such. This remains unconfirmed, but it offers a plausible reason for the secrecy.
The AiPaper Reader presents a fascinating paradox: an e-reader that unexpectedly functions as a phone, albeit a limited one. It’s a hidden feature that redefines expectations and raises questions about intentional design choices.
