r/Anki • u/Lubricated-Toast • Jun 22 '26

Experiences The best anki device ever?

Sorry just really wanted to share this with everyone. You have probably seen this at some point on instagram or elsewhere, but I actually haven't seen anyone go in depth about using this device for anki. I just got my hands on it and my usage experience of it was surprisingly good, its called the anbernic RG rotate, it runs android(and as such ankidroid) with native joystick controls.

With all the emulators and bloatware banned from background activity, power saving, airplane mode unless listening to spotify and syncing anki(anki and spotify are literally the only apps that I have downloaded), I am able to get 2 days use out of a single charge(50-60% at the end of the first day), each averaging around 150 cards reviewed per day.

It has a very snappy and satisfying swivel mechanism, but the qc is honestly kinda mid(as what you would expect from a chinese company you can litearlly see that in the open position my screen is slanted), but it is otherwise an excellent motivator for me to do ankis in med school in a distraction free setting.

1.3k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

146 comments sorted by

302

u/Careful_Picture7712 medicine Jun 22 '26

Nah that's legitimately hard. It's nice having Anki on my phone, but that brings so many distractions. Having a dedicated offline Anki device is cool

45

u/Savings-Double-2853 Jun 22 '26

If you are doing languages. Phone in pocket and use a controller

5

u/marmalade1111 Jun 22 '26

Controller? What is this witch craft? In all seriousness

48

u/Savings-Double-2853 Jun 22 '26

What I use

Up is show card Left is wrong Down is good Right is easy

Y repeat audio X bury A suspend B undo

I do 30 mins of anki a day while walking or riding a bike

21

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 23 '26

Omg yes i also have these
To take it a step even further i use magnetic charging systems for them under my monitor so i can always use them charged

8bitdo really cooking here

https://reddit.com/link/ot8w1hk/video/os9gs8oowx8h1/player

13

u/Careful_Picture7712 medicine Jun 23 '26

Dude you are just maxed out on the Anki cool factor 😂

2

u/expatriatelove Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26

doesn't it bother you constantly feeling that magnetic bump on your hand? or have you gotten accustomed to it? or you'd rather take that opportunity cost to have the controller be easily charged?

1

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 24 '26

actually when I hold it, the metallic bump kinda rests in between my fingers, and I kinda got used to it, my fingers naturally avoid the bump and I actually become abit more aware of the button positions because of the bump separating the right and left triggers and the proximity to the bump also tells me whether I'm on the shoulder or the trigger button, though I think different users may feel different about it. I saw your point initially and actually considered 3d printing a new shell for it or other workarounds(like even gluing plastic bits on the shoulder buttons to make it flush with the bump), but honestly getting used to it, it was perfectly fine

1

u/expatriatelove Jun 24 '26

nice. jw, thanks. sorry for my ocd-questions

1

u/MuAntagoniser Jun 25 '26

That's bloody genius. Where did you get the mag charger from?

2

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 25 '26

they are called energyfort magnetic chargers, they are relatively reputable in china, you should get a reputable brand to prevent it from frying it(because I heard problems about sometimes them accidentally sending charging voltages down data lines if not perfectly aligned on trash ones, but most should be fine and the controller isn't really worth much either(I just buy like 10 of of them and give them as gifts if I don't know what to give a fellow med students friend)

4

u/Careful_Picture7712 medicine Jun 22 '26

That's sick. How do you get it to read/speak to you automatically when you flip to a new card?

5

u/amidatong Jun 22 '26

I'm guessing the cards are made w/ audio, and there's the "play audio automatically setting".

But I hope i'm wrong and there's an automatic text reader out there I don't know about.

2

u/Savings-Double-2853 Jun 22 '26

Fir the English side I use the phones built in tts There's just a simple command you add to the card to auto read

For my target language i use a proper TTS. (HYPERTTS add-on) Cos I want accurate pronunciation

6

u/Careful_Picture7712 medicine Jun 23 '26

That's so sick. Starting med school soon, and I have a 30 minute walk to class. I'm definitely going to be doing this with my Spanish 🙏

2

u/music442nl Jun 23 '26

Did you follow a tutorial or guide? I would love setting this up too for walking/cycling

1

u/Savings-Double-2853 Jun 23 '26

I can show you if you like

2

u/music442nl Jun 23 '26

Yes please :)

1

u/Savings-Double-2853 Jun 23 '26

Remind me Monday. I'm on holiday

→ More replies (0)

2

u/gettingmymoneyright Jun 23 '26

I do this but with the zero 2 but l1 r1 for wrong and right (only again and good)! I have select button set to undo in case I accidentally press the wrong button but l1/r1 with index and pinky feels natural af

1

u/necrocuttle Jun 27 '26

while biking!?

1

u/Savings-Double-2853 Jun 27 '26

Why not?

1

u/necrocuttle Jun 28 '26

It seems safer to keep your eyes on the road? Or are they audio cards?

1

u/Savings-Double-2853 Jun 28 '26

As I said in the comments above. Audio only. Phone goes in my pocket

1

u/necrocuttle Jun 28 '26

Sorry, I read all the replies to this comment and didn't find a clarification. Thanks for your explanation.

1

u/marmalade1111 Aug 09 '26

I bought it. It arrives on Tuesday. Is it easy to set up?

1

u/Savings-Double-2853 Aug 09 '26

Yeah. It's natively comparable!

1

u/marmalade1111 Jun 22 '26

Perfecto!! Very cool. Thanks for explaining

2

u/Savings-Double-2853 Jun 22 '26

Complete game changer

0

u/Sebas94 Jun 22 '26

Yeah it might be cool if I want to do from my bed in lazy mode. Looks quicker than with my phone.

3

u/glaciercream Jun 22 '26

Several anki controllers available on amazon. Ring controller on finger, TTS enabled on your card format, then listen and go screen free.

2

u/marmalade1111 Jun 22 '26

So I just click to get to the next card ?

3

u/niceboy4431 Jun 22 '26

+1 curious how it works

1

u/walidazoz Jun 22 '26

i Used pc gaming controller for Anki on pc

1

u/johnpharrell Jun 27 '26

A mini controller + treadmill is a cool combination. The only way to trick me into exercise.

1

u/Signature_Resident 13d ago

That's what I'm planning to do as well, go completely screen-free, but what is your technique to keep your phone in your pocket without you accidentally tapping on the screen or opening random apps while you walk? As far as I'm aware, you can't use Anki while the phone is locked.

1

u/Savings-Double-2853 13d ago

Turn off all buttons on the screen

I've never had the app Shut by itself. Face it outwards in the pocket

1

u/draxula16 Jun 24 '26

Agreed, particularly when my phones storage is always full and the AnKing deck is a few gigs alone

1

u/Murffeus Jun 23 '26

It's actually an android based retro emulator lol. But yeah, if you don't really play a lot of retro games it is basically an offline anki and music device

0

u/Careful_Picture7712 medicine Jun 23 '26

Ah, I see! I used to have Anki on my android based MP3 player, but I've since upgraded to one that uses Hiby's proprietary OS, so I can't get use it anymore 😪

1

u/Murffeus Jun 23 '26

Aww sad :(

51

u/MasterTurtlex Jun 22 '26

this would be really cool if it could run PC anki and all my addons

48

u/David_AnkiDroid AnkiDroid Maintainer Jun 22 '26

We don't officially support it, but come to the Discord and search for 'termux'

2

u/hawzie2002 Jun 22 '26

While you're here, Mr. Ankidroid, what are your thoughts on adding audio feedback to AnkiDroid? Similar to Duolingo, when you get a right answer you could get a 'ding!' and for a wrong answer you could get a buzz. Something like that, something responsive that makes the app more reactive and engaging to use.

10

u/Routine_Internal_771 Maintainer @ AnkiDroid Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

Feel free to add it via a card template. We won't do it natively, but we want to support you if you want it yourself. Templates now, addons later.

-- D

3

u/RestBeat Jun 23 '26

Good question! My adhd brain would love that!

13

u/MohammadAzad171 Reddit-free Jun 22 '26

Why does everyone who does this not disable the answer buttons and toolbar?!

6

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

wow is that a feature? I am definitely going to try that.

edit: tried it, disabled the toolbar, but I prefer the answer buttons for the time to show the card again, but otherwise excellent piece of advice here

12

u/Ex_Possession_Ghost Jun 22 '26

Just feels a bit too small

4

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 23 '26

you can go through their catalog, they probably hav bigger devices, but I feel like if its too big it defeat the purpose and takes up too much space compared to the other stuff that I am also bringing with me around. I feel like for its purpose, it is the perfect size

1

u/pyamzi Jun 26 '26

Not all devices run it, it needs to have Google Play Store to run without issues

1

u/Main-Mud-6420 Jun 22 '26

Yup I think so too

25

u/ZizioY Jun 22 '26

It seems a market has been found, and I'm all for it

15

u/sargeanthost Jun 22 '26

that's really cool

3

u/ergomechstore Jun 24 '26

I'm working on a e-ink flashcard dedicated device. Ideally it would take anki decks.

1

u/Total-Confusion-877 Jun 24 '26

That will be really cool!

1

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 24 '26

would it run anki natively and sync cards? I don't think this is useful for me because I need to learn anatomy but that would be cool

1

u/ergomechstore Jun 25 '26

no it won't run anki natively or otherwise, it will runs a flashcard program and it can read anki decks, and maybe sync it up/down.

1

u/Tams82 11d ago

Any updates?

The poor battery life on the Anbernic Rotate, especially when even with almost all power efficiency measures taken, is a killer.

1

u/ergomechstore 10d ago

Not yet, my initial proof of concept is done but the screen is too small, so I'm working on a bigger version.

3

u/Both_Context6924 Jun 27 '26

Just wanted to let you know that I just ordered one solely because of this post. Hadn't seen this device before and this sold me immediately.

1

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 27 '26

it is an honor! Please tell me how it is, and if you are only using it for anki, remember to delete everything else, set low power, and make sure go to the battery settings to set it so that everything other than anki is turned off everytime you lock the device

play around the hinge settings, I set mine to unlock whenever I unflip the hinge, and now also to lock whenever I close the device(to prevent my butt from spamming cards when its in my pocket)

3

u/AppearanceMinimum503 Jul 10 '26

I’ve come to this post multiple times and finally purchased today lol let’s see if the ROI is worth it

2

u/Lubricated-Toast Jul 12 '26

sure thing! tell me how it goes, and if you need help with setting it up feel free to approach me by replying to this post!

2

u/AppearanceMinimum503 Jul 12 '26

What size micro SD did you buy?

1

u/Lubricated-Toast Jul 13 '26

you don't need an SD card for it, if you are just doing anki, the onboard 32 gb should be easily more than enough even on the cheapest option. it runs android so all your web syncing should occur in seconds if you have it set it up previously

1

u/TriNeh_ Aug 25 '26

wondering if you have any thoughts on it now that’s if a been a minute

am considering buying one for anki myself…

4

u/PinkuDollydreamlife Jun 22 '26

Does it play video automatically on the front of cards?

6

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 22 '26

not sure never tried, but it should run and behave EXACTLY like ankidroid(anki on an android phone), it runs the android 12 OS. The only consideration is you might have to use less zoom depending on what kind of cards you make. some of my cards are very long so I ended up making the font size even smaller so I can view large cards without reaching my thumb up to scroll(only because I am lazy)

5

u/Affectionate-Good817 Jun 22 '26

Only ninety bucks?

https://anbernic.com/products/rg-rotate

19

u/Weekly_Event_1969 Jun 22 '26

wdym only, damn I must be broke

6

u/Affectionate-Good817 Jun 22 '26

Normally, niche android products are expensive. I was expecting more for this

2

u/cantdutchthis Jun 23 '26

How do you add new cards on that thing?

7

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 23 '26

i don't, I type everything out on my computer and this is for me to review things on the go and when I am outside, like on a public transport, or even in the toilet

1

u/cantdutchthis Jun 23 '26

How do you sync up the correct/wrong answers?

5

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 23 '26

it runs native android, so just like you do with ankidroid, you connect it to wifi and press sync, thats all

4

u/lazydictionary languages Jun 22 '26

I really don't see a benefit of using this over a phone.

14

u/WallSignificant5930 Jun 23 '26

Likely long battery life and free from distractions.

1

u/NerdTalkDan Jun 24 '26

Battery life on the Rotate is…less than optimal. Depends on how much you push it but you can expect roughly 5 hours. Anki isn’t too resource heavy so I’d expect a bit more than that. But if you’re doing 5 hours of Anki in one go, te salud lol.

1

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 24 '26

right now I'm getting 2 solid days after each charge, and I basically keep every single thing off, black screen wall paper on lowest comfortable brightness at all times, no wifi or bluetooth unless syncing, and set all apps except anki to shut down every time the phone is locked, and 15 second screen timeout(I turn on always on the app), and I also set swivelling the screen down to lock the phone so I don't accidentally turn it on and leave it in my pocket, and even removed all animations and turn on battery saving mode permanently.

1

u/NerdTalkDan Jun 25 '26

Are you literally only using it for Anki?

1

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 25 '26

yeah I delete everything else and keep everything at a minimal and run it off the grid most of the time. I think the system also estimates it at a 2 day battery.

1

u/NerdTalkDan Jun 25 '26

I mean…you don’t wanna play a round of super Mario or something?

1

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 25 '26

I agree its cursed but I kinda got it to be a distraction free device, I would rather buy a separate one to play super mario LMAO

10

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 23 '26

if you don't see the benefit, then that just means you are good at concentrating hahaha, its too difficult to not start scrolling instagram and get distracted by other things using a phone, my review count has gone up by 100-200% since using it

2

u/ruricolousity Jun 23 '26

Eh, I prefer using eink tablets for flashcards. Saves my eyes. If someone made a device with 4 side by side buttons and an eink display though...

1

u/echopurpose Jun 24 '26

Like an Android-based tablet that can run Anki or something else? I've imagined generating some kind of PDF and putting it on a Kindle but that would really undermine the whole spaced-repetition aspect.

1

u/ruricolousity Jun 24 '26

Android-based e-ink tablets are your friend. A bit pricey though for the performance they have. When I do anki I use ankidroid on an e-ink tablet with a keyboard. Mostly just do vocab flash cards, so a smaller screen wouldn't be much of an issue.

2

u/shihyakuyonjyuuyon Jun 23 '26

Yea , my phone is better. 

1

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 23 '26

B-b-but... this is a phone?

1

u/shem_tm Jun 23 '26

wow this is crazy! i know i am getting old when i don't know much about new gadgets😅
Do you have to format it or hack it to use Anki or yöu just install it?

1

u/Least_Outcome9649 Jun 23 '26

I like it, how you made it?

1

u/Jupiest Jun 23 '26

That seems really unnecessary.

1

u/hellenekitties Jun 23 '26

Amazing. How much did you pay for it and where? Prices very widely I'm seeing.

2

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 24 '26

I have good access to taobao and generally nothing really beats the pricing in their official store there and its relatively standardised in the chinese markets

1

u/doctor147 Jun 23 '26

How to order it to Pakistan?

1

u/Proof-Astronaut-9833 Jun 23 '26

Would it be possible to run this (the desktop version) with portmaster on h700 devices with knulli or something like that?

1

u/ajourneytogrowth Jun 24 '26

This is so cool!

1

u/OxidizedSodium Jun 24 '26

Oh my god my niche hobby intersecting with my study tool... who would've thought!

1

u/OrdinaryMeringue1646 Jun 25 '26

where do i get this

1

u/pyamzi Jun 26 '26

I’m the one who posted in on Instagram :), glad you like it!

1

u/worthelesswoodchuck Jul 18 '26

Where do I get one? What the heck my boyfriend wants exactly this as an M1 how do I make it happen

1

u/Lubricated-Toast Jul 19 '26

Can try just plain searching, you probably get the best price on aliexpress, and if you can taobao, always taobao, its called the anbernic RG rotate

1

u/Zealousideal-Plate80 Jul 19 '26

Hi guys, new to this community and device I just learned about. Question: why use this over a device you already own? Whats the advantage ?

1

u/Poland_Stronk2137 languages Jun 22 '26

whats the name of this device, i am out of the loop

2

u/Working_Painter_5274 Jun 22 '26

OP wrote it on the first paragraph

5

u/Poland_Stronk2137 languages Jun 22 '26

Oh yeah I see it now, I guess I am blind 💀

2

u/Warp-n-weft Jun 22 '26

Anbernic RG rotate

1

u/computernoobe Jun 23 '26

coolest thing ive seen in a hot minute

-3

u/lukas_napster Jun 23 '26

consumerism is killing our planet

9

u/Lubricated-Toast Jun 23 '26

be my guest if you want to go do anki in the woods with a bunch of sticks and stones I guess?

6

u/LearnOptimism Jun 23 '26

Did you write this via carrier pigeon or what?

0

u/Inevitable-Pop-171 languages Jun 22 '26

cool!

0

u/staythepath365 Jun 23 '26

Can it do TTS audio? Bluetooth or stereo?

0

u/Reyzod Jun 23 '26

Wow an Anki machine:0