Re: reading: try KOReader. It was a straight upgrade from the reader app on my Boox device and I wouldn't switch back if you paid me. I only dip into the stock apps for note-taking now, all of my reading happens in KOReader; It took reading from "pretty good but often annoying" to excellent.
Agreed on the other points though. Personally I think we're a good two generations of color display tech away from general availability of really good e-ink hybrid devices that have color displays, high PPI and low enough display latency to feel responsive during markup. If you're okay with slower refresh the kaleido 3 stuff hitting the market this year might satisfy your desire for highlighting and color markup. Personally I'm waiting a bit, 150PPI just doesn't do it for me.
Agreed on the other points though. Personally I think we're a good two generations of color display tech away from general availability of really good e-ink hybrid devices that have color displays, high PPI and low enough display latency to feel responsive during markup. If you're okay with slower refresh the kaleido 3 stuff hitting the market this year might satisfy your desire for highlighting and color markup. Personally I'm waiting a bit, 150PPI just doesn't do it for me.