A Pocket-Sized eReader That’s Hard to Ignore

You might not have heard of Xteink, but this Chinese brand is quietly making a name for itself in the eReader world. Its claim to fame? Devices so small they slip into your pocket, making it easier to grab a book instead of your phone.

Now, Xteink is doubling down with the X4 Pro, a similarly tiny reader that adds two features readers have been begging for: a touchscreen and a front light.

What Makes the X4 Pro Different

The original Xteink models were all about simplicity. You got a small screen, physical buttons, and not much else. That worked for some, but many potential buyers balked at the lack of a backlight — reading in bed meant rigging up a clip-on lamp.

The X4 Pro fixes that. The new front light lets you read in the dark without disturbing anyone next to you. And the touchscreen, a first for the brand, makes navigation far more intuitive.

Touchscreen and Buttons: Best of Both Worlds

Xteink isn’t ditching the physical buttons entirely. The X4 Pro keeps them for page turns, which many readers prefer for one-handed use. The touchscreen handles menus, settings, and book selection. It’s a hybrid approach that respects old habits while embracing modern convenience.

Why Size Matters for Reading Habits

The whole pitch behind Xteink’s devices is that a smaller eReader is more likely to be with you than a full-sized tablet or even a standard Kindle. Slip it in a jeans pocket, and you’ve got a library on hand during your commute, lunch break, or those endless waits at the doctor’s office.

It’s a clever counter to the phone’s pull. Instead of doomscrolling Instagram, you can pull out a dedicated device that’s just for reading. The X4 Pro doubles down on this idea with better screen visibility outdoors and in low light.

What We Still Don’t Know

Xteink hasn’t released full specs yet. We’re waiting on details like battery life, storage capacity, and whether the front light is adjustable. The price also remains under wraps, though the brand’s previous models have been budget-friendly.

For now, the X4 Pro is a promising update for anyone who loves the idea of a pocket-sized reading companion but couldn’t get past the old limitations. If you’re curious about other compact eReaders, you might also want to check out eReader buying guides or compare it with Kindle vs. Kobo models.

Is the X4 Pro Worth the Wait?

If you already own an earlier Xteink model, the touchscreen and front light are compelling reasons to upgrade. If you’re new to the brand, the X4 Pro could be the entry point that finally makes pocket reading practical.

We’ll update this story as more details emerge. Until then, the X4 Pro is shaping up to be a small device with a big appeal.

A Weekend of Beekeeping and Backlash

OpenAI’s first-ever influencer brand trip was supposed to be a chill, aesthetic getaway. Instead, it’s become a PR headache.

Over the weekend, the company flew a small group of creators to a luxury retreat in upstate New York for what it called “Summer Club.” The itinerary read like a wellness influencer’s dream: farm-to-table dinners, beekeeping sessions, and workshops on making the most of OpenAI’s tools. One creator posted about building a website. Another snapped a photo of a brochure advertising a “painting workshop.”

The videos were soft-lit and serene. The comment sections were anything but.

One influencer who documented the trip on TikTok and Instagram faced a barrage of criticism. Commenters accused her of selling her soul “for a nice hotel room.” Others asked whether she could film a video reconciling the retreat with the environmental toll of AI data centers.

Another creator was jokingly asked if she’d do a get-ready-with-me video from inside a data center. A third influencer, when reached by TechCrunch, appears to have deleted the video she made about the trip — though she kept other posts that don’t explicitly mention it was an OpenAI junket.

Why the OpenAI Influencer Trip Struck a Nerve

This isn’t just about a few snarky comments. The backlash taps into something bigger: a growing public unease with AI’s real-world costs.

OpenAI is currently negotiating a $500 billion data center deal in Ohio — a project that has reignited debates about energy use, water consumption, and the environmental footprint of AI infrastructure. Holding a luxury retreat nestled in nature, complete with beekeeping, felt tone-deaf to many.

Then there’s the $200 million contract with the Department of Defense. Several commenters pointed out the irony of cozying up to influencers while OpenAI deepens its military ties.

TechCrunch spoke with one commenter who left a negative note on an influencer’s video. She said the event gave people “ammunition to have negative opinions.” Her words were blunt: “The world is on fire. It’s not a great time to brag about your $5,000-a-night suite.”

OpenAI’s Defense: Education, Not Indulgence

OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri pushed back on the criticism. He told TechCrunch the trip was “education-led” and designed to give creators hands-on experience with the newly released ChatGPT Work — a tool that helps with drafting documents and presentations.

“Creators are an important part of our community and how people get information and learn about our products today,” Pusateri said. “We welcome healthy debate as AI becomes more prevalent, and we value creators who choose to engage with us, attend our events, ask tough questions, and learn alongside everyone else.”

That framing hasn’t fully landed. Critics note that a luxury retreat with beekeeping and painting workshops is a strange way to teach people about productivity software. The optics, they argue, undermine the educational message.

The Celebrity Whisperer and the Creator Economy Playbook

OpenAI’s pivot to influencers isn’t random. In February, Vanity Fair reported that the company hired Charles Porch — a former Instagram VP with a reputation as a “celebrity whisperer” — as its first VP of global creative partnerships.

Porch said his mission was to talk to creative communities “to figure out how we build the best products to serve them.” He planned a “listening tour” to understand how people relate to AI tools.

The Summer Club trip looks like the first big test of that strategy. It’s a classic Silicon Valley move: wine and dine creators, get organic content, own the narrative. But the execution may have backfired.

Not the Only AI Lab Playing This Game

OpenAI isn’t alone in courting influencers. Anthropic reportedly hosted a brand dinner for Claude. In February, Microsoft Copilot took creators to the Super Bowl, as the tech newsletter Sarah and Kate reported.

But none of those trips generated the same level of online fury. Why?

Partly it’s timing. AI anxiety is at a peak — from job displacement fears to data center energy demands. Partly it’s optics. A luxury retreat screams “wealth and privilege” at a moment when many people are struggling. And partly it’s the perceived hypocrisy: OpenAI wants to be seen as a responsible AI leader while throwing money at influencers and signing defense contracts.

One influencer who attended the trip wrote on LinkedIn that she assumed people “would be interested in the behind-the-scenes tips and tricks” of using OpenAI technology. She admitted she never considered it would be controversial.

“I didn’t for one second consider it would be controversial,” she wrote.

What This Means for Creator-AI Partnerships

The backlash is a warning shot for any company thinking about influencer marketing in the AI space. Creators are walking a tightrope: they want access to cool new tools, but they’re also accountable to audiences who are increasingly skeptical of Big Tech’s motives.

Some influencers have already learned that lesson the hard way. Deleting videos and dodging questions isn’t a sustainable strategy. The smart ones will engage with the criticism directly — and maybe ask tougher questions themselves.

OpenAI, for its part, seems committed to the creator route. The company says it values “healthy debate” and creators who “ask tough questions.” Whether that’s genuine or damage control remains to be seen.

One thing is clear: the era of the free AI influencer trip is here, and it’s going to be messy. The question is whether companies like OpenAI can learn to do it without looking like they’re out of touch.

This article was updated to include comments from OpenAI.

Why Your LinkedIn Strategy Needs a Refresh

LinkedIn isn’t the quiet professional network it used to be. It’s now a battleground for attention, and the rules have changed. AI-generated posts are flooding every feed, making it harder than ever to stand out. But here’s the thing: LinkedIn has also rolled out a suite of new features that can help your brand break through the noise.

From collaborative posts to the creator marketplace, and a new analytics metric that shows whether your content reaches beyond your existing network, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s dig in.

Collaborative Posts: The New Way to Amplify Reach

Collaborative articles are one of LinkedIn’s most intriguing recent additions. These are AI-generated prompts that invite experts to contribute their insights. When you add your perspective, your network sees it, but so does the audience of the original poster and anyone else who engages.

This is a low-effort, high-reward play. You don’t need to create a full post from scratch. You just add your expertise to an existing conversation. The result? Your name gets in front of people who wouldn’t normally see your content.

How to Make Collaborative Posts Work for You

Don’t just drop a one-liner. Treat it like a mini-article. Share a specific example, a lesson learned, or a contrarian take. The more value you add, the more likely others are to engage, which pushes your contribution higher in the feed.

Also, monitor the topics that align with your niche. Set aside 10 minutes a day to respond to relevant collaborative posts. Consistency matters more than volume.

The Creator Marketplace: Your Ticket to Paid Opportunities

LinkedIn’s creator marketplace is a game-changer for freelancers and consultants. It’s a space where brands can find creators to collaborate on sponsored content, product launches, and thought leadership campaigns. If you’ve built a following and have consistent engagement, you might already be eligible.

To get the most out of it, optimize your profile. Make sure your headline clearly states what you help with, and that your featured section showcases your best work. LinkedIn’s algorithm matches you with brands based on your niche and activity, so stay active and relevant.

What to Expect from the Creator Marketplace

The marketplace is still evolving, but early adopters are already landing paid partnerships. You’ll get access to campaign briefs, direct messages from brands, and the ability to pitch your own ideas. It’s like a freelancing platform, but built into LinkedIn.

If you’re not seeing the marketplace tab yet, don’t panic. It’s being rolled out gradually. Focus on building your authority in the meantime.

Out-of-Network Reach: The Metric That Matters

Here’s a metric you probably haven’t been tracking: out-of-network reach. This shows you how many people outside your direct connections saw your content. It’s a crucial number because it tells you whether your content is breaking beyond your echo chamber.

Previously, you could only see total impressions. Now, LinkedIn breaks it down. If your out-of-network reach is low, it means your content is only resonating with people who already follow you. That’s not growth. That’s just maintenance.

How to Boost Your Out-of-Network Reach

Start by analyzing which posts perform best outside your network. Look for patterns in topics, formats, and posting times. Then, double down on what works.

Engage with content from people outside your industry. Comment thoughtfully on posts from adjacent niches. This exposes your profile to their audiences, which can drive new followers and engagement.

Standing Out in an AI-Flooded Feed

AI-generated content is everywhere on LinkedIn now. Some of it is good, but most of it is generic. That’s your opportunity. If you can be authentic, specific, and human, you’ll stand out.

Here are a few tips to keep your content from blending in:

• Share personal stories. AI can’t fake lived experience. A specific anecdote about a client win or a failure teaches more than any generic tip.
• Use data and screenshots. Show your results. A screenshot of a campaign’s performance or a chart of your growth adds credibility.
• Ask real questions. End your posts with a question that invites discussion. The more comments, the more reach.
• Be consistent. Posting once a week won’t cut it. Aim for 3-4 times a week if you can.

Putting It All Together: Your New LinkedIn Playbook

So, what’s the takeaway? LinkedIn is no longer a place to just post your resume and hope for the best. It’s a platform where collaboration, paid opportunities, and data-driven growth are all within reach.

Start by experimenting with collaborative posts. They’re the easiest way to get in front of new eyes without creating content from scratch. Then, check your out-of-network reach metric. If it’s low, adjust your strategy. And if you’re a freelancer or consultant, don’t sleep on the creator marketplace.

The professionals who adapt to these changes will be the ones who thrive. The ones who don’t will keep shouting into the void. Your move.

For more insights on social media strategy, check out our guide on social media marketing tips and how to measure social media ROI.