Observed arrival · 2026-11-04
4em: annotations built to travel with the file
A browser tool for opening images and PDFs, looking up text, adding annotations, and exporting the result.
○Open
⊠Login
$Paid
†Ads
✦Pretty
●Pro
◎Niche
◉Human
⚑Risk
ƒJS
- For
- Readers working with image- or PDF-based text
- Worth noticing
- Exports can retain original files so a 4em export reopens with annotations still editable; the page says this roughly doubles file size.
Field notes
The workflow starts by opening an image or PDF, then dragging across text for translation, definitions, IPA, and pronunciation. Drawing tools include lines, circles, and text; multi-page documents can be combined and exported as PDF or image. An export option can embed originals so the document can be reopened with editable annotations, at roughly twice the file size. Notes and audio tracks are described as browser-stored.
Observed signals
Read the marks
Editorial observations of this landing page, not a rating.
○OpenPublic substance visible
✦PrettyNotable craft visible
●ProPolished or operationally mature
◎NicheUnusually specific use
One card from the complete issue