Top 10: E-Ink e-readers that support audiobooks

2023. Apple Books launches catalog of AI-narrated audiobooks



In the vast, curious universe of digital storytelling, Apple Books has cheerily decided that the age of human narrators may well be overrated, inaugurating a suite of books narrated by what one might describe as a "digital voice inspired by an actual human"—though admittedly, that human may have been somewhat digitized in the process. This bold, if mildly unsettling, experiment is aimed at the highly lucrative, rapidly ballooning audiobook cosmos, which is otherwise populated by human narrators who possess, one assumes, unique vocal timbres and opinions on the matter. Naturally, some fear this could spell the end for those charmingly flawed carbon-based narrators and has all the trappings of an Apple-sized anti-competition scandal. Within Apple’s sleek and button-free Books app, a simple search for "AI narration" now unveils a cavalcade of these digitally intoned works. And while professional narrators may prepare their pitchforks, it turns out that many authors are already being nudged to narrate their own books, lured by the siren call of upfront payouts and the chance to reach more ears in less time.


2021. Onyx Boox launches an affordable Leaf eReader



Onyx may not be widely known, but the brand produces some of the most dependable gadgets on the market at a reasonable price. Their latest offering is the new 7-inch e-book reader, officially named the Onyx Boox Leaf. This e-reader features a 7-inch display and lacks stylus support. It’s a more lightweight option, weighing only 170 grams, for those who prefer a less cumbersome device. Primarily designed for reading, it allows you to focus on your books. It comes with a lightweight magnetic cover also made by Onyx, enabling you to hold the device like a traditional book and use the page-turn buttons, simulating the experience of flipping through pages. The Leaf e-book reader supports audiobooks and text-to-speech features and connects via Bluetooth, allowing you to pair it with headphones or Bluetooth speakers for enhanced audio. The Onyx Boox Leaf eReader operates on Android 10.

2021. Kobo Elipsa adds Audiobooks support



In a move that would likely make even the most jaded Vogon technophile raise an eyebrow (though perhaps not for long), Kobo has unleashed a new software update for their fleet of electronic book-handlers, spanning models both as ancient as the idea of breakfast and as shiny-new as the latest intergalactic fads. The headliner of this cosmic tweakery is none other than audiobook support for the 10.3-inch Kobo Elipsa—yes, that very device you’ve been pondering since its June arrival, possibly with a furrowed brow. Now, three of Kobo’s star performers, including the Libra 2 and the Sage, are happily nodding along to audiobooks. As for how updates arrive, it's a process best described as a slow and mysterious journey through hyperspace: they’ll drop into your device like an unexpected hitchhiker during a sync, but beware—it may take weeks of galactic waiting as the updates mosey along in phases.


2016. Pocketbook Announces the InkPad 2



In a small corner of the universe, where the words “convenience” and “gadgetry” occasionally bump into each other, the Pocketbook InkPad 2 has improbably popped into existence. Sporting a splendidly large 8-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 1,200 x 1,600 pixels—which is, incidentally, just the right amount of pixels to look very impressive—it manages to balance both front-lit illumination and the classic charm of physical page-turn buttons, which your thumbs will thank you for. At the heart of this digital tome lies a 1 GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM, valiantly doing their best to keep things ticking along. There's 4 GB of internal memory (just enough for an existential crisis worth of books), expandable up to 32 GB via Micro SD, presumably for when that crisis turns into an epic saga. And if all that wasn’t enough, the device inexplicably boasts a 3.5mm headphone jack, perfect for filling your ears with audiobooks or music while you ponder the unlikeliness of everything. All this delightful absurdity can soon be yours for the modest price of €199.


2014. Lock - ebook and audiobook reader for security-concerned organizations



Findaway World, a leading digital content delivery provider of audiobooks and eBooks, today announced the launch of Lock - an eReader solution that allows third parties to offer a custom-curated library of digital content through preloaded and secure eReader devices. Lock provides exceptional customization, enabling any organization, from schools and public libraries to Fortune 500 companies and military or government entities, to deliver tailored content on a device that meets their specific needs. The U.S. Navy is the first Lock customer, having introduced its NeRD eReader earlier this month.


2014. Pocketbook InkPad with Text-to-Speech announced



Since the improbably industrious Ukrainian company Pocketbook began its quest in 2007 to conquer the e-reader cosmos, it has consistently churned out delightful gadgets, the latest of which is the gloriously oversized *InkPad*. With a sprawling eight-inch display based on the marvelously clever E Ink Pearl technology, it boasts a resolution so absurdly sharp (1600×1200 pixels, if you must know) that fonts, whether whispered small or shouted large, remain perfectly pristine. Beneath its sleek exterior hums a 1GHz CPU and a sprightly 512MB of RAM, ensuring pages turn as smoothly as buttered poetry and apps behave as docilely as well-fed Vogons. It offers 4GB of internal memory—expandable to a staggering 32GB, should your library rival the Great Galactic Encyclopedia—and comes with the thoughtful addition of a 3.5mm headphone jack, perfect for audiobooks or the occasional bout of interstellar jazz. Oh, and because Pocketbook is nothing if not charmingly thorough, they’ve even baked in Text-to-Speech technology, so your books can read themselves to you, presumably while you sip tea and contemplate life, the universe, and everything.


2013. Pocketbook announces Pocketbook Touch 2



PocketBook has been relatively silent over the past year while the company underwent business restructuring. Today, PocketBook unveiled a new six-inch device, the PocketBook Touch 2. It features the same HD E Ink Pearl display found on the Kindle Paperwhite and Kobo Glo. The resolution is 1024×758 and includes a front-light, which is ideal for reading in low light conditions. It also comes with 256 MB of RAM, 4 GB of internal storage and supports SD cards up to 32 GB. Battery life is expected to be sufficient for up to 7,000 page turns. Additionally, it has an audio jack for listening to audiobooks and music. While PocketBook retains significance in Eastern Europe, it has limited presence in the North American market.