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
Kobo has released a new software update for their full line of ereaders both old and new. The biggest change with the update is the addition of audiobook support for the 10.3-inch Kobo Elipsa that was released in June, so three of Kobo’s current devices support audiobooks now, including the new Kobo Libra 2 and Kobo Sage. The way Kobo updates work is you can wait for the new firmware to automatically download and install at some point while syncing, but updates are generally rolled out in phases so it can sometimes take several weeks to get an update.
2016.
Pocketbook Announces the InkPad 2
Pocketbook InkPad 2 is a new e-reader that was just announced today. This device features an 8 inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1,200 x 1,600 pixels. It has a front-lit display and physical page turn buttons. The InkPad 2 is powered by a 1 GHz processor and 512 MB RAM. There is 4 GB of internal memory, but you can expand it up to 32 GB via the Micro SD. I think people are going to be attracted that this e-reader has a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you can listen to audiobooks and music. This e-reader will be available in the near future for $199 Euros.
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
Ukrainian company Pocketbook has been making e-readers consistently since 2007 and the company has unveiled a new e-Reader - InkPad that seeks to provide more screen area to read on with its giant eight inch display. Its screen is based on E Ink Pearl technology and has the highest screen resolution for such devices – 1600×1200 pixels. High resolution allows you to adjust the font size from the minimum to the maximum without losing definition. A powerful 1GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM provide smooth pages turning and stable use of any application. 4 GB of internal memory expandable up to 32 GB will allow to collect a real library, which is always at your fingertips. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack to listen to audiobooks or music. Pocketbook has integrated Text to Speech in this model, to have books read aloud.
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.
