Top 10: Touch-screen e-Ink e-readers

2023. Rakuten unveiled Kobo Libra 2



The Kobo Libra 2, as unveiled by the ever-industrious Rakuten Kobo, is the sort of e-reader that might have been described by a Vogon poet as “breathtaking” and “perplexingly asymmetrical.” Sporting a 7-inch HD E Ink Carta 1200 display with an improbably crisp resolution of 1264 × 1680 pixels (or a retina-pleasing 300 PPI), it dares to ask the existential question: “Why stick to one color temperature when you can have all of them?” It features Dark Mode for when you’d prefer your words glowing softly from the void, and a 1 GHz Processor ensures your literary escapades run as smoothly as Zaphod Beeblebrox piloting a stolen spaceship. Its 32 GB storage practically begs for an intergalactic library, while the thickened right spine with physical page-turn buttons offers a tactile nod to readers clinging to the romance of "real books." Oh, and did we mention it’s waterproof? Because it is—perfect for bathtub philosophers and spacefaring dolphins. Available in Black and White (because why complicate perfection?), the Libra 2 can be accessorized with SleepCovers ($50), presumably for when your books need a nap. Priced at $250 and available through Flipkart and other online retailers in India, it’s a wonder of modern technology—or at least it thinks it is.


2023. Dark Mode is now available on new Pocketbook e-readers



In a turn of events that could only be described as "entirely sensible, though slightly mysterious," the latest 6.8 firmware update has gently arrived to grace the Pocketbook Era, Pocketbook InkPad 4, and Pocketbook InkPad Color 2 with Dark Mode—a feature that, like any good technology, has been urgently desired yet wholly unanticipated by anyone not prone to reading device firmware updates for sport. Alongside Dark Mode, which cunningly flips your display into white-on-black to save you from squinting like a mole at midnight, the update introduces a host of suspiciously useful features, including an option-laden control panel, adventurous new filter choices in the Notes app, a rather opinionated text suggestion feature, and much more that can’t be fully described in a single paragraph without bending space-time. But fear not, for these delights will soon make their way to other Pocketbook models, spreading their magic across the Pocketbook universe. And if you’re reading in the murky shadows of night, you can even invert your book’s illustrations to align with Dark Mode’s gently sinister aesthetic, reducing contrast with the ambient darkness and making it look as though the universe cares deeply about your ocular well-being.

2023. Kindle Paperwhite gets new Kindle Scribe features



Amazon, in its infinite wisdom and with a slight flourish, has unveiled a firmware update joyfully titled version 5.16.2.1, aimed squarely at the 7th-generation Kindle, the 11th-generation Kindle Paperwhite, and the ever-so-distinguished Signature edition. Procuring this marvel of modern software is as simple as meandering over to the settings menu and imploring the device to check for updates—though, if the cosmic forces of regional distribution have not aligned in your favor, you may have to exercise a smidge of patience for a few weeks. Within this update lies an intriguing assortment of Kindle Scribe-esque capabilities—think doodling, notebook wrangling, and virtual sticky notes—but alas, these are about as functional as a chocolate teapot for the time being. This, of course, is no accident. Amazon, in a stroke of corporate efficiency, has crafted a universal code base for all its e-readers and the Scribe, ensuring updates ripple harmoniously across the entire family of devices. Elegant, isn’t it?


2021. inkBOOK Focus - the new high-spec e-Ink reader



Polish company Inkbook has introduced a new flagship e-reader, the inkBOOK Focus, priced at €229. It features a larger 7.8-inch screen that displays 30% more text. You can turn pages using the touchscreen or configure the navigation buttons to suit your preference, whether you are right- or left-handed. Running on Android, it allows you to use apps without restrictions, including Kindle, Skoobe, Onleihe, Storytel and more. The inkBOOK Focus provides functionality that other e-readers lack, allowing you to use a single device for multiple services such as Kindle, Kobo, Onleihe, Tolino, Thalia, Skoobe, Nubico, Legimi, Pocket and others. Additionally, if you enjoy listening, you can use Storytel or Audible. The inkBOOK Focus lets you switch between reading and listening on various services. You can connect Bluetooth headphones to listen to audiobooks or synchronized books if available.


2018. Arta Tech unveiles InkBook Lumos



Arta Tech has launched a new e-reading device, the InkBook Lumos. It has a six-inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 800×600 and 167 PPI. This is a basic e-reader, similar to the Kindle Basic. It utilizes a more affordable Dual-Core Cortex A9 processor instead of a Freescale, so performance may be a concern. It comes with 128MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage and no SD card slot. It also runs on Android 4.4.2 and will be priced at $88 USD. You can pre-order it from the Inkbook website.


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.


2015. Kobo launches the Touch 2.0 eReader



Kobo has recently unveiled its second new e-reader for the year. The Kobo Touch 2.0 refreshes the four-year-old Kobo Touch e-reader with enhanced storage, extended battery life, a quicker processor and a reduced price. It features a 1GHz processor, 4GB of storage and WiFi, but lacks audio capabilities and a card slot. Its 6-inch display offers a resolution of 800 x 600 and an IR touchscreen, though it does not include a frontlight. Essentially, this e-reader is designed to compete with the basic Kindle and it comes with a price tag to match. The Kobo Touch 2.0 will be released on September 9 in the US and Canada, retailing for $89.99. While it falls between the $79 and $99 price range of the budget Kindle, it may not provide the best value. Instead, we suggest considering the Kobo Glo HD, which costs only $40 more but features a sharper screen and a frontlight.


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.


2011. Amazon unveils Kindle Touch e-reader



Amazon didn't disappoint tech enthusiasts this morning. The company is all about "creating premium products at non-premium prices." The new device—a e-ink e-reader—Kindle Touch, which allows users to easily read one-handed, is designed to compete with the Barnes & Noble Nook and will be priced at $99. Amazon didn’t make many changes to differentiate the Touch from the fourth-gen Kindle. In fact, the only noticeable difference between the two devices is the bezel below the screen. The toggle switch and row of buttons on the fourth-gen model have been replaced with a single home button, consisting of four small horizontal bars. It's not the most stylish option available, but it serves its purpose. Amazon also introduced a 3G version, which will retail for $149. A more affordable and compact non-touch Kindle will be priced at $79. Amazon has included its Whispersync technology, which syncs digital books to the Kindle and is also offering free cloud storage for device users.


2011. Kobo unveils Wi-Fi Touch Edition e-reader for $129.99



Kobo introduced a new e-ink reader model, the Kobo WiFi Touch Edition, priced at $129.99. As its name suggests, the new e-reader features a touchscreen and employs the same Neonode infrared technology used in Sony's 6-inch touchscreen e-readers. It also incorporates E-Ink's latest Pearl e-ink display combined with Neonode's "responsive" zForce infrared touch technology (referred to by Kobo as "Real Touch"). The device includes 1 GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot (supporting up to a 32GB card) and offers a battery life of up to two weeks. The Kobo Touch supports ePub, PDF and Adobe DRM formats and is available in black (with a black back) and white (with lilac, blue, or white back). It also supports multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and Dutch.