Top 10: Linux e-Readers

2024. Tolino e-readers will no longer use Android



Tolino e-readers, initially targeting the European German-speaking demographic, have been on the market since 2013. In 2019, Kobo took over the hardware design for all forthcoming e-readers while maintaining Android as the operating system. However, a recent report suggests a significant shift: upcoming models like the Tolino Shine, Tolino Vision Color and Shine Color will run on Linux with an entirely revamped UI and menu layout. This marks a transition where Kobo oversees both hardware and software development. Upon their release in June, these new Tolino e-readers will offer a user experience resembling Kobo's, though with subtle distinctions. Users can still access various German bookstores, purchase and listen to audiobooks and enjoy continued support for European libraries, facilitated by LCP DRMs.


2023. Pocketbook unveiled InkPad Color 2 e-reader



Pocketbook has unveiled a new 7.8-inch color e-reader that uses E INK Kaleido Plus e-paper technology. This device is designed to deliver full and vibrant color for digital books, manga and other digital content. Users can access the Pocketbook Store to buy and download digital content and the manual page turn buttons located at the bottom of the reader allow for easy and quick flipping through pages. Moreover, the PocketBook InkPad Color 2 is reliably protected against water damage, meeting IPX8 standards. The device is powered by a 2900 mAh battery that can last up to a month. Additionally, the PocketBook InkPad Color 2 is an ideal e-reader for audio enthusiasts, supporting six audio formats and comes equipped with a built-in speaker, Bluetooth connectivity and a Text-to-Speech function. With the built-in speaker, users can enjoy their favorite stories without the need for additional devices. The Pocketbook InkPad Color 2 is priced at $320.

2021. Kobo released Elipsa - 10.3 inch e-note and e-reader



Kobo is launching a new 10.3-inch e-reader and digital notepad device called the Kobo Elipsa. Priced at $399, it includes a sleepcover and a stylus. Kobo is promoting it more as a notepad than an e-reader, though it serves both functions. You can annotate eBooks and PDFs and it features a new note-taking app that supports importing and exporting to Dropbox. Notably, it seems to not use a Wacom touchscreen like many other digital notepads, which likely helps in keeping the cost lower. Kobo will be up against several established competitors in the e-note market, such as Sony, Onyx Boox, Boyue, Remarkable, Supernote and various Chinese brands like Hanvon and Bigme. The Kobo Elipsa’s competitive edge will be its Linux-based operating system, allowing it to operate with a quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and a smaller battery.


2019. Xiaomi released its eInk reader - iReader T6



Xiaomi introduced its first ebook reader, the iReader T6. It is currently available in China for ¥928. Designed to rival the Kindle and other compact e-readers, the iReader T6 features a 6-inch E Ink Carta HD display with a resolution of 1448×1072 and 300 PPI. The screen is flush with the bezel and includes a front light for reading in low light conditions. It is equipped with a 1GHz Freescale IMX6 Solo Lite processor and 8GB of internal storage. The device is powered by a 1500 mAh battery, which should last for several weeks of use. It measures 7.4 mm in thickness and weighs 160 g. The iReader T6 runs on a proprietary Linux-based OS, iReader UI 2.0, which supports all major book and document formats: EBK, TXT, UMD, EPUB, PDF and MOBI. It comes with a pre-installed digital store offering hundreds of ebooks and magazines and also supports file downloads over WiFi.