e-Ink e-Readers with Text-to-speech support

2023. Bigme introduced its first 7-inch e-note - B751



The B751 from Bigme is, one might say, the sort of device you’d get if a highly intelligent yet slightly eccentric alien decided to make note-taking fun and multilingual. It sports a delightfully compact 7-inch E Ink display, which, in the way of all excellent gadgets, does its best to look as clever as it actually is. Underneath its understated exterior hums an AI so smart it could probably write its own product review—boasting speech-to-text accuracy of over 98%, dabbling confidently in 36 languages and 27 dialects. It doesn’t just stop there: translation, transcription, summarization, chat, smart drawing, and even intelligent creation (whatever that may involve) are all in its bag of tricks. A 4096-level pressure-sensitive stylus and a battery robust enough to outlast even the most verbose user at 3000 mAh make it all the more irresistible. Topping things off, it supports physical page-turning buttons (because simplicity is bliss), OTG expansion for accessories galore, and runs Android 11, offering cloud-based wizardry. And at $240 USD, you might wonder if the folks at Bigme are just trying to show off—or trying to save the universe one stylish e-note at a time.


2023. Pocketbook unveiled Verse e-reader with Text-to-speech



In the far-flung, ever-unpredictable realms of technological innovation, PocketBook has waved its metaphorical wand to conjure up two shiny new e-readers, the Verse and its slightly swankier sibling, the Verse Pro. Both are adorned with 6-inch screens, effectively nudging the erstwhile Touch Lux 5 and Touch HD 3 into the dusty archives of e-reader history. The Verse Pro, however, is the one likely to cause the most raised eyebrows (and possibly jealous glances) at intergalactic book clubs—it not only reads to you aloud with voices so naturally expressive they could pass for a slightly smug linguist, but it does so with the simple magic of a double-click. It’s even IPX8 water-resistant, making it the ideal companion for bathtime existential crises. This marvel of modern storytelling comes at the rather precise Earth currency of $169.99. Meanwhile, the more humble Verse, priced at a breezy $129.99, offers its own set of niceties with an E Ink Carta touchscreen and SMARTlight technology, perfect for those quiet, shadowy corners of the galaxy. Both devices are equipped with MicroSD slots (up to 128GB, should you feel the need to archive the Library of Alexandria), USB-C ports, G-sensors, WiFi, and a tidy 1500 mAh battery. They even share identical dimensions, measuring in at 108 × 156 × 7.6 mm—a size so universal it might just fit into your hyperspace jacket pocket.

2023. iReader Neo e-Readers come with AI for Text-to-speech function



iReader's recent addition to their product lineup is the Neo series, which are dedicated e-readers that lack note-taking capabilities. The Neo and Neo Pro are the two models available, with the Neo having 212 PPI and the Neo Pro boasting 300 PPI. The Neo Pro is priced at $230, which is $40 more than the standard model and both devices operate on Android. One notable feature of the iReader Neo e-readers is their intelligent optimization technology. This technology includes an intelligent edge trimming function that automatically detects the format of the PDF book content, allowing for easier PDF rearrangement and the ability to adjust font, font size, typesetting and more. Additionally, the AI technology allows for text-to-speech reading, contrast enhancement and one-click smart PDF watermark removal, which enhances the overall reading experience, especially when viewing magazines or comics. Another standout feature of the Neo e-reader series is its support for English, with an integrated dictionary that provides instant translation of words in the book. Furthermore, the devices offer a language learning mode that provides real-time content translation.


2021. Onyx BOOX Nova Air - 7.8 inch E Ink tablet



The Onyx BOOX Nova Air is a new E Ink tablet featuring a 7.8-inch, 1872 x 1404 pixel E Ink Carta display, support for both finger and stylus input and software based on Android 10. Available for pre-order at $350, the Nova Air can be used for reading eBooks, taking notes, or running third-party applications from the BOOX Store (or sideloading other Android apps from different sources). Onyx claims the BOOX Nova Air supports over 10 different text file formats, as well as JPG, PNG, TIFF and BMP images and WAV and MP3 audio. It also includes text-to-speech functionality, enabling the system to read books aloud through the device’s speakers or headphone jack.


2016. Amazon released Kindle Paperwhite USB Audio Bundle



Amazon introduced a new USB audio package that enables Kindle e-Readers to provide audio cues when navigating menus and offers text-to-speech features for listening to e-books. VoiceView for Kindle, which utilizes Amazon’s natural language text-to-speech voices, also allows visually impaired users to read Kindle books. The USB audio adapter connects to headphones or speakers, enabling users to both listen to and navigate the interface, in addition to enjoying books. Currently, the new adapter is compatible only with the latest generation Kindle Paperwhite. Amazon indicates plans to expand compatibility to other models in the future, such as the Kindle Voyage and Kindle Oasis.


2014. Pocketbook InkPad with Text-to-Speech announced



Ukrainian company Pocketbook has been producing e-readers consistently since 2007 and the company has introduced a new e-reader—the InkPad—that aims to offer more screen real estate with its large eight-inch display. The screen utilizes E Ink Pearl technology and boasts the highest resolution available for such devices—1600×1200 pixels. This high resolution allows you to adjust the font size from very small to very large without losing clarity. A robust 1GHz processor and 512MB of RAM ensure smooth page transitions and reliable performance across any application. With 4 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 32 GB, you can build an extensive library that’s always within reach. Additionally, it features a 3.5mm headphone jack for listening to audiobooks or music. Pocketbook has also incorporated Text to Speech functionality in this model, enabling books to be read aloud.


2012. Amazon unveils Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle 5



The e-reader competition continues unabated these days. Today, Amazon has introduced two new e-ink e-readers—the budget-friendly Kindle 5 and the "frontlit" Kindle Paperwhite. Naturally, the latter is set to rival the Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight and the Kobo Glo. All these e-readers enable reading in the dark, but the Paperwhite seems to outshine the competition. The display appears almost flawlessly white, whereas the Nook still has a hint of gray. Additionally, Amazon has enhanced the battery life, boasting eight weeks of use even with the light on (compared to the Nook’s one month). The Kindle Paperwhite features a touch screen, effectively replacing the Kindle Touch in Amazon's e-reader lineup.