this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2026
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/49429587

URL for the crowdfunding: https://www.crowdsupply.com/oddly-specific-objects/open-book-touch

Specs:

  • Display: 4.26" e-paper touchscreen, 480 × 800 px, warm + cool frontlight
  • Processor: ESP32-S3 dual-core, Wi-Fi + Bluetooth LE
  • Memory: 16 MB flash, 8 MB PSRAM
  • Formats: EPUB and plain text, no DRM
  • Storage: microSD card slot
  • Interface: USB-C with integrated LiPo charging
  • Dimension: 78 × 120 × 10 mm, about 85 g
  • Open source: MIT-licensed firmware, open hardware (to be released at shipping)

It also has a replaceable 800 mAh battery, I found it cool :)

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[–] grrgyle@slrpnk.net 21 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Yeah I've got a buttonless reader that I got as a gift and I'm thankful to have it but it sucks. Give me buttons.

Especially as it gets older and slower now I'll give it swipe or tap and wonder, did it register and it's just taking a while...? should I try again? five more times?? oh you've really got to let your finger linger I guess? no? huh that worked last t--oh! It's going! Oh shoot this is way too far.. so now I just have to swipe.. back.., -_-

[–] SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.world 6 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

brushes against the screen "What the hell did I just hit? Where is my screen?"

taps against the spot 50 times "Respond!!"

[–] arcine@jlai.lu 22 points 6 days ago

Buttonless ? Fuck that 😅 I want at least a home button and page turning buttons...

[–] zebidiah@lemmy.ca 16 points 6 days ago

so.... a used kobo??

[–] hansolo@lemmy.today 14 points 6 days ago

In the great debate of buttons be no buttons, please keep in mind that it was likely a decision about components. Just a screen makes it far cheaper and easier to manufacture.

I do agree, buttons or GTFO, but understand why there might not be any.

[–] Fmstrat@lemmy.world 16 points 6 days ago (3 children)

Lots of people complaining about buttons, but most people are fine without them.

This thing will fail because of the tiny screen, not because of the lack of buttons.

Sad choice.

[–] Tuxman@sh.itjust.works 5 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I doubt the screen size is an issue for most. The Xteink X4 is about 4 inch and is flying off the shelves right now

[–] Fmstrat@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago

Fair, it is selling very well now. But strong sales after a viral release doesn't neccisarrily mean a market norm. Could be an interesting market trend if it starts a shift to smaller, though.

[–] Apathy@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Hi, if you don’t mind sharing; What do you feel is the conversion feature from kindle? I am developing on a platform with novels and want to develop user centric features; I have feature where you get assisted highlighting of words with auto scroll so you can “follow the word” and read.

I have the architectural design in place to incorporate tts for example but would love feedback from the reading communities

[–] Rooster326@programming.dev 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)
[–] Apathy@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago

Anything that converts a guest to a user due to the offering / features

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[–] bandanawearingbanana@lemmy.world 14 points 6 days ago (11 children)
[–] some_random_nick@lemmy.world 13 points 6 days ago

One never knows. Better to have alternatives today than to hope nothing goes downhill in the future.

[–] beneeney@lemmy.zip 10 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Nothing. I love my Kobo, I take it everywhere and it has a literal zero amount of enshittification. You can set it to sideloaded mode by connecting it to your PC which totally hides the store and Kobo's online features. I manage my books in Calibre.

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[–] dudesss@piefed.ca 10 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

There is this as well which is cheaper and uses RISC-V instead

https://www.xteink.com/products/xteink-x4

Both look like great options though.

[–] ShutUpWesley@piefed.zip 8 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I've heard good things about the xtink stuff, and they have buttons.

[–] oploskoffie@feddit.nl 3 points 6 days ago

I have the xteink X4, and I adore it. Open source firmware you flash onto it yourself (crosspoint), based on esp32, much cheaper than this thing. Tiny device fitting easily into your pocket and so it goes with me everywhere and I use it all the time. Big recommend.

[–] krakenfury@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 6 days ago

I am somehow keeping faith that the PineNote will emerge from early adoption to a fully usable e-reader and e-note device before I pass to the shadow realm. I'm sure my grandchildren will see the day.

I have an German Tolino nice system

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