The way forward for e-readers is shiny as a result of newest developments in e-paper and {hardware} know-how. E-readers have developed from singular-purpose book-reading units and have modified shoppers’ studying habits. What new options, performance, and modifications can we anticipate for e-readers in 2025? Have we already glimpsed the way forward for studying?
The E-Reader Panorama in 2024
The Amazon Kindle is probably the most dominant and fashionable e-reader on the planet. In 2024, the corporate revised its whole machine lineup, releasing the 2024 Kindle eleventh Era, Kindle Paperwhite twelfth Era, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version twelfth Era, Kindle Scribe 2024, and its first shade e-reader, the Kindle Colorsoft. Rakuten Kobo additionally embraced shade e-paper in the beginning of the yr with the appearance of the Libra Color and Clara Color. Additionally they launched the Kobo Clara BW for individuals who desire a conventional studying expertise. All these units that used shade used E INK Kaleido 3, a few years previous. Nonetheless, Exceptional did one thing totally completely different and used E INK Gallery 3, which may show extra colours for a fluid writing expertise.
Many different firms launched numerous fashions aimed toward a Western viewers, too. Pocketbook had a handful of latest units, Bigme had many new Android tablets, Onyx Boox had a 13.3 e-note ready within the wings, and new shade e-readers had simply come out. Curiously, the brand new iReader Ocean 3C makes use of a variant of E INK Kaleido 3, not seen earlier than, E INK Kaleido 3 Plus.
Most e-readers proceed to make use of the normal black and white e-paper shows. This makes studying simple on the eyes since no gentle shines in your eyes, and it’s the closest you will get to studying paper. Colour e-readers are fashionable however costly, whereas black and white e-paper is much cheaper.
Some individuals don’t hesitate to spend a lot cash on a brand new e-reader. They hold them for a few years, gaining great worth. Nonetheless, individuals who purchase e-readers don’t improve to the newest and best yearly; they skip a number of generations till one thing compelling emerges.
Technological Developments Shaping the Future
A number of distinctive merchandise got here out in 2024 and can form the way forward for digital studying. The Sol Studying Glasses had been launched, they usually had been light-weight VR headsets particularly designed for studying. These glasses are spectacular regardless of specializing in only a single expertise. They aid you focus your consideration on what you’re studying. Plus, they’re snug, light-weight, and straightforward to put on for hours.
Minimal is delivery its E-ink cellphone with a full QWERTY keyboard, just like the previous Blackberry telephones. The touch-enabled show boasts 300 PPI decision and a excessive refresh charge, which permits for crisp, clear visuals and easy scrolling. Whether or not studying an e-book, looking the online, or checking your emails, the E-ink show delivers an immersive and cozy viewing expertise.
Talking of telephones, we’re seeing a number of different ones hit the market. Bigme launched the Hibreak black and white cellphone and the Hibreak Colour with Kaleido 3. These telephones have cameras, nice {hardware} specs, and community bands that work in most international locations. They’re additionally very reasonably priced. Mudita is presently crowdfunding the Kompact, A minimalist E Ink cellphone for extra life, much less display time, and fewer distractions. Important options with simple UI and privateness focus.
In 2025, we are able to anticipate extra E-ink telephones from Bigme and perhaps Onyx Boox. Nonetheless, we would now not see AR/VR E-ink glasses or studying goggles.
Let’s speak about synthetic intelligence on e-readers. We have now not seen the identical developments on this area as in others. Bigme was the primary firm to launch ChatGPT assist for all their new units launched in 2024. Onyx Boox has its chatbot; it simply launched Tencent and developed it. Nonetheless, this chatbot has had some controversies because of its growth in China.
The AI options that obtained probably the most consideration had been the brand new ones on the brand new Kindle Scribe 2024 mannequin and the first-generation one, which obtained the identical options through firmware replace. The AI-powered pocket book allows you to shortly summarize pages and pages of notes into concise bullets that may be simply shared. If you happen to’re scribbling in a rush or don’t have the tidiest handwriting, the brand new AI-powered refinement characteristic will convert your handwritten notes right into a script font for a extra elegant (and legible) look.
I can see different firms utilizing related AI fashions for the kind of work Amazon is doing. I may also see extra gamers utilizing it for extra sturdy guide suggestions, which can instantly result in extra gross sales.
Lastly, some e-readers could also be designed to be repairable. Kobo has partnered with iFixit in order that in case your e-reader is broken and out of guarantee, you might be able to exchange some components your self. At the moment, solely their latest-generation merchandise are repairable. By selecting to restore your e-reader, you may prolong the lifespan.
Predicting the Way forward for E-Readers in 2025
- Kaleido 3 Plus shall be seen on extra e-readers.
- E INK Kaleido 4 shall be introduced.
- E INK Carta 1300 and 1350 shall be seen on extra e-readers and e-notebooks.
- We’ll see extra coloured e-readers and fewer black-and-white ones.
- Kobo will launch a Colour Elipsa.
- E INK smartphones will proceed to develop in recognition.
- The primary fashionable foldable e-reader, just like the eOnebook or the previous Encourage Pocket Edge, might be a actuality.
- Amazon is not going to launch any new fashions in 2025.
- Amazon is not going to launch extra e-readers with bodily page-turn buttons.
- A brand new Nook Colour e-reader will come out.
- E-Notebooks will proceed to realize traction as a result of new Exceptional Paper Professional and Kindle Scribe promoting properly.
- Subscription-based e-book content material will change into extra fashionable, lowering publishers’ earnings.
- Distraction-free e-readers with no Bluetooth and WIFI will begin interesting to customers who need privateness.
The China Connection
When growing new e-readers with the newest E INK know-how, Chinese language readers normally undertake it first. E INK is predicated in Taiwan, however most display manufacturing and provide companions are in mainland China. There isn’t a language barrier; firms can rush to market new merchandise utilizing tech that hasn’t even been introduced. A very good instance is the iReader C6, the primary e-reader with Kaleido 3, launched greater than 4 months earlier than anybody else. Additionally they had been the primary to launch an e-reader with E INK Kaleido 3+, which is so new that there isn’t a data but.
Most e-readers that hit the market are developed and marketed solely in China regardless of having the newest tech. It’s because they will promote tens of millions of models to a home viewers they know and perceive. Firms like Boox, iFlytek, iReader, Hyread, Hanvon, Bigme, Xiaomi, OBOOK, Mooink, and Huawei. Some firms, resembling Bigme and Boox, have a world division and launch e-readers and e-notebooks with Google Play and numerous display sizes.
Conclusion: The Way forward for Studying
Studying may be very fashionable in the US. Within the first ten months of 2024, digital audiobook gross sales had been up 26.1% yearly, reaching $883.4 million in income. However, e-book revenues had been up 2.9% to $861.9 million in comparison with the identical interval in 2024. Amazon is probably the most vital participant within the US and globally. Rakuten Kobo is an in depth second. These firms promote audiobooks and e-books on the machine and have their subscription-based platform.
The overwhelming majority of individuals proceed to learn on their telephones. Over 85% of adults in the US report studying extra on their cellular units than on conventional print media. I do know many others who learn on their iPads for the reason that display is extra vital and all the pictures look higher due to the intense and vibrant colours. Colour E INK know-how nonetheless has some work to be finished to look nearly as good as smartphones/tablets.
Nonetheless, e-readers are primarily aimed toward severe readers. In contrast to the iPhone or Android units that may’t purchase audiobooks or e-books throughout the Kindle or Nook app anymore, you should buy all of this content material on e-readers, even in your pajamas. E-readers are additionally much more reasonably priced than smartphones; you should buy an excellent one, with all of the bells and whistles, for underneath $300 and a strong e-reader for underneath $200. The newest iPhone 16 Professional prices over $1600, and a top-of-the-line iPad prices $1900. Shopping for a devoted guide reader is smart.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the previous fifteen years. Newspapers and web sites such because the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Submit and the New York Instances have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
