Today, I would like to introduce you to a new typeface created by the Braille Institute, designed to make text more readable. This font is, of course, free to use for everyone, including for commercial purposes.
Benefits of Using Atkinson Hyperlegible Font
The Atkinson Hyperlegible font is specifically designed for individuals with vision impairments. It is easy to read and understand, making it an excellent choice for those who struggle with small or blurry text.
I believe that it can also be utilized on e-readers for faster reading. I will conduct tests in this area in a few days.
Here are some benefits of using the Atkinson Hyperlegible font:
Easy to read: This font is crafted to be easily readable, even for individuals with vision problems. The letters are clear and distinct, and the contrasts are high. There is also a clear distinction between mirror letters, such as "p" and "q."
Freely available: You can download it from the Braille Institute's website.
Compatibility: Atkinson Hyperlegible is compatible with most software, including web browsers, text editors, and word processing programs.
Multiple styles: It is available in several styles, including bold, italic, and bold italic.
If you find it challenging to read on screen, you should consider using the Atkinson Hyperlegible font. It can help you read more easily and comprehend what you are reading better.
Tips for Using Atkinson Hyperlegible Font
Increase font size: You can adjust the font size to make the letters larger and easier to read.
Enhance contrast: This will help the letters stand out more against the background. Unfortunately, this option is available on very few e-readers.
Use adequate lighting: Adjust the lighting to ensure you have enough light for reading.
PocketBook has recently made a new announcement regarding a color e-reader – yes, again! But this time, the PocketBook Color Note is generating a lot of buzz and could potentially change the game.
PocketBook Color Note: Introduction to the E-Reader
PocketBook continues its momentum by introducing a new device featuring a Kaleido 3 color e-ink screen.
At first glance, this e-reader reflects what the European brand does best: a color screen, a 10.3-inch diagonal, lighting, an attractive design, text-to-speech functionality, and a stylus for annotating books and documents.
However, this time, PocketBook has altered its approach to offer a dedicated machine for various work-related tasks, more so than mere entertainment – and thus, reading.
he PocketBook Color Note runs on Android 12, which allows users to add applications for productivity on their color e-ink device.
PocketBook is clearly targeting professionals who work with digital documents as well as students whose consumption of books and PDF documents is ever-increasing.
To facilitate document sharing, PocketBook offers the "Send to email" feature, allowing you to quickly send your documents to collaborators via email.
Being well aware of the issues associated with prolonged reading on an illuminated screen, PocketBook has integrated the ComfortGaze system, which is found on the brand's other e-readers. ComfortGaze helps reduce the harmful effects of blue light, allowing users to read or work for extended periods without experiencing the usual screen fatigue associated with iPads or computers.
For audio content, it will be possible to use the PocketBook Color Note to listen to audiobooks (MP3 format supported). You can connect a Bluetooth audio device or use the built-in speakers. Text-to-speech is also natively integrated.
Finally, the Android 12 system allows for the addition of new applications, with Google Play available to simplify their installation.
Here are the technical specifications of this device:
E Ink Kaleido™ 3 Color Screen – Displays 4096 colors and offers a resolution of 1404 × 1872 pixels (for black and white images).
Android 12 Operating System – Comes with the Google Play Store, enabling the installation of third-party applications.
Quad-Core Processor
4 GB RAM and 32 GB Internal Storage, plus a microSD card slot for expandable storage.
Bluetooth 5.2, Dual-Band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz), and a USB Type C port.
Supports 6 audiobook formats.
Supports 24 book formats (ebooks) and graphic formats (images).
PocketBook stylus included in the box.
PocketBook promises a quick availability date with a price expected to be around $600 (with the stylus).
So, Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
The fact is that PocketBook has undercut two competitors.
Firstly, although the technical specifications are not entirely identical, the new PocketBook Color Note overshadows the reMarkable Paper Pro significantly. The reMarkable, which was released just a few days ago, offers similar features but lacks the ability to enhance its functionality with new applications.
Even worse, users have to pay a monthly subscription to benefit from Cloud document storage – which does not seem necessary with the PocketBook Color Note as you can install a Cloud service of your choice from Google Play.
The second competitor is Kindle. Amazon has been offering the Kindle Scribe for some time now, and it's evident that a color version is on the horizon.
However, once again, PocketBook has beaten Kindle to the punch by quickly launching a reader capable of competing with a hypothetical Kindle Scribe Color – the announcement of which we are still awaiting.
Clearly, PocketBook is positioning itself well in this market with a modern color device featuring a large 10.3-inch screen that seems interesting enough to entice many potential buyers who might have otherwise opted for a Kindle or a reMarkable.
The question remains whether PocketBook will quickly release this PocketBook Color Note or if we will have to wait several more months before getting our hands on it…
The year 2024 has been rich in innovations for the European brand Pocketbook. Among the new e-readers, there are some very interesting color models that will allow readers to fully enjoy their ebooks, comic books, and mangas.
Here's a quick overview of the latest models released and available from Pocketbook in 2024.
Pocketbook Color Note
The Pocketbook Color Note is the last release from the brand in 2024.
This e-reader has a 10.3" color electronic ink screen (Kaleido 3 technology) and is the first with an Android 12 operating system that comes with the Google Play Store, enabling the installation of third-party applications.
It is an expensive e-reader that comes with a stylus.
Featuring a 6-inch Kaleido 3 electronic ink display of the latest generation, the Pocketbook Verse Pro Color is the most affordable model in the range.
The Pocketbook Viva features an 8-inch display. While it uses electronic ink for its screen, it also utilizes a different technology: Gallery 3. This technology provides better color display and is used in the new reMarkable Paper Pro as well.
Rumors are heating up about Amazon potentially releasing two new e-readers soon: a new Kindle Paperwhite and a new Kindle Scribe (in color!).
For the first time in its history, the Kindle range is lagging behind the competition. As the pioneer of e-reading with the launch of the first Kindle in 2007, we can only lament the lack of innovation over the past few years.
In all honesty, the Kindle Paperwhite still stands out with its 6.8-inch screen and reasonable price. However, competing brands like Pocketbook are currently outpacing Kindle in all areas – in my opinion.
Therefore, Amazon must release new e-readers and take into account the technical advancements of recent years. So, we can expect color options, as well as a screen larger than 6 inches!
While I’m still banking on a new basic Kindle or a more comprehensive update to the range, sources that are better informed believe that Amazon will soon launch two e-readers:
A new color Kindle Paperwhite
A new color Kindle Scribe
Let’s take a quick look at the Kindle Scribe, which would represent a color upgrade from the existing model.
The idea is clearly to outpace the reMarkable Paper Pro, whose aggressive marketing campaign suggests they have a lot at stake with this release.
What could worry reMarkable? A new color Kindle Scribe, of course! This is a view held by many.
As for the Kindle Paperwhite, we should expect it to be a competitor to the very good Kobo Libra Colour e-reader, which seems to have won over many readers with its beautiful 7-inch color display.
Now, here comes the juicy part of this story: the color screens that Amazon will use in its new e-readers won’t be the same; they should be Gallery 3 screens – similar to the one used in the newly released reMarkable Paper Color.
This means these screens are finally available in large quantities for e-readers aimed at mass sales.
In short, it’s tough to say much more at this moment, but there’s a lot of excitement ahead!
The reMarkable company has just unveiled its new large-format e-reader, the reMarkable Paper Pro.
This new device is clearly focused on working and digitizing paper in the corporate environment. It features an 11.8-inch large color e-ink display and a stylus, allowing users to work (annotate, underline, handwrite text, etc.).
The design has been revamped, taking inspiration from California standards, much like what the Apple brand offers. The display is referred to as “Canvas color,” presenting a new screen that is even closer to the feel of paper.
The Canvas Color 3.0, based on E INK Gallery 3 is different from the Kaleido 3 screens in the last Kobo and Pocketbook e-readers. It is also what may be used in the futur Kindle color e-reader.
In addition to the stylus, an integrated keyboard within a protective case is also introduced. The combination of the reMarkable, stylus, and keyboard aims to cater to most text entry activities in a business context, such as report creation or document editing.
There is also integrated lighting, although it doesn’t appear to offer adjustable color temperature — something that will need to be confirmed later.
The emphasis remains on software, with a complete suite of applications designed to be effective and simple to use. It seems that great importance has been placed on ensuring this digital device doesn’t become a distraction from the work at hand.
It will be interesting to see how this manifests, but it’s clear that today’s Android e-readers do so much that they can become significant distractions for their users.
In practice, this means that the reMarkable Paper Pro does not allow for writing or checking emails or accessing social media.
Compared to older models, the reMarkable Paper Pro also provides a better writing experience that is even closer to writing on paper. This may be true in terms of feel, but there still seems to be some latency between using the stylus and the ink display on the screen. However, the company claims a 40% faster response time compared to the reMarkable 2.
Regarding color rendering, the first images show something quite convincing. It's difficult to draw conclusions without having the device in hand, but one can assume that the color rendering is very close to that of a Kaleido 3 screen from E Ink.
According to initial information, the reMarkable Paper Pro is a second option within the reMarkable lineup. Thus, the reMarkable 2 (released in 2020) remains available at a lower price than this new color screen version.
A higher price tag is evident, but it’s important to remember that this is primarily a professional tool. You will need to spend $579 for the reMarkable tablet with the basic stylus.
However, you will need to add an additional $50 for the Pro stylus, $89 for the basic case, and $229 for the case with a keyboard.
In short, it’s expensive, and you will also have to pay a subscription fee of $2.99 per month to back up your documents in the cloud.
Let’s get straight to the point: digital reading and e-readers are experiencing a revival in 2024. The launch of the Crema Pebble e-reader in Korea is a testament to this, even though there is a noticeable lack of innovation.
The Crema Pebble is an e-reader introduced by the Korean online bookstore Yes24, one of the largest in the country.
Now, when I say “new”, it's worth noting that the Crema brand has been offering e-readers for a few years, including the Crema Motif. However, to be honest, I didn't expect it to last.
Like Vivlio in France, Nook in the USA, or Tolino in Germany, the Crema Pebble targets a local audience and has no greater ambition than to convince Yes24 customers to transition to digital reading with a device tailored specifically for Korean users and readers.
What’s surprising, though, is that the Crema Pebble is uniquely designed. It features entirely new hardware, making it distinct from other e-readers.
This stands in contrast to developments in other countries in recent years, where:
French e-reader brand Vivlio uses Pocketbook hardware.
German e-readers Tolino utilize Kobo hardware.
This e-reader boasts a 6-inch black and white E Ink display with fairly standard specifications and runs on Android 11.
Its weight of 139 grams is very impressive, placing it among the lightest in its category.
Currently, no availability has been announced outside of Korea, and the e-reader is expected to launch in early September 2024 for around $160.
There's an intriguing rumor circulating among enthusiasts and experts in the e-reader community, and I'm part of it: Amazon may be planning to release a new entry-level Kindle e-reader soon.
Of course, we should take this information with a grain of salt! However, it's worth noting that some countries have run out of Kindle e-readers for sale, as seen on the official French Amazon.fr website, where the e-reader is listed as out of stock.
See this picture:
It's quite surprising for a device that was released just two years ago and remains a bestseller for Kindle.
One can't help but think that Amazon must have a good reason for not having this e-reader in stock and that they may be preparing to launch a new version soon.
What Can We Expect?
A Color Entry-Level Kindle E-Reader
One key topic is color. Clearly, Amazon is lagging behind on this front since the Kindle line does not currently offer an e-reader with a color E Ink display.
Especially considering that competitors have already made significant strides in this area, seemingly achieving great success with devices that have already won over many readers:
It seems logical that Kindle should also provide a color e-reader, possibly an affordable entry-level model, to compete directly with Pocketbook and Kobo.
Why is this Plausible?
Again, this is just a rumor (which has been circulating for a while). However, it’s one that has gained traction.
Since this summer, I have come across some new information that may interest you and seems to support this claim.
It appears that the company manufacturing E Ink displays, E Ink, is strongly encouraging its clients to switch to color. They are using 3 main strategies:
They have reduced the quantity of black and white screens being produced.
They have launched a new HD black and white screen called Carta 1300 (found in the Kobo Clara B&W).
They are offering the Kaleido 3 color screens at a competitive price, only slightly more than the black and white screens.
These combined conditions make it advantageous for major clients of E Ink, including Amazon, to order Kaleido 3 or Carta 1300 screens.
It will soon become increasingly difficult to obtain the older screens currently used in the Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, and Kindle Oasis.
This also explains why various e-reader manufacturers have been releasing new devices over the past few months.
In any case, I truly hope the rumors are true, as I believe a color Kindle could reignite interest in e-readers among the general public, especially since the brand holds a leading position in the minds of readers.
Color e-readers with a 7-inch display featuring the latest generation screens (Kaleido 3) are still relatively rare in the market. That's why I'm offering a comparison between the Kobo Libra Colour and the Onyx Boox Go Color 7.
Key Similarities
Both the Kobo Libra Colour and the Onyx Boox Go Color 7 utilize the same type of electronic ink screen that allows for color content display. The screen size is also suitable for reading manga and displaying colorful illustrations.
Additionally, both devices offer a convincing eBook reader with all the necessary features for an optimal reading experience, including adjustable fonts, line spacing, margins, text size, and orientation.
Both Kobo and Onyx provide strong compatibility with standard file formats such as EPUB, CBR, CBZ, PDF, and more. Thus, you can use either one to access and enjoy your digital book library without any issues.
You can find the reviews for these e-readers here:
Before moving on to the differences, here's a comparative video:
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Main Differences
These two e-readers embody distinct philosophies.
On one hand, we have the Kobo Libra Colour, which offers software that simplifies the e-reader's use for users: everything is preconfigured and integrated for a straightforward and effective reading experience.
On the other hand, he Onyx Boox Go Color 7 runs on Android 12, providing a plethora of features and the ability to add applications.
At this level, the differences are significant, and it's challenging to list them all, but here are the main distinctions I've noted concerning eBook reading:
The Onyx Boox Go Color 7 allows for fine adjustments to the screen display quality for advanced users.
The Kobo Libra Colour provides default settings that are good enough not to require adjustments.
The Onyx Boox Go Color 7 allows internet browsing and application additions (note: not all will be compatible with an e-reader).
The Onyx is more expensive and offers a more premium build quality than the Kobo.
The Kobo Libra Colour has a much richer digital library than the Onyx (with a wide selection of books in English).
Which E-Reader to Choose?
So, which e-reader should you choose between the Kobo Libra Colour and the Onyx Boox Go Color 7?
Once again, it comes down to personal preference and usage.
I believe it's better to lean towards the Kobo if you're looking for an excellent, straightforward reading experience with a very good, comprehensive library that gives access to a multitude of books directly from your e-reader.
However, if you're in need of an e-reader that caters to broader usage—such as web browsing or reading emails on an electronic ink screen—and plan to source your eBooks directly from download sites, the Onyx is also a good, more versatile option better suited for tech-savvy users.
Unlike a physical book library (paper), it is particularly difficult to showcase our collection of ebooks. Here are some solutions that exist to present your digital book library.
First of all, the digital books you own are stored on your e-reader, smartphone, or tablet. They can also be on a computer, especially if you use the Calibre software, which allows you to manage your ebook library for free. You will find a guide for Calibre on this page.
Presenting your library is not just an ego trip to show people how much of a great reader you are with a vast culture (even if that might be your primary goal).
It is also about seeing your books at a glance and deciding quickly to browse through them or to decide on your next read.
And for that, there's nothing better than seeing the book’s cover or its name on the spine. The advantage of physical book libraries is that this can be done in a single glance.
Unfortunately, this is not the case for digital books (ebooks)!
There are currently few solutions to do this easily, and in any case, you will need a computer and a screen to present your ebooks.
The first solution available to you is to use the Calibre software and configure it to display the covers of the books. Click on the button at the bottom right to change the layout and display the covers of the books in the Calibre library. Here’s what it looks like:
Another solution is to present your ebook library in the form of a website. Once again, it is possible to do this with Calibre.
But beware, from now on, it will become quite technical.
There is the Calibre Web software that allows you to create an internet server to publish your Calibre library on the web. This allows you not only to showcase your ebook library but also to share your ebooks with your relatives.
