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Ereader news from all over the world!

  • How to make millions with ebooks?

    make millions selling ebooks

    Here's an investigation that led me to scour the depths of Internet forums to determine whether or not it's possible to make a lot of money being a self-published author. But, above all, you're about to discover a veritable hellish world where anything goes to sell books.

    Following a discussion with a friend who has started publishing fiction on Amazon, I decided to see what the indie author community is like.

    So I read thousands of posts on forums and entire blogs dedicated to the art of selling ebooks on Amazon and other digital book self-publishing services (Kobo for example).

    And I've discovered some amazing things…

    Self-publishing changed everything

    Let's face it, the real revolution Amazon has brought to the world of reading isn't really the Kindle.

    Introduced 10 years ago with a flurry of press releases and marketing efforts, Amazon's first e-reader was a passable reading device at best.

    But the arrival at the same time (November 2007) of the KDP – Kindle Direct Publishing – system really changed the world of publishing, reading and authors.

    The idea behind this service is to allow anyone to offer their text for sale in digital format on the Amazon website. In less than 48 hours, your novel, short story or essay is available worldwide.

    Anyone with access to Amazon can buy, download and start reading.

    And, as a thank you, Amazon pays the author 70% of the money raised by the sale of the ebook.

    What Amazon perhaps hadn't anticipated, however, was the exploitation and even abuse of this system by a whole horde of specialized authors with strong marketing skills.

    These authors then used KDP to generate millions of dollars by selling texts of sometimes dubious quality – like the famous "Dinosaur Erotica" genre (yes, it exists!) which earned Christie Sims tens of thousands of dollars…

    It only took a few years for the first millionaires to appear

    What really surprised me was that, yes, authors have become millionaires by publishing their books, without a publisher, on Amazon.

    This is the case, for example, of Amanda Hocking, who decided in 2010 to place her first novel on the Amazon platform.

    Amanda Hocking

    In just 18 months, she has sold over a million copies of her books, making her the first self-published millionaire on the Internet. Yet most people don't even know her name.

    An article in The Guardian newspaper tells this incredible story in 2012 (read here).

    In the end, she earned around 2 million euros in just 20 months. An income that would make any professional author dream, so for an amateur it's even more extraordinary.

    Since then, Amanda Hocking has been translated all over the world, including into French by a major publisher, and her books are still on Amazon.

    A few days ago, the BBC website ran an article announcing that independent authors working in the romance genre have seen their incomes rise. Many of them now earn more than $100,000 a year…

    My investigation could have ended there. But there's been a lot of water under the bridge since 2012, and I wanted to find out more…

    KBoards.com: the eye of the storm

    My research quickly led me to a forum of English-speaking authors under the domain name kboards.com.

    Originally, it was a forum for users of Kindle e-readers, apps and Fire tablets.

    But it's also home to many freelance writers who seek and share advice, tips and sometimes even complete and elaborate strategies on how to make a fortune with Kindle ebooks.

    For, on Kboards forums, participants are rarely looking for advice on how to write a masterpiece capable of changing the world or making female readers cry. What they're really looking for is a miracle recipe for making money.

    Let's take a classic forum example. A user boasts that he has published two books and, in just three months, has enough money to quit his job and live off the money earned from sales.

    kboards ebook strategy

    Of course, he writes a trendy genre "NA Romance" which is "New Adult Romance". I'll come back to this later…

    There's also the example of the man who earns around 300,000 dollars a year selling his ebooks:

    300000 dollars selling ebooks

    Or the author who explains that his book sales exploded in just a few months:

    ebook sales kboard

    So it's not always clear whether all this is bogus or not…

    But examples like these are plentiful, and the forum is full of topics on how to sell your books.

    Tactics for selling more ebooks

    To sell more and make a lot of money, some people directly suggest using Facebook advertising to promote books.

    Complex strategies are then implemented. For example, if you have a series of 3 books, you make the first one free for a while, then create a "bundle" (i.e. a single ebook grouping together the three volumes) which will be sold at a friendly price. Fingers crossed, of course.

    fantasy book bundle

    Next, we promote the discount – or the free book – on blogs, newsletters and so on.

    You can also advertise directly on Amazon to promote your books.

    By investing a little money, you can even get downloads that will propel your ebooks into the bestseller category for a while.

    But above all, you ask your friends and family, and your "fans", to write a review on the book's Amazon page.

    After all, ratings, comments and reviews are a major concern for independent authors who publish on Amazon.

    As soon as the system was set up in 2007, two things were discovered:

    1. the rating and number of reviews is very important: the higher the rating and the number of reviews, the better the book's sales, and the higher its ranking in the bestseller list, which gives it greater visibility
    2. the book's cover is also a major factor in sales: unsurprisingly, a good cover will attract readers.

    All these recipes and tips have been passed on from post to post, topic to topic and user to user for years.

    So it's impossible to escape these tips if you spend some time reading and participating on the forum.

    This is where a second category of users comes into play: those who sell shovels.

    Shovel sellers

    Clearly, publishing ebooks on Kindle is like a gold rush.

    Topics on the Kboards forum don't always have much to do with writing.

    topic list on kboards forum

    If there are whispers that a particular genre is selling a lot, we immediately start writing a short story to "test the market" (30 pages is usually enough).

    If it catches on, we'll launch the writing of a saga in 3 to 12 volumes of novellas (60 to 100 pages) or novels (150 pages or more) on the theme to take advantage of the windfall. Because, yes, you read that right, the recipe for success is to write large series or, more often, trilogies.

    The independent author must therefore quickly become an analyst and editor capable of unearthing the latest trends to ride the wave before it's too late…

    But, as with every gold rush, there are also those who sell the shovels. And there are plenty of them in the world of self-publishing.

    First and foremost, there are the graphic designers, who regularly remind us via incessant promotions on Kboards that this really is the right time to buy their illustrations at knock-down prices.

    These visuals will work wonders to sell your books in various categories:

    ebook covers that are selling a lot

    And then there's the site that makes indie authors dream: BookBubs.

    This site, which may not mean anything to you, allows you to distribute promotional offers to readers/buyers. Provided the site accepts your ebooks, of course. And for that, nothing beats a nice cover…

    I've also found softwares that allows authors to carry out comprehensive marketing studies on ebooks.

    If an author wants to write a romance book about pandas (why not, after all), then he or she can use a software to get information on which categories sell best, get an estimate of sales figures and even an overview of how difficult it is to sell a book in this market.

    So, by using this software, you may realize that vampires are out of fashion, but zombies still sell (and therefore make money).

    And why not turn your futuristic action thriller (because you're a Crichton fan) into a romance if that sells more? Don't laugh: on KBoards, some people really do ask themselves this question.

    Finally, there are the inevitable proofreaders.

    And, let's face it, this is often a necessary service for indie authors used to releasing several books a year in different genres.

    Many of these proofreaders haunt the KBoards forums to offer their services – always with a 20% discount because it's winter, or the new year, or spring, or the summer vacations!

    Methods for making a fortune

    But the must in the career of a millionaire amateur writer is to become a coach to explain to other authors that yes, it's possible, you can do it too. And thus earn even more money.

    I've found this to be a fairly regular occurrence, but I'd like to focus on the case of JF Penn. This lady is a best-selling author of supernatural thrillers on Amazon who has suddenly decided to dispense her good advice.

    Joanna Penn

    But she uses another name, Joanna Penn, to sell books that explain how to make lots of money by selling lots of books.

    Why does a successful fiction writer embark on a career as a coach to explain to others how to be successful too? Is being a writer not enough anymore?

    To be honest, I don't have a ready-made answer to this question. But I do have a few hypotheses.

    Studying the well-oiled marketing of the JF/Joanna Penn books (you can download some of them for free on Amazon), I've noticed that every free book supposedly explaining how to write better is a foretaste of a paying book.

    The pattern seen on KBoards forums (and you can check Reddit too for marketing) remains the same: a good proportion of authors are trying to identify which literary "niche" will enable them to make a fortune.

    If a few decide that "advice for authors" is the right niche, we're going to see a lot of books on the subject.

    That's probably why there are so many ebooks on how to write a good book, how to manage a detective story or, more crudely, how to write a book to make it a bestseller.

    Yes, there's a lot of money to be made with ebooks

    make millions selling ebooks

    After many hours of me, too, haunting the discussion forums on the subject, I think there are many authors who make a good living from indie ebook publishing.

    There are even a few millionaires, that's for sure. We've seen some of them in the press, and others have been spotted and published by mainstream publishers.

    But there are also some who are too busy writing and who rarely, if ever, visit online forums.

    Somehow, I have the amusing impression of witnessing, first-hand, the lives of pulp writers and other pulp fiction writers of yesteryear.

    With the Kindle generation, authors publish their manuscripts directly on the Internet and sell them (or not) without anyone's help.

    The fastest, smartest and most assiduous even manage to publish a novel a quarter to support themselves and their families.

    But let's make no mistake: for every millionaire, how many authors won't earn more than $100 a year?

    If you are looking for the best ereader, you can read this article.

  • How do e-readers work?

    e-readers from different brands

    Today’s ebook reader is a real alternative to the good old paper book. But how does an e-reader work?

    How do e-readers work?

    If you don’t really know what an e-reader is, you should know that it’s an electronic device that lets you read digital books – also known as "ebooks".

    Its operation can be compared to that of a smartphone or tablet, but with a few peculiarities that we’ll look at together.

    An e-reader is essentially made up of 3 components:

    1. a small computer
    2. an e-ink screen (touch-sensitive and illuminated)
    3. software

    This is a rather crude simplification, but it will help you understand how a reading device works.

    Its main advantage over any other device that displays an electronic book (ebook) is its e-ink screen.

    The way e-ink works makes reading far more comfortable than reading on a computer, smartphone or tablet.

    This is because, unlike a conventional touch screen, the e-ink screen has no powerful light underneath. What’s more, when the screen is switched off, it continues to display text, which also consumes less energy.

    Here’s a diagram showing this style of screen:

    differences between e-reader and tablet screen

    On the e-reader screen, light is reflected before reaching the eye, which is not the case with the tablet and its "backlit" screen.

    Now, here’s what happens on a e-reader when you open an ebook:

    1. the e-reader software fetches the digital file from the e-reader’s memory,
    2. the software will read the file and load its contents into its memory,
    3. the software processes the text before displaying it (this is when text size, font, margins, etc. are applied),
    4. the software displays the ebook text on the page

    How do I use a e-reader?

    kindle e-reader

    E-readers have a very limited number of buttons, so they’re very easy to use.

    The device contains a battery and must be charged regularly (every 3 to 4 weeks if you read an average of 1h30 a day).

    To use your e-reader, simply switch it on. Then you have access to a home screen that lets you do a number of things: open a book, buy a book, access your book library and manage your e-reader’s settings.

    Each e-reader brand offers different software, but 90% of features are common to the Kindle, Kobo and Pocketbook brands.

    You can take a look at our e-reader reviews to get an idea of the differences between the brands.

    How do I buy books for an e-reader?

    To buy books for an e-reader, you need to access the bookshop.

    The good news is that all e-readers have a digital bookshop that can be accessed directly from the device’s home screen, provided the device is connected to the Internet.

    You can connect your e-reader to your WiFi network.

    So you can buy a book directly from the e-reader, then download it (in under 2 minutes!) and start reading from the comfort of your living room!

    How do I download a free book onto my e-reader?

    More good news: not all books have to be paid for, and you can download free books onto your e-reader.

    You have two options:

    1. search for free books on the bookshop directly on your e-reader and download them
    2. search and download free books from other sites and load them onto your e-reader later (here’s a list of sites where you can download free books).

    Which is the best e-reader?

    Kindle e-reader

    For some years now, Kindle, Kobo and Pocketbook have all been offering good e-readers.

    The best e-reader is the one that best suits your needs:

    1. a large-screen e-reader,
    2. a smaller e-reader that’s easy to carry,
    3. a e-reader with a color screen,
    4. a waterproof e-reader,
    5. e-reader services from popular brands : Kindle, Kobo and Pocketbook
    6. etc.

    You can read all our e-readers reviews on this page.

  • Thousands of free comic books to download

    Daredevil old comicbook from the golden age

    The Digital Comic Museum features thousands of free downloadable American comics from the early days of the medium through to the 1950s.

    On this website, you’ll find many copies of the popular comics of the time.

    These comics cover a wide range of themes. There’s a bit of everything, from westerns and horror to fantasy and – of course – superheroes, some of them very famous.

    This selection is made up of titles from what is considered "the golden age of American comics".

    It was in 1933 that Max Gaines brought out the first comic book in the format we now call "Comics". Success came quickly, and what is considered the Golden Age lasted from 1938 (appearance of Superman) to 1955.

    Sales soared with publications centered around super-powered heroes like Superman.

    Success was also amplified by the Second World War, which created anxiety and a need for exemplary patriotic figures. For example, in the first issue of Daredevil, the superhero thwarts Hitler’s plans (no less!).

    But in the early ’50s, a campaign of criticism against the violence of the publications and a sharp drop in sales meant that many publishers went out of business in 1955.

    On this site, you can read a large number of English-language comics from this period, free of charge. You’ll only find works that are now in the public domain in the U.S. (for France, I don’t know).

    The archives are stored in the form of "scans" of the original comics. They are therefore in English and free of charge. They can be read online or downloaded. (You’ll need to register to access them, though, as registration is free).

    It’s an excellent initiative for those wishing to familiarize themselves with the history of American comics.

    You can visit the site here: Digital Comic Museum.

    Comics can be downloaded in CBR, CBZ and PDF formats, depending on the title.

    If you want to read CRB or CBZ files on your Kindle e-reader you can read this article : how to read CBR and CBZ on Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite.

  • How to transfer epub and import epub ebook to a Kobo e-reader?

    how to transfer ebook epub to kobo ereader

    Kobo e-readers are widely distributed in American stores and on the Internet. For many people, using a e-reader is easy, but for the rest of us, this tutorial will help you transfer your ebooks in EPUB format onto your Kobo e-reader.

    It works for non-protected epub files and non-protected PDF files.

    This article was written using the Kobo Nia e-reader. It works in the same way for all Kobo e-readers, from the newest to the oldest, (Kobo Clara 2E, Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Sage, Kobo Elipsa 2E).

    Download a digital book (ebook epub file)

    The first thing to do is download a book.

    The easiest way to do this is to create a Kobo account to access the bookshop on your e-reader.

    To do this, you need to connect your e-reader to your WiFi network (this procedure is simple and can be carried out from the e-reader's settings).

    But you can also download digital books (ebooks) in EPUB format from a number of sites. This article will help you find free EPUB to download.

    I often go to Gutenberg.org to download books. For this example, I'm going to download a book by Herman Melville (in EPUB format):

    Moby Dick ebook Gutenberg

    The file is then saved in a folder on my computer, in the Downloads folder (this may be different for you).

    Now it's time to transfer the ePub to your Kobo e-reader.

    Connecting your Kobo e-reader to your computer

    The first step is to connect your Kobo e-reader to your computer. To do this, use a micro-USB cable (if possible, the one supplied with the e-reader and which you use to recharge the machine).

    Plug in the e-reader on one end and connect it to a free USB port on your Windows, Mac or Linux computer.

    If all goes well, a message will appear on the e-reader asking you if you want to connect the e-reader to your computer:

    Connect kobo ereader to usb to transfer ebook

    Click on the "Connect" button

    You must validate this message and the player will confirm that it has understood.

    This message appears if the e-reader is properly connected to your computer.

    Kobo ereader connected to computer

    You can then check that it's working properly on your computer by opening the file explorer and accessing the contents of your kobo e-reader.

    Transfer EPUB file onto your Kobo e-reader by "copy and paste"

    The easiest way to transfer an EPUB to your Kobo e-reader is to simply copy and paste the EPUB file into your e-reader's folder.

    You can simply copy an ".epub" file to your Kobo e-reader.

    After disconnecting properly (first in Windows and then by removing the cable), you'll see your book appear in the library.

    The book is on your Kobo e-reader.

    ebook on kobo ereader library

    If this doesn't work, there's probably a problem with your ebook format. But don't panic. Just keep reading: a second solution is provided, and it works almost 100% of the time.

    Transfer EPUB file onto your Kobo device with Calibre software

    Calibre ebook management software

    If you're starting to have a few dozen books, it makes sense to use software to organize your ebook (EPUB and other, like PDF) library on your computer.

    The most comprehensive software is called Calibre, and it has the advantage of being free. You can download it here: https://calibre-ebook.com/fr/download.

    You can read the full introduction to Calibre software here.

    To add an ebook to Calibre, simply drag and drop the file into the software window, and the ebook will be saved in your digital library.

    You can see the file just added to Calibre.

    Next, of course, you need to connect your Kobo e-reader to your computer. I'll refer you a little further up the article to find out how to do this.

    To finally transfer the ePub to your e-reader, all you have to do is click on the "send to device" button in the Calibre software and wait a minute.

    The button to use to send a digital book to your Kobo e-reader.

    After disconnecting properly (first in Windows and then by removing the cable), you'll see your book appear in the library.

    Transfer a Kindle ebook to a Kobo e-reader

    There's a special and more complex case to mention here: how do you transfer a Kindle ebook to a Kobo e-reader?

    This point is complicated by the fact that both Kindle and Kobo readers use different systems with different files (Epub for Kobo and MOBI/AZW for Kindle).

    It will therefore be necessary to go through a conversion stage and you can also do it with Calibre software.

    You will also need to remove DRM from the ebook.

    Are Kobo e-readers compatible with EPUB?

    Yes, all Kobo e-readers are compatible with the EPUB ebook file format.

    If you are looking for a good e-reader you can read this guide.

    Add PDF file onto your Kobo

    You can follow the sames steps to transfert a PDF file onto your Kobo device.

  • Calibre Made Easy: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners [2025 TUTORIAL]

    calibre ebook software

    I recently dove into the world of managing my eBook library and discovered a fantastic open-source software called Calibre.

    (more…)
  • CBR and CBZ to Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite

    cbr on kindle paperwhite

    Kindle e-readers are not compatible by default with CBR and CBZ files, but there are solutions that allow these files to be read on the Kindle.

    (more…)
  • What are CBR and CBZ files?

    cbr and cbz files

    We sometimes come across files with extensions ending in ".cbr" or ".cbz" . But what are these files, sometimes used to store comics and mangas?

    What is a CBR file?

    The CBR (Comic Book RAR) file is a format often used to store and read digital comics and manga.

    It’s an archive format that contains all the pages of a book in a single file.

    To facilitate its exchange on the Internet, pages and images are compressed using the RAR) file format to reduce their size in MB (also known as the "weight" of a file).

    What is a CBZ file?

    The CBZ (Comic Book Zip) file is also a digital exchange format for comics and mangas.

    As with CBR, all the pages and information in the document are grouped together in a single file.

    Pages and images are compressed using the Zip) system to reduce their size in MB (also known as the "weight" of a file).

    How do the CBR and CBZ files work?

    How CBR files work :

    • CBR files use the RAR compression format to compress images and assemble them into an archive.
    • Comic strip images are generally stored in the archive as sequentially numbered image files, such as page001.jpg, page002.jpg, etc.
    • To access the contents of the CBR archive, you need RAR-compatible decompression software, such as WinRAR, 7-Zip, or specific comic book readers.

    How CBZ files work :

    • CBZ files use the ZIP compression format to compress images and assemble them into an archive.
    • Like CBR files, comic strip images are stored in the archive as sequentially numbered image files.
    • To access the contents of a CBZ file, you can use common decompression software, such as WinRAR, 7-Zip, or specific comic book readers.

    Advantages of CBR and CBZ files

    These formats offer a number of advantages over PDF or Epub files:

    • Compression: CBR and CBZ files use compression algorithms to reduce file size, enabling multiple comic pages to be stored in a single compact file.
    • Organization: CBR and CBZ files allow comic pages to be organized sequentially, simplifying reading and navigation through the various pages.
    • Portability: CBR and CBZ files are widely supported by many comic-reading software programs on different platforms, such as computers, tablets and smartphones.

    Disadvantages of CBR and CBZ files

    This file type also has its drawbacks, which are worth noting:

    • Static content: CBR and CBZ files contain still images of comic book pages, which means they don’t allow for interaction or animation like some other forms of digital media.
    • Image quality: Image quality depends on the resolution of the original images used to create the CBR or CBZ file. If the original images are of low resolution, this may affect display quality.
    • Limited editing: CBR and CBZ files are generally used for reading and storing comics, but are not ideal for editing or modifying content.

    CBR and CBZ files are therefore useful for exchanging and reading digital comics.

    **They enable comics fans to store and easily access a wide range of comics, graphic novels and mangas.

    Today, it’s mainly an exchange format, since book publishers prefer to use EPUB or PDF files, which are easier to protect from copying.**

  • Kindle Battery Draining Faster Than You Can Read? 6 Tricks to Make Your Battery Last!

    battery kindle

    E-readers are electronic devices like any other. Occasionally, problems arise and you need to do a few things before you can use your e-reader again. Such is the case with the discharged battery problem on a Kindle.

    The problem may manifest itself in different ways:

    • Your e-reader may not start due to a lack of battery power (it's as if it's stuck on battery screen).
    • Your e-reader won't charge
    • Your e-reader won't hold a charge
    • Kindle only showing a battery with an exclamation mark

    There could be several reasons why your Kindle battery is draining quickly even when you don't use it (in sleep mode).

    > TLDR: By following these steps, you can help maximize the battery life of your Kindle e-reader: > > Adjust the display brightness to a lower level. > Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data when not needed. > Choose a longer interval for page refreshes. > Keep your Kindle's software up to date. > * Restart your Kindle.

    Here are some possible causes and steps you can make your Kindle battery life last longer:

    fix kindle battery
    1. Display brightness: The display is one of the main power consumers. Lowering the brightness level can significantly extend the battery life. You can adjust the brightness settings in the Kindle's settings menu.
    1. WiFi and 3G connectivity: If your Kindle is constantly connected to WiFi or a cellular network, it uses more power to maintain the connection. Turning off wireless connectivity when not needed can help conserve battery life. You can do this by going to the Kindle's settings menu and disabling WiFi or mobile data if you have a 3G Kindle Paperwhite or Oasis. This is the most important point if your kindle battery drains when not in use.
    1. Page refresh rate: Kindle e-readers use an E Ink display (electronic paper screen), which only consumes power when the page is refreshed. If your Kindle is set to refresh too frequently, it can drain the battery faster. You can adjust the page refresh rate in the settings menu. Choosing a longer interval between page refreshes can help boost battery life.
    1. Indexing: After adding new content to your Kindle or performing a software update, it may take some time for the device to index the content. During this indexing process, the battery consumption can be higher. I advise you to transfer only a few books and not hundreds of ebooks on your e-reader.
    1. Battery age and condition: Over time, the battery of your Kindle ereader may degrade, resulting in reduced battery life. If your device is older or you've noticed a significant decline in battery performance, it might be time to consider replacing the battery. It is a difficult process and not cost efficient, so it might be a better deal to buy a new Kindle e-reader.
    1. Software updates: Keeping your Kindle's software up to date can help optimize battery performance. New software updates often include improvements and bug fixes that can address battery-related issues. Make sure your Kindle is running the latest available software version. If you update the software, don't forget to turn off Wifi at the end of the process.
    1. Bugs (BONUS TIP) : you can reboot your Kindle a few time a year. A fresh start can correct bugs that might make your Kindle losing charge battery even when not in use.

    By implementing these tips, you should be able to extend the battery life of your Kindle. I did only with the Wifi trick!

    This apply to all Kindle e-readers.

    <iframe width="1897" height="751" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zGtgf7pK3bY" title="E-reader Battery Life TIPS : how to improve the battery life of your ereader ?" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

    Note : If you're still experiencing excessive battery drain, it's advisable to contact Kindle customer support for further help: kindle official help center

    e-reader empty battery pictures
  • E-ink Spectra 6: Where Did the Most Advanced Color E-Ink Screen Go?

    E Ink Spectra 6 color e ink screen display

    E-ink supplies electronic ink screens to all e-reader manufacturers (including Kobo, Kindle, and Pocketbook). For several years, they've been showcasing a brand new type of color screen: the Spectra 6. Unfortunately, despite being announced years ago, this technology is still not available!

    This new "color electronic paper" technology is based on the use of 6 colors which are then combined to produce the correct shades of color needed.

    The screens presented at various trade shows have a diagonal of 25.3 inches with a resolution of 3200 x 1800 pixels for 145 PPI. However, these screens can reach a definition of up to 200 PPI.

    According to the photographs and videos that can be seen on the web, Spectra 6 screens are impressive! They are clearly the most advanced when it comes to displaying vibrant colors with a contrast that allows them to be easily mistaken for a paper print.

    E Ink Spectra 6 color e ink screen display

    It's truly a revolution that nevertheless has a major flaw: it currently takes 12 seconds to completely refresh the screen and display a different photograph!

    This is completely unacceptable for an e-reader, which needs to refresh the screen much faster for a good reading experience.

    These E-ink Spectra 6 color electronic ink screens are therefore currently reserved for display and signage. They can be used as signage in shopping malls or for displaying promotional offers in stores – for example.

    E Ink Spectra 6 color e ink screen display

    Despite this significant limitation, the images we can see are truly fascinating and provide a good overview of what e-readers could become in the coming years.

    With a refresh rate that drops to less than 2 seconds, I think many of us would adopt an e-reader with a Spectra screen as a reading device for novels and comics.

    The previous generation of Spectra color signage screens from E Ink required about 30 seconds to refresh. Unfortunately, it took the company and its engineers years to successfully halve that time!

    Spectra 6 screens were scheduled to be delivered as early as 2024. But, in mid-2025, these screens are still only seen very rarely and are far from being available in large quantities. They may not even be truly available for electronic device manufacturers…

    Furthermore, the official E Ink website has not even been updated this year regarding the availability of these screens:

    E Ink Spectra 6 color e ink screen display

    See the E-ink website: https://www.eink.com/brand/detail/Spectra6

    For people who want to see what it could look like, here's an interesting video that gives a better idea of the quality of the color display:

    <iframe width="842" height="474" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JjBagyWLLMQ" title="E Ink Booth Tour at Display Week 2023 shows Spectra6: The Most Advanced Color E-Paper, Note, Display" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

    With a beautiful display close to a print, this technology seems far more convincing than the Kaleido 3 screens found in current color e-readers.

    But, t seems that Spectra 6 technology is struggling to develop. Is it due to the manufacturing cost or because the technology is not yet ready?

  • Which e-reader to choose for your summer vacation in 2024?

    best e-readers for summer vacations

    With summer just around the corner, it’s time to think about relaxing. And what could be better than reading a good book while sunbathing? That’s why it’s a good idea to turn to a reading device. Let’s find out why.

    > TLDR: chose a Kindle e-reader if you want the cheapest or a Kindle Paperwhite or Kobo Libra Colour for a very good waterproof e-reader.

    Why an e-reader for vacations?

    reading book on summer vacations

    Has this ever happened to you?

    You buy a few books for the vacations in the hope of having a good time.

    You put 3 or 4 paperback novels in your bag and realize that they’re already taking up a bit of space.

    That’s okay, you probably won’t have time to read that many books. So you sort them out and decide to leave with just two books.

    Once there, you start reading on the second day.

    Unfortunately, the first book isn’t very exciting: the detective story isn’t very original…

    The second book is a sure bet: a new book by an author you already know and love.

    You’ve not deceived us, the book is overwhelming and you’ll get through it in just 3 days.

    But now you’ve got nothing left to read, and your nearest tobacconist’s has a very limited selection of books.

    If you recognize yourself in these few lines, you know that a e-reader is undoubtedly a good buy for the vacations.

    With an e-reader, you’ll be able to :

    • save space in your bag
    • download new digital books (ebooks) directly from the Internet
    • always have something to read
    • In short, like many readers, I think the e-reader is a really good reading device that makes sense when you’re traveling.

    So let’s take a look at which e-reader is particularly suited to vacations.

    A really cheap e-reader: the Kindle

    Kindle e-reader

    Let’s face it, when buying a reading device, price is everything.

    Fortunately for those on a tight budget, Amazon is offering a new Kindle e-reader at the low price of $99.99 that makes reading easy and stress-free with its touch-sensitive, illuminated screen.

    Downloading books on the beach will be complicated. But the e-reader has a WiFi connection.

    So you can always find free Wifi access on the road or use your smartphone as a Wifi access point (it works on Android and iPhone).

    I think this e-reader is a really good first approach to digital reading, with its great value for money.

    It’s the least expensive e-reader in this selection.

    A waterproof e-reader to take anywhere (Kobo Libra Colour and Kindle Paperwhite)

    If there’s one problem with summer holidays, it’s water and sand. And in winter, it’s snow and rain.

    Once again, some e-reader manufacturers have thought of our demanding readers by offering waterproof e-readers.

    There are two interesting models to choose from.

    Kobo Libra Colour

    The first is the Kobo Libra Colour, a waterproof e-reader with a large, electronic ink color, 7-inch touchscreen.

    It’s a slightly luxurious e-reader that will follow you everywhere, while still offering great comfort at home with its large screen. Luckily, the price makes it the least expensive color high-end e-reader.

    The second e-reader has a gentler price tag, and it’s still a Kindle. It’s the latest-generation Kindle Paperwhite.

    Kindle Paperwhite

    It’s a waterproof machine with a 6.8-inch e-ink screen, touch-sensitive and illuminated in high definition.

    Here are some links to find out more about these two waterproof e-readers:

    This Kindle Paperwhite has the advantage of being the least expensive waterproof e-reader available in 2023.

    If you’re looking for a great e-reader at an affordable price, this is undoubtedly an excellent choice.