8" eReader device? - Page 3

JSWolf · 01-13-2026, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nana77

Sorry, I was to mean the Kobo Desktop App isn't.

I too have never used the Kobo Desktop app. You don't actually need it. calibre will do very well to help manage your Kobo.

kandwo · 01-14-2026, 02:30 AM

Sadly, 8" doesn't seem to be a priority on the Western market. Most models are old and use Carta 1000.

It's odd that Onyx Boox seems to release better products on the Chinese market. And they also recently released Boox Kon-tiki 5 (an 8" reader with Carta 1300 - basically the Nova series without the wacom layer) on the Russian market. As far as I know, the Kon-tiki is very popular over there. As is the Kant - a cheaper version of the Palma, which is what many people have asked for here. But for whatever reason Onyx Boox doesn't seem to want to offer that kind of products themselves.

nana77 · 01-14-2026, 06:16 AM

@Sirtel, @Quoth, @JSWolf: thanks, I was given for granted it was required, sorry. Also discovered that I can just download a book from the Kobo Store (before I searched for sideloading and it seemed to me that wasn't all that clean and clear as process, also discovered that the Kobo Desktop App ins't for newest devices and now it isn't available in Europe, too). So pardon again.

Ps: I guess we might see on CES 2026 what news there will come for e-inks.

JSWolf · 01-14-2026, 06:31 AM

I've neat read a single thing on eInk Readers from CES 2026.

DNSB · 01-14-2026, 02:13 PM

Just as an item of interest, one friend of my son built himself a Linux based 8" ereader. It involves an 8" Gallery 3 display, an eInk driver board and a Raspberry Pi 5. The total cost was kind of high but it works quite well. It is still definitely a work in progress since the touch input and light control are glitchy but it does work to display text/images.

cfrizz · Yesterday, 07:57 PM

I think the popularity of color ereaders is simply because we see in color! So, it stands to reason we also want to read in color.

Therefore, more people are reading on phones, tablets, computers etc. I do the majority of my reading on my phone, when I'm home if my back is feeling good, I will read on my pc.

As for 8 inch readers, I think that would really be awkward to hold. Most people like 6 -7-inch readers plus the bigger they get the heavier they get.

I think that there will always be a market for e-ink readers but it will be a niche market.

JSWolf · Yesterday, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfrizz

I think the popularity of color ereaders is simply because we see in color! So, it stands to reason we also want to read in color.

Therefore, more people are reading on phones, tablets, computers etc. I do the majority of my reading on my phone, when I'm home if my back is feeling good, I will read on my pc.

As for 8 inch readers, I think that would really be awkward to hold. Most people like 6 -7-inch readers plus the bigger they get the heavier they get.

I think that there will always be a market for e-ink readers but it will be a niche market.

The text I read is black. So why do I need a color eInk screen?

Sirtel · Yesterday, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfrizz

As for 8 inch readers, I think that would really be awkward to hold.

Depends. I find my Sage quite comfortable to hold and not awkward at all. YMMV, of course.

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01-14-2026, 02:30 AM	#32
kandwo Fanatic Posts: 505 Karma: 11708254 Join Date: Dec 2020 Device: Boox, Bigme, Hisense, Kobo	Sadly, 8" doesn't seem to be a priority on the Western market. Most models are old and use Carta 1000. It's odd that Onyx Boox seems to release better products on the Chinese market. And they also recently released Boox Kon-tiki 5 (an 8" reader with Carta 1300 - basically the Nova series without the wacom layer) on the Russian market. As far as I know, the Kon-tiki is very popular over there. As is the Kant - a cheaper version of the Palma, which is what many people have asked for here. But for whatever reason Onyx Boox doesn't seem to want to offer that kind of products themselves.

01-14-2026, 06:16 AM	#33
nana77 Wizard Posts: 1,281 Karma: 898412 Join Date: May 2025 Device: Kobo Forma	@Sirtel, @Quoth, @JSWolf: thanks, I was given for granted it was required, sorry. Also discovered that I can just download a book from the Kobo Store (before I searched for sideloading and it seemed to me that wasn't all that clean and clear as process, also discovered that the Kobo Desktop App ins't for newest devices and now it isn't available in Europe, too). So pardon again. Ps: I guess we might see on CES 2026 what news there will come for e-inks.

01-14-2026, 06:31 AM	#34
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 81,589 Karma: 150265991 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I've neat read a single thing on eInk Readers from CES 2026.

01-14-2026, 02:13 PM	#35
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 49,558 Karma: 174632680 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Just as an item of interest, one friend of my son built himself a Linux based 8" ereader. It involves an 8" Gallery 3 display, an eInk driver board and a Raspberry Pi 5. The total cost was kind of high but it works quite well. It is still definitely a work in progress since the touch input and light control are glitchy but it does work to display text/images.

Yesterday, 07:57 PM	#36
cfrizz Wizard Posts: 1,594 Karma: 36747036 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Quincy, MA Device: Samsung 54A, Boox Go 7 B&W, Kobo Libra H2O, Samsung S6 Lite	I think the popularity of color ereaders is simply because we see in color! So, it stands to reason we also want to read in color. Therefore, more people are reading on phones, tablets, computers etc. I do the majority of my reading on my phone, when I'm home if my back is feeling good, I will read on my pc. As for 8 inch readers, I think that would really be awkward to hold. Most people like 6 -7-inch readers plus the bigger they get the heavier they get. I think that there will always be a market for e-ink readers but it will be a niche market.

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