How important to you is having WiFi in an E-reader device?

librico · Today, 01:09 PM

Hi all,

I'm developing an e-reader device, which I hope I can get done by the end of this year, maybe to sell it and promote it for the next year.

I know it sounds like self-promotion, but I genuinely have something to ask you.

How important to you is having WiFi in an E-reader device? I made a poll but I would like to read some comments from you. And how do you use it? The PocketBook Verse I use has WiFi but personally I only use this device to read EPUB books I load via USB. No WiFi usage basically.

The SoC I chose doesn't integrate WiFi support on it, so I need an external module for it, but I don't find any within the price range in the distributor I'm using. Choosing a different SoC isn't an option. My preference is to add WiFi, but I have to evaluate my options.

Regards.

Sirtel · Today, 02:44 PM

For me it's not important, I sideload everything from calibre via USB. But I suspect I'm in the minority with this.

DiapDealer · Today, 02:59 PM

A reading device that I can't shop, buy, download and start reading on is useless to me.

But then I suspect you're referring to dedicated e-reading devices which are also useless to me.

John F · Today, 03:41 PM

Depends. I don't use wifi for purchasing, syncing. But I would like it for other stuff: updates, dictionaries, maybe dropbox, ...

DJUNGELSKOG · Today, 03:45 PM

I send .acsm files to my Pocketbook and it’s much easier than dealing with ADE. On top of that I’m a happy Kobo Plus customer. But if I sideloaded everything then I would have perceived the lack of WiFi as a benefit (no WiFi -> no phoning home).

JSWolf · Today, 03:49 PM

I don't use WiFi all that much. The last time I used WiFi was when I updated KOReader on my Kobo Aura H2O. That was before the Kobo Libra 2 was released. So I've not used WiFi for at least 5 years.

If having WiFi is not going to increase the cost much, then go ahead. I think there will be others who will want WiFi. Now Bluetooth is also something I see others wanting for thins like a mouse, keyboard, buttons, and audio. So you'll want Bluetooth as well.

When you design this Reader, pick a processer that's fast and highly efficient when it goes to sleep. And also use a battery that has a lot of power. Also, if you plan on selling this in the EU, you'll need to make the battery able to be replaced without too much hassle.

And one other thing, NO COLOR!

maddz · Today, 03:59 PM

I sideload all the time. WiFi has it's uses, but it's a battery drain so I have it off on my Kobo, only switching it on when downloading firmware (as Kobo desktop is deprecated).

Loosheesh · Today, 04:36 PM

Wi-Fi is really important to me; I stopped sideloading over 5 years now.

DNSB · Today, 04:41 PM

For me, WiFi is important for updating reading stats, downloading books, getting Instapaper items, using Google Drive and Dropbox, dictionary updates, getting firmware updates since most of the updates I install are not available any other way, syncing library books, purchasing the occasional book, etc. I do use USB for quite a bit of sideloading, metadata updates, etc.

theducks · Today, 05:42 PM

I chose the middle.
WiFi is a backup for a flaky USB, but is rarely used. (The jack on my EasyReader failed, but I did get it so I could charge. It had an external SDcard. Speaking of external:

I had a USBC to USB adapter and My Kobo could see the files on the Pen Drive I plugged in.
I would really prefer Bluetooth file transfer (a personal area connection. No phoning home)

View Poll Results: How important to you is having WiFi in an E-reader device?
Really important (core feature)	7	50.00%
Somewhat importat (I use it but it's optional)	4	28.57%
Not important (Never use it)	3	21.43%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll

Today, 01:09 PM	#1
librico Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2026 Location: Europe Device: PocketBook Verse	How important to you is having WiFi in an E-reader device? Hi all, I'm developing an e-reader device, which I hope I can get done by the end of this year, maybe to sell it and promote it for the next year. I know it sounds like self-promotion, but I genuinely have something to ask you. How important to you is having WiFi in an E-reader device? I made a poll but I would like to read some comments from you. And how do you use it? The PocketBook Verse I use has WiFi but personally I only use this device to read EPUB books I load via USB. No WiFi usage basically. The SoC I chose doesn't integrate WiFi support on it, so I need an external module for it, but I don't find any within the price range in the distributor I'm using. Choosing a different SoC isn't an option. My preference is to add WiFi, but I have to evaluate my options. Regards. Last edited by librico; Today at 01:13 PM.

Today, 04:41 PM	#9
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 54,335 Karma: 182161621 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	For me, WiFi is important for updating reading stats, downloading books, getting Instapaper items, using Google Drive and Dropbox, dictionary updates, getting firmware updates since most of the updates I install are not available any other way, syncing library books, purchasing the occasional book, etc. I do use USB for quite a bit of sideloading, metadata updates, etc. Last edited by DNSB; Today at 04:43 PM.

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Today, 02:44 PM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 15,688 Karma: 250801379 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	For me it's not important, I sideload everything from calibre via USB. But I suspect I'm in the minority with this.

Today, 02:59 PM	#3
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 29,724 Karma: 212474403 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	A reading device that I can't shop, buy, download and start reading on is useless to me. But then I suspect you're referring to dedicated e-reading devices which are also useless to me.

Today, 03:41 PM	#4
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,306 Karma: 72602129 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	Depends. I don't use wifi for purchasing, syncing. But I would like it for other stuff: updates, dictionaries, maybe dropbox, ...

Today, 03:45 PM	#5
DJUNGELSKOG Groupie Posts: 195 Karma: 1162312 Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Belgium / Vlaanderen Device: Kobo Libra 2 + Vivlio Light HD + (ancient) iPad Pro	I send .acsm files to my Pocketbook and it’s much easier than dealing with ADE. On top of that I’m a happy Kobo Plus customer. But if I sideloaded everything then I would have perceived the lack of WiFi as a benefit (no WiFi -> no phoning home).

Today, 03:49 PM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 84,828 Karma: 153788249 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I don't use WiFi all that much. The last time I used WiFi was when I updated KOReader on my Kobo Aura H2O. That was before the Kobo Libra 2 was released. So I've not used WiFi for at least 5 years. If having WiFi is not going to increase the cost much, then go ahead. I think there will be others who will want WiFi. Now Bluetooth is also something I see others wanting for thins like a mouse, keyboard, buttons, and audio. So you'll want Bluetooth as well. When you design this Reader, pick a processer that's fast and highly efficient when it goes to sleep. And also use a battery that has a lot of power. Also, if you plan on selling this in the EU, you'll need to make the battery able to be replaced without too much hassle. And one other thing, NO COLOR!

Today, 03:59 PM	#7
maddz Wizard Posts: 1,610 Karma: 30496938 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: UK Device: Kobo Forma, Icarus, iPad Mini 2, Kobo Touch, Google Nexus 7	I sideload all the time. WiFi has it's uses, but it's a battery drain so I have it off on my Kobo, only switching it on when downloading firmware (as Kobo desktop is deprecated).

Today, 04:36 PM	#8
Loosheesh Wizard Posts: 1,790 Karma: 3253179 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Jianghu Device: PW5, iPhone 13 Pro, iPad Pro 2021, iPad Air 2025	Wi-Fi is really important to me; I stopped sideloading over 5 years now.

Today, 05:42 PM	#10
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,950 Karma: 64187770 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	I chose the middle. WiFi is a backup for a flaky USB, but is rarely used. (The jack on my EasyReader failed, but I did get it so I could charge. It had an external SDcard. Speaking of external: I had a USBC to USB adapter and My Kobo could see the files on the Pen Drive I plugged in. I would really prefer Bluetooth file transfer (a personal area connection. No phoning home)

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