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Open Book Touch is a pocket-sized e-reader built for people who want to read books and tinker with the device itself. It runs on an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, supports EPUB and plain-text books, and is designed for custom firmware and code—not for web browsing, note-taking, or general-purpose tablet use.
What makes Open Book Touch hackable?
Its defining feature is that the hardware and software are intended to be inspectable and modifiable. The campaign describes the firmware as MIT-licensed and says developers can write code for the device using ESP-IDF, FreeRTOS, Arduino, or CircuitPython. SQLite stores library metadata.
The campaign says schematics, board files, enclosure CAD, and source are to be released as units ship to backers. That is a release plan tied to shipping—not confirmation that every design file is already available. See the Open Book Touch campaign page and creator project updates for current details.
This is a microcontroller-based e-reader, not a Linux tablet. Its software is built around focused reading: the creator says it boots directly into reading, and Wi-Fi is intended mainly for book transfer and time synchronization. The device is not presented as having a browser, social feed, or notification system.
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Can you run your own code on it?
That is the point of the project: it is designed to support custom code as well as reading. The campaign names ESP-IDF and FreeRTOS for the firmware and says developers can also use Arduino or CircuitPython. The ESP32-S3 provides Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE, but the campaign does not describe the e-reader as a general-purpose connected computer.
As with any evolving project, check the campaign and its updates for the current state of released source and design files before choosing a development workflow.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How do books get onto it?
Open Book Touch supports EPUB and plain text, with hyphenation, justified text, and inline images listed by the campaign. For wireless transfers, connect the e-reader and a browser to the same Wi-Fi network, then use the browser-based transfer process. The campaign describes this as a way to add books without a cable; it does not describe a store account as necessary for that local transfer.
A microSD slot provides expandable library storage. The campaign does not state a card capacity or speed requirement, so check current compatibility information rather than assuming a particular card specification.
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- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What are the hardware specifications?
| Feature | Campaign specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 4.26-inch e-paper touchscreen, 480 × 800 pixels; approximately 220 ppi |
| Compute and wireless | ESP32-S3 dual-core microcontroller with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE |
| Memory | 16 MB flash and 8 MB PSRAM |
| Storage expansion | microSD slot; supported capacity and speed class not stated |
| Frontlight | Five warm and five cool LEDs, dimmable independently |
| Connections and battery | USB Type-C and user-replaceable LiPo battery |
| Enclosure | 3D-printed; 78 × 120 × 10 mm and approximately 85 g |
These are specifications published by the campaign, not independent test measurements. The display renders normal interaction in one-bit black and white and supports two-bit grayscale with dithering. The campaign says the richer grayscale mode takes several seconds to draw, so it is used for lock-screen artwork rather than routine interaction.
What are its reading limitations?
Refresh speed and animation
The e-paper display refreshes at a reading pace, not at the speed needed for fast animation or games. Its faster one-bit mode is intended for interaction and page turns.
Rank #4
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
PDFs
PDF handling should be treated as an early experiment, not a mature reading feature. In an August 21, 2026 update, creator Joey Castillo called PDF parsing “at the very edge of the ESP32-S3’s capability.” He described it as a tech demo, noting slow parsing, no zoom, and A4 pages that appear very small on the 4.26-inch screen. Read the August 21, 2026 PDF update for that qualification.
Complex Indic scripts
The campaign says complex Indic scripts do not yet shape fully. Firmware can change, so check the latest project notes if support for a particular script is important to you.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
How does it compare with a conventional e-reader?
The trade-off is openness and compactness versus the larger screens and broader reading ecosystems common in mainstream readers. The campaign’s comparison places Open Book Touch’s 4.26-inch display alongside 6-inch devices, and lists EPUB and plain text for Open Book Touch. Alternative readers’ specifications and software can change; verify their current official details before making a direct buying comparison.
Choose it if modifiable hardware, custom code, a small form factor, microSD expansion, and a focused reading experience matter more than a larger screen or a conventional reader’s wider feature set. If you mainly want comfortable PDF reading, fast interaction, or a device for general apps, the disclosed limitations make it a poor match.
Price and availability
On October 4, 2026, the Crowd Supply page was marked available for preorder and displayed a price of $149. Price, preorder status, shipping regions, configuration, and fulfillment timing can change; confirm the current terms on the official campaign page before ordering.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
