BOOX's Card-Sized Picco E-Reader Swaps Doomscrolling for a Chapter
The 3.97-inch ePaper reader attaches to the back of a phone with a magnetic ring case.
Summary
BOOX has opened preorders for the Picco, its smallest eReader so far, with a 3.97-inch monochrome ePaper screen in a body weighing about 58 grams
An included magnetic ring case lets the device attach to the back of a smartphone for a single pocket carry
The Picco is the first device in BOOX Tiles, a new category that takes ePaper beyond standard eReaders and tablets
BOOX has opened preorders for the Picco, a card-sized eReader and the smallest device the ePaper specialist has made. Built around a 3.97-inch monochrome display and weighing roughly 58 grams, the Picco is meant to replace a phone during brief stretches of idle time, from the morning commute to the checkout line. It is also the first product under BOOX Tiles, a new line exploring ePaper hardware in form factors outside the brand’s usual readers and tablets.
Similar in size to a single playing card, the Picco slips into a pocket or small bag, and the magnetic ring case in the box lets it snap onto the back of a phone so both devices travel as one. The idea is to put the book right where the scrolling habit already lives.
The screen is small but sharp, at 235 PPI, with a front light that adjusts between warm and cool tones for different lighting conditions. Navigation works two ways, through the touchscreen or with physical page-turn buttons, and four-way rotation lets readers flip the orientation to suit either hand or grip.
A 16GB microSD card comes included, and the slot accepts cards up to 2TB, enough for thousands of titles. Books and documents can be loaded through the BOOX Tiles app, a web browser or a USB-C connection, and the device reads a wide range of common eBook and document formats. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth handle wireless connectivity.
Software keeps the focus on reading. The Picco runs a pared-back operating system that removes the busy interfaces and constant alerts of phones and tablets, adding only a few light tools: a Pomodoro timer, a to-do list and a countdown. Custom screensavers let owners display their own photos, artwork or favorite lines when the device is idle, making the E Ink screen a personal detail even when it is not in use.
The BOOX Picco is available for preorder now via the BOOX Shop, with shipping expected to begin by November.
