BOOX Launches Tappy: A Remote Control for E-Readers

BOOX has released a new accessory called Tappy that lets you turn pages on an e-reader without touching the screen. It connects wirelessly to BOOX e-readers in just a few seconds, according to BOOX's product announcement.

The device works with a thumb click — press it to move to the next page or scroll through content. This matters because frequent touches on e-reader screens can interrupt reading and wear out the display over time.

How It Works and Why You'd Want It

Tappy uses wireless technology to communicate with your e-reader with almost no delay. Setup is straightforward: pair it once and you're done.

The thumb button is designed to work with one hand. This is useful if you're reading while holding a bus rail, lying in bed, or reading from a stand on your desk. You don't have to reach over to touch the screen every time you turn a page.

Like most wireless devices, Tappy needs to be charged, though it's designed to run for weeks or months between charges (BOOX hasn't published exact battery details yet). The wireless connection uses a power-efficient technology called Bluetooth Low Energy, which is standard in devices like wireless headphones.

This Idea Has Been Around Before

Amazon put physical page-turn buttons on early Kindle e-readers, then removed them from most models to make them simpler. Later they brought buttons back on premium Kindle models. The pattern keeps repeating: people ask for physical buttons, companies remove them, then eventually bring them back. This tells you that real readers find physical buttons genuinely useful, even as touchscreens got better.

BOOX can offer a wireless page turner because it makes both the hardware and software — they control the whole system, which makes it easier for them to make sure the wireless page turner works smoothly.

Will It Catch On?

Tappy addresses a real problem for people who read long documents, academic papers, or novels and get tired of tapping the screen over and over. If it stays connected and responds quickly, it could make reading more comfortable for these users.

Some people may not want it. E-reader fans often like how simple and distraction-free their devices are. Adding a wireless accessory changes that simplicity, and some readers will prefer to stick with just the device itself.

What Comes Next

As e-readers improve — getting faster page refreshes and better color screens — accessories like Tappy become more important. Future versions might add features like bookmarks, notes, or buttons to control other reading apps.

The real test will be how many people actually buy Tappy. If it sells well, other e-reader makers will probably start making similar accessories. If few people want it, companies will focus on making the screens and basic controls better instead.

For now, Tappy shows that e-reader makers are still looking for ways to improve how you interact with your device — not just making the screen prettier, but making reading more comfortable.