IFA 2025: DuRoBo launches e-book with AI features
By ForGeeks
Most e-books stay true to the basic set: an E-Ink screen, a built-in store, and a battery that lasts for a vacation. But at IFA 2025, DuRoBo showed a far more ambitious device, the Krono, which it itself calls the “AI-powered ePaper Focus Hub.”
The specs are quite impressive. The Krono features a 6.13-inch Carta 1200 HD display with 300 ppi density and an 18:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, there’s an eight-core processor, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. For comparison: Kindle or Kobo usually have only 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. The device is powered by a 3,950mAh battery, but the company hasn’t specified how long it will last.
There’s Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C for charging, stereo speakers and two microphones. They’re responsible for a unique feature: there’s a wheel on the side of the device that serves as both a control and a shortcut button to “Spark,” the AI’s note-taking tool. By pressing it, you can dictate a voice message, which Krono will decipher and even briefly retell. Also via speakers or Bluetooth headphones, the reader works as an audio player for podcasts, audiobooks, and music.
The reader also works as an audio player for podcasts, audiobooks, and music.
Like other readers, the Krono gets an adjustable backlight for reading in all conditions. But the main difference is that it runs Android 13. That means users can install third-party apps and use their favorite book services, rather than being tied to a single store. On top of Android, the company has added a minimalist interface to create a calm environment without distractions.
At the top of Android, the company has added a minimalist interface to create a calm environment without distractions.
Sales of the Krono have already started on Kickstarter, with deliveries scheduled for November 2025. Later in the year, the device will be available at retail for around €279.99 (~$327).
Even if Krono doesn’t live up to all its ambitions, it’s nice to see new ideas in a reader market that hasn’t seen fresh players in a while.
