Kindle Users Will Miss This Cool New Bluetooth E-Reading Gadget

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E-reader maker Onyx Boox is at it again with Boox Tappy, an e-reader remote that lets users turn pages and scroll through content via Bluetooth, rather than interacting with the device’s touchscreen or page-turn buttons. Tappy can work with a variety of devices, including several Boox e-readers, but it will not support Kindles, regardless of the model date. This is because Kindles that support Bluetooth connectivity can only use the wireless connection for audio features.

Announced in early May, the Boox Tappy can be purchased for $25.99 from Boox or $29.99 on Amazon. Boox says the page turner works with the Note Air5 C, Palma 2 Pro, and other Boox devices running V4.2 firmware and supporting Bluetooth connectivity. The Tappy also includes a pair of replacement buttons, allowing you to customize its appearance somewhat, but it’s unclear if the replacement buttons are sold separately.

Although Bluetooth page-turning devices like Tappy cannot pair with Kindles, there is an exception that Kindle users can take advantage of. Tappy can connect to smartphones and tablets that support the Amazon Kindle app for iOS/iPadOS and Android. This is how users can operate the Tappy clicker when consuming Kindle content without touching the e-reader. Tappy can work with other non-Boox devices that support Bluetooth remote controls, although consumers should ensure device compatibility before purchase.

The Tappy accessory may appeal to e-book readers who don’t hold the e-reader in their hands when consuming content. Maybe they use a stand on a desk or bedside stand to hold the device in place, so reaching to turn pages is inconvenient. Boox says the Tappy is also handy for staying warm under the covers while reading. You will no longer need to move your arm to turn the page once Tappy is connected to the reading device. Tappy is easy to use with one hand, weighing approximately 29g and measuring 43 x 37 x 25mm.

A simple press of a button will turn pages when the gadget is in reading mode. Tappy supports additional modes and holding both buttons for around five seconds allows the user to switch between reading mode, browsing mode and media mode. In navigation mode, the remote control allows users to scroll up and down vertical content that can span multiple pages, while multimedia mode allows users to control music and audiobook playback. Boox notes that users will be able to customize controls on Boox devices. For example, double-click or long-press gestures are available and can be assigned to other tasks, such as refreshing content, taking screenshots, and adjusting the light.

The device has a long-lasting battery, providing weeks of use on a single charge and charges via USB-C. The gadget also has an indicator light that indicates whether the device is paired with the e-reader and whether the battery is low.

Tappy is an accessory similar to the Kobo Remote, a Bluetooth page turner launching in late 2025 for Kobo e-readers and other devices, but it also doesn’t work with Kindle readers. The SK SYUKUYU is an alternative for Kindle users: a Bluetooth remote control delivered with an accessory to attach to the Kindle screen to turn pages. The remote does not connect directly to the Kindle, even though the e-reader supports Bluetooth. This product costs $23.99 on Amazon as of this writing. That said, some buyers may prefer the design of the Boox Tappy to these alternatives.

While Amazon added Bluetooth functionality to Kindle devices in 2016, the company limits its use to audio, including accessibility features. Accessories like Tappy cannot connect to any Kindle models that support Bluetooth unless Amazon releases a software update to enable this feature. Kindle users who want to use the Tappy gadget can pair the device with an iPhone, iPad, or Android device and run the Kindle app, which supports Bluetooth remote controls.