Xteink’s tiny e-readers are getting access to free books through Libby
Users of Xteink e-readers can now access library books via the Libby app by installing the third-party CrossPoint Reader firmware. This update bypasses the device's previous limitations regarding DRM-protected content.
Why it matters
It demonstrates how community-driven open-source software can significantly extend the utility and accessibility of niche hardware devices.
One of the big tradeoffs with Xteink’s pocket-friendly e-readers is a lack of easy access to ebooks. On a Kindle or Kobo you can download tens of thousands of titles through each device’s respective online bookstores, but with Xteink’s devices you have to source DRM-free ebooks on your own. That’s about to change, as the developers of CrossPoint Reader, a free alternative firmware for the X3, X4, and X4 Pro, are introducing support for third-party plug-ins that will expand the e-readers’ capabilities. One of the first from the community will give the devices access to DRM-protected ebooks borrowed through OverDrive’s Libby library app, or purchased through bookstores like Kobo’s.
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