THE QUEST FOR DISTRACTION-FREE READING

From the Boox Palma to the Light Phone 2, it seems like everyone is on the search for a device that allows for distraction-free reading. It’s no surprise – mindlessly scrolling on our phones can feel like a waste of time. But who wants to add another gadget to their collection? That’s why stumbling upon a partial solution with a device you already own can be exciting.

THE CHARM OF THE PLAYDATE

Have you heard of the little yellow Game Boy from Panic and Teenage Engineering, known as the Playdate? With its on-device store, Catalog, this handheld device offers a variety of experiences, including tiny city builders, dungeon crawlers, and even an e-reading app called Playbook. Surprisingly, Playbook works well on the Playdate, despite its limitations.

A COZY READING EXPERIENCE

Playbook comes with classic books preinstalled, allowing you to read on the Playdate’s black-and-white LCD screen. While the lack of a backlight and the tiny screen size can be challenging, the app’s charm shines through. You can scroll through books using the crank or D-pad, with a unique candle progress bar that adds a cozy touch to your reading experience.

THE HURDLES OF E-READING ON PLAYDATE

Despite its charm, Playbook has some missing features like the inability to jump around in a book or highlight passages. The biggest challenge, however, lies in getting books onto your Playdate. Unlike syncing with a Kindle library, you have to connect your device to a computer and manually transfer files in a specific format.

TESTING THE APP WITH CLASSIC NOVELS

To test Playbook, I added ebooks from Project Gutenberg like Dracula and The Fall of the House of Usher. While most books worked fine, larger files like The Complete Works of William Shakespeare caused the Playdate to crash. It’s essential to choose compatible ebooks for a smooth reading experience.

PLAYBOOK: A COMPLEMENTARY READING TOOL

While Playbook may not replace your Kindle or paperbacks, it serves as a complementary reading tool. Just as the Playdate offers unique gaming experiences without replacing consoles like the Switch or PlayStation, Playbook provides a convenient option for carrying a library of classic novels in a compact device.

THE VALUE OF PLAYBOOK

Playbook may not be your primary reading tool, but its convenience and functionality make it a handy device to have around. Whether you’re in need of a quick reading fix or want to avoid buying another gadget, Playbook proves to be a useful addition to your collection.

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