DuRobo Krono ZDNET's key takeaways The DuRobo Krono is a smartphone-sized ePaper tablet, available for $280.
The Android-based Krono is meant to be a distraction-free device for reading, note-taking, and productivity.
Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, the Krono is now available for preorder, with shipping scheduled for the end of January. View now at Durobo
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
As an avid book lover, I'm a sucker for a great e-reader. But the problem is that many of these devices are way too limited to become a companion device. This is why I loved the TCL Nxtpaper tablet so much. There's another device, however: the new DuRobo Krono is here to address that tablet's downfall: it's a pocket e-reader and productivity device that is finally available for purchase.
Also: CES 2026: 7 biggest news stories across TVs, laptops, and other weird gadgets you missed
Admittedly, I am biased. I've been using a prototype of the DuRobo Krono for a couple of months, and it's done what no e-reader has before: it's the only one that has replaced my Kindle while traveling. As an adult, I've never traveled without my Kindle because I like being able to read on the plane and before bed. I could read on my phone with the Kindle app, but the eye-friendly ePaper display hits the spot like no other device.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET
DuRobo markets the Krono as a "focus hub," offering more functionalities than a Kindle, but less digital clutter than a smartphone. The DuRobo Krono is small and lightweight enough to make a compelling Kindle replacement, and its added features bring it over the top.
Describing the DuRobo Krono as a simple e-reader is a major injustice. It's an e-paper Android tablet that works as a smartphone-sized productivity device. Its long battery life and Android-based OS make it more reliable than your average e-reader, without being as cumbersome or heavy as even a Kindle.
... continue reading