Yesterday I came across an advertisement on Amazon for a remote control page turner that works with Kindle ereaders.
The device also works with other ebook reader brands, as well as tablets and pretty much anything else with a capacitive touchscreen.
The product is called the SYUKUYU RF Remote Control Page Turner and it currently sells for $29.99 from Amazon.
I haven’t seen anything quite like this before. The way it works is you attach a clip to your device that touches the screen and then you can use the remote to turn pages.
There are some obvious limitations, like not being able to page backward, and the biggest negative for me is just having to see the clip at all times. It’s kind of distracting to the eye, and it looks like it would block the view of the text unless it’s placed just right.
Nonetheless, other methods require hacking Kindles to use a remote controls so it’s good to see an easier option now exists for those that need it.
It would be a lot easier if Amazon would just allow the built-in Bluetooth on Kindles to be used for Bluetooth page turners then you wouldn’t have to use a separate attachment, but that’s probably not going to happen.
I was to ask if there even is a market for selling this. But I am pretty sure some people actually will buy it.
With some thought, it can be useful for those reading while on a treadmill, with larger fonts.
My real thought is what is it to become of us (as a species) if we can not even turn the page on an e-reader.
I take back my comment. This device stayed with me after reading this post. I can see how it can be very helpful for people with health problems. But also if you are cold and snugged up, exercising while reading.
I just expect a bit more beautiful design in 2021.
I appreciate that you rethought what you said. A lot of “lazy” products are life-changing for people with disabilities and chronic conditions, and it helps each time someone realizes that. I do agree that the design is strange, and Amazon has the power to create more elegant solutions!
Absolutely Robin. I have MND/ALS so have significant difficulty holding and turning the pages on my Kindle. I am currently using a very old Kindle with actual physical buttons on the side which I am able to press with my knuckle however this is becoming increasingly challenging and will soon be impossible. No way that I can use a touchscreen without some kind of remote device so I am seriously considering upgrading my Kindle and buying this remote even though its placement on the page maybe a little intrusive. Better then not being able to read at all though
Planning to get this and a lazypod because I experienced dropping my kindle on my face on multiple occassions whenever I am too sleepy and still want to read.
I use it to read in bed at night, I can lie comfortably on my side, hands under the warm covers and still turn pages. Without this, my hands were awkwardly out of the covers, and it’s very uncomfortable.
Also, some of the reviews for this device found it useful for people with disabilities.
If you’ve had a stroke or paralysis and can work fingers but not arms.
Some of us are unwell with chronic pain conditions and unable to turn pages b tapping screen!
That would be handy if reading in the dead of a Minnesota winter. 🙂 (Or if a person has physical limitations to turning a page.) Not being able to page backwards is probably deal breaker though.
It has occurred to me before that that would be cool, when it’s really cold and I want my hands under a blanket, or when I’m dealing with pain or fatigue and just don’t want to hold it and turn the pages. Those are times when I need e-ink options the most, and wouldn’t want to switch to my iPad that I could probably find a page-turn option for. It would obviously be much more helpful to people with disabilities and more severe chronic conditions than mine; I’m surprised this seems to be as good as it gets in 2021.
It can also be used as a remote trigger for cell phones and tablets, so I would think there would be a bigger market than just for ereaders. As far as blocking text on the kindle, I would think that adjusting the margins would fix that.
Hmm, if the remotes are keyed to the devices, you could always get two and stick one on each side, keep one remote in each hand, and click the appropriate remote for page forward/page back. In for a penny …
Nice! Although I suspect they’d cancel each other …
………. shaking with mirth…….hehehe!
Hi Nathan, thanks for posting this article. I have been looking for this kind of device for years. I ordered it right away.
I agree that Amazon should allow the built-in bluetooth to work with abundantly available bluetooth page turner. That would be ideal.
Just a thought, but I’d love it if Nathan hosted a guest review by you of the device, after you get it and use it for a bit! Or do you have a platform where you will be reviewing it?
It is supposed to arrive here next week and I will get back to give my impression of it.
After playing with it for a bit, here is my impression.
It does work as described. You clip the “screen sense clip” on any side of the device. The remote has two buttons but it does the same thing that it simulate a single tap on the screen at the location you clipped it.
It does stick out like in the picture in the article but I do not find it distracting that much, perhaps because all my e-readers are black.
It does block part of the screen about 3-4 mm from the edge. Luckily I read mostly Japanese (vertical text) on my kindles so it does not block any text but I think it can be annoying if you read English books or any horizontal written language and you like to set a narrow margin.
In terms of responsiveness I would say it is the same as what you get from any bluetooth page turner on android based e-readers.
I certainly won’t use it on my android based e-reader as a bluetooth page turner works better but I am happy I bought it to use with my kindles.
Honestly, rather than having to use such “silly” devices like the one described in this article, I think it makes more sense to just buy an Android-based e-reader (e.g. Likebook P6) and then just use any 3$ remote media player with it, to achieve the same result and more (e.g. possibility of going backward as well)
If I would have known that the remote was like this I wouldn’t have bought a Kimdle. I would have kept using my iPad
I have sent pleading messages to Amazon for a Bluetooth option for remote control page turning. I want it for working out, cold reading sessions and for when I sit for three hours donating platelets at which time I cannot move my arms at all. I love my Kindle but as long as this one holds out I will not buy any upgrade unless it comes with a remote page turning option. I am anxiously waiting for this clip-on page turner to arrive. Crossing my fingers that it will be acceptable until Amazon gets on board and listens to its customers.
I agree….when I am holding my child or pet, I would sometimes like to read if they are sleeping. Makes it hard it your arms are being used.
I have arthritis in my thumbs. I would love to just prop up my kindle when I’m in bed and be able to read without having to hold the device at all. But I wish it were something I could just download rather than another device,
I have lost my charging cord and can’t find a replacement. Can this site help?
I have this and wanted to use it but can’t seem to sit it up..Any suggestions?
I purchased one of these page turners recently and I think it’s great. I am not handicapped or otherwise limited in any ability used to turn pages; I just find it useful and convenient to use. The clip doesn’t obscure text when using even the narrowest margin setting and I like not having to reach to the reader to turn pages but rather can hold the reader either sitting on my lap or hold it with one hand with my other hand comfortably relaxed at my side. Works on my tablet and on my kindles. Instant page turn button. If I need to page backwards, I can touch the screen just like always. Not a big problem.
If Amazon info can be relied on, it indicates thousands of these have been sold in the last month.
Clearly there’s enough people interested in page buttons and remote page turners that the next gen Kindles should have this kind of feature built-in, but will Amazon listen?