Do you own a smartphone? Likely, yes. Do you also own a dedicated e-reader? Perhaps. Have you ever wished you could seamlessly merge the two? The Astropad Bookcase aims to bridge that gap, transforming your smartphone into an e-reader-like experience. But does it succeed? This hands-on review explores the Astropad Bookcase, its features, and whether it’s a worthwhile addition to your tech arsenal.
Astropad Bookcase.
Introducing the Astropad Bookcase
Astropad, known for its software and hardware solutions for creative professionals, has ventured into the realm of digital reading with the Bookcase. This accessory isn’t a traditional case but rather a magnetic attachment that adds handles to your smartphone, giving it the width of a paperback book. While similar in size to a Kindle, it lacks the core benefit of an e-ink display. It connects to iPhones via MagSafe and offers a MagSafe conversion kit for Android devices.
Distraction-Free Reading with NFC Technology
Astropad Bookcase NFC chip.
One of the primary advantages of e-readers is their distraction-free environment. The Bookcase attempts to replicate this using an integrated NFC chip. Through a companion app, you can configure the NFC chip to launch your preferred reading app and temporarily disable notifications upon placing your phone into the Bookcase. While this helps create a more focused reading experience, it’s not foolproof, as you can still manually access other apps.
The Bookcase in Action: A Personal Perspective
Astropad Bookcase with iPhone.
In my personal use, I’ve found the Bookcase enhances the ergonomics of reading on a smartphone. The added handles make it more comfortable to hold my iPhone 16 Pro for extended periods, facilitating both one-handed and two-handed reading. The NFC functionality seamlessly launches the Kindle app, though it can be customized for other reading apps or webpages. Even using the NFC chip for Shortcuts automations is a possibility. While niche, the Bookcase does offer a more pleasant reading experience on a smartphone.
Areas for Improvement
Astropad Bookcase with iPhone.
Despite its benefits, the Bookcase has some drawbacks. Its bulkiness makes it less portable, limiting its use primarily to home settings. A foldable design would significantly improve portability. The absence of hardware page-turn buttons is also a missed opportunity, especially considering their absence on recent Kindle models.
Astropad Bookcase side view.
Astropad Bookcase rear.
Additionally, the lack of passthrough charging or an integrated battery is disappointing. For a device of this size, it feels somewhat limited in functionality.
Final Thoughts
The Astropad Bookcase presents an interesting concept: enhancing the smartphone reading experience. While it improves ergonomics and offers a degree of distraction-free reading, it ultimately feels like a solution in search of a problem. Its lack of portability, absence of hardware buttons, and limited functionality make it difficult to recommend over a dedicated e-reader. If portability is a concern, sticking with a Kindle remains the more practical choice.
