Boox Tappy: A Fidget-Friendly Remote for E-Readers

The Tappy remote sits in the hand less like a standard tech accessory and more like a tactile fidget toy. Boox has traded the ergonomic, dongle-like design of its competitors for a miniature, retro-inspired keyboard aesthetic. Finished in glossy olive green or bright orange, the device features four rubber feet for desk stability and two distinct, typewriter-style buttons that offer a satisfying quarter-inch of travel with every press.

Functionality extends beyond simple page-turning. By holding both buttons for five seconds, users can cycle between Reading, Multimedia, and Browsing modes. While Boox devices running firmware V4.2 or later provide helpful on-screen notifications for mode switching, third-party hardware lacks this feedback, leaving users to guess the current setting. Despite the lack of persistent LED indicators, the Tappy’s versatility—covering everything from music playback to web scrolling on Android and iOS devices—makes it a compelling alternative to the Kobo Remote. Priced at $29.99, it succeeds as a multipurpose tool, provided you do not mind the occasional accidental button press while it sits in your pocket.