Reading digital content often involves unnecessary eye movement and distractions, which can reduce comprehension and speed. Traditional e-readers display full pages of text, requiring the eyes to scan lines and flip pages. Some readers, particularly those focused on speed reading or minimizing visual clutter, could benefit from a more focused approach that displays one word at a time. Additionally, existing speed-reading tools often rely on touchscreen controls, which lack the tactile feedback and precision of physical controls.

A More Focused Reading Experience

One way to address this problem could be an e-reader that displays one word at a time at a user-controlled speed. The device might feature a physical dial (or similar control) to adjust the rate at which words appear, allowing for real-time, intuitive speed adjustments. The display could be optimized for minimal eye strain, with adjustable font size, color, and background. The device could support loading e-books or articles from various sources, and the single-word display could be toggled on/off for flexibility.

Potential beneficiaries of this approach include:

• Speed readers looking to maximize efficiency by minimizing eye movement.
• People with attention difficulties who benefit from reduced visual clutter.
• Language learners focusing on one word at a time to improve comprehension.

How It Could Work

An initial version could start as a mobile app with a virtual speed-control slider and single-word display to test demand. If successful, a dedicated e-reader with an e-ink display and physical dial could be developed, possibly using off-the-shelf components to reduce costs. Content integration might include support for common e-book formats (EPUB, PDF) or article-saving services like Pocket.

Key customization options could include:

• Adjustable word display speed via tactile control.
• Font, color, and background customization for accessibility.
• A toggle between single-word and traditional display modes for complex content.

Standing Out from Existing Solutions

While software like Spritz already offers single-word display, this approach could differentiate itself through physical controls and dedicated hardware. Compared to traditional e-readers like Onyx Boox, it would focus on speed and focus rather than replicating a book-like experience. The tactile dial could provide a more engaging and precise alternative to touchscreen sliders used in existing apps.

To validate assumptions, early testing could compare virtual sliders with Bluetooth-connected dials, and A/B test single-word versus traditional display modes. Interest in a dedicated device could be gauged through waitlists or crowdfunding before committing to hardware development.