PocketBook InkPad One Firmware Update Adds AI Note Tools and Price Adjustment

According to PocketBook, a new firmware build for the InkPad One is now available, with the 10.3-inch E Ink reader's retail price reset to €329 effective 1 August 2026. The update layers AI-assisted handwriting tools onto the Notepad app, while the previously bundled active stylus — now branded Stylus 2 — is being sold as a standalone accessory. For users running large-format E Ink hardware to consume PDFs, academic papers, and digital newspaper layouts, the move reframes both feature set and total cost of ownership.

Firmware changes and software teardown

The release centers on three note-taking additions within the Notepad app. AI-powered handwriting recognition claims conversion of handwritten input into editable digital text across 72 language packs. A new AI Selection tool enables stylus-driven markup for recognition, replacing menu-based selection. The Magic Shapes function maps hand-drawn circles, rectangles, and arrows to clean geometric equivalents — relevant for diagrams, mind maps, and structured annotation of technical documents. A Send by Email feature exports notes inline or as PDF or TXT attachments, reducing friction when circulating annotated newspaper clippings, lecture material, or research summaries to recipients on other devices.

Hardware cost and accessory separation

The €329 price applies as of 1 August 2026, with PocketBook attributing the adjustment to production cost increases. The InkPad One retains the 10.3-inch E Ink Mobius panel, 5 mm thickness, and 400 g weight. The Stylus 2 — 12 g, USB-C charging, up to 80 hours of writing time — is offered both in-box and via the PocketBook Shop. Buyers evaluating replacement or secondary pens should treat the Stylus 2 as a separately procured component rather than a guaranteed bundled item in future configurations.

Practical considerations for document-heavy readers

For users handling long-form PDFs, replica newspaper editions, or academic files on a 10-inch panel, the AI handwriting pipeline changes the editing workflow: handwritten margin notes can be transcribed and shared without leaving the device. Magic Shapes addresses the common E Ink limitation of imprecise freehand geometry, which previously required post-processing on a secondary screen. Users already on earlier firmware should verify the build applies cleanly to their unit; the release documentation does not specify rollback procedures. The €329 entry point narrows the gap between the InkPad One and competing 10-inch note-taking E Ink tablets, though the removal of implicit stylus bundling raises the effective accessory outlay for new buyers.