BookCon 2026: All the bookish tech and gear we saw on the floor and in attendees' hands.

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BookCon 2026 returned for the first time in six years, and fans returned in droves, selling out the event fast. We were on the ground at the event, covering panels and chatting with authors and BookTok creators. But just like the attendees, we also hit the exhibition floor to explore all the gadgets on display. With the popularity of e-readers, we expected to see a ton of devices on the floor, but there was a surprising lack thereof, and the enthusiasm focused on physical books.

But we looked at what BookCon attendees had on hand, too, including the tech they used to capture the event and the essentials for navigating the chaos of BookCon. Here are all the bookish tech and products we spotted at BookCon 2026.

Rakuten Kobo

On the show floor, while Kindle cases were a popular item to score, Kindle devices were noticeably absent. Instead, Rakuten Kobo was the only e-reader making an appearance. We've tested both brands at Mashable and love Kobo's color e-readers, including the Kobo Clara and Kobo Libra, both of which were on display at BookCon. Plus, the Kobo Remote was on display at Rakuten's booth, as the brand is the first to launch its own e-reader remote.

Author Clock

Also on the floor at BookCon was the Author Clock, a digital device that shows you the time with a literary twist. For every single minute, the clock displays a literary quote that features the time. It's perfect for literary enthusiasts — whether that be you or a friend. The brand recently launched a new device for weather forecasts, too. The Author Forecast connects to WiFi to detect your local weather and then reflect it with a literary passage on the device.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and Mic Mini

While they weren't on display, DJI products were in the hands of attendees on the show floor. We spotted the DJI Osmo camera everywhere, similar to what we experienced at VidCon. Fans were using it to capture the event, so we're expecting to see lots of BookCon vlogs on BookTok soon. Plus, we also saw attendees using the DJI Mic Mini, which could easily be clipped on to wear around the event.

Handheld fans

At this point, personal fans are a staple at conventions. At 9 a.m. on Saturday, when just VIP and the press were admitted to the exhibition floor, things were already steamy, and people had broken out their handheld fans. While we didn't spot Shark's new ChillPill or Dyson's new HushJet at BookCon, the cheap handheld fans you can score on Amazon are still the most popular choice.

It was evident that BookCon fans come prepared. I saw dozens of attendees with colorful disks strapped crossbody throughout the event, and when I asked one person what it was, my jaw dropped as they revealed a collapsible stool — a genius way to have a seat with you while waiting in long lines.

Macopro folding utility cart

The name of the game at BookCon was free books. Publishers and authors were doling out free advanced copies of books. Attendees came prepared to take home all the free things with folding utility carts. By far, the MacoPro folding utility cart was the most popular option. Plus, with its flat top, it's basically a portable chair, too.