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 large numbers, leading to a rapid sellout of the event. We were on the ground at the event, covering panels and chatting with authors and BookTok creators. But like the attendees, we also rushed to the exhibition site to explore all the gadgets on display. With the popularity of e-readers, we expected to see lots of devices on the floor, but surprisingly there was a lack of it, and the excitement focused on physical books.

But we also took a look at what BookCon attendees had on hand, including the technology they used to capture the event and the essentials they need to deal with the chaos of BookCon. Here are all the bookish tech and products we saw at BookCon 2026.

rakuten kobo

Rakuten’s Kobo e-readers were the only e-readers showcased at BookCon 2026.
Credit: Samantha Mangino/Mashable

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 in attendance. We’ve tested both brands at Mashable and liked Kobo’s colorful e-readers, including the Kobo Clara and Kobo Libra, which were both on display at BookCon. Also, the Kobo remote was showcased at Rakuten’s booth, as the brand is the first to launch its own e-reader remote.

author watch

Tell time through literary quotes with the Author Clock.
Credit: Samantha Mangino/Mashable

BookCon also had the Author Clock on the floor, which is a digital device that shows you the time with a literary twist. For every minute, the clock displays a literary quote that reflects the time. It’s perfect for literary enthusiasts – be it you or a friend. The brand also recently launched a new tool for weather forecasting. Writer Forecast connects to WiFi to detect your local weather and then mirrors it with a literary passage on the device.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and Mic Mini

When they weren’t on display, DJI products were in the hands of attendees on the show floor. We saw DJI Osmo cameras everywhere, as we experienced at VidCon. Fans have been using it to capture the event, so we’re expecting to see a lot of BookCon vlogs on BookTok soon. Additionally, we also saw attendees using the DJI Mic Mini, which could be easily clipped on to wear during the event.

hand fan

At this point, individual fans predominate at conventions. At 9 a.m. on Saturday, when only VIPs and press were allowed entry to the exhibition site, things were already heated, and people had broken out their handheld fans. Although we didn’t see Shark’s new ChiliPil or Dyson’s new HushJet at BookCon, the inexpensive handheld fans you can find on Amazon are still the most popular options.

It was clear that BucCon fans come prepared. I saw dozens of attendees throughout the event with colorful discs strapped to their crossbodies, and when I asked one person what it was, my jaw dropped open as they showed off a collapsible stool — a great way to get a seat next to you while waiting in long lines.

MacoPro Folding Utility Cart

The name of the game at BookCon was free books. Publishers and authors were distributing advanced copies of books for free. Attendees came prepared with a folding utility cart to take home all the freebies. By far, the MakoPro Folding Utility Cart was the most popular choice. Plus, with its flat top, it’s basically a portable chair too.