Thalia Oyo

At a Glance

Starting in October 2010, the OYO was distributed in Germany through retailers like Thalia and Medion. This e-book reader, despite early support for Wi-Fi and optional UMTS as well as capacitive touchscreen controls with a SiPix display, was technically positioned more in the entry-level segment. Navigation is handled via the 6-inch screen alongside four physical buttons, with features ranging from e-book reading and web access to MP3 audio playback.

Technical Features with Definite Limits

Weighing in at 240 grams and measuring 154 × 124 × 11 mm, the OYO was average in size and weight compared to other devices of its time. The screen uses SiPix technology and offers a resolution of 800×600 pixels at 167 ppi—a lower specification than the E-Ink Pearl displays found in then-competing devices like the Kindle and Sony Reader. It comes with 2 GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card. Processing is handled by a Samsung ARM9 processor with 128 MB RAM—adequate for basic tasks but not exactly future-proof.

Operation and Software: With Limitations

The Linux-based firmware supports not only e-books in EPUB and PDF format, but also lets you view HTML and image files and play MP3s. At the time, the built-in web browser was a bonus, as was the ability to download books directly via Wi-Fi. One notable aspect was the requirement to register via the relevant bookshop—a feature that became problematic after the Medion registration server was taken offline in 2016. Since then, using the device without registration is only possible with older firmware. The OYO uses Adobe DRM and tightly binds content to the device’s ID, further limiting its flexibility.

Criticism: Weak Display, Unstable Software

Tests consistently identified the low-contrast SiPix display as a major weakness—especially when compared to rivals’ E-Ink screens. The touchscreen’s responsiveness and the slow page-turning also drew criticism. Firmware updates often didn’t work as intended, and frequent crashes made the device far less user-friendly. Build quality also came under fire, with reports of casing cracks and poor battery life.

Conclusion: A Product of Its Time—But Not Beyond

When it first launched, the OYO was an appealing entry-level option, especially thanks to retail partnerships with booksellers. Looking back, however, it’s clear that both technical and conceptual shortcomings severely limited its long-term usefulness. Today, the OYO is at best a nostalgic relic for tech enthusiasts—when it comes to everyday use, it simply can’t match modern readers in terms of display quality, reliability, or openness.

Thalia Oyo: Technical Specifications

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