reMarkable rolls out its most substantial update to date
The Norwegian hardware company behind the reMarkable e‑ink tablets announced a new software release on 4 September 2026. While the devices have always been marketed as digital paper for note‑taking and reading, this update adds a suite of productivity‑focused tools that could make the tablets feel a little more like a lightweight laptop – and a lot more like a specialised Android note‑taking companion.
Circle‑to‑capture: a visual analogue of Google’s “circle to search”
The headline feature is a capture tool that works by simply drawing a shape around any on‑screen content. Unlike Google’s search‑by‑circle, reMarkable’s version does not launch a web query; instead it captures the selected area as an image and places it directly into your current notebook. This means you can:
- Clip a diagram from a PDF and paste it into a handwritten note.
- Snap a screenshot of a web page you’re reading in the built‑in browser and annotate it later.
- Move the captured image between notebooks without leaving the device.
To use it, tap the Capture option in the Selection Tool menu. The tool accepts any closed shape – circles, squares or free‑hand loops – so you’re not forced into a strict geometry.
New pen colours broaden the visual language of notes
Until now reMarkable users have been limited to a grayscale palette with a single colour for highlighting. The update adds four vibrant ink options – green, yellow, cyan and magenta – plus a refined set of gray shades that are easier to differentiate. While the device still uses a monochrome E‑ink display, the colour information is stored as metadata, allowing you to export notes to PDF or the web with the chosen hues intact. For designers or students who rely on colour‑coding, this is a welcome upgrade.
Cloud‑driven image import via the Convert to Notebook tool
Another practical addition is the ability to pull JPEG and PNG files straight from popular cloud services. By linking Dropbox, Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive, you can select an image and use the Convert to Notebook function to embed it as a native page. This eliminates the need for a computer middle‑man and mirrors the workflow many Android users enjoy with Google Keep or Samsung Notes.
EPUB reading gets a UI facelift and broader language support
The reMarkable’s ebook reader has been refreshed. The new interface offers larger navigation controls, smoother pagination and improved text formatting that reduces the occasional line‑break oddities seen in earlier builds. Moreover, the update expands language packs, meaning readers in the UK can now switch the UI to Welsh or Gaelic without third‑party tweaks – a subtle but inclusive touch for the British market.
Streamlined sharing and web‑app drag‑and‑drop
Two quality‑of‑life tweaks round off the release:
- Share button relocation – The share icon now sits in the primary toolbar, making it instantly reachable instead of hidden in a submenu.
- Web app drag‑and‑drop – Users accessing reMarkable via a browser can now drag files from their desktop directly onto the web interface, mirroring the native app’s behaviour.
How the update stacks up against Android note‑taking options
For our readers who primarily use Android smartphones, the question is whether these new features narrow the gap between reMarkable and Android‑based note‑taking apps such as Samsung Notes, OneNote or the ever‑popular Google Keep.
| Feature | reMarkable (E‑ink) | Android tablets/phones |
|---|---|---|
| Circle‑to‑capture | Built‑in, works offline, saves as vector‑ready image | Similar screenshot tools exist, but often require third‑party apps and lose the ability to embed directly into a note |
| Pen colours | Metadata‑based colours on a grayscale screen | Full‑colour display, true colour pens available |
| Cloud import | Direct from Dropbox/Drive/OneDrive | Native integration across most Android note apps |
| EPUB reader | Dedicated, now with better UI and language packs | Many Android e‑readers (e.g., Moon+ Reader) already support EPUB with rich UI |
| Battery life | Weeks on a single charge thanks to E‑ink | Hours to a day depending on usage |
While Android devices still win on colour fidelity and app ecosystem, reMarkable’s update narrows the functional divide, especially for users who value distraction‑free writing and all‑day battery life.
Should you update now?
If you own a reMarkable 1 or 2, the upgrade is essentially free and does not require a hardware upgrade. The new capture tool alone can streamline workflows for students, researchers and professionals who frequently annotate PDFs. The added pen colours give a modest boost to visual organisation, and the cloud import feature reduces reliance on a PC for image handling.
The only caveat is that the update is software‑only – it does not unlock any new hardware capabilities such as colour e‑ink or faster refresh rates. Users looking for a full‑colour experience will still need to consider Android tablets with LCD/OLED screens.
Bottom line for UK buyers
For the UK market, where many users pair a smartphone with a dedicated e‑ink device for reading and note‑taking, this refresh makes the reMarkable a more compelling companion. The ability to pull images from a UK‑based OneDrive or Dropbox account without leaving the tablet aligns well with the growing trend of remote work and digital coursework.
If you’re hunting for a device that can sit on your desk for weeks, capture snippets of PDFs on the fly and now even add a splash of colour to your notes, the reMarkable update is worth installing immediately. Keep an eye on future firmware releases – the company hinted that more colour‑related features may be on the horizon, which could further erode the gap with Android‑based note‑taking solutions.
All specifications are based on the reMarkable firmware version released on 4 September 2026. Prices and availability remain unchanged from the original hardware launch.
