Tolino

Tolino is a digital reading brand backed by an alliance of German booksellers. It offers eReaders, reading apps and access to eBooks through participating shops. Rakuten Kobo, a Canadian company, has been the alliance’s technology partner since 2017. The booksellers and the hardware technology therefore have different roles.

Booksellers behind the brand

The Tolino alliance began in 2013. Its partners include well known German book retailers and connected independent shops. The group brings its bookselling experience, customer service and eBook catalogues to the shared reading ecosystem.

Devices and reading software

Tolino eReaders are paired with a mobile app, a web reader and a cloud service. Readers can buy eBooks through participating sellers and use the open shop model described by the alliance rather than being tied permanently to one bookstore.

Technology from Kobo

Kobo became the new technology partner in 2017. The partnership covers technical know how and the development of reading devices and software. It is therefore inaccurate to imply that every part of a Tolino device is designed or made by the German booksellers themselves.

What the location means

The directory lists Germany for the bookseller alliance and its brand activity. That label does not claim German manufacture of the hardware. Claims about environmental benefits require separate evidence for each device and are not assumed here.