Product Introduction

1. Highlights.Email is a specialized service designed to wirelessly export book highlights and annotations from Kobo eReaders directly to a user’s email inbox. It eliminates the need for physical connections or manual database interactions by automating the extraction and delivery process through a customized installation package. The tool integrates seamlessly with NickelMenu, a third-party Kobo utility, to enable one-tap exports of highlighted content.
2. The core value of Highlights.Email lies in its ability to simplify access to personal reading insights by removing technical barriers. Users no longer need to connect their Kobo device to a computer or navigate complex SQLite databases to retrieve their highlights. This service prioritizes convenience, speed, and privacy, ensuring highlights are delivered in a structured email format without intermediate storage.

Main Features

1. Users receive a personalized installation package via email after signing up, which contains preconfigured scripts tailored to their Kobo device. This package automates the setup of NickelMenu integration and ensures compatibility with the user’s specific eReader model. The installation files are generated dynamically based on the user’s account details to streamline the process.
2. The service leverages NickelMenu, a free and open-source Kobo utility, to add an "Email Highlights" option directly to the device’s interface. After copying the installation files to the Kobo and rebooting, users gain immediate access to the export functionality. NickelMenu acts as the bridge between the Kobo’s native system and Highlights.Email’s automation scripts.
3. Highlights are delivered as a formatted email containing book titles, authors, and categorized excerpts. The email body organizes highlights by book and chapter, with timestamps indicating when each annotation was made. Users can forward these emails to note-taking apps or export them as text files for archival purposes.

Problems Solved

1. The product addresses the cumbersome process of manually extracting highlights via USB cables and SQLite database queries, which requires technical expertise. Traditional methods involve locating hidden system files, decrypting databases, and writing SQL commands to retrieve annotations. Highlights.Email abstracts these steps into a single automated workflow.
2. It targets Kobo eReader users who actively highlight text for academic, professional, or personal use but lack the technical skills to access their data. This includes students, researchers, and avid readers who rely on annotations for study, content creation, or reflection.
3. A typical use case involves a user finishing a book and wanting to compile all highlights into a shareable document without connecting their Kobo to a computer. Another scenario is a reader preparing for an exam who needs quick access to key passages from multiple books in a centralized format.

Unique Advantages

1. Unlike manual extraction methods or third-party apps requiring cloud sync, Highlights.Email operates locally on the Kobo and sends data directly to the user’s inbox. This eliminates dependency on external servers or subscription-based platforms. Competitors like Readwise require ongoing fees and cloud storage, whereas this tool is free for initial use.
2. The integration with NickelMenu enables a native-like experience, with highlights exported in one tap without leaving the Kobo’s interface. The service uses minimal device resources, ensuring no impact on battery life or performance during normal eReader use.
3. Competitive advantages include zero data retention (highlights are never stored on external servers) and a transparent pricing model. The free tier supports 20 books, allowing users to test the service extensively before any potential paid plans are introduced.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How much does Highlights.Email cost? The service is currently free for up to 20 book exports, allowing users to test its functionality without financial commitment. Future paid plans will be announced transparently, with advance notice provided to all users. No payment information is required during the free tier period.
2. Who should I contact for support or feature requests? Kavith, the solo developer, handles all inquiries via kavith@highlights.email. Users can report bugs, suggest improvements, or ask technical questions directly, with responses typically provided within 24–48 hours.
3. Does Highlights.Email store my book highlights? No personal data or highlights are retained on external servers; the service acts as a passthrough, formatting and emailing content directly from the Kobo. The automation scripts run locally on the device, ensuring privacy and compliance with data protection standards.