The Sony PRS-500, released in 2006, was among the first commercial e-readers to use e-ink display technology, which mimics the appearance of printed paper and requires no backlight. The device made carrying a library in one's pocket practical for the first time. E-ink readers transformed how people access poetry and literature, encouraging publishers to release digital editions of classic and contemporary verse.

The rise of e-ink displays in 2006 improved the comfort of long-form digital reading, allowing poetry to reach new audiences. Poets began to experiment with digital formats, enhancing the accessibility and presentation of their works, and exploring the implications of technology on the reading experience.