© 2025 Boise State Public Radio
NPR in Idaho
BSPR News On-Air
Morning Edition
BSPR News On-Air
Morning Edition
Next Up: 9:00 AM 1A
0:00
0:00
Morning Edition
BSPR News On-Air
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Protect my public media

Idaho Mobile App Developer Creates 'Reader Zone' Tracker To Encourage Literacy

sekihan
/
Flickr Creative Commons

 

Research shows reading builds empathy, improves memory and refines critical thinking.

Now, an app developed right here in Idaho is helping readers keep track of how much time they spend with their nose in a book. Since Reader Zone launched in April of 2016, schools, libraries and individual users from all over the world have logged 848 million minutes of reading on the app. 

Jake Ball is a fifth-generation Idahoan and the creator of Reader Zone. He joins Idaho Matters to talk more about the app. 

Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet @KBSX915 using #IdahoMatters

Stay Connected

You make stories like this possible.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.