Kobo eReader
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| Manufacturer | Kobo Inc. |
| Release date | May, 2010 |
| Introductory price | C$149[1] A$199[2] |
| Power | internal rechargeable battery |
| Storage capacity | 1GB of memory (or around 1,000 books) plus up to 32GB SD card |
| Display | 6" eInk |
| Connectivity | USB Bluetooth (original) Wi-Fi (new model) |
| Dimensions | Kobo eReader Wireless 184 × 120 x 10mm (7.2 × 4.7 × 0.4 in) Kobo eReader Touch 165 × 114 × 10mm (6.5 × 4.5 × 0.4 in) |
| Weight | Kobo eReader Wireless 221 grams (7.80oz.) Kobo eReader Touch 200 grams (7.05oz.) |
| Website | www.kobo.com |
The Kobo eReader is an e-book reader produced by Toronto-based company Kobo Inc.. The company's name is an anagram of "book". The original version was released in May 2010 (July in the U.S.) and was marketed as a minimalist alternative to the more expensive e-book readers available at the time. As of March 2010[update], Indigo Books & Music owned 58% of Kobo Inc.;[1] the Japanese conglomerate Rakuten bought control of Kobo in January 2012.[3] Like most e-book readers, the Kobo uses an electronic ink screen.[1] The LCD version was released in 2011 and 2012
Contents |
Devices [edit]
E-ink [edit]
Current [edit]
Kobo Touch [edit]
The Kobo Touch is the current baseline model, released in June 2011.[4] It introduced an infrared touch-screen interface. Other improvements compared to the Kobo Wi-Fi included an E Ink Pearl screen, a faster processor capable of smooth PDF panning, 802.11n Wi-Fi capability, and reduced size and weight.[5]
Kobo Mini [edit]
The Kobo Mini is advertised as smaller and lighter than standard eBook readers.
Kobo Glo [edit]
The Kobo Glo is advertised as having a built-in light, to enable reading in the dark or in poor light.
Kobo Aura HD [edit]
A limited-edition device with a 6.8-inch e-ink display, with high resolution of 1440×1080 (265ppi).[6] Other improvements compared to the Kobo Touch include a built-in "ComfortLight" light, a faster processor (1GHz), twice the onboard storage (4GB) and a claimed twice the battery life (estimated at 2 months). This device was released on April 16, 2013.
Discontinued [edit]
Kobo eReader [edit]
Kobo Inc. announced its first eReader on 24 March 2010 at the CTIA show.[7] It was officially released on 1 May 2010.[8] It had an expandable memory, holding an additional 4GB via an SD slot and limited wireless connectivity via Bluetooth to select Blackberry wireless devices. It was available in black or white and came preloaded with 100 public domain books.[1] This eReader was manufactured by Netronix Inc.,[9] a Taiwan based company with factories in Taiwan and China.[10]
The pricing strategy of the original Kobo, at USD$149, was to rival the Amazon Kindle, which was USD$110 more expensive.[1] However, in June 2010, just after the Kobo was released, Amazon dropped the price of the Kindle to USD$189.[11] Its pricing strategy in Australia was similarly aggressive where it was available for A$199, again A$100 less than the Kindle.[2] Borders Australia said that they hoped to sell high volumes of the Kobo to drive up sales at their e-content store.[2]
The original Kobo received a mediocre review from CNET, which said that, while the Kobo was compact, lightweight and affordable, the lack of Wi-Fi or 3G made it outdated, especially when there were similarly priced eReaders available with those features.[11]
In December 2010, the original Kobo's feature set was updated with a firmware update to more closely match the Wifi model.[12]
Kobo Wi-Fi [edit]
A new model with Wi-Fi capability was launched 15 October 2010. It included an improved processor, screen, and new colour choices (porcelain/metallic silver, porcelain/pearlized lilac, and onyx). The SD expansion had been improved to claim a capacity for up to 10,000 books with a 32GB SD card.[13] Other improvements included a longer battery life and a built-in dictionary.[14]
As with the original model, the Wi-Fi model came preloaded with 100 public domain books.[13] Also debuting at the same time was the Kobo reader app for the BlackBerry PlayBook.
LCD [edit]
Current [edit]
Kobo Arc [edit]
The Kobo Arc is a 7" color tablet announced 6 September 2012. Originally shipped with Android 4.0, "Ice Cream Sandwich" it was updated to Android 4.1.1 in March 2013.
Discontinued [edit]
Kobo Vox [edit]
The Kobo Vox is a 7" tablet running Android 2.3, "Gingerbread". It was announced 19 October 2011.
[edit]
Canada [edit]
The Kobo e-reading platform is now the best-selling in Canada, with research firm Ipsos Reid estimating that Kobo e-readers represented 46% of the Canadian market as of January 2012.[15]
France [edit]
As of spring 2012, Kobo has 50% of the market share in France.[16]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ a b c d e Indigo targets Amazon with Kobo e-reader, CBC News, 24 March 2010, Peter Nowak
- ^ a b c Bhatt, Neerav (13 May 2010). "Borders to sell Kobo e-Book reader for A$199". iTnews.com.au. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- ^ "Rakuten Completes Acquisiton of Kobo". TechFinance.ca. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
- ^ Ridden, Paul (25 May 2011). "Kobo launches new e-Reader Touch edition". Gizmag. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ "Kobo eReader Touch Specs". Kobo Inc. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
- ^ "Kobo crams 1.5 million pixels into its 6.8” Aura HD e-reader". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
- ^ Kobo announces $149 e-reader to be sold by Borders, Computerworld, Matt Hamblen, 25 March 2010
- ^ Review: Homegrown Kobo hits the shelves, The Globe and Mail, 29 April 2010
- ^ FCC OET Exhibits List for Kobo model N416
- ^ Netronix Inc. company information
- ^ a b "Kobo eReader Review - Watch CNET's Video Review". Reviews.cnet.com. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
- ^ Geier, K. "Customers with the original Kobo eReader we are happy to announce that Newspapers and Magazines Now Available!". Kobo Blog. Kobo Inc. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Features". Kobo Inc. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- ^ Pilato, Fabrizio (29 September 2010). "Kobo WiFi edition is cheaper, faster and sharper". Mobile Magazine. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- ^ a b Barbour, Mary Beth (2012-04-19). "Latest Wave of Ipsos Study Reveals Mobile Device Brands Canadian Consumers are Considering in 2012". Ipsos Reid. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
- ^ Reid, Calvin (2012-04-20). "With More Funding, Kobo Steps Up". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
External links [edit]
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