Kobo eReader
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| Manufacturer | Kobo Inc. |
| Release date | May, 2010 |
| Introductory price | CAD $149[1] AUD $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 x 120 x 10mm (7.2 x 4.7 x 0.4 in.) Kobo eReader Touch 165 x 114 x 10mm (6.5 x 4.5 x 0.4in.) |
| Weight | Kobo eReader Wireless 221 grams (7.80oz.) Kobo eReader Touch 200 grams (7.05oz.) |
| Website | www.koboereader.com |
The Kobo eReader is an e-book reader produced by Toronto-based company Kobo Inc. The original version was released in July 2010 and was marketed as a minimalist alternative to the more expensive e-book readers available at the time. As of March 2010[update], fifty-eight percent of Kobo Inc is owned by Indigo Books & Music.[1] Like most e-book readers, the Kobo uses an electronic ink screen.[1]
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[edit] History
[edit] Kobo eReader
Kobo Inc., an anagram of 'book', announced their first eReader on March 24, 2010 at the CTIA show.[3] It was officially released on May 1, 2010.[4] 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 either black or white and came preloaded with 100 public domain books.[1] This eReader was manufactured by Netronix Inc.,[5] a Taiwan-based company with factories in Taiwan and China.[6]
The pricing strategy of the original Kobo, at US$149 in the US, was to rival the Amazon Kindle, which was US$110 more expensive.[1] However, in June 2010, just after the Kobo was released, Amazon dropped the price of the Kindle to $189.[7] Its pricing strategy in Australia was similarly aggressive where it was available for AU$199, again AU$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from CNET, who said that, while the Kobo was compact, lightweight and affordable, the lack of Wi-Fi or 3G made it outdated, especially when there were similarly priced eReaders available with those features.[7]
In December 2010, the original Kobo's feature set was updated with a firmware update to more closely match the Wifi model.[8]
[edit] Kobo eReader Wireless
A new model with Wi-Fi capability was launched October 15, 2010. It includes an improved processor for faster page turns, an improved screen with 16 levels of greyscale, and new colour choices (porcelain/metallic silver, porcelain/pearlized lilac, and onyx). The dimensions have not changed from the original Kobo. The SD expansion has been improved, as the Kobo eReader website now claims that up to 10,000 books can be carried on the device with a 32GB SD card.[9] The new Kobo Wireless can use SDHC cards. Other improvements include a longer battery life and a built-in dictionary.[10]
As with the original model, the Wi-Fi model comes preloaded with 100 public domain books.[9] Also debuting at the same time was the Kobo reader app for the BlackBerry PlayBook.
[edit] Kobo Touch
A new Kobo model featuring an infrared touch-screen interface was revealed on May 23, 2011 and hit shelves in the U.S on June 10 for $129.99.[11][12] Other improvements include an E Ink Pearl screen, a faster processor capable of smooth PDF panning, 802.11n Wi-Fi capability, and reduced size and weight.[13]
[edit] Kobo Vox eReader
The Kobo Vox is a 7" tablet announced to run the Android Gingerbread.[14] It was released October 28th, 2011.[15][16]
[edit]
The Kobo e-reading platform has become the dominant player in Canada, with research firm Ipsos Reid estimating that Kobo e-readers represented 36% of the Canadian market as of August 2011.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Indigo targets Amazon with Kobo e-reader, CBC News, March 24, 2010, Peter Nowak
- ^ a b c Bhatt, Neerav (May 13, 2010). "Borders to sell Kobo e-Book reader for $199". iTnews.com.au. http://www.itnews.com.au/News/174625,borders-to-sell-kobo-e-book-reader-for-199.aspx. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- ^ Kobo announces $149 e-reader to be sold by Borders, Computerworld, Matt Hamblen, March 25, 2010
- ^ Review: Homegrown Kobo hits the shelves, The Globe and Mail, April 29, 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. http://reviews.cnet.com/e-book-readers/kobo-ereader/4505-3508_7-34027263.html#reviewPage1. Retrieved 2011-10-19.
- ^ Geier, K.. "Customers with the original Kobo eReader we are happy to announce that Newspapers and Magazines Now Available!". Kobo Blog. Kobo Inc.. http://blog.kobobooks.com/2010/12/14/customers-with-the-original-kobo-ereader-we-are-happy-to-announce-that-newspapers-and-magazines-now-available/. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Features". Kobo Inc.. http://koboereader.com/cad/kobo-e-reader-features. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- ^ Pilato, Fabrizio (September 29, 2010). "Kobo WiFi edition is cheaper, faster and sharper". Mobile Magazine. http://www.mobilemag.com/2010/09/29/kobo-wifi-edition-is-cheaper-faster-and-sharper/. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- ^ Ridden, Paul (25 May 2011). "Kobo launches new e-Reader Touch edition". Gizmag. http://www.gizmag.com/kobo-ereader-touch-edition/18712/. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ Husna, Haq. "Kobo eReader Touch Edition could push e-reader prices low, low, low". Cristian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/chapter-and-verse/2011/0615/Kobo-eReader-Touch-Edition-could-push-e-reader-prices-low-low-low?cmpid=addthis_twitter. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
- ^ "Kobo eReader Touch Specs". Kobo Inc.. http://kobobooks.com/touch_tech. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
- ^ Bittner, Anna (19 October 2011). "Last night I dreamed in Technicolor…". Kobo. Archived from the original on 26 October 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/62jFg7hT9. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- ^ Hartley, Matt (19 October 2011). "Kobo wades into tablet wars with launch of ‘Kobo Vox’" (in English). Financial Post. Archived from the original on 26 October 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/62jOPRHWa. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- ^ Krashinsky, Susan (19 October 2011). "Kobo enters tablet market" (in English). Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 26 October 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/62jOgKHZ2. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- ^ Barbour, Mary Beth (2011-11-08). "BlackBerry, Apple, Kobo Top Brands in Canada’s Mobile Device Market". Ipsos Reid. http://www.ipsos-na.com/news-polls/pressrelease.aspx?id=5399. Retrieved 2011-12-17.
[edit] External links
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