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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}}, fifty-eight percent of Kobo Inc is owned by [[Indigo Books & Music]].<ref name="CBC">[http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/03/24/kobo-ebook-reader-indigo.html Indigo targets Amazon with Kobo e-reader], CBC News, March 24, 2010, Peter Nowak</ref> Like most [[e-book reader]]s the Kobo uses an [[electronic ink screen]].<ref name="CBC"/> Kobo Inc. also runs an e-book store which is now their main business.
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}}, fifty-eight percent of Kobo Inc is owned by [[Indigo Books & Music]].<ref name="CBC">[http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/03/24/kobo-ebook-reader-indigo.html Indigo targets Amazon with Kobo e-reader], CBC News, March 24, 2010, Peter Nowak</ref> Like most [[e-book reader]]s the Kobo uses an [[electronic ink screen]].<ref name="CBC"/>


==History==
==History==
⚫
=== Kobo eReader ===
Kobo was originally launched as the e-reader of [[Borders Group]], an international collaboration that involved Borders Australia (REDgroup) as well as the Canadian and American branches. However, in 2010 Borders Group went bankrupt. Following this, Kobo Inc. refocused on the e-bookstore market.

⚫
=== First model: Kobo eReader ===
Kobo Inc., an [[anagram]] of 'book', announced their first eReader on March 24, 2010 at the [[CTIA – The Wireless Association|CTIA]] show.<ref name="CW">[http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9174123/Kobo_announces_149_e_reader_to_be_sold_by_Borders_?taxonomyId=140 Kobo announces $149 e-reader to be sold by Borders], Computerworld, Matt Hamblen, March 25, 2010</ref> It was officially released on May 1, 2010.<ref name="REL">[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/personal-tech/gadgets/review-homegrown-kobo-hits-the-shelves/article1551370/ Review: Homegrown Kobo hits the shelves], The Globe and Mail, April 29, 2010</ref> 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.<ref name="CBC"/>
Kobo Inc., an [[anagram]] of 'book', announced their first eReader on March 24, 2010 at the [[CTIA – The Wireless Association|CTIA]] show.<ref name="CW">[http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9174123/Kobo_announces_149_e_reader_to_be_sold_by_Borders_?taxonomyId=140 Kobo announces $149 e-reader to be sold by Borders], Computerworld, Matt Hamblen, March 25, 2010</ref> It was officially released on May 1, 2010.<ref name="REL">[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/personal-tech/gadgets/review-homegrown-kobo-hits-the-shelves/article1551370/ Review: Homegrown Kobo hits the shelves], The Globe and Mail, April 29, 2010</ref> 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.<ref name="CBC"/>


The pricing strategy of the original Kobo was targeted to serve as a rival to the [[Amazon Kindle]], being priced at US$149 in the US, then US$110 less than the Kindle.<ref name="CBC"/> However, in June 2010, just after the Kobo was released, Amazon dropped the price of the Kindle to $189.<ref name="CNETRevOrig">http://reviews.cnet.com/e-book-readers/kobo-ereader/4505-3508_7-34027263.html#reviewPage1</ref> Its pricing strategy in Australia was similarly aggressive where it was available for AU$199, again AU$100 less than the Kindle.<ref name="itNews">{{cite web |url=http://www.itnews.com.au/News/174625,borders-to-sell-kobo-e-book-reader-for-199.aspx |title=Borders to sell Kobo e-Book reader for $199 |author=Bhatt, Neerav |date=May 13, 2010 |publisher=iTnews.com.au |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref>
The pricing strategy of the original Kobo was targeted to serve as a rival to the [[Amazon Kindle]], being priced at US$149 in the US, then US$110 less than the Kindle.<ref name="CBC"/> However, in June 2010, just after the Kobo was released, Amazon dropped the price of the Kindle to $189.<ref name="CNETRevOrig">http://reviews.cnet.com/e-book-readers/kobo-ereader/4505-3508_7-34027263.html#reviewPage1</ref> Its pricing strategy in Australia was similarly aggressive where it was available for AU$199, again AU$100 less than the Kindle.<ref name="itNews">{{cite web |url=http://www.itnews.com.au/News/174625,borders-to-sell-kobo-e-book-reader-for-199.aspx |title=Borders to sell Kobo e-Book reader for $199 |author=Bhatt, Neerav |date=May 13, 2010 |publisher=iTnews.com.au |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> [[Borders Group|Borders Australia]] said that they hoped to sell high volumes of the Kobo to drive up sales at their e-content store.<ref name="itNews" />


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.<ref name="CNETRevOrig" />
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.<ref name="CNETRevOrig" />
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* Battery Life: Up to 2 weeks, varying by use (Touch. According to product box, 1 month on website))
* Battery Life: Up to 2 weeks, varying by use (Touch. According to product box, 1 month on website))


== Firmware Updates ==
⚫
==Kobo eBook platform==

⚫
eBooks as well as newspapers and magazines can be downloaded directly from the Kobo website. Originally they were also sold from Borders.com, which now redirects to [[Barnes and Noble]].
=== Kobo ===
In December 2010, firmware 1.8 was released for the original Kobo, updating its feature set to more closely match the Wifi model.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geier|first=K.|title=Customers with the original Kobo eReader we are happy to announce that Newspapers and Magazines Now Available!|url=http://blog.kobobooks.com/2010/12/14/customers-with-the-original-kobo-ereader-we-are-happy-to-announce-that-newspapers-and-magazines-now-available/|work=Kobo Blog|publisher=Kobo Inc.|accessdate=27 May 2011}}</ref>

===Kobo Wifi ===
In April 2011, firmware 1.9 was released for the Kobo Wifi, bringing several improvements including Go To Page,<ref>{{cite web|last=Bittner|first=Anna|title=Did you know about the new Go To feature on the 1.9 Kobo firmware upgrade for Kobo Wifi?|url=http://blog.kobobooks.com/2011/04/27/did-you-know-about-the-new-go-to-feature-on-the-1-9-kobo-firmware-upgrade-for-kobo-wifi/|work=Kobo Blog|publisher=Kobo Inc.|accessdate=27 April 2011}}</ref> Remove From List,<ref>{{cite web|last=Bittner|first=Anna|title=Did you know that with the new Kobo 1.9 firmware upgrade for Kobo Wifi you get three new features to manage your kobo eReader library?|url=http://blog.kobobooks.com/2011/05/18/did-you-know-that-with-the-new-kobo-1-9-firmware-upgrade-for-kobo-wifi-you-get-three-new-features-to-manage-your-kobo-ereader-library/|work=Kobo Blog|publisher=Kobo Inc.|accessdate=18 May 2011}}</ref> and Delete, as well as support for [[Comic Book Archive file|.cbr]], [[Comic Book Archive file|.cbz]], and image files.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}

==== Kobo Touch ====

Firmware version 1.9.6 had Social media integration.

July 2011 was a busy month for updates:
* Version 1.9.7 included a list of changed but was pulled out quickly because it caused erratic behaviour from the font size.
* Firmware 1.9.8 intended to fix the behavior and inclued several changes including Sleep and power off screens now show full screen book covers, file type labels now distinguish Kobo EPUBs from other EPUBs, prevent screen artifacts from appearing, fixes font size issue on some side loaded content seen on 1.9.7 and various performance and stability improvements.
* Firmware 1.9.9 was made available to the kobo touch. It contains only bugfixes compared to 1.9.8.

In August 2011, firmware 1.9.10 was made available to the Kobo Touch. It enabled multilingual interface and added a translation capability.

⚫
==Kobo eBook Store==
⚫
eBooks as well as newspapers and magazines can be downloaded directly from the Kobo website as well as from the [[Borders Group|Borders eBook Store]].


Free Kobo eReader apps for the PC or Mac desktop, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, or Android are available to read eBooks without the need for a Kobo eReader.
Free Kobo eReader apps for the PC or Mac desktop, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, or Android are available to read eBooks without the need for a Kobo eReader.

Revision as of 14:54, 17 October 2011

Kobo
ManufacturerKobo Inc.
Release dateMay, 2010
Introductory priceCAD $149[1]
AUD $199[2]
Storage1GB of memory (or around 1,000 books) plus up to 32GB SD card
Display6" eInk
ConnectivityUSB
Bluetooth(original)
Wi-Fi(new model)
Powerinternal rechargeable battery
DimensionsKobo 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.)
MassKobo eReader Wireless
221 grams (7.80oz.)
Kobo eReader Touch
200 grams (7.05oz.)
Websitekoboereader.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, 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]

History

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]

The pricing strategy of the original Kobo was targeted to serve as a rival to the Amazon Kindle, being priced at US$149 in the US, then US$110 less than the Kindle.[1] However, in June 2010, just after the Kobo was released, Amazon dropped the price of the Kindle to $189.[5] 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.[5]

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.[6] The new Kobo Wireless can use SDHC cards. Other improvements include a longer battery life and a built-in dictionary.[7]

As with the original model, the Wi-Fi model comes preloaded with 100 public domain books.[6] Also debuting at the same time was the Kobo reader app for the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Kobo eReader 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 $129.99.[8][9] 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.[10]

15 free previews of select books are included, rather than the 100 public domain books included on previous models.

Specs[11][12]

  • Screen: 6-inch, 800x600 Pearl E Ink Display
  • Weight: 184g (7.05 Ounces)
  • Size: 114mm x 165mm x 10mm (4.5 in. X 6.5 in. X 0.4 in.)
  • Processor: 800 MHz Freescale i.MX508
  • Storage Capacity: 2GB (1GB for content)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, MicroSD, Micro USB
  • Formats: ePub, PDF, Adobe DRM, RTF, HTML, TXT, Comic Book Archive file, JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF, TIFF
  • Kobo Store Library: Approx. 500,000 Premium Books and 1,800,000 Free Books
  • Battery Life: Up to 2 weeks, varying by use (Touch. According to product box, 1 month on website))

Firmware Updates

Kobo

In December 2010, firmware 1.8 was released for the original Kobo, updating its feature set to more closely match the Wifi model.[13]

Kobo Wifi

In April 2011, firmware 1.9 was released for the Kobo Wifi, bringing several improvements including Go To Page,[14] Remove From List,[15] and Delete, as well as support for .cbr, .cbz, and image files.[citation needed]

Kobo Touch

Firmware version 1.9.6 had Social media integration.

July 2011 was a busy month for updates:

  • Version 1.9.7 included a list of changed but was pulled out quickly because it caused erratic behaviour from the font size.
  • Firmware 1.9.8 intended to fix the behavior and inclued several changes including Sleep and power off screens now show full screen book covers, file type labels now distinguish Kobo EPUBs from other EPUBs, prevent screen artifacts from appearing, fixes font size issue on some side loaded content seen on 1.9.7 and various performance and stability improvements.
  • Firmware 1.9.9 was made available to the kobo touch. It contains only bugfixes compared to 1.9.8.

In August 2011, firmware 1.9.10 was made available to the Kobo Touch. It enabled multilingual interface and added a translation capability.

Kobo eBook Store

eBooks as well as newspapers and magazines can be downloaded directly from the Kobo website as well as from the Borders eBook Store.

Free Kobo eReader apps for the PC or Mac desktop, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, or Android are available to read eBooks without the need for a Kobo eReader. Users could transfer their Border eBooks to their Kobo library.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Indigo targets Amazon with Kobo e-reader, CBC News, March 24, 2010, Peter Nowak
  2. ^ a b c Bhatt, Neerav (May 13, 2010). "Borders to sell Kobo e-Book reader for $199". iTnews.com.au. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  3. ^ Kobo announces $149 e-reader to be sold by Borders, Computerworld, Matt Hamblen, March 25, 2010
  4. ^ Review: Homegrown Kobo hits the shelves, The Globe and Mail, April 29, 2010
  5. ^ a b http://reviews.cnet.com/e-book-readers/kobo-ereader/4505-3508_7-34027263.html#reviewPage1
  6. ^ a b "Features". Kobo Inc. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  7. ^ Pilato, Fabrizio (September 29, 2010). "Kobo WiFi edition is cheaper, faster and sharper". Mobile Magazine. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  8. ^ Ridden, Paul (25 May 2011). "Kobo launches new e-Reader Touch edition". Gizmag. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  9. ^ Husna, Haq. "Kobo eReader Touch Edition could push e-reader prices low, low, low". Cristian Science Monitor. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  10. ^ "Kobo eReader Touch Specs". Kobo Inc. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  11. ^ Covert, Adrian. "Kobo Touch E-Reader: You'll Want to Love It, But…". Gizmodo.com. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  12. ^ "Kobo eReader Touch Specs". Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Bittner, Anna. "Did you know about the new Go To feature on the 1.9 Kobo firmware upgrade for Kobo Wifi?". Kobo Blog. Kobo Inc. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  15. ^ Bittner, Anna. "Did you know that with the new Kobo 1.9 firmware upgrade for Kobo Wifi you get three new features to manage your kobo eReader library?". Kobo Blog. Kobo Inc. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
  16. ^ Borders sale may sell most bookstores in 2-4 weeks, lawyer says. The Detroit News. June 3, 2011. Accessed 2001-06-05.


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