Loading article…
 | |
 | |
| Manufacturer | Kobo Inc. |
|---|---|
| Type | e-Reader |
| Operating system | Kobo firmware |
| Power | Internal li-ion rechargeable battery |
| Website | www.kobo.com |
The Kobo eReader is an e-reader produced by Toronto-based Kobo Inc (a subsidiary of Rakuten). The company's name is an anagram of "book". The original version was released in May 2010 and was marketed as a minimalist alternative to the more expensive e-book readers available at the time. Like most e-readers, the Kobo uses an electronic ink screen.[1] The Arc tablet series, released between 2011 and 2013, was based on LCD technology instead.[2]
E-ink devices
Current
Common attributes
All Kobo e-readers share a unique pagination system which gives users the option to either count and reference pages separately within each chapter, or in the book as a whole. Up until an update in January 2022, Kobo readers required connection to the Internet during the initial setup phase and did not work until they were connected to Kobo's servers; however, they now support "sideload mode", which allows the reader to be used without registering it to a Kobo account.[3] Kobo e-readers support viewing KEPUB (Kobo's proprietary ebook format based on the EPUB format), EPUB, Adobe PDF, plain text, HTML, and unprotected Mobipocket (MOBI, PRC) e-books. Some also support other formats, such as ZIM, unofficially.
Kobo Elipsa 2E
The Kobo Elipsa 2E was released on 19 April 2023. It has a 10.3-inch E-Ink display at 1404 x 1872 pixels with a density of 227 ppi, 32 GB of Rom, 2 GHz CPU, WiFi 802.11 ac/b/g/n, Bluetooth, USB-C, and an updated stylus.[4]
Kobo Clara BW
The Kobo Clara BW was released in April 2024. It is one of the first Kobo devices marketed as repairable, and the first with a Carta 1300 display. Its accessory covers are compatible with the Kobo Clara Colour.
Kobo Clara Colour
The Kobo Clara Colour was released in April 2024. It is also marketed as repairable, and has a color Kaleido 3 display. Its accessory covers are compatible with the Kobo Clara BW.
Kobo Libra Colour
The Kobo Libra Colour was released in April 2024. It is marketed as repairable, with a 7-inch Kaleido 3 display and support for the Kobo Stylus 2 in all applications.
Discontinued
Kobo eReader
Kobo Inc. announced its first e-reader on 24 March 2010, at the CTIA show.[5] The device was officially released on 1 May 2010.[6] It had expandable memory, holding an additional 4 GB 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] It was manufactured by Netronix Inc.,[7] a Taiwan based company with factories in Taiwan and China.[8]
The pricing strategy of the original Kobo, at US$149, 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 US$189.[9] Its pricing strategy in Australia was similarly aggressive where it was available for A$199, again A$100 less than the Kindle.[10] Borders Australia said that they hoped to sell high volumes of the Kobo to drive up sales at their e-content store.[10]
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.[9]
In December 2010, the original Kobo's feature set was updated with a firmware update to more closely match the Wifi model.[11]
Kobo Wi-Fi
A new model with Wi-Fi capability was released on 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 32 GB SD card.[12] Other improvements included a longer battery life and a built-in dictionary.[13]
Like the original model, the Wi-Fi model came pre-loaded with 100 public domain books.[12]
Kobo Touch
The Kobo Touch was released in June 2011.[14] It introduced an infrared 6-inch touchscreen interface. Other improvements compared to the Kobo Wi-Fi included an E Ink Pearl screen, a faster processor capable of PDF panning, 802.11n capability, and reduced size and weight.[15]
Kobo Glo
The Kobo Glo was an e-reader released on 6 September 2012. It was a front-lit, touch-based E Ink reader.[16] The Kobo Glo supported most ebook standards, including EPUB. It had a 6-inch touchscreen, 1024 × 768 resolution, 213 ppi, 6.53 oz, 2 GB of storage, and supported microSD.[17]
Kobo Mini
The Kobo Mini was smaller, at 5-inch, and lighter than standard ebook readers. It was released on 6 September 2012. It had 2 GB internal storage and Wi-Fi. The 5" E Ink Vizplex screen had a resolution of 800 x 600 with 200 ppi.
Kobo Aura HD
The Aura HD was a limited-edition device released on 25 April 2013. It had a 6.8-inch E Ink display, with a high resolution of 1440 × 1080 with 265 ppi.[18] It was 8.47 oz and had a microSD expansion slot. Other improvements compared to the Kobo Touch included a built-in "ComfortLight" LED light, a faster processor (1 GHz), twice the onboard storage (4 GB), and twice the battery life (estimated at two months).
Kobo Aura
The Kobo Aura is the baseline e-reader with a 6-inch E Ink ClarityScreen display with 1024 × 768 resolution, 16-level grey scale, and a built-in LED front-light. It has 4 GB storage, weighs 173 g (6.1 oz), has two months of battery life, a Freescale i.MX507 1 GHz processor, and a microSD expansion slot.[19][20] It was released in September 2013.[2]
Kobo Aura H2O
The Aura H2O, released on 1 October 2014, was the second commercial waterproof e-reader. It had an upgraded version of the Aura HD's 6.8-inch E Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1440 × 1080 with 265 ppi.[21] While its screen was improved over the Aura HD, it contained the same processor, on-board storage, and software as the Aura HD, and had dust/waterproofing – certified to be immersed for up to 30 minutes in up to 1 meter of water with its port cover closed.[22]
Kobo Glo HD
The Kobo Glo HD, released on 1 May 2015, is an e-reader with an E Ink Carta screen and is the successor to 2012's Glo. It has 4gb of storage. It has a 6-inch screen in a resolution of 1448 × 1072, or 300 ppi, matching the resolution of the Kindle Voyage.
Kobo Touch 2.0
The Kobo Touch 2.0 was released on 8 September 2015, as an entry-level e-reader[23] with an E Ink Pearl 6-inch display with a resolution of 800×600 and 167 ppi. The exterior is similar in appearance to the Kobo Glo HD and it has a 1 GHz Freescale i.MX6 Solo Lite Processor and 4 GB of internal storage.
Kobo Aura One
The Kobo Aura One was released on 6 September 2016, and it is the first e-reader with a 7.8-inch E Ink Carta HD waterproof touchscreen display with a 300 ppi screen.[24] The Aura One weighs 252 grams and measures 195 by 138.5 by 6.9 mm. It has Wi-Fi, 8 GB internal storage, and 512 MB RAM. The Aura One is lit by nine white LEDs and eight RGB LEDs around the frame. The additional RGB LEDs allow the device to have a night reading mode that limits the blue light that comes from white LEDs.[25] The Aura One was the first Kobo eReader with built-in OverDrive support.[26]
Kobo Aura Edition 2
The Kobo Aura Edition 2 was released with the Kobo Aura One in September 2016 as "a refreshed version of a beloved classic".[27] It has a 6-inch E Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1024 × 768 at 212 ppi. The exterior styling is similar to the Kobo Aura One. Unlike the original Kobo Aura, there is no MicroSD slot. The specifications are otherwise similar to the original Kobo Aura.
Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2
The Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2 was released in May 2017.[28] It has a 6.8-inch E Ink HD Carta waterproof IPX8 display at 265 ppi.[29] Its LED light, called the "ComfortLight PRO", can automatically reduce blue-light exposure during the night to lower the screen's effect on sleep.[30]
Kobo Clara HD
The Clara HD was released on 5 June 2018.[31] It has a 6-inch, 300 ppi screen.[32]
Kobo Forma
The Kobo Forma was released in November 2018. It has an 8-inch, 300 ppi E-Ink display that can be held by right- and left-handed people, and it can be flipped horizontally. It has physical page up and page down buttons to flip pages.[33]
Kobo Libra H2O
Kobo Libra H2O was released on 15 September 2019.[34]
The Libra features a 7-inch E Ink Carta HD display with a resolution of 1,680 x 1,264 and 300 ppi.[35]
Kobo Nia
The Kobo Nia was released on 21 July 2020. It has a 6-inch E-Ink display at 1024 x 758 pixels, with a density of 212 ppi.[36]
Kobo Libra 2
The Libra 2 was released in October 2021.
The Kobo Sage and Kobo Libra 2 are the first Kobo ereaders to come with Bluetooth support; thus, audiobooks can be played from the e-reader with the use of an external Bluetooth speaker. The Kobo Libra 2 is upgraded with USB-C over the previous standard, Micro-USB. The Libra 2 features a 7-inch E-ink Carta 1200 display with 1680 x 1264 resolution and 300 ppi. It has 32 GB of storage.[37][38]
Kobo Clara 2E
The Clara 2E was released in September 2022. It has a 6-inch E-Ink display with 1448 x 1072 resolution and 300 ppi, and the exterior is made with 85% recycled plastics.[39]
Chronological overview
Market share
Global
Canada
The Kobo e-reading platform was, as of January 2012, the best-selling in Canada. Research firm Ipsos-Reid estimating that Kobo e-readers represented 46% of the Canadian market.[64]
France
As of spring 2012, Kobo had 50% of the market share in France.[65]
Other countries
In August 2013, Kobo was the second largest ebook retailer in Japan, and Forbes estimated it at 3% of the market share in the United States.[66]
Selected subsidiaries
In October 2012, Kobo Inc. acquired the digital publishing platform Aquafadas to increase the content available on its e-reader devices.[67]
Software
The firmware updates from Kobo are unencrypted and a wide variety of patches can be applied to them to alter the built-in functionality.[68]
A few open source applications can be installed on Kobo eReaders. This includes KoReader.[69]
See also
- Comparison of e-book readers
- Comparison of tablet computers
- Amazon Kindle
- Barnes & Noble Nook
- Sony Reader
- Calibre – open source software to manage a digital library with support of conversion between common e-book formats
References
- ^ a b c Nowak, Peter (24 March 2010), "Indigo targets Amazon with Kobo e-reader", News, CA: CBC.
- ^ a b Haselton, Todd (28 September 2013). "Kobo Arc 7, Arc 10HD and Aura Hands-On". TechnoBuffalo. TechnoBuffalo LLC. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
- ^ Kozlowski, Michael (22 January 2022). "Kobo unveils Sideload Mode to their e-readers". Good e-Reader. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Kobo Elipsa 2E". Rakuten Kobo eReader Store. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ Hamblen, Matt (25 March 2010), "Kobo announces $149 e-reader to be sold by Borders", Computerworld.
- ^ "Homegrown Kobo hits the shelves", The Globe and Mail (review), 29 April 2010.
- ^ "Kobo model N416", OET Exhibits List, FCC.
- ^ About (company information), Netronix, archived from the original on 5 November 2011.
- ^ a b "Kobo eReader Review" (video review). C net. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
- ^ a b Bhatt, Neerav (13 May 2010). "Borders to sell Kobo e-Book reader for A$199". AU: iTnews. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- ^ Geier, K. "Customers with the original Kobo eReader we are happy to announce that Newspapers and Magazines Now Available!". Blog. Kobo. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Features". Ereader. Kobo. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- ^ Pilato, Fabrizio (29 September 2010). "Kobo WiFi edition is cheaper, faster and sharper". Mobile Magazine. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- ^ Ridden, Paul (25 May 2011). "Kobo launches new e-Reader Touch edition". Gizmag. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ "eReader Touch Specs". Books. Kobo. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
- ^ "Welcome the New Kobo Family of Devices – An eReader for Everyone!". Toronto: Kobo. 6 September 2012. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
- ^ "Specs", Kobo Glo, Gdgt.
- ^ "Kobo crams 1.5 million pixels into its 6.8" Aura HD e-reader". Ars Technica. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
- ^ "Tech specs". Aura. Kobo.
- ^ "Kobo's new tablets compete with Google's Nexuses on price, specs". Ars Technica. August 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
- ^ "Kobo crams 1.5 million pixels into its 6.8" Aura H2O e-reader". Ars Technica. April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
- ^ "Kobo Aura H2O Technical Specs". Kobo. Rakuten. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
- ^ ‘Kobo Touch 2.0 e-Reader Review’, Good ereader, 8 September 2015.
- ^ ‘Kobo Aura One Leaks, Has a 300 PPI 7.8″ E-ink Screen for 229 Euros’, The Digital Reader, 2016-8-9, retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ ‘Hands On With Kobo Aura One Night Mode (video)’, The Digital Reader, 2016-8-17, retrieved 18 August 2016.
- ^ ‘Get connected to your local public library right from your Kobo Aura ONE with built-in OverDrive‘ Kobo.
- ^ ‘Announcing Kobo Aura One: A breakthrough waterproof ereader designed with the help of real book lovers’, Kobo, Rakuten, August 2016.
- ^ Kiran, Rao (8 September 2019). "Kobo Libra H2O cheaper but better than Kindle Oasis". LookGadgets. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
- ^ "Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2". Kobo eReader Store. Rakuten.
- ^ "Kobo's new Aura H2O is a smaller, cheaper version of its best e-reader". The verge. 2 May 2017.
- ^ Kobo. "Rakuten Kobo Launches Kobo Clara HD: Its Newest Entry-Level, Feature-Rich eReader". Kobo. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ "Kobo Clara HD - Rakuten Kobo eReader Store". Kobo. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- ^ Palladino, Valentina (22 November 2018). "Kobo Forma review: A formidable opponent for Amazon's Kindle Oasis". Ars Technica.
- ^ a b Store, Rakuten Kobo eReader. "Kobo Libra H2O". Rakuten Kobo eReader Store.
- ^ "Kobo Libra H2O Review". 7 September 2019.
- ^ a b "Kobo Nia". Rakuten Kobo eReader Store. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
- ^ "Kobo's new ereaders show asymmetry is here to stay, and we're all for it". 5 October 2021.
- ^ "Kobo Libra 2 vs Kindle Paperwhite 5. Which one is for you?". 18 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Kobo Clara 2E". Rakuten Kobo eReader Store.
- ^ a b c d e f g "6-inch eBook Reader Comparison Table". The eBook Reader. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "Glo Memory Upgrade Mod Guide (With Pictures) - MobileRead Forums". www.mobileread.com. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "5-inch eBook Reader Comparison Table". The eBook Reader. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "Mini Mini Teardown - MobileRead Forums". www.mobileread.com. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "Aura HD Request for KOBO AURA HD microSD image - MobileRead Forums". www.mobileread.com. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ Kozlowski, Michael (24 April 2015). "The Kobo Glo HD Has a Hidden SD Card". Good e-Reader. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "The eBook Reader Comparison Tables". The eBook Reader. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ Albertini, Javier Penalva y (8 December 2016). "Kobo Aura One, análisis: hay vida (incluso mejor) después del rey Kindle". Xataka.
- ^ Store, Rakuten Kobo eReader. "Kobo Aura ONE". Rakuten Kobo eReader Store. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
- ^ Hoffelder, Nate (4 May 2017). "Kobo Aura H2O (2017) Teardown Reveals There's No Internal Card Slot". The Digital Reader. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "Hacking the Kobo Clara HD – 1: Hacking the internal microSD storage". 29 July 2018.
- ^ Kozlowski, Michael (24 October 2018). "Kobo Forma e-Reader Review".
- ^ Kozlowski, Michael (7 September 2019). "Kobo Libra H2O Review".
- ^ Sarkar, Sharmishta (15 July 2020). "Kobo Nia review". TechRadar. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
- ^ "Kobo Elipsa". Rakuten Kobo eReader Store. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
- ^ "Kobo Libra 2". Rakuten Kobo eReader Store. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "Libra 2 I changed the sdcard of my Kobo Libra 2 - MobileRead Forums". www.mobileread.com. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "Kobo Sage". Rakuten Kobo eReader Store. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ frtls (22 September 2022). "Kobo 2E Internal Images - SD Card Confirmed". r/ereader. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ Sharmishta Sarkar (5 April 2023). "Hands on: Kobo Elipsa 2E – stiff competition for the Kindle Scribe". TechRadar. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ "Kobo Libra Colour". Rakuten Kobo eReader Store. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ "Kobo Clara BW". Rakuten Kobo eReader Store.
- ^ "Kobo Clara Colour". Rakuten Kobo eReader Store.
- ^ "eReader Market Share 2019 Global Industry Size, Growth, Trend, Demand, Top Players, Opportunities and Forecast to 2025". MarketWatch. Retrieved 7 March 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Barbour, Mary Beth (19 April 2012). "Latest Wave of Ipsos Study Reveals Mobile Device Brands Canadian Consumers are Considering in 2012". Ipsos Reid. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ^ Reid, Calvin (20 April 2012). "With More Funding, Kobo Steps Up". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ^ "Taking Another Look at Ebook Upstart Kobo". Forbes. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
- ^ "Kobo acquires Aquafadas". Aquafadas Blog. 10 October 2012.
- ^ "Kobopatch". kobopatch. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ "KOReader". koreader.rocks. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kobo eReader.
- Official website