Kobo eReader
Encyclopedia
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. , fifty-eight percent of Kobo Inc is owned by Indigo Books & Music
. Like most e-book reader
s the Kobo uses an electronic ink screen.
of 'book', announced their first eReader on March 24, 2010 at the CTIA show. It was officially released on May 1, 2010. 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. This eReader was manufactured by Netronix Inc., a Taiwan
-based company with factories in Taiwan and China
.
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. However, in June 2010, just after the Kobo was released, Amazon dropped the price of the Kindle to $189. Its pricing strategy in Australia was similarly aggressive where it was available for AU$199, again AU$100 less than the Kindle. Borders Australia
said that they hoped to sell high volumes of the Kobo to drive up sales at their e-content store.
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made it outdated, especially when there were similarly priced eReaders available with those features.
In December 2010, the original Kobo's feature set was updated with a firmware update to more closely match the Wifi model.
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. The new Kobo Wireless can use SDHC cards. Other improvements include a longer battery life and a built-in dictionary.
As with the original model, the Wi-Fi model comes preloaded with 100 public domain books.
Also debuting at the same time was the Kobo reader app for the BlackBerry PlayBook.
Pearl screen, a faster processor capable of smooth PDF panning, 802.11n Wi-Fi
capability, and reduced size and weight.
E-book reader
An e-book reader, also called an e-book device or e-reader, is a mobile electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital e-books and periodicals....
produced by Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
-based company Kobo Inc.
Kobo Inc.
Kobo Inc. is the company that makes the Kobo eReader, and its headquarters is in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 2009. The majority shareholder is Indigo Books and Music. Before being spun off, Kobo was a division of Indigo...
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. , fifty-eight percent of Kobo Inc is owned by Indigo Books & Music
Indigo Books and Music
Indigo Books & Music Inc. is a Canadian retail bookstore chain. The company was founded in 1996 by CEO Heather Reisman, wife of Gerry Schwartz, majority owner and CEO of Onex Corporation....
. Like most e-book reader
E-book reader
An e-book reader, also called an e-book device or e-reader, is a mobile electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital e-books and periodicals....
s the Kobo uses an electronic ink screen.
Kobo eReader
Kobo Inc., an anagramAnagram
An anagram is a type of word play, the result of rearranging the letters of a word or phrase to produce a new word or phrase, using all the original letters exactly once; e.g., orchestra = carthorse, A decimal point = I'm a dot in place, Tom Marvolo Riddle = I am Lord Voldemort. Someone who...
of 'book', announced their first eReader on March 24, 2010 at the CTIA show. It was officially released on May 1, 2010. It had an expandable memory, holding an additional 4GB via an SD slot and limited wireless connectivity via Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
to select Blackberry wireless devices. It was available in either black or white and came preloaded with 100 public domain books. This eReader was manufactured by Netronix Inc., a Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
-based company with factories in Taiwan and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
The pricing strategy of the original Kobo was targeted to serve as a rival to the Amazon Kindle
Amazon Kindle
The Amazon Kindle is an e-book reader developed by Amazon.com subsidiary Lab126 which uses wireless connectivity to enable users to shop for, download, browse, and read e-books, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other digital media...
, being priced at US$149 in the US, then US$110 less than the Kindle. However, in June 2010, just after the Kobo was released, Amazon dropped the price of the Kindle to $189. Its pricing strategy in Australia was similarly aggressive where it was available for AU$199, again AU$100 less than the Kindle. Borders Australia
Borders Group
Borders Group, Inc. was an international book and music retailer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The company employed approximately 19,500 throughout the U.S., primarily in its Borders and Waldenbooks stores....
said that they hoped to sell high volumes of the Kobo to drive up sales at their e-content store.
The original Kobo received a mediocre review from CNET
CNET
CNET is a tech media website that publishes news articles, blogs, and podcasts on technology and consumer electronics. Originally founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition...
, who said that, while the Kobo was compact, lightweight and affordable, the lack of Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
or 3G
3G
3G or 3rd generation mobile telecommunications is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International Telecommunication Union...
made it outdated, especially when there were similarly priced eReaders available with those features.
In December 2010, the original Kobo's feature set was updated with a firmware update to more closely match the Wifi model.
Kobo eReader Wireless
A new model with Wi-FiWi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
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. The new Kobo Wireless can use SDHC cards. Other improvements include a longer battery life and a built-in dictionary.
As with the original model, the Wi-Fi model comes preloaded with 100 public domain books.
Also debuting at the same time was the Kobo reader app for the BlackBerry PlayBook.
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. Other improvements include an E InkE Ink
E Ink is a specific proprietary type of electronic paper manufactured by E Ink Corporation, founded in 1997 based on research started at the MIT Media Lab...
Pearl screen, a faster processor capable of smooth PDF panning, 802.11n Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
capability, and reduced size and weight.