Kobo alternatives

Here are the latest news about Kobo:

2023. Kobo app for iPad App now allows to add handwritten notes to eBooks



Kobo's iPad app now supports the addition of handwritten notes to ebooks. By using an Apple Pencil, you can write directly on Kobo ebooks. If an Apple Pencil is not available, the app also allows you to write with your finger. The app includes standard Apple writing tools such as pens, pencils, highlighters, a lasso tool, an eraser, a ruler and the ability to switch between different colors. It's worth noting that handwritten notes and highlights made in the iPad app are visible in the annotations list of the Kobo Elipsa 2E (including the first generation Elipsa) and the Kobo Sage. However, they do not appear on the actual pages of the ebooks; they are only visible in the annotations list. Furthermore, these handwritten notes and highlights are not displayed on Kobo ereaders that do not support handwriting.


2023. Kobo launched e-book and audiobook subscription service Kobo Plus



Kobo has announced the launch of its Kobo Plus subscription service in the US and UK. Similar to Kindle Unlimited, subscribers can pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to a select library of e-books and audiobooks. Kobo’s Kobo Plus catalog currently features over 1.3 million e-books and over 100,000 audiobooks, with additional titles being added each month. Kobo Plus offers separate plans for e-books and audiobooks, allowing subscribers to choose one or both services based on their preferences. Kobo Plus is available for a monthly subscription fee. For the e-book and audiobook plan, the cost is $9.99 per month in the US and €12.99 GBP per month in the UK. Alternatively, customers can choose to subscribe only to e-books or audiobooks, with prices of $7.99 per month and €9.99 GBP per month in the US and UK, respectively. On the other hand, Kindle Unlimited costs $9.99 per month in the US without separate plans for e-books and audiobooks.


2023. Kobo launches Web Reader



Kobo has launched Kobo Web Reader. Unlike Kindle Cloud Reader, which has a specific site where everything functions smoothly, Kobo is taking a different approach. You need to sign in to the Kobo.com website, using the same username and password as for your e-reader or tablet. Click My Account at the top of the page and then click on My Books. Any title with a Read Now option below it will allow you to read it in the web reader. It is compatible with Safari, Chrome and Firefox. It also works on mobile and Kobo has created a dedicated help and tutorial page to get you started and guide you through the features.


2022. Kobo software update adds Sideloaded mode



Kobo's new firmware version 4.31 is a relatively minor update that enhances language support, fixes some bugs and is expected to improve battery life on the Kobo Sage. One feature not mentioned in the release notes is a new Sideloaded Mode that allows users to use a Kobo e-reader without signing in. Thanks to Davidfor at MobileRead for highlighting this and explaining how it functions. Kobo updates are typically rolled out in phases, so you might need to wait several weeks for the new firmware to automatically download and install during a sync.


2020. Kobo e-readers now include a Notes icon for quick access



Kobo has released a new firmware update 4.25.15875, which is being rolled out to all e-readers, excluding the Kobo Mini. They have introduced a new Chinese dictionary and users can now remove annotations or click the edit button to modify them. If you have a Kobo Sleep Cover for the Forma or Libra, the device will now enter sleep mode properly when the cover is closed. Additionally, within the ebook, an icon appears in the margin for all annotations. Clicking the icon shows the notes for the annotation in a popup. You can remove the annotations or click the edit button to modify them. The icon is only shown if the margins are sufficiently wide to accommodate it.


2020. Kobo introduces ebook discovery



Kobo has released a new firmware update for most of its readers (excluding the Kobo Mini) which introduces several features such as improved ebook discovery and a new clock. You can now access and explore more books or return to the Home screen with one fewer tap. Tap More to view additional options like reading activity, settings and help articles. You can also scroll up and down through your list of books. The clock appears in the upper left corner when you are on the home screen, library and the store (the tab for which is labeled Discover). It also shows up in your currently open book.


2020. All Kobo e-readers can now access cloud storage



The Kobo Forma is the only e-reader with official Dropbox support, but it is their most expensive model and many users have other devices that work perfectly well. An independent app developer has just released the Kobo Cloud software, which can link your e-reader to Dropbox, Google Drive, NextCloud and pCloud. All you need to do is visit the Kobo Cloud GitHub page and follow the straightforward instructions. There are essentially two steps: first, plug your Kobo e-reader into your PC and copy the files into the root folder of your Kobo; then, restart your device and edit the configuration file to add your preferred cloud storage service provider, with most people choosing Dropbox or Google Drive.


2019. Kobo Plus introduced audiobooks



Unlimited ebook subscription service Kobo Plus has now included audiobooks and introduced several new tiers. Kobo has consistently used Plus as a testing ground for a potential expansion into other countries (currently, it is only available in the Netherlands). You can subscribe to the unlimited ebook component of Plus for €9.99 per month or just the audiobook portion for €8.99 per month. If you wish to access both reading and listening options, the cost will be €12.99 per month. Kobo Plus features an audiobook collection of approximately 20,000 titles. Some are in English, while others are in Dutch.


2019. Kobo WIFI E-Reader is losing access to the Kobo Bookstore



Kobo has always provided support for their older e-readers with up-to-date firmware. However, since February 28, the Kobo Wifi will no longer be maintained by Rakuten Kobo. This means it will stop receiving software updates and will not be able to connect to the Kobo eBookstore. The reason for this is that very few people still use this e-reader and Kobo has decided not to release critical security updates for it. The Kobo Wifi, which was the second e-reader released by Kobo back in 2010, has received numerous updates over the years, but it has officially reached the end of its lifespan. While the Kobo Wifi will no longer be able to buy books directly from the Kobo store, users can still access their existing library and sideload their own books.


2018. Walmart and Kobo launched online e-book and audiobook store



Walmart has teamed up with Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten to offer audiobooks, e-books and e-readers alongside its selection of physical books. The new site, named Walmart eBooks, features a collection of over 6 million titles, including NYT best-sellers, indie books and children’s literature. Similar to Amazon’s Audible, Walmart will also provide a monthly audiobook subscription service. However, Walmart is undercutting Amazon on pricing. While Audible subscriptions start at $14.95 per month for one audiobook, Walmart’s subscription is priced at just $9.99 per month for the same service. Walmart will also offer Rakuten-owned Kobo e-readers both online and in stores.


2018. Kobo app gets new comic viewer



The Kobo app for iOS has just received a major update for those who enjoy digital comics. It now features a new comic viewer that lets you read horizontally or vertically, navigate by page or in a grid view and access your comics before they’re fully downloaded. There is also a new animated page-turn engine that allows you to glimpse what’s on the next page. Kobo’s comic selection isn’t extensive; most of their content comes from their Writing Life self-publishing platform. They lack comics from major publishers like DC, Image, or Marvel, so it's surprising that Kobo is expanding comic book support given the limited scope of their catalog.


2017. Kobo launched Audio Bookstore



Kobo has introduced an audiobook store that offers audiobooks both individually and through a subscription model. Their entire audiobook collection is supported by Overdrive, marking their first involvement in an audiobook subscription service. Kobo has updated their app for Android and iOS, incorporating a fully functional audiobook player. On Android, you can purchase and listen to content, while on iOS, you can only listen to titles you have already purchased or used a credit for. The Kobo audiobook service is available now in the US, UK, Canada and Australia for $9.99 per month.


2017. Kobo will discontinue PDF Files support



Kobo has announced that it will stop offering PDF files for download from their online store by November 1st, 2017. This change will impact only self-publishers and older content that was exclusively available in PDF format. In these instances, Kobo will automatically convert PDF files to EPUB/KEPUB. If there are specific titles that cannot be properly formatted, Kobo will send an email with a detailed report of the books that did not pass the conversion process.


2017. Kobo Plus - unlimited e-Book subscription program



Kobo has launched a new unlimited subscription service for e-books, called Kobo Plus. It will initially be available in the Netherlands and Belgium. Subscribers can pay €9.99 per month for access to 40,000 titles, including 16,000 in Dutch. This new e-book subscription service is a result of the collaboration between Bol and Kobo. Bol.com introduced digital reading in the Netherlands and Belgium five years ago and has since seen impressive growth. Alongside the 1.2 million eReaders sold in the Netherlands, customers can also read their eBooks on tablets and smartphones. The eBook selection has expanded significantly over the past few years, with one in seven non-fiction books sold in the Netherlands now being digital.


2016. Kobo Cloud Reader is discontinued



Kobo Instant Reader, Kobo's browser-based reading platform, has been officially retired and the link to access it now redirects to the company's general app page. The Nook Cloud Reader has also been phased out with the launch of the new Barnes and Noble website that was introduced last summer. Both web-based reading applications were created in 2012 to circumvent the new Apple policy requiring all in-app purchases to go through their own payment system, rather than allowing app developers to handle it themselves. They never gained much traction because the companies managing them did not actively promote them. They remained in obscurity for several years before being quietly discontinued. The Kindle Cloud Reader remains the sole online reading app still maintained and available for public use.


2016. Kobo released reading app for kids



Kobo has just introduced a standalone app for Android called Kobo Kids. It is an e-reading app as well as an online shopping platform offering a variety of e-books and graphic novels. In 2013, Kobo created a children’s portal to highlight their comics, graphic novels and e-books. This system was only accessible via the web version of their store, making this the first time the company has developed a dedicated app to promote it. The Kobo Kids app features a vibrant and engaging interface with a range of icons representing genres such as space, dinosaurs, animals, classics, superheroes and more. When you select a specific genre, it shows several titles and offers previews. Children cannot purchase content independently; instead, a parent must make the purchases, but it is much easier once a sample is downloaded.


2015. Kobo launched free ebook platform for Southwest Airlines passengers



Kobo has launched an e-reading platform for Southwest Airlines passengers, marking the latest effort to make ebooks more accessible to travelers. The platform provides around 140 free ebooks (a number Kobo intends to increase), with roughly 85% being complete texts and the rest offering samples of titles that can be purchased after landing. Kobo’s in-flight e-reading service is part of a broader strategy to enhance curated ebook discovery as publishers and retailers work to match the right content with the right readers at the right time. This initiative also aligns with Kobo’s parent company Rakuten’s efforts to grow its global ebook business, a key expansion area highlighted earlier this spring when Rakuten acquired the library distributor OverDrive.


2014. Kobo offers ebook catalog on third-party e-Ink readers



Kobo has announced a program to give E Ink’s hardware partners the choice to offer their customers access to Kobo’s library of over four million eBooks. By integrating Kobo’s reading app, hardware partners can now include a digital book solution in their offerings or enhance their current collections, providing titles from various popular genres on their devices. Besides Kobo’s range of E Ink eReaders, the Kobo bookstore is now accessible on select Sony Reader devices, as well as on many leading smartphones and tablets via Kobo’s free eReading apps. As a result of this program, E Ink’s hardware partners can offer their customers a vast array of eBooks without needing to invest in developing an online library. E Ink’s hardware partners will be able to arrange contracts and revenue-sharing agreements directly with Kobo.


2014. Kobo adds Marvel Comics to its library



A new collaboration brings over 250 of Marvel’s digital comics to the Kobo platform. Many of these titles are connected to popular franchises with established fan bases, such as The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy, so the development likely doesn’t signal a dramatic change in the outlook for fixed-layout and illustrated ebooks. Superhero enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy these illustrated eBooks on Kobo devices, such as the full-color Kobo Arc 10HD Android tablet, or through free reading apps available for most major tablets and smartphones. Still, it’s a modest endorsement of the format from Kobo, as well as an expansion into a sector largely dominated by ComiXology, which was acquired by Amazon earlier this year.


2014. Kobo adds books for kids from Reading Eggs



Kobo has teamed up with Reading Eggs to offer over 120 of their children’s eBooks to millions of Kobo Readers globally. For the first time, these popular Reading Eggs eBooks will be available in digital format outside of the Reading Eggs program and can be found exclusively on Kobo. Created by a skilled team of educators, writers and developers, the Reading Eggs program centers on a fundamental reading curriculum that emphasizes phonics and word recognition to help children acquire essential skills and strategies for long-term reading success. It aligns with what children are taught in school and aims to enhance their academic performance.


2014. Sony gives its e-reader business to Kobo



Sony is eliminating its unprofitable ventures. The Japanese firm is divesting its VAIO laptop division, TV division and is also exiting the e-book platform market. This move isn’t entirely surprising: Sony has always held a relatively minor share of the market compared to Amazon, Google, Apple, B&N and Kobo. The Sony Reader store will be closed next month. Owners of Sony Readers needn’t worry about their purchases, as Sony is transferring accounts and existing libraries fully to Kobo, which is compatible with iOS and Android devices as well as Android hardware. The Kobo app for Android will now also be pre-installed on Xperia devices as part of the arrangement. As for Reader hardware, it seems to have been on the decline since at least October of last year for the U.S. market, when the company removed the Reader section from its website and marked existing models as discontinued.


2013. Kobo updates its digital publishing service Aquafadas



Kobo has announced enhancements to its digital publishing platform for iPad and Android tablets, Aquafadas. It now includes support for iOS 7, the capability to incorporate premium enrichments such as real-world physics into digital content and overall upgrades for Android interactive book creation. Publishers can now add physical properties to any design element, create animations using the tablet’s accelerometer (so the content responds to gravity and moves with the tablet), enabling them to build interactive books without writing any code. A new feature allows control of HTML animations within the page and overcomes some iOS limitations, enabling multiple animations to play simultaneously.


2013. Kobo stops showing Goodreads ratings and reviews



As you recall, Amazon acquired the book-review social network Goodreads in March, so it's understandable that Kobo has ceased using the Goodreads API on its website and in its apps. This means no more Goodreads ratings and reviews on Kobo book pages. It appears this decision was made by Kobo rather than Goodreads or Amazon: The company’s chief content officer Michael Tamblyn mentioned to Good E-reader that Kobo may potentially reintegrate the Goodreads API in the future. However, this situation highlights the risks of depending on what is now a rival retailer’s API. Goodreads faced a similar issue in early 2012 when it stopped using Amazon’s API for book data and switched to data from book wholesaler Ingram. Currently, Goodreads states that it utilizes metadata from a combination of sources — Ingram, WorldCat and ONIX feeds.


2013. Kobo launches ereading app for BlackBerry 10



Kobo introduced its first e-reading app for BlackBerry back in March 2010. Today, Kobo announced that its free e-reading application is now available for BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10 smartphone users. The app will allow readers on the move to access, browse and purchase from the over 3.5 million books available on Kobo’s eBookstore, as well as automatically synchronize their library across any device they own. Kobo’s e-reading app lets users easily manage their library and create personalized bookshelves, search within a book, highlight text, take notes within the eBook experience and rate and review books, as well as see what other readers have to say.