Kindle Ereader vs Kobo Aura

2024. Kindle software update re-introduced Book Lists



Amazon's Kindle e-readers are receiving another software update, this time with the somewhat excessive firmware version 5.16.10.0.1, available for all 10th and 11th generation Kindles, including the Kindle Scribe. The update renames "Your Reading Lists" to "Your Lists," which now displays your saved books from Amazon lists, with samples accessible via the Samples filter in your Library. The update also includes performance improvements, bug fixes and general enhancements. Users can manually download and install the update from Amazon's Kindle Software Updates page, or wait for the automatic installation to occur while the Kindle is charging and connected to Wi-Fi, typically over several weeks.


2024. Kindle e-readers cannot access Overdrive Books anymore



The Amazon Kindle content system is facing severe technical issues, frustrating users who cannot open newly purchased books or access non-locally downloaded ones. The Send to Kindle feature has been malfunctioning for three weeks without a resolution. Additionally, for months, users have been unable to send Overdrive and Overdrive Libby ebooks to Kindle e-readers, which is exacerbated by Amazon's persistent issues with Libby. As a librarian, I have patrons who typically borrow books through Libby and deliver them to their Kindles, but Amazon fails to recognize their devices. This problem affects both the dedicated Libby app for Android and iOS and the main Overdrive website, which users access through their local libraries. Notably, sending library ebooks to Kindle through Overdrive or Libby is only available to US users due to a licensing agreement between Amazon and Overdrive.


2024. Kindle update improves settings adjustment



Amazon has rolled out firmware update 5.16.7 for its modern Kindle e-readers, encompassing models such as the latest Paperwhite, Scribe and base Kindle. This update primarily focuses on maintenance rather than introducing new features or functionalities, with improvements aimed at performance, bug fixes and general enhancements listed in the change log. Notably, the previous update brought a slew of new features to the Kindle, including revamped settings for easier navigation and adjustments, the addition of a "Date and time" setting under "Device options" for manual or automatic time setting and a dedicated folder for storing screenshots. It is likely that the 5.16.7 update addresses lingering bugs from the previous release, with some users reporting extended battery life as a result.


2023. Amazon improves internet browser on Kindle e-readers



Amazon quietly introduced an improved internet browser for 10th and 11th-generation Kindle e-readers as part of the new 5.16.4 update. Although Amazon didn't officially announce the enhanced browser functionality, they did mention improvements made to Goodreads for better performance on E INK screens. Good e-Reader conducted various tests since Amazon didn't disclose specific details about the browser changes. Notably, the updated browser now loads websites faster, enhances text readability and allows users to interact with cookie-acceptance popups. Layouts and CSS issues on websites like Wikipedia have been resolved and users can now access email services like Google Mail. Amazon has also added new bookmarks for social media networks, including X.


2023. Send to Kindle is losing MOBI support



Amazon has initiated the distribution of emails to their customers, issuing a "Final Reminder" regarding the discontinuation of MOBI file format support (.AZW, .MOBI, .PRC) for their Send to Kindle service, which will take effect later this year. Initially, Amazon announced that they would cease MOBI format support in "late 2022," but this deadline was later revised to "early 2023." Despite these initial estimates, Amazon continued to support MOBI formats well into September 2023. According to the updated schedule, Amazon intends to commence the process of "phasing out support" for sending MOBI files to Kindles and Kindle apps via Send to Kindle on November 1st, 2023.


2023. Kindle e-readers get List view option for Collections



The latest firmware update Kindle introduces a new feature within the Collections view – List mode. Previously, the Library section provided options for Grid view and List view, while Collections only supported Grid view for reasons known to Amazon. However, this recent update now offers the List view option for Collections as well. This addition allows users to organize their content according to their preferences. While some may not find this change significant, many users will appreciate the ability to display their e-books in list format within their collections. Interestingly, despite both the Kindle and the Kindle Scribe receiving the update simultaneously, the List view option for Collections remains unavailable on the Kindle Scribe. There is a possibility that Amazon has distinct plans for the Scribe and it is hopeful that the List view feature for Collections will eventually be introduced to the Scribe along with other Scribe-specific enhancements in the future.


2022. New basic Kindle offers premium Paperwhite features for under $100



Amazon has introduced a new 6-inch Kindle, touting it as its "lightest and most compact" e-reader to date. Although this device is the latest addition to Amazon's standard Kindle lineup, its features are more comparable to the $139.99 Paperwhite model. It incorporates several attributes from the premium range, including a 300ppi high-resolution display for "crystal-clear text and images" (up from 167ppi), a dark mode and USB-C charging. Additional enhancements include a battery life of up to six weeks per charge and 16GB of storage, which is twice the capacity of its 2019 predecessor. The adjustable front light has also been reinstated. Notably, this new Kindle is priced at $99.99 — just a $10 increase from the previous generation, making it an attractive option for anyone looking to upgrade from an older model that lost the capability to browse, borrow, or purchase books directly from the Kindle Store last month.


2022. Kobo is now displaying advertisements on their e-readers



Kobo is now featuring advertisements on most of their e-readers when they wake from sleep mode. A full-page ad now appears, encouraging users to subscribe to Kobo Plus and informing them about the free 30-day trial. This ad is displayed regardless of whether Wi-Fi is turned on or off, as the image is retrieved from the device rather than the internet. This is the first instance of Kobo displaying ads on their e-book readers. Kobo has previously emphasized in their marketing campaigns that, unlike the Kindle, their devices are free from advertisements, but this no longer seems to be the case.


2021. Kindle update brings new navigation options



Amazon has launched another software update for Kindle e-readers that introduces further adjustments to the navigation system for reading e-books. The new software version is 5.14.1, an upgrade from 5.13.7 from the previous update, which made significant changes to the user interface. Now, they are addressing some issues caused by the removal of the back button in that update. Essentially, they have added a "go back" box that appears at the bottom of the screen whenever navigating to a different section of a book.


2021. Kindle Special Offers no longer show ads on the home screen



Various Kindle models feature a Special Offers program. This subsidizes the price of a new Kindle by around $25 to $30 and in return for the discount, advertisements are displayed on the lock screen and home screen. Amazon recently rolled out the 5.13.7 firmware update that completely overhauled the home screen. One of the improvements is that all ads have now been removed from the home screen, so ads are only shown when the Kindle is in sleep mode. The home screen now displays the book you are currently reading and your progress within it. It also features cover art of a few other books and some text-based information. Below that, you'll find your recommended reads—books Amazon promotes based on your previous purchases. There is simply not enough space in the user interface to display ads anymore.


2021. Kindle 3G internet will no longer work since 2022



Amazon initially provided 3G internet access on the original Kindle released in 2017. This feature allowed Kindles to connect to the nearest cell tower offering 3G data, enabling users to access the bookstore and Wikipedia. Beginning next year, this will become obsolete. Telecommunications companies worldwide are beginning to shut down their 3G networks and reallocate the frequencies to 4G/LTE and 5G.


2021. Kindle can now display book covers on the lock screen



Amazon released a new firmware update that enables the Paperwhite, Oasis and entry-level Kindle to show ebook cover art on the lock screen while the e-reader is in sleep mode. This is a feature that users have been requesting for over a decade and one of the primary reasons many people resort to jailbreaking their Kindle. Which covers will it display? According to initial reports, it will show the ebook you are currently reading. It functions with content bought from Amazon, as well as sideloaded ebooks.


2021. Kobo e-readers get new My Words feature



Kobo has launched a new firmware update (4.26) for its range of Kobo e-readers. This update introduces a new "My Words" option, which can be activated from the list of Beta Features. It's similar to Kindle’s vocabulary builder feature, which tracks the words you look up in the dictionary for easy review later. Other new features include a “Back to page x” button for EPUBs, enhanced annotation synchronization and improved PDF viewing in landscape mode. Additionally, tapping the text field within the note preview window now allows for editing.


2020. Kobo introduces $99 e-reader Nia to replace Aura



Rakuten has released a new entry-level e-book reader and it stacks up well against the least expensive Amazon Kindle in several key aspects. The Kobo Nia features a 6-inch screen with a 1024x758 pixel resolution and 212 ppi. It comes with Kobo's ComfortLight technology, allowing you to adjust the brightness of the display as needed. The Nia is quite sleek at 172 grams, with a thickness of 9.2mm around the edges. Inside, it has a 1,000mAh battery that provides "weeks" of reading on a single charge, plus 8GB of storage. Amazon's least expensive Kindle, which is a natural comparison for the Nia, starts at $89.99, but that includes Amazon's "Special Offers" ads; without the ads, the price rises to $109.99. It also has a 6-inch screen, but with a lower 165 ppi resolution and half the storage of the Nia. This makes the Nia a strong contender for anyone seeking an affordable e-reader who doesn’t want to be tied to Amazon's ecosystem.


2018. Kobo e-Ink readers get rapid Page-Turning


Kobo has released a new firmware update for all their e-readers that enhances the speed of page-turns with a new rendering engine. This updated system allows you to quickly tap or gesture on the screen to turn pages swiftly. You can also hold your finger down on the screen to turn pages. The text may become unreadable while the pages are turning rapidly and you'll need to lift your finger for everything to fully render. The fast page-turning feature works with KEPUB eBooks, which are books purchased directly from Kobo. It does not support CBR/CBZ or traditional EPUB formats and is incompatible with sideloaded EPUB books.


2017. Kobo makes managing ebooks simpler



Kobo has updated the firmware for its e-readers. The update introduced a Manage Books feature: under My Books, you can now select multiple books simultaneously, mark them as read or unread, delete them, or add them to collections. The My Books section has been redesigned with a cleaner layout, including updated Filter and Sort menus. The reading experience has also been enhanced. You can now tap the center of the page to open reading menus, access the Table of Contents, or modify Reading Settings. The screen will refresh after each chapter rather than every six pages.


2016. New 7.8-inch Aura One e-reader - the Cadillac of e-readers



With the new Aura One, Kobo is aiming to challenge Amazon's dominance in the market. Its 7.8-inch screen significantly surpasses the Aura HD, accompanied by a $230 price tag. Despite the addition of several other appealing features, this is a steep price for a dedicated e-reader, especially when Amazon's Kindle Voyage starts at $30 less (for the Special Offers edition, at least). However, Kobo’s previous ventures have been successful and while the company will likely concede that the Aura One isn’t for everyone, it offers exactly what someone willing to spend over $200 on such a device desires: the ultimate e-reader. Kobo earns credit for thinking beyond the conventional e-reader approach and while the Aura One may not be justifiable for most readers, the dedicated few will find much to appreciate, including a large screen, blue-light adjustment, a sleek design and ample storage.


2014. Kindle Update for e-readers lets enables sharing books with your family



Amazon introduces a new update to Kindle e-readers, bringing the latest e-reading features of the Kindle Voyage to older Kindle models. The new features include Family Library (allowing users with linked Amazon accounts to access books downloaded by family members), Word Wise (which automatically displays definitions for challenging words above them), Enhanced Search (now retrieving results from your library, Goodreads and the Kindle Store) and About This Book (providing details such as author biographies and additional titles in the series as you begin reading). The update will be available for the 2nd generation Paperwhite, Kindle Voyage and the latest entry-level Kindles.


2014. Amazon unveils $199 Kindle Voyage and new simple Kindle ereader with touchscreen



Amazon today unveiled the 7th generation of Kindle: Kindle Voyage, the premium, most advanced e-reader yet and the new basic Kindle e-reader, featuring a 20% faster processor, double the storage and now with a touch interface. The Kindle Voyage is priced at $199. Should you purchase it? It depends on how important page turns are to you. On each side of the reader's face are two slim lines. A light press along these lines advances or reverses a page. Amazon has even included a subtle bit of haptic feedback to indicate the action is taking place. Pages can also be turned by swiping on the touch screen. Additionally, it features a flat glass, high-resolution display and a brighter, self-adjusting light.


2014. Kobo unveiled waterproof Aura H2O Reader



Kobo has introduced a new waterproof device - Kobo Aura H2O - priced at $179 and scheduled for release on October 1. This device is the latest in a series of high-end offerings tailored for avid readers. The Kobo Aura H2O is designed as an all-purpose, durable eReader, suitable for use in various environments where other devices might not be ideal, such as in the bath or on the beach. It is both slimmer and lighter than the Kobo Aura HD, costs $10 more and features an enhanced high-definition screen along with a dustproof, sealed design that withstands water exposure for up to thirty minutes when submerged.