Kobo Aura vs Kobo Glo

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. 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.


2019. Kobo boosts performance of PDF files



Kobo has recently released a new firmware upgrade for all of their e-readers. They have enhanced the performance of PDF documents, which now load more swiftly. You can now personalize the header and footer with details such as page numbers, reading percentage, remaining time, or disable the header, footer, or progress bar altogether.


2019. Kobo brings many of the Libra H2O features to older Kobo e-readers



Kobo has released a new firmware update for the Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo and Kobo Aura that introduces improved eBook navigation and other features from the latest Kobo Libra H2O model. Headers and footers now show both chapter and book progress, so you are always aware of your location in the book. The progress bar provides a quick overview of your position in the book. You can adjust your page layout by accessing the Reading settings. An upgraded book scrubber now appears as part of the menu. The enhanced eBook scrubber displays the entire book rather than just one chapter. Page previews enable you to quickly reference and navigate to different sections of your book.


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.


2015. Kobo unveiled new e-Reader Glo HD to take on Kindle Voyage



Kobo’s new Glo HD e-reader will boast the claim of highest resolution for the lowest price when it launches on May 1 for $129.99. The latest device from Rakuten-owned Kobo offers 300 ppi pixel density on a 6-inch screen, matching the resolution of the $199.99 Kindle Voyage, which should ensure exceptionally sharp, pixel-free text rendering. In fact, both the Kobo Glo HD and the Kindle Voyage utilize e-ink’s Carta screen technology, providing text rendering similar to what you’d see with a super high resolution e-ink display, like those found in iPhones and modern Android devices, though using the low-power e-paper tech that presents in black and white and is better suited for a dedicated reading device.


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.