Kobo Elipsa vs Kobo Forma

2023. Pocket updates support for Kobo e-readers



News and article reading service Pocket has announced that Kobo e-readers will no longer be supported. The reason is that in order to improve security all Pocket accounts are migrated to Firefox accounts. This news caused great indignation among Kobo users and the developers of Pocket decided to solve the problem anyway. Sarah Vasquez, the Senior Manager, Communication at Mozilla, told Good e-Reader in an exclusive statement, “Kobo is aiming to update the Pocket login on their e-readers to support Firefox accounts. The exact timing is to be determined. However, Pocket’s existing Kobo users will not be affected nor lose access to their accounts.


2023. Kobo releases new update focused on note-taking



Kobo has recently released a firmware update primarily focused on the Kobo Elipsa, introducing several enhancements for note-taking. These updates include the addition of new templates for notes, such as musical sheets and calligraphy, along with the ability to search handwritten notes within a Notebook. In Basic Notebooks, users can now create precise shapes by drawing and holding the pen in place, allowing for the conversion of drawn circles into perfect circles, for instance. Furthermore, the update introduces the Lasso feature in Basic Notebooks, enabling users to move, delete, copy, resize and convert their handwritten notes into typed text. Users can now conveniently organize their notebooks using folders and safeguard them by enabling the Notebook Backup feature, which saves them on the Kobo Cloud for easy access on kobo.com/notebooks. Moreover, in Advanced Notebooks, it is now possible to adjust line spacing and highlight text using the stylus button. Lastly, the update includes the addition of a brightness icon within Notebooks for improved visibility.


2023. Kobo Elipsa 2e adds some useful PDF features



Kobo has released a firmware update for the latest generation of their Kobo Elipsa 2e e-reader. The update includes enhancements to the device's PDF experience, such as the ability to remember the most recent zoom level and position when reopening a PDF. Additionally, the Kobo store now loads faster and allows for quicker browsing by tapping the bottom of the screen. Kobo has placed a strong emphasis on improving the book discovery experience, with recent updates making it more efficient and robust. The update also expands support for more languages, automatically applying new fonts when opening an eBook in languages such as Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Canadian Aboriginal, Devanagari, Greek, Hebrew, Korean, or Tamil. Overall, these improvements demonstrate Kobo's commitment to providing a better user experience for their customers.


2023. Kobo unveiled 2-generation Elipsa 2E e-note and e-reader



Kobo has announced their second-generation Elipsa 2E 10.3-inch e-note and e-reader. Compared to the previous model, it is 45% faster. Illumination has improved the front-light display with the brand-new Confortlight Pro lighting system, which is brighter. The Kobo Pen has been redesigned; it now has an eraser at the top and a single button on the side to do highlights; the pen nib is better to write with since it is 25% lighter. Your notes can now be saved to the Kobo Cloud and viewed on the Kobo website, allowing users to view content and email it to themselves or a 3rd party. Finally, the retail packaging and case are almost 100% recycled and the device itself is 80% and uses ocean-bound plastic.


2022. New Kobo software update added a pinch-zooming gesture



Kobo has launched a new software update for their range of Kobo e-readers, compatible with all models dating back to the original Kobo Touch (excluding, as usual, the overlooked Kobo Mini). The update introduces a pinch-zoom gesture for adjusting font size and adds another useful gesture that lets you swiftly access the last three recently read books by swiping down from the top of the screen. Additionally, they've included a couple of new font options designed for digital reading: Rakuten Sans and Rakuten Serif. The interface now supports three additional languages: Czech, Polish and Romanian. There’s also a new Recently Viewed list that displays ebooks you've recently browsed in the Kobo store, which can be turned off in the settings.


2021. Kobo Elipsa adds Audiobooks support



Kobo has introduced a new software update for their entire range of e-readers, both recent and older models. The most significant change with this update is the inclusion of audiobook support for the 10.3-inch Kobo Elipsa, which was released in June. This means that three of Kobo’s current devices now support audiobooks, including the new Kobo Libra 2 and Kobo Sage. Kobo updates are typically rolled out in phases, so you can either wait for the new firmware to automatically download and install during a sync, or it might take several weeks to receive the update.


2021. Kobo released Sage and Libra 2 with Bluetooth and stylus support



A pair of new e-readers from Kobo advance the company’s premium lineup, introducing Bluetooth audiobook and stylus support to the familiar asymmetrical design of its larger devices. The Sage and Libra 2 also feature a new charging cover, allowing you to plug in the device only every few months instead of every few weeks. The Sage is the more advanced of the two models, representing an evolution of the Forma. The impressive 8″, 300 PPI screen and color-adjustable front light remain the same, ensuring a continued excellent reading experience. Similarly, the Libra 2 is the successor to the Libra H2O (dropping the H2O designation, but it remains waterproof), with the same type of display and light at 7″ instead. (For a smaller option, the Clara is still the top choice.)


2021. Kobo released Elipsa - 10.3 inch e-note and e-reader



Kobo is launching a new 10.3-inch e-reader and digital notepad device called the Kobo Elipsa. Priced at $399, it includes a sleepcover and a stylus. Kobo is promoting it more as a notepad than an e-reader, though it serves both functions. You can annotate eBooks and PDFs and it features a new note-taking app that supports importing and exporting to Dropbox. Notably, it seems to not use a Wacom touchscreen like many other digital notepads, which likely helps in keeping the cost lower. Kobo will be up against several established competitors in the e-note market, such as Sony, Onyx Boox, Boyue, Remarkable, Supernote and various Chinese brands like Hanvon and Bigme. The Kobo Elipsa’s competitive edge will be its Linux-based operating system, allowing it to operate with a quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and a smaller battery.


2018. Kobo Forma e-Reader gets first major update



Kobo has just released their first major update for the Kobo Forma e-reader, addressing several ongoing issues such as Wi-Fi reliability and manga performance improvements. Now, while reading, you can use a page-turn button to navigate one page forward or backward and press and hold the button to flip through pages quickly. Kobo has also made the e-reader adaptable for both left-handed and right-handed users. Simply hold your Kobo Forma in either hand and the screen will automatically adjust. You can now read in either landscape or portrait mode—just rotate your device to read in any orientation. To lock the orientation while reading, tap the center of the page to open the menu, then select the rotation icon in the header (you can still hold the device in either hand).


2018. Kobo Forma - e-Ink reader with IPX8 case



Kobo has introduced a new eBook reader called the Kobo Forma. It’s Kobo’s most advanced e-reader to date and surpasses the Kindle Oasis in several aspects. It features a similar design to the Kindle Oasis with page buttons on one side of the screen and a contoured back (but without the wedge). You can read in both portrait and landscape modes and the screen can be set to rotate automatically. The Kobo Forma boasts an 8-inch screen and is waterproof. You can borrow eBooks directly from Overdrive, which helps save money over time. It also includes ComfortLight technology to reduce the bright white screen when reading at night. The Forma’s adjustable front light is gentle on your eyes and gradually decreases blue light exposure, helping you read before bed and then fall asleep easily. This e-reader has an IPX8 rating and is waterproof for up to 60 minutes. Additionally, the Forma comes with the popular library app OneDrive pre-installed, allowing you to easily connect your library account to the e-reader.


2018. Kobo's latest e-reader is called the Forma



Kobo has introduced a new e-reader called the Forma, the latest enhancement in the company’s line of e-ink devices. The Forma boasts an 8-inch 1920 x 1080 pixel (1080p) e-ink screen, a new ergonomic design, waterproofing, weeks of battery life and a range of other new features. One of the most notable aspects is the new design, which includes an ergonomic grip on the side of the device that provides a fresh look while also making it more comfortable to hold. There are also several buttons on the right edge of the Forma that make page-turning effortless, especially compared to tapping or swiping on a touchscreen. The device weighs 197g, about 15 percent lighter than the Kobo Aura One. Despite its lightweight design, the e-reader remains robust, with Kobo claiming it can endure a two-meter drop. Additionally, the device can be submerged in up to two meters of water for around 60 minutes thanks to its IPX8 rating. The Forma starts at $299.99 CAD for the 8GB version.