Kobo Forma vs ONYX BOOX Nova

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.


2022. Onyx Boox upgrades its note-taking ereader Nova 5



Onyx Boox has refreshed its Nova5 e-reader, which features a 7.8-inch E Ink Carta 1200 display with a 300 PPI resolution of 1872 x 1404. Under the hood is a 2.0GHz Qualcomm octa-core processor paired with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. It operates on Android 11 and supports external memory expansion of up to 512 GB. The e-reader offers 2.4G and dual-band 5G wireless connectivity. It is powered by a 2000 mAh battery. Additional features of the Nova5 include a highly responsive microphone and a dual-speaker setup. The page turn buttons are located on the left side. The device includes a Type-C port and weighs a convenient 240 grams. The Nova5 is priced at $277 and comes with the BooxPen Plus.


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 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. Onyx BOOX Nova Air - 7.8 inch E Ink tablet



The Onyx BOOX Nova Air is a new E Ink tablet featuring a 7.8-inch, 1872 x 1404 pixel E Ink Carta display, support for both finger and stylus input and software based on Android 10. Available for pre-order at $350, the Nova Air can be used for reading eBooks, taking notes, or running third-party applications from the BOOX Store (or sideloading other Android apps from different sources). Onyx claims the BOOX Nova Air supports over 10 different text file formats, as well as JPG, PNG, TIFF and BMP images and WAV and MP3 audio. It also includes text-to-speech functionality, enabling the system to read books aloud through the device’s speakers or headphone jack.


2021. Onyx released Boox Nova 3 with color E Ink screen


Onyx has launched a new version of its e-reader, the Boox Nova 3. This model is nearly identical to the standard Nova 3, but it features a color 7.8-inch E Ink display. Additionally, it includes a cool-colored frontlight (without the warm light option) and an improved touchscreen with stylus support, though the resolution remains unchanged. The other specifications are the same: 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, USB-C, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. Like other Boox e-readers, it operates on Android 10 and supports the installation of Android apps. Users can draw in 16 colors, use 5 different brushes and read and annotate PDF documents. The device also offers new customizable settings, additional gestures, screen recording and updated sharing options for easy content transfer. Additionally, the ePub engine has been enhanced. It is priced at $419.99 and includes a complimentary case.


2020. Onyx Boox Nova 2 is available now for $339


Onyx has introduced the Nova 2 e-reader and digital note-taking device. It boasts impressive hardware specifications and comes with Android 9 pre-installed. The Nova 2 features a 7.8-inch E INK Carta HD display and includes a stylus. It is equipped with a Qualcomm octa-core 2 GHz Cortex A53 processor, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. Powered by a robust 3150mAh battery, it supports Bluetooth 4.1 and USB-C with OTG. This is particularly noteworthy as you can connect devices to the USB port and they will function without needing additional drivers. The starting price is $339, which includes a free case and screen protector.


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.


2018. Onyx Boox unveiled 3 new e-Readers



Onyx has just unveiled three new e-Ink readers. The Onyx Boox Nova e-Reader features a 7.8-inch display and includes Google Play, allowing you to install your favorite apps. It is likely that Onyx will offer their optimized apps, such as Kindle, which removes animated page turns. The Onyx Boox Poke is a 6-inch Quad-Core e-Reader operating on Android 6.0. The Boox Note S e-Reader is a more compact version of the Boox Note, with a 9.7-inch screen and a lower price point compared to the 10.3-inch model. It also comes with Android 6.0 and Google Play.