Kobo Libra vs Nook GlowLight

2023. Rakuten unveiled Kobo Libra 2



The Kobo Libra 2, as unveiled by the ever-industrious Rakuten Kobo, is the sort of e-reader that might have been described by a Vogon poet as “breathtaking” and “perplexingly asymmetrical.” Sporting a 7-inch HD E Ink Carta 1200 display with an improbably crisp resolution of 1264 × 1680 pixels (or a retina-pleasing 300 PPI), it dares to ask the existential question: “Why stick to one color temperature when you can have all of them?” It features Dark Mode for when you’d prefer your words glowing softly from the void, and a 1 GHz Processor ensures your literary escapades run as smoothly as Zaphod Beeblebrox piloting a stolen spaceship. Its 32 GB storage practically begs for an intergalactic library, while the thickened right spine with physical page-turn buttons offers a tactile nod to readers clinging to the romance of "real books." Oh, and did we mention it’s waterproof? Because it is—perfect for bathtub philosophers and spacefaring dolphins. Available in Black and White (because why complicate perfection?), the Libra 2 can be accessorized with SleepCovers ($50), presumably for when your books need a nap. Priced at $250 and available through Flipkart and other online retailers in India, it’s a wonder of modern technology—or at least it thinks it is.


2023. Nook firmware update adds useful FAQ and custom book sorting



Barnes & Noble has recently rolled out a new firmware update, version 8.13.160, which introduces a new FAQ system in the support section of the settings menu. This update addresses many of the questions and concerns that new users may have about the Nook brand, eliminating the need to use a computer or visit the Nook website online. Now, you can access this information directly on the e-reader. The Nook also features a new system for custom sorting of shelves, allowing users to reposition shelves or books within a shelf in their preferred order. Select the custom option from the sort-by menu to begin. Essentially, content and shelves now have arrow keys that can be used to adjust the layout. Finally, you can now sort and view all your notes and annotations made in ebooks directly from the search bar. This makes it convenient to look up notes you’ve just taken without having to open the book and find them manually.


2021. Nook Glowlight 4 gets smaller and lighter design



Barnes & Noble has launched a new Nook Glowlight 4 and it’s now available for order on B&N’s website. The new Nook is a 6-inch model with 32GB of storage, USB-C and features a new, smaller and lighter design (though the exact weight reduction isn't specified). Like its predecessor, it still has page buttons on both sides of the screen (now positioned closer to the edge) and includes a frontlight with adjustable color temperature, referred to by B&N as Night Mode. It boasts a 300 ppi E Ink display, which likely incorporates the newer E Ink technology with deeper blacks, as B&N notes it has “enhanced contrast.” It is powered by a quad-core 1.5GHz CPU and the software is based on Android 8.1. The price is $149.99.


2019. Kobo brings the Forma form factor to a cheaper model Kobo Libra



The new Kobo Libra H2O adopts the Forma's design for a 7-inch screen device that costs a more reasonable $170. It’s still not inexpensive in the realm of e-readers, of course. That’s about $40 more than, for example, the Kindle Paperwhite, but it’s great to see some of these features beginning to appear in more affordable products. The design functions well, allowing for reading in both landscape and portrait modes, with autorotation enabled by the built-in accelerometer. Kobo has also refined the software to feature improved menus, enhanced book scrubbing and better previews. Additional features include the ability to adjust the front light brightness by swiping along the side of the screen. As the name suggests, the device is waterproof with an IPX8 rating.


2018. Barnes and Noble unveiled charging dock and keyboard for Nook 10.1



Barnes & Noble launched their new Nook Tablet 10.1 this week and has now introduced two accessories. The Charging Dock keeps the tablet powered continuously while you listen to audiobooks or watch movies. It is priced at $34.95 and includes a limited 20% discount with the code STACKED. The Smart Folio Cover with Keyboard features a magnetic clip that attaches to your tablet without the need for pairing. You can use it to take notes or write that great American novel. It is priced at $39.95 and also includes a 20% discount with the same promo code as the charging dock. The Nook Tablet 10.1 runs on Google Android 8.1, allowing you to install all your favorite apps from Google Play.


2018. Nook e-Readers stop working without security update



Barnes and Noble has announced that their Nook e-readers will stop functioning after June 29th if the required security update is not installed. You will be unable to make any purchases, or download and manage your NOOK Content from your NOOK Device. Barnes and Noble is enhancing the security system for all of their websites and servers that handle customer data and process payment information. The e-readers affected by this new security system include the Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight, Nook Color, Nook Tablet, Nook HD, Nook HD+ and Nook Glowlight.


2017. Barnes and Noble released Nook Glowlight 3



Barnes and Noble has just launched their first new e-reader in two years, named the Nook Glowlight 3. This device boasts several cutting-edge features, including page turn buttons that can skip to the next chapter with a double tap or swiftly turn the pages of an e-book by holding them down. It also introduces a comfortlight system that adjusts the white screen to a softer orange hue. The Nook Glowlight 3 operates on Google Android, similar to their other e-readers. It features a highly advanced front-lit display system. Among the notable elements of the new Nook are the physical buttons, with two page turn buttons on both the left and right sides. The primary Nook Reading app is well designed, offering fast page turns and an innovative Copy/Paste feature for notes.


2015. Barnes & Noble created waterproof Nook



More than a year after phasing out the Nook and Nook HD+, Barnes & Noble is finally updating its flagship GlowLight e-reader with the GlowLight Plus, the company's first waterproof e-reader. It is the first Nook to feature user profiles, because, after all, couples who read together stay together. Named the Nook GlowLight Plus, the new model costs $130 and is now available. The Plus boasts a 300ppi display with twice as many pixels as its predecessor, an aluminum body that is slimmer but slightly heavier than the GlowLight. Most importantly, the Plus is waterproof, so Nook enthusiasts can read their favorite e-books in the bathtub.


2013. Barnes & Noble releases new ultra-light Nook GlowLight



Barnes & Noble has introduced a completely redesigned Nook GlowLight e-reader. This updated version of the Nook SimpleTouch with GlowLight is priced at $119, which is $10 more than its predecessor. Interestingly, $119 is also the price of the Kindle Paperwhite with ads (the GlowLight does not feature ads). The Nook GlowLight doubles the storage capacity of the older model from 2 GB to 4 GB, allowing for over 2,000 ebooks. This is also twice the storage capacity of the Kindle Paperwhite. (However, the GlowLight lacks the microSD slot that the previous model had, so additional storage expansion is not possible). Like the Paperwhite, Barnes & Noble’s new e-reader features an upgraded 6-inch E-Ink display with 62% more pixels than the previous Nook SimpleTouch with GlowLight, enhancing text clarity and contrast. Barnes & Noble also improved the e-reader's LED light source to provide more even illumination across the page. Unlike Amazon, which places the light source below the bottom edge of the screen, the GlowLight’s light is positioned just above the top edge. Overall, the GlowLight screen offers good contrast and lighting, comparable to that of the Paperwhite. E-Ink e-readers clearly still have a niche in the tablet market and while neither Barnes & Noble nor Amazon discloses their e-reader sales figures, it’s evident that both companies are dedicated to this category and customers continue to purchase them.


2013. B&N drops Nook GlowLight price to $99. Undercuts Amazon and Kobo



Barnes & Noble has just revealed a $20 price reduction, lowering the GlowLight’s price to just $99. This makes the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight the most affordable option in the high-end e-reader market. The ad-supported Kindle Paperwhite is priced at $119 and the Kobo Glo is $129.99. Featuring a front-lit display called GlowLight, the Nook Simple Touch GlowLight offers a gentle illumination that differs from traditional backlighting. It’s easier on the eyes, although the light reduces battery life by half — which is not a major issue since it still lasts for 2 months. The price reduction suggests that Barnes & Noble might be aiming to clear out inventory before introducing a new model. Remember, the company recently announced it will cease in-house tablet development but intends to continue producing e-readers.