Kobo Libra vs Nook Glowlight Plus

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. New waterproof 7.8″ Nook GlowLight 4 Plus is available



Barnes and Noble has officially introduced the Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, a new 7.8-inch e-reader. You can now pre-order it on their website for $199 and they offer free shipping. However, it will not be available for a few more months. This latest Nook model is essentially an upgraded version of the Nook GlowLight Plus, which was first released in 2019 as B&N's initial 7.8-inch Nook. The new Nook features a flush-front screen, physical page-turn buttons on both sides of the display and it is waterproof. Additionally, it now supports B&N's audiobooks. With a single charge, the battery allows for up to 3 weeks of reading time, while continuous audio playback over Bluetooth can be enjoyed for approximately 9 hours.


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.


2019. Barnes & Noble’s Nook e-reader returns with a larger screen



Barnes & Noble continues to release products sporadically, including the larger, improved Nook GlowLight Plus. The new reader retains the classic Nook soft-touch design, paired with a significantly larger 7.8-inch screen featuring the signature front lighting. Bulkiness has always been somewhat of a concern with the Nook and this is likely more pronounced with the increased size. It’s a trade-off for a more comfortable device and the price is quite reasonable at $199. This includes 8GB of built-in storage and a battery that lasts for weeks. The physical page buttons, which Amazon has since reintroduced, are also present. Additionally, the new Nook is waterproof, ideal for those summer reading mishaps.