Kobo vs Nook

2024. Nook eReaders and Apps Can Sync Sideloaded eBooks Now



Some users on the Nook subreddit have discovered that Nook ereaders and apps can now sync sideloaded ebooks between devices and apps, although it's unclear how long this feature has been available or which models support it. Given Barnes & Noble's history with sideloading, this capability is surprising and might even seem like an unintended bug. There’s no mention of this feature for non-B&N content on the Barnes & Noble website or in their help section. To use it, simply sideload the same ebook file on your Nook devices and apps and your reading position will sync automatically. It works with EPUBs and possibly PDFs, though this hasn’t been confirmed yet.


2023. NOOK Reading App for Windows is discontinued



Barnes and Noble has officially discontinued the NOOK reading app for the Microsoft Windows Store, with the app's listing removed and new downloads no longer permitted. While existing users can still utilize the app for the time being, the company has not clarified whether they will ultimately terminate the service altogether. Encouraging a more expansive reading experience, Barnes and Noble suggests users explore their suite of NOOK Reading Apps available for Android and iOS devices, along with NOOK for Web, facilitating online reading. This decision to discontinue services extends beyond the Windows app, as Barnes and Noble previously announced the impending closure of all services for the Nook Simple Touch, Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight and the Nook Glowlight a month ago. Starting in April of the following year, customers will lose access to the Nook Store and won't be able to sync additional digital content.


2023. Nook iOS app adds Trends to track reading progress



Barnes and Noble's latest enhancement to their Nook reading app for iPhones and iPads involves a novel aspect. They are infusing an element of gamification into the act of reading ebooks through the introduction of an innovative feature labeled as "Trends." Within this fresh section named Trends, users can effectively monitor their monthly reading and listening advancements. The section encompasses a dynamic wheel dedicated to tracking the consecutive days during which individuals engage with digital content or partake in audiobooks. The bookselling company has expressed its intention to introduce forthcoming attributes and incentives tied to the Trends concept. Parallels can be drawn between Barnes and Noble's Trends and the Kindle system for iOS, both of which monitor the uninterrupted streaks of digital reading days. The Kindle's reading progress has spawned a substantial community, with enthusiasts readily sharing their achievements on social media platforms—instances of individuals boasting multi-year streaks of daily reading are not uncommon. Barnes and Noble aspires to leverage this notion of progress in reading. An added personal wish is for this feature to extend beyond the Nook app and encompass their ebook readers as well.


2023. Kobo app for iPad App now allows to add handwritten notes to eBooks



Kobo's iPad app now supports the addition of handwritten notes to ebooks. By using an Apple Pencil, you can write directly on Kobo ebooks. If an Apple Pencil is not available, the app also allows you to write with your finger. The app includes standard Apple writing tools such as pens, pencils, highlighters, a lasso tool, an eraser, a ruler and the ability to switch between different colors. It's worth noting that handwritten notes and highlights made in the iPad app are visible in the annotations list of the Kobo Elipsa 2E (including the first generation Elipsa) and the Kobo Sage. However, they do not appear on the actual pages of the ebooks; they are only visible in the annotations list. Furthermore, these handwritten notes and highlights are not displayed on Kobo ereaders that do not support handwriting.


2023. Kobo launched e-book and audiobook subscription service Kobo Plus



Kobo has announced the launch of its Kobo Plus subscription service in the US and UK. Similar to Kindle Unlimited, subscribers can pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to a select library of e-books and audiobooks. Kobo’s Kobo Plus catalog currently features over 1.3 million e-books and over 100,000 audiobooks, with additional titles being added each month. Kobo Plus offers separate plans for e-books and audiobooks, allowing subscribers to choose one or both services based on their preferences. Kobo Plus is available for a monthly subscription fee. For the e-book and audiobook plan, the cost is $9.99 per month in the US and €12.99 GBP per month in the UK. Alternatively, customers can choose to subscribe only to e-books or audiobooks, with prices of $7.99 per month and €9.99 GBP per month in the US and UK, respectively. On the other hand, Kindle Unlimited costs $9.99 per month in the US without separate plans for e-books and audiobooks.


2023. Kobo launches Web Reader



Kobo has launched Kobo Web Reader. Unlike Kindle Cloud Reader, which has a specific site where everything functions smoothly, Kobo is taking a different approach. You need to sign in to the Kobo.com website, using the same username and password as for your e-reader or tablet. Click My Account at the top of the page and then click on My Books. Any title with a Read Now option below it will allow you to read it in the web reader. It is compatible with Safari, Chrome and Firefox. It also works on mobile and Kobo has created a dedicated help and tutorial page to get you started and guide you through the features.


2022. Kobo software update adds Sideloaded mode



Kobo's new firmware version 4.31 is a relatively minor update that enhances language support, fixes some bugs and is expected to improve battery life on the Kobo Sage. One feature not mentioned in the release notes is a new Sideloaded Mode that allows users to use a Kobo e-reader without signing in. Thanks to Davidfor at MobileRead for highlighting this and explaining how it functions. Kobo updates are typically rolled out in phases, so you might need to wait several weeks for the new firmware to automatically download and install during a sync.


2021. Nook released a new cheap Tablet for e-Reading



Barnes & Noble has launched a new Nook Tablet created by Lenovo. It’s another budget ($129) model similar to the previous Nook Tablet, featuring an even lower resolution screen (1280 x 800). On the positive side, the new Nook Tablet operates on Android 10 and includes Google Play support for installing Android apps. It is equipped with an octa-core CPU, a USB-C port, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, an FM radio, 32GB of storage and a microSD card slot. It also has an 8MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera and is slightly lighter than other 10-inch tablets at 420 grams.


2020. Kobo e-readers now include a Notes icon for quick access



Kobo has released a new firmware update 4.25.15875, which is being rolled out to all e-readers, excluding the Kobo Mini. They have introduced a new Chinese dictionary and users can now remove annotations or click the edit button to modify them. If you have a Kobo Sleep Cover for the Forma or Libra, the device will now enter sleep mode properly when the cover is closed. Additionally, within the ebook, an icon appears in the margin for all annotations. Clicking the icon shows the notes for the annotation in a popup. You can remove the annotations or click the edit button to modify them. The icon is only shown if the margins are sufficiently wide to accommodate it.


2020. Barnes and Noble improved author sorting in Nooks



Barnes and Noble has released a firmware update for many of their Nook e-readers. Software update 52.0.78 is being rolled out and includes several bug fixes and improvements. One of the most notable changes is that author names now consistently display as their first and last names. This feature is helpful if you enjoy reading ebooks by the same author, making it easier to organize them in your library. Additionally, a progress bar has been added to your library, indicating how far you are through various ebooks. There are likely other aspects of this update, but Barnes and Noble no longer publishes detailed changelogs.


2020. Kobo introduces ebook discovery



Kobo has released a new firmware update for most of its readers (excluding the Kobo Mini) which introduces several features such as improved ebook discovery and a new clock. You can now access and explore more books or return to the Home screen with one fewer tap. Tap More to view additional options like reading activity, settings and help articles. You can also scroll up and down through your list of books. The clock appears in the upper left corner when you are on the home screen, library and the store (the tab for which is labeled Discover). It also shows up in your currently open book.


2020. All Kobo e-readers can now access cloud storage



The Kobo Forma is the only e-reader with official Dropbox support, but it is their most expensive model and many users have other devices that work perfectly well. An independent app developer has just released the Kobo Cloud software, which can link your e-reader to Dropbox, Google Drive, NextCloud and pCloud. All you need to do is visit the Kobo Cloud GitHub page and follow the straightforward instructions. There are essentially two steps: first, plug your Kobo e-reader into your PC and copy the files into the root folder of your Kobo; then, restart your device and edit the configuration file to add your preferred cloud storage service provider, with most people choosing Dropbox or Google Drive.


2019. Barnes and Noble will continue to support the Nook e-Reader



The new CEO of Barnes and Noble, James Daunt, has announced that the bookseller will continue to back the Nook e-Reader. He emphasized that his primary focus will be on enhancing B&N’s physical stores. “If you enhance the stores, everything else will improve,” he said. However, we can anticipate new Nook models being released every year or two for the foreseeable future.


2019. Kobo Plus introduced audiobooks



Unlimited ebook subscription service Kobo Plus has now included audiobooks and introduced several new tiers. Kobo has consistently used Plus as a testing ground for a potential expansion into other countries (currently, it is only available in the Netherlands). You can subscribe to the unlimited ebook component of Plus for €9.99 per month or just the audiobook portion for €8.99 per month. If you wish to access both reading and listening options, the cost will be €12.99 per month. Kobo Plus features an audiobook collection of approximately 20,000 titles. Some are in English, while others are in Dutch.


2019. Kobo WIFI E-Reader is losing access to the Kobo Bookstore



Kobo has always provided support for their older e-readers with up-to-date firmware. However, since February 28, the Kobo Wifi will no longer be maintained by Rakuten Kobo. This means it will stop receiving software updates and will not be able to connect to the Kobo eBookstore. The reason for this is that very few people still use this e-reader and Kobo has decided not to release critical security updates for it. The Kobo Wifi, which was the second e-reader released by Kobo back in 2010, has received numerous updates over the years, but it has officially reached the end of its lifespan. While the Kobo Wifi will no longer be able to buy books directly from the Kobo store, users can still access their existing library and sideload their own books.


2018. Barnes and Noble releases Nook Tablet 7 2018 Edition



Barnes & Noble has introduced a second-generation NOOK 7 tablet with increased storage to accommodate your digital library and an enhanced reading experience, just in time for holiday shopping. It is available today in stores and online for $49.99. The NOOK 7 provides twice the storage capacity of the previous model at 16GB (expandable up to 128GB), along with front and rear cameras, Bluetooth connectivity, a headphone jack, a speaker and a microphone. The new NOOK is a fully-equipped tablet featuring a stunning LCD screen, access to the Google Play Store, a soft-touch finish and upgraded NOOK software for a better reading and browsing experience.


2018. Barnes & Noble released new Nook tablet



Barnes & Noble introduced a new Nook 10.1 tablet priced at $130. Aside from the screen size (a modest 224 ppi), there isn’t much to highlight about what will likely be a standard budget Android tablet with 32GB of storage, two cameras and a headphone jack—though this does count as a feature in 2018. The soft-touch finish and lightweight build make it an ideal holiday present for readers who want to immerse themselves in their favorite books for extended periods. Barnes & Noble is dubbing it a “game changer.” This is the first Nook since 2016, when the once-popular bookseller offered an extremely affordable $50 model.


2018. Walmart and Kobo launched online e-book and audiobook store



Walmart has teamed up with Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten to offer audiobooks, e-books and e-readers alongside its selection of physical books. The new site, named Walmart eBooks, features a collection of over 6 million titles, including NYT best-sellers, indie books and children’s literature. Similar to Amazon’s Audible, Walmart will also provide a monthly audiobook subscription service. However, Walmart is undercutting Amazon on pricing. While Audible subscriptions start at $14.95 per month for one audiobook, Walmart’s subscription is priced at just $9.99 per month for the same service. Walmart will also offer Rakuten-owned Kobo e-readers both online and in stores.


2018. Barnes and Noble launched book social discovery app



Barnes & Noble has introduced a new Android app named Browsery. This app serves as a social network for readers to discuss books. Drawing on the fundamental aspects of the Barnes & Noble store experience—exploring, community and dialogue—it assists you in discovering your next favorite book through the insights and passion of other readers. Examples of popular questions include: What is a compelling biography to read after watching *The Crown*? Are there any stories that will make you cry? What’s your favorite book about books?


2018. Kobo app gets new comic viewer



The Kobo app for iOS has just received a major update for those who enjoy digital comics. It now features a new comic viewer that lets you read horizontally or vertically, navigate by page or in a grid view and access your comics before they’re fully downloaded. There is also a new animated page-turn engine that allows you to glimpse what’s on the next page. Kobo’s comic selection isn’t extensive; most of their content comes from their Writing Life self-publishing platform. They lack comics from major publishers like DC, Image, or Marvel, so it's surprising that Kobo is expanding comic book support given the limited scope of their catalog.