Kobo releases windows 8 e-reader app

lecoeur · 02-29-2012, 03:54 PM

From the press release:

Kobo Inc. today announced that the company will be one of the first eBook retailers to have an app featured in the Windows Store concurrent with the release of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Built using HTML and Java Script, Kobo’s app offers a personalized, secure and central destination where people can manage their entire Kobo reading experience. The new app was one of just a handful selected for release with the Consumer Preview of Windows 8.

The new Kobo app offers new and exciting features:

* Revamped Look and Feel

- A new and improved interface immerses you in your books

- A gorgeous library view that let’s you search and find your books easily

* Cloud Storage

- Cloud storage lets you access your entire library from wherever you are

- Never lose your books — they’re safe and secure in the Cloud

* Freedom to Read Anywhere

- Read on your desktop PC or even from your Windows 8 tablet

“Microsoft has a history of being a technology leader in personal computing, and apps have shown the way of the future,” said Michael Serbinis, CEO of Kobo Inc. “Windows 8 represents an opportunity for the app development community. Kobo is thrilled to be involved, and we’re looking forward to reaching this exciting milestone with Microsoft.”

Using Kobo’s desktop application, consumers can instantly access their library and download their purchases directly to their home PC or tablet to read offline later, without an Internet connection. The Kobo app also enables users to shop for eBooks through the integrated Kobo eBook Store and download content to their desktop to easily build and manage their library.

“We believe consumers want choice and the freedom to read on any device. Building great eReading apps and working with leading manufacturers such as Microsoft is a recipe for success in this quickly growing market,” said Serbinis. “This latest collaboration is a continuation of Kobo’s ‘Read Freely’ philosophy, where we provide a world-class catalogue, complementary mobile apps and a global infrastructure suitable for any market.”

paulsalter · 03-01-2012, 11:23 AM

Sounds interesting, hopefully an OS X version will be out also

TonyToews · 03-03-2012, 10:41 PM

So many devices. So few programmers, or rather $$$, to create the software on all the platforms.

That said I'm quite happy there is an ePub reader app available for my Palm TX.

The Terminator · 03-04-2012, 12:19 AM

I'm interested to know what "Cloud Storage" means, will that mean that we'll be able to sync non-Kobo books?

On one article I read on this said "Cloud Storage for ALL your books" so hopefully this will get implemented across devices.

scrapking · 03-04-2012, 12:44 AM

I love the Metro user interface, so I'm very open to the idea of a Windows 8 tablet. Knowing Kobo's on there helps Win 8 tablets make my short list. Doubtlessly we'll see all the majors on there. I hope we get comiXology for Win8!

TonyToews · 03-04-2012, 06:11 PM

I don't trust the cloud.

But then I also run my own web/email/DNS server so I could easily run my own "cloud".

02-29-2012, 03:54 PM	#1
lecoeur Connoisseur Posts: 99 Karma: 600006 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cardiff, Wales. UK Device: kobo touch	Kobo releases windows 8 e-reader app From the press release: Kobo Inc. today announced that the company will be one of the first eBook retailers to have an app featured in the Windows Store concurrent with the release of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. Built using HTML and Java Script, Kobo’s app offers a personalized, secure and central destination where people can manage their entire Kobo reading experience. The new app was one of just a handful selected for release with the Consumer Preview of Windows 8. The new Kobo app offers new and exciting features: * Revamped Look and Feel - A new and improved interface immerses you in your books - A gorgeous library view that let’s you search and find your books easily * Cloud Storage - Cloud storage lets you access your entire library from wherever you are - Never lose your books — they’re safe and secure in the Cloud * Freedom to Read Anywhere - Read on your desktop PC or even from your Windows 8 tablet “Microsoft has a history of being a technology leader in personal computing, and apps have shown the way of the future,” said Michael Serbinis, CEO of Kobo Inc. “Windows 8 represents an opportunity for the app development community. Kobo is thrilled to be involved, and we’re looking forward to reaching this exciting milestone with Microsoft.” Using Kobo’s desktop application, consumers can instantly access their library and download their purchases directly to their home PC or tablet to read offline later, without an Internet connection. The Kobo app also enables users to shop for eBooks through the integrated Kobo eBook Store and download content to their desktop to easily build and manage their library. “We believe consumers want choice and the freedom to read on any device. Building great eReading apps and working with leading manufacturers such as Microsoft is a recipe for success in this quickly growing market,” said Serbinis. “This latest collaboration is a continuation of Kobo’s ‘Read Freely’ philosophy, where we provide a world-class catalogue, complementary mobile apps and a global infrastructure suitable for any market.”

03-04-2012, 12:19 AM	#4
The Terminator Retired Posts: 2,552 Karma: 37638420 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Device: Kobo Touch, Optimus One (2.3), Nexus 7 (4.2)	I'm interested to know what "Cloud Storage" means, will that mean that we'll be able to sync non-Kobo books? On one article I read on this said "Cloud Storage for ALL your books" so hopefully this will get implemented across devices. Last edited by The Terminator; 03-04-2012 at 12:22 AM.

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03-01-2012, 11:23 AM	#2
paulsalter Fanatic Posts: 579 Karma: 3243761 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Fire HD8	Sounds interesting, hopefully an OS X version will be out also

03-03-2012, 10:41 PM	#3
TonyToews Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 351398 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kobo Vox and Glo	So many devices. So few programmers, or rather $$$, to create the software on all the platforms. That said I'm quite happy there is an ePub reader app available for my Palm TX.

03-04-2012, 12:44 AM	#5
scrapking Evangelist Posts: 467 Karma: 1073260 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Victoria, BC Device: Kobo Vox, Kobo Glo	I love the Metro user interface, so I'm very open to the idea of a Windows 8 tablet. Knowing Kobo's on there helps Win 8 tablets make my short list. Doubtlessly we'll see all the majors on there. I hope we get comiXology for Win8!

03-04-2012, 06:11 PM	#6
TonyToews Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 351398 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kobo Vox and Glo	I don't trust the cloud. But then I also run my own web/email/DNS server so I could easily run my own "cloud".

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