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Well, I don't really think the two devices are in the same league except that they are in the similar price range. The Kobo is a good ereader. The Nook is a good ereader plus it offers the following additional features to enhance other non reading related experiences:
1) WiFi for download books, unlimited web browsing and firmware update.
2) MP3 player
3) Color LCD for navigation and showing of book covers
Based on the reviews, as an ereader, the Nook has better contrast and the Kobo has better battery life. However, the Nook features appeals to people that want more than just an ereader and who appreciate the real advantages of having WiFi/3G which is designed to reduce as much as possible, tethering of a computer. Besides downloading books, it enables automatic firmware update and minimizes potential problems due to various computer platforms.
Comparing the Kobo and the Nook is like comparing a Honda with a BMW. They are both good cars that transport its end users from point A to point B. Honda weights less and has better mileage while BMW has a ton more features. However, as we all know, these two cars appeal to different people and are priced very differently. The same should have applied to the Nook and Kobo. These two devices appeal to different end users and frankly, they shouldn’t be in the same price range but since they currently are, it can only mean either the Nook is underpriced or the Kobo is overpriced.
I am not recommending everyone should go with the Nook; some people do not like and do not need frills. However, a product has to be priced correctly according to its features and more so, the peers in its industry in order to stay competitive. Based on various forecast, before this Christmas season, the more featured ereaders like the Nook and Kindle will drop to close to $100 range and the no frills one much lower. Therefore, if someone is waiting for a bare bone no frills basic entry level ereader, you might want to hold off until the big price drop.
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