Vox reveal includes interesting Kobo info

[emilikins]

Good eReader has two long posts about the Kobo Vox and Kobo in general I linked to the latter, because the Vox thread already has the link to the Vox hands-on review.

Some interesting bits:

Mike Serbinis told us that Kobo is focused on the international aspect of reading and the social. The USA market is too expensive and too saturated for any new company to come along and try to make headway. The landscape is dominated by Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and many inferior based devices. Kobo went the route of offering e-readers in traditionally untapped markets. It is very important that Kobo not alienate potential customers just because of the country they may live in. Barnes and Noble are notorious for this by not selling the device outside the USA and not allowing book purchases either. You can honestly buy a Kobo in any country in the world and start buying books right away.

Things did not get any easier, with Barnes and Noble recently purchasing the entire intellectual properly, including millions of users who purchased books or kobo devices. So how is the Canadian based e-reader Company coping with a bad situation in the USA? They started a series of small kiosks! We reported months ago that they started a trail one at Grand Central Station in New York. The company informed us today that that during this holiday season they are starting many new kiosks in Canada, USA, UK, and other markets. All of their staff are highly trained on the product and can answer most basic to advanced questions.

I'll keep my eye out for any of these. Should be interesting ... I usually avoid eye contact with anyone at kiosks! But it's a workaround until 2012, when they're free of the Borders contract.

[SCION]

That's good stuff.

[PeterT]

There was also a story on the CBC news today about Kobo getting into the publishing area next year; introducing tools to allow authors to self publish through them.

[Nina182B]

I was at local mall in Jersey City, NJ over the weekend, and saw the Kobo Kiosk. They had about 6 Kobos in display for people to play with. I really hope they stock the Vox soon.