Clara HD Kobo Clara? Will there be an update?

[heatherkobo]

I love my Clara. The size is perfect. I was thinking of buying a second one for back up. Anyone know or hear anything of kobo releasing an update version of the Clara? Thank you.


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[mezzanine]

I'm not the person to ask, but I will be surprised if Kobo doesn't release a new Clara because it is hard to see how they can compete with the new Paperwhite with their current lineup. Kindle has Kobo in a tough spot now with the most popular segment of the market, which hasn't traditionally been the case.

[kyôdai]

It is hard to say, but I don't see much hope for the Clara HD. (Or any kind of "premium" 6-inch device for that matter.)

Amazon's new Paperwhite 5 with its bigger 6,8" display at "only" €130 (MSRP) changes the game a bit.

It does not make much sense, to pit a 6" device against that. Sure some people might prefer that size, but the majority will always go for the bigger screen.

You could make the next Clara HD bigger, but then you would start to cannibalize the Libra 2.

So yeah, it will be interesting to see, how Kobo reacts to this new situation.

[Almamida]

Maybe the best thing to do is to wait as there is no rush for you. The Clara is not discontinued and you still have a working one actually. You'll still be able to buy one if something bad happens to yours.

[koboy]

Originally Posted by heatherkobo

I love my Clara. The size is perfect. I was thinking of buying a second one for back up. Anyone know or hear anything of kobo releasing an update version of the Clara? Thank you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

here's hoping. fingers crossed

best wishes koboy

[koboy]

Originally Posted by kyôdai

It is hard to say, but I don't see much hope for the Clara HD. (Or any kind of "premium" 6-inch device for that matter.)

Amazon's new Paperwhite 5 with its bigger 6,8" display at "only" €130 (MSRP) changes the game a bit.

It does not make much sense, to pit a 6" device against that. Sure some people might prefer that size, but the majority will always go for the bigger screen.

You could make the next Clara HD bigger, but then you would start to cannibalize the Libra 2.

So yeah, it will be interesting to see, how Kobo reacts to this new situation.

i must be in the minority (not always the worse place to be) my original 6" Aura (in it's case) fits in my inside coat/jacket pocket perfectly. the Kobo Forma, Libra H2O and the two new Kobo e-readers the Sage and the Libra 2 like most squarish e-readers including the Kindle Oasis have exactly the same shaped (reading screen) as my original Aura. of course obviously the screens on those devices i've mentioned are bigger, but the actually shape of the (reading screen) is identical to my Aura and most (if not all) other 6" e-readers.

the design to accommodate the page turn buttons which means having extra plastic on one side of the newer e-reader's the Forma, Libra H2O, Libra 2, Sage is in my humble opinion a poor one. it's the reason why the overall dimensions of these devices end up being (as i like to call them) squarish e-readers.


personally i'd like an updated Kobo Clara HD 6" e-reader with 32GB storage and the Comfort Pro more orange than yellow warm light, also (in my ideal world) it would have buttons on the sides (similar to the Kindle Voyage design) or the buttons at the bottom like they are on the Pocketbook e-readers.

if Kobo decide not to update the Clara HD i'll stick with my original 6" Aura's for as long as i can.

best wishes koboy

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by koboy

if Kobo decide not to update the Clara HD i'll stick with my original 6" Aura's for as long as i can.

Having moved from a 6" Aura to a Clara, it is well worth the upgrade. I liked the design and flush screen on the 6" Aura, but I wouldn't go back to one vs. the Clara.

[koboy]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Having moved from a 6" Aura to a Clara, it is well worth the upgrade. I liked the design and flush screen on the 6" Aura, but I wouldn't go back to one vs. the Clara.

my ebook collection is 12.6GB and counting (all on my 32GB external micro SD card) on my original 6 " Aura. the Clara HD as the size screen and shape i want. if Kobo (and i won't hold my breath) update the Clara HD with the features that i've already stated it would be sufficient enough for me to try one.

obviously other opinions exist including yours

best wishes koboy

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by heatherkobo

I love my Clara. The size is perfect. I was thinking of buying a second one for back up. Anyone know or hear anything of kobo releasing an update version of the Clara? Thank you.

I don't know. No one knew the Libra 2 and Sage were coming so it looks like Kobo has gotten more "stealthy" about their device releases. If Kobo does release a new Clara HD I hope they keep size as is. I just bought my first one and I like it quite a bit. If they did update the Clara (not that I think there is any pressing need to do so)... I would look at going to 16 GB of memory, maybe updating the CPU and RAM, putting the switch on the back and, for those who want it, making it waterproof — and maybe updating the screen to E-Carta 1200. Other than that I hope they don't change the basic configuration. Personally I'm happy with the way it is. I don't get overly concerned that it is a 2.5 or 3 year-old design. It has modern features and is continually updated.

Originally Posted by mezzanine

I'm not the person to ask, but I will be surprised if Kobo doesn't release a new Clara because it is hard to see how they can compete with the new Paperwhite with their current lineup. Kindle has Kobo in a tough spot now with the most popular segment of the market, which hasn't traditionally been the case.

Well, let's put it this way. I just bought a new Clara HD even though I knew the new Kindle Paperwhite was coming. With trade-ins I could have gotten the Kindle for close to the same price. As for the screen size, 6.8" is easier for Kindle because their bezels were big enough on the older Paperwhites that they didn't have to increase overall size of the new Paperwhite much. To upgrade the Clara to 6.8" you would have to significantly increase its size. Which, to me, would be a detriment.

I sure hope that, when (if) they release a new Clara they don't significantly change its shape and size. As is, it fits in most pockets — that won't be the case with the 6.8" Kindle.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by koboy

personally i'd like an updated Kobo Clara HD 6" e-reader with 32GB storage and the Comfort Pro more orange than yellow warm light, also (in my ideal world) it would have buttons on the sides (similar to the Kindle Voyage design) or the buttons at the bottom like they are on the Pocketbook e-readers.

if Kobo decide not to update the Clara HD i'll stick with my original 6" Aura's for as long as i can.

I'll stick with 6" readers in general. More portable. If I had to wear reading glasses I might have a different viewpoint. But I don't so I prefer smaller readers. Heck, I even enjoyed finishing my last book on a 5" Kobo Mini.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by kyôdai

It does not make much sense, to pit a 6" device against that. Sure some people might prefer that size, but the majority will always go for the bigger screen.

Are you sure? Apparently the Paperwhite has been Amazon's best seller for years and (I believe) the Clara HD has been Kobo's best seller since its release. I realize that price has something do with that — but 6" readers can be produced more cheaply and they work fine (and the size, in my opinion, is a plus because they're lighter and easier to carry). I'm guessing the viewpoint in MobileRead does not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of those in the majority who buy eReaders.

[davidfor]

I think a replacement or update to the Clara HD is likely. I think the market is still there for an ereader like this. Amazon still has a 6" Kindle. It is cheaper than the Clara HD and has a lower resolution screen. But, if the update/replacement has Bluetooth and supports audiobooks, then I think it will be a desirable device for many.

The timing is the thing. Because of the three devices released this year, I would expect the Clara HD update/replacement to be in September/October next year. But, it is also overdue. So, it might be in April timeframe.

And if anyone has looked at my record for predictions, the above means it is either going to be announced next week, or the Clara HD is just going to quietly disappear.

[Semwize]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Amazon still has a 6" Kindle.

There a 167ppi screen. This is an analogue of Kobo Nia.
And even, Nia will be better.

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by Semwize

There a 167ppi screen. This is an analogue of Kobo Nia.
And even, Nia will be better.

I’m still convinced that the Nia exists almost entirely to sell the Clara HD.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

I’m still convinced that the Nia exists almost entirely to sell the Clara HD.

That's a good theory. I just feel sorry for those who don't realize it and buy the Nia — especially since (in the U.S. anyhow) the Clara goes on sale for the same price as the Nia on a regular basis. I think the Nia has been on sale one time in its whole "career." I thought, when it was released, this was going to be a $70 eReader that went on sale for $55 (or so) on a regular basis. $20 less than the Clara just doesn't make sense (unless, as you say, it's there to sell the Clara).