Kobo Touch $129

[stickybuns]

So how does the Kobo look in comparison to the Sony? The difference between it and the Nook Color and Kindle are pretty obvious.

[Donnageddon]

This is the first real competitor to the Sony 650. Plus with wi-fi!

I may pick one up as a back up.

[SensualPoet]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

"first international reader"......? from kobo, yes but...

What the Kobo blog says about this:

The Kobo eReader Touch Edition will be available in multiple languages: English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian, and readers will be able to enjoy a localized user experience, local content, recommendations, and a local store.

so, you might quibble about whether they are first (Amazon has UK, German and US Kindle stores), but the scope is a first.

More details in the official Kobo blogpost here: http://blog.kobobooks.com/2011/05/23...ereader-today/

[pvs]

Looks pretty good. Now I hope that Kobo will allow indented paragraphs after the opening paragraph, and get rid of some of the vertical space between paragraphs

[SensualPoet]

The Kobo video also says with Reading Life -- which is enabled on the Kobo Wifi Touch -- you can access Facebook and Twitter which I gather means mainly posting the current read to Facebook or sending a tweet. This allows it to match the capability of their iOS and Android software.

It never pays to underestimate Kobo.

The timing is important because whatever Nook is up to, it is likely to drown out the Kobo message for a few days. Perhaps if B&N gets bought out by Liberty Media they will enter markets outside the US later this year. And Amazon has made so many announcements in the past several days, it's hard to believe they have a new Kindle on tap until the fall. So, Kobo has some runway to continue prospering.

Biggest question is whether Sony is going to continue to sit on the sidelines? I wonder if they'd consider merging their customer base with Kobo? Or if that would be B&N's way into the international markets?

[boswd]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

The Kobo video also says with Reading Life -- which is enabled on the Kobo Wifi Touch -- you can access Facebook and Twitter which I gather means mainly posting the current read to Facebook or sending a tweet. This allows it to match the capability of their iOS and Android software.

It never pays to underestimate Kobo.

The timing is important because whatever Nook is up to, it is likely to drown out the Kobo message for a few days. Perhaps if B&N gets bought out by Liberty Media they will enter markets outside the US later this year. And Amazon has made so many announcements in the past several days, it's hard to believe they have a new Kindle on tap until the fall. So, Kobo has some runway to continue prospering.

Biggest question is whether Sony is going to continue to sit on the sidelines? I wonder if they'd consider merging their customer base with Kobo? Or if that would be B&N's way into the international markets?

Hi Sensual Poet, How is Kobo doing north of the Border?

[SensualPoet]

Originally Posted by boswd

Hi Sensual Poet, How is Kobo doing north of the Border?

Very well, as far as I can see.

Amazon Kindle is only available mail order -- no stores distribute it.

B&N Nook doesn't sell its ereaders or its ebooks outside of the US.

Sony only sells the PRS-350 5" touch Pearl model -- at $199 -- which lacks wifi; it has stopped selling the PRS-650 6" (which was $249) and has never bothered telling the PRS-950 7" wifi in Canada.

That leaves Kobo almost to itself. It distributes in 350 books stores from sister company Chapters/Indigo and even accepts returns and swaps for damaged Kobos in store. It is in the biggest electronic big box stores -- Best Buy and its sister company Future Shop -- and is slowly pushing Sony out of the way in that channel.

Plus Kobo is in Wal-mart Canada as the only e-reader.

Finally, Kobo, even in Chapters / Indigo stores, makes a big deal about access to public library books. It is very open and friendly and continues to position itself as an international reader ... something which appeals to Canadian cultural milieu.

So, I believe it is doing very well. It will be interesting to see how important the bricks and mortar piece is in the US market: B&N has it, Amazon doesn't ... but Kindle doesn't seem to be hurting. Kobo might be able to thrive even without Borders.

[OtterBooks]

The feature that shows your reading statistics is kinda neat.

[Blossom]

Touchscreen, pearl and SD card! I will defiantly get one.

[beautifulsoup]

Originally Posted by John F

Excellent. If it has good reading software, I'll consider it.

From the article:



They seem to be misinformed (or out of date).

Maybe I'm out of date, but I have both the Kobo Wifi, and the Sony Touch (pocket edition)....and to my eyes, the contrast is already better on the Kobo. Or maybe it's something about the greyscale.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

Very well, as far as I can see.

Amazon Kindle is only available mail order -- no stores distribute it.

B&N Nook doesn't sell its ereaders or its ebooks outside of the US.

Sony only sells the PRS-350 5" touch Pearl model -- at $199 -- which lacks wifi; it has stopped selling the PRS-650 6" (which was $249) and has never bothered telling the PRS-950 7" wifi in Canada.

That leaves Kobo almost to itself. It distributes in 350 books stores from sister company Chapters/Indigo and even accepts returns and swaps for damaged Kobos in store. It is in the biggest electronic big box stores -- Best Buy and its sister company Future Shop -- and is slowly pushing Sony out of the way in that channel.

Plus Kobo is in Wal-mart Canada as the only e-reader.

Finally, Kobo, even in Chapters / Indigo stores, makes a big deal about access to public library books. It is very open and friendly and continues to position itself as an international reader ... something which appeals to Canadian cultural milieu.

So, I believe it is doing very well. It will be interesting to see how important the bricks and mortar piece is in the US market: B&N has it, Amazon doesn't ... but Kindle doesn't seem to be hurting. Kobo might be able to thrive even without Borders.

that's good to hear. I always liked the kobo, hit's that certain niche market without sacrificing too much.

[CommonReader]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

What the Kobo blog says about this:

The Kobo eReader Touch Edition will be available in multiple languages: English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian, and readers will be able to enjoy a localized user experience, local content, recommendations, and a local store.

so, you might quibble about whether they are first (Amazon has UK, German and US Kindle stores), but the scope is a first.

More details in the official Kobo blogpost here: http://blog.kobobooks.com/2011/05/23...ereader-today/

The Sony Readers do have multiple language interfaces and Sony's bookstore operates in several countries. Additionally, the Sonys have multiple language dictionaries. So where exactly is the first?

Engadget is getting worse all the time. Apparently they are comparing the Kobo to the PRS-600.

Anyway, the Kobo is very attractive, particularly so at that price. I wonder how that white reader and its quilted back will look after some practical use, though. I don't quite see why they all do their commercials in the Apple style.

[m-reader]

Very nice indeed!

I just wish the duffus from Engadget didn't keep refering to the clear touch screen "unlike Sony readers which have additional layer of glass". Seriously, you'd think somebody working at Engadget covering e-Readers would know what he's on about.

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

Very well, as far as I can see.

Amazon Kindle is only available mail order -- no stores distribute it.

B&N Nook doesn't sell its ereaders or its ebooks outside of the US.

Sony only sells the PRS-350 5" touch Pearl model -- at $199 -- which lacks wifi; it has stopped selling the PRS-650 6" (which was $249) and has never bothered telling the PRS-950 7" wifi in Canada.

That leaves Kobo almost to itself. It distributes in 350 books stores from sister company Chapters/Indigo and even accepts returns and swaps for damaged Kobos in store. It is in the biggest electronic big box stores -- Best Buy and its sister company Future Shop -- and is slowly pushing Sony out of the way in that channel.

Plus Kobo is in Wal-mart Canada as the only e-reader.

Finally, Kobo, even in Chapters / Indigo stores, makes a big deal about access to public library books. It is very open and friendly and continues to position itself as an international reader ... something which appeals to Canadian cultural milieu.

So, I believe it is doing very well. It will be interesting to see how important the bricks and mortar piece is in the US market: B&N has it, Amazon doesn't ... but Kindle doesn't seem to be hurting. Kobo might be able to thrive even without Borders.

I have actually seen the Sony PRS-350 at certain Walmart stores in Canada (selling for about $180, if I recall correctly), but it is not listed on their website, which I find odd.

I hope that Kobo does well with this e-book reader, I am really loving this first look that I've had of it today in various videos. I wonder if it will have PDF reflow? For me, the only thing missing would be PDF reflow and the ability to access dictionaries in different languages. I am very tempted to get one, but I really don't need another ebook reader. Perhaps as a gift to someone.

[stonetools]

Anyway, the Kobo is very attractive, particularly so at that price. I wonder how that white reader and its quilted back will look after some practical use, though. I don't quite see why they all do their commercials in the Apple style

Because they want to emulate the champ in tech marketing?


I'm surprised they didn't end it with "Read different".