Kobo revs up its line of e-readers, unveils Kobo Arc 10 HD tablet

Alexander Turcic · 08-27-2013, 08:15 PM

Hosting the "Beyond the Book" event in NYC today, Kobo just announced a whole bunch of new e-reading devices, including the Kobo Arc 10 HD - their first 10-inch tablet, and quite a beauty it is!

To start with, below is a list of the new devices along with the specifications.

Kobo Aura

Specs:

Display: 6-inch E Ink
CPU: 1.0 GHz
Connectivity: WiFi
Storage: 4GB
Price: $149.99 (retail starting September 16)

Kobo Arc 7

Specs:

Display: 7-inch, 1024 x 600 pixels
CPU: 1.2 GHz MTK 8125
Camera: 0.3 MP (front)
RAM: 1GB, with 8GB storage
Price: $149.99

Kobo Arc 7 HD

Specs:

Display: 7-inch, 1920 x 1200 pixels
CPU: 1.7 GHz Nvidia Tegra 3
Camera: 1.3 MP (front)
Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0
RAM: 1GB, with 16GB or 32GB storage
Android 4.2.2
Price: $199.99 (16GB), $249.99 (32GB)

Kobo Arc 10 HD

Specs:

Display: 10-inch, 2560 x 1600 pixels
CPU: 1.8 GHz Nvidia Tegra 4
Camera: 1.3 MP (front)
RAM: 2GB, with 16GB storage
Price: $399.99

[via Engadget]

tubemonkey · 08-27-2013, 08:22 PM

Nothing there of interest to me.

Alexander Turcic · 08-27-2013, 08:25 PM

According to Financial Post, regarding the Kobo Aura (E Ink):

Quote:

It will retail for $149 starting Sept. 16, and boasts a new screen technology that almost entirely eliminates ghosting and page refresh effects. It is the first e-Ink reader with read-it-later service integration from Pocket built-in.

Alexander Turcic · 08-27-2013, 08:28 PM

Press release:

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-rel...221398961.html

Alexander Turcic · 08-27-2013, 08:29 PM

The tablets are said to retail on October 16.

Mivo · 08-27-2013, 08:31 PM

I think those are good additions, though none of the devices feel like something I need.

The Glo works fine for me and the Aura doesn't offer enough improvements to justify buying it (no physical page turn buttons), though the capacitive touchsrceen would be nice to have.

I just bought a Nexus 7.2, so the announcement comes too late, but it's good to see that Kobo's device will also have a 1920x1200 resolution and that they state that they'll keep updating the OS.

And 10" tablets, well, I still have my iPad and I consider to get an ultrabook to replace my 17" laptop in half a year or a year, so I don't think a 10" tablet is something that fits in my devices-family-planning.

Still, I feel that those are solid additions to Kobo's product line.

faithbw · 08-27-2013, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Nothing there of interest to me.

Yeah, so far the devices are excellent yet don't have anything (good value, hard to beat price, etc.) that entices me to give up my e-reader or trade in my tablet.

faithbw · 08-27-2013, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mivo

I just bought a Nexus 7.2, so the announcement comes too late, but it's good to see that Kobo's device will also have a 1920x1200 resolution and that they state that they'll keep updating the OS.

Same here. The Kobo Aura HD has some nice specs but I wonder how long it'll take them to upgrade to Android 4.2 plus I imagine the version of Android is skinned. The Kobo is a little cheaper but I don't regret buying the Nexus 7.

rxmom03 · 08-27-2013, 08:41 PM

I've been wanting a lighted e-reader so have been waiting (not so) patiently for all the announcements. I am excited that Pocket is part of Kobo now--I use that all the time! And now if I could only find a picture of the pink e-reader

Mary

fjtorres · 08-27-2013, 09:53 PM

CNET Has some added details:

http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/kobo...-35826962.html

http://reviews.cnet.com/e-book-reade...-35826967.html

"Up to 100 pages between refresh" is due to an improved screen controller, apparently, as the screen is still Pearl HD and not the next-gen screen eInk talked about recently.

The edge-to-edge design refers to the capacitance touch that allows for a screen-level bezel in matte glass.

CNET Australia has info on the tablets:

http://www.cnet.com.au/kobo-launchin...-339345284.htm

I do hope Kobo is careful managing their tablet inventory because there doesn't appear to be anything compelling there.

Jewitch · 08-27-2013, 10:01 PM

I'm happy with my Kobo Touch.

taming · 08-27-2013, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faithbw

Same here. The Kobo Aura HD has some nice specs but I wonder how long it'll take them to upgrade to Android 4.2 plus I imagine the version of Android is skinned. The Kobo is a little cheaper but I don't regret buying the Nexus 7.

The Kobo Aura HD is a Linux eink device. The 10 inch Arc tablet is being released with Android 4.2.2.

evanft · 08-27-2013, 10:09 PM

I have no idea why I would buy an Arc over just about any other tablet.

Solicitous · 08-28-2013, 12:23 AM

Seems to me the Arc 7 is a step back from the original Arc (ok SD slot and faster processor, but screen res and battery life is worse).

Why have they opted for the backs that they have on the new line? They are not symmetrical. Swapping from one hand to another will feel really odd.

I must note that it is strange lack of Kobo people here on MR anymore, along with Getsatisfaction hasn't seen one reply to a post in a looooong time. Hmmm

meeera · 08-28-2013, 01:31 AM

They're calling their new six inch device an Aura now? Confusing. And no bumps to the Aura Original. Bother.

08-27-2013, 08:15 PM	#1
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,175 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Kobo revs up its line of e-readers, unveils Kobo Arc 10 HD tablet Hosting the "Beyond the Book" event in NYC today, Kobo just announced a whole bunch of new e-reading devices, including the Kobo Arc 10 HD - their first 10-inch tablet, and quite a beauty it is! To start with, below is a list of the new devices along with the specifications. Kobo Aura Specs: Display: 6-inch E Ink CPU: 1.0 GHz Connectivity: WiFi Storage: 4GB Price: $149.99 (retail starting September 16) Kobo Arc 7 Specs: Display: 7-inch, 1024 x 600 pixels CPU: 1.2 GHz MTK 8125 Camera: 0.3 MP (front) RAM: 1GB, with 8GB storage Price: $149.99 Kobo Arc 7 HD Specs: Display: 7-inch, 1920 x 1200 pixels CPU: 1.7 GHz Nvidia Tegra 3 Camera: 1.3 MP (front) Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 RAM: 1GB, with 16GB or 32GB storage Android 4.2.2 Price: $199.99 (16GB), $249.99 (32GB) Kobo Arc 10 HD Specs: Display: 10-inch, 2560 x 1600 pixels CPU: 1.8 GHz Nvidia Tegra 4 Camera: 1.3 MP (front) RAM: 2GB, with 16GB storage Price: $399.99 [via Engadget] Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Alexander Turcic; 08-27-2013 at 08:27 PM.

08-27-2013, 09:53 PM	#10
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	CNET Has some added details: http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/kobo...-35826962.html http://reviews.cnet.com/e-book-reade...-35826967.html "Up to 100 pages between refresh" is due to an improved screen controller, apparently, as the screen is still Pearl HD and not the next-gen screen eInk talked about recently. The edge-to-edge design refers to the capacitance touch that allows for a screen-level bezel in matte glass. CNET Australia has info on the tablets: http://www.cnet.com.au/kobo-launchin...-339345284.htm I do hope Kobo is careful managing their tablet inventory because there doesn't appear to be anything compelling there. Last edited by fjtorres; 08-27-2013 at 10:00 PM.

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08-27-2013, 08:22 PM	#2
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,858 Karma: 158733736 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	Nothing there of interest to me.

08-27-2013, 08:28 PM	#4
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,175 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Press release: http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-rel...221398961.html

08-27-2013, 08:29 PM	#5
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,175 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	The tablets are said to retail on October 16.

08-27-2013, 08:31 PM	#6
Mivo Fanatic Posts: 556 Karma: 3531054 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Germany Device: In use: Pocketbook InkPad 3, Kobo Glo, iPad Air 2	I think those are good additions, though none of the devices feel like something I need. The Glo works fine for me and the Aura doesn't offer enough improvements to justify buying it (no physical page turn buttons), though the capacitive touchsrceen would be nice to have. I just bought a Nexus 7.2, so the announcement comes too late, but it's good to see that Kobo's device will also have a 1920x1200 resolution and that they state that they'll keep updating the OS. And 10" tablets, well, I still have my iPad and I consider to get an ultrabook to replace my 17" laptop in half a year or a year, so I don't think a 10" tablet is something that fits in my devices-family-planning. Still, I feel that those are solid additions to Kobo's product line.

08-27-2013, 08:41 PM	#9
rxmom03 Addict Posts: 222 Karma: 539264 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: DFW, TX Device: Kobo Clara 2E, Kobo Libra Colour, iPhone, iPad	I've been wanting a lighted e-reader so have been waiting (not so) patiently for all the announcements. I am excited that Pocket is part of Kobo now--I use that all the time! And now if I could only find a picture of the pink e-reader Mary

08-27-2013, 10:01 PM	#11
Jewitch Bukh libhober Posts: 15 Karma: 147524 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Where the Packers Rule Device: Kobo Touch	I'm happy with my Kobo Touch.

08-27-2013, 10:09 PM	#13
evanft Zealot Posts: 108 Karma: 695156 Join Date: Apr 2013 Device: Kindle 4 NT	I have no idea why I would buy an Arc over just about any other tablet.

08-28-2013, 12:23 AM	#14
Solicitous Wizard Posts: 1,434 Karma: 1525776 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: TAS, Australia Device: Astak Pocket Pro (Black), 2 x Kindle WiFi (Graphite), iPod Touch 4G	Seems to me the Arc 7 is a step back from the original Arc (ok SD slot and faster processor, but screen res and battery life is worse). Why have they opted for the backs that they have on the new line? They are not symmetrical. Swapping from one hand to another will feel really odd. I must note that it is strange lack of Kobo people here on MR anymore, along with Getsatisfaction hasn't seen one reply to a post in a looooong time. Hmmm

08-28-2013, 01:31 AM	#15
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,862 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	They're calling their new six inch device an Aura now? Confusing. And no bumps to the Aura Original. Bother.