Kobo Libra H2O Clears the FCC

Nate the great · 08-23-2019, 07:26 AM

A new Kobo cleared the FCC Friday morning.

All the more interesting details are embargoed in the FCC filing, but based on what I found online, I think it's going to be called the Kobo Libra H2O.
https://the-digital-reader.com/2019/...lears-the-fcc/

Tony1988 · 08-23-2019, 10:30 AM

Cool.

ZodWallop · 08-23-2019, 10:33 AM

I hope Kobo's finally rolling out a 6" waterproof reader. A 6" Kobo device that is both waterproof and matches the rest of the features on the Clara would get me to buy one even though my Clara is less than a year old.

rcentros · 08-23-2019, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I hope Kobo's finally rolling out a 6" waterproof reader. A 6" Kobo device that is both waterproof and matches the rest of the features on the Clara would get me to buy one even though my Clara is less than a year old.

I'm guessing, though, that the Libra H2O would probably be a replacement for the Aura H2O. (My guesses are probably worth about zilch.)

tnovus · 08-23-2019, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

I'm guessing, though, that the Libra H2O would probably be a replacement for the Aura H2O. (My guesses are probably worth about zilch.)

This is what I'm secretly hoping for, a successor of the Aura that keeps the Aura format (not the Forma).

I still use my Aura HD, and I was ready to upgrade to the Aura One when they ceased producing it. I wonder what void the Libra H2O will try to fill. Might this be the first audiobook player ebook from Kobo?

ZodWallop · 08-23-2019, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

I'm guessing, though, that the Libra H2O would probably be a replacement for the Aura H2O. (My guesses are probably worth about zilch.)

You may well be right. But what would they add to the Aura H2O at this point?

They've never released a 6" waterproof reader, so fingers crossed, though I suspect it'll be a 6.8"

meeera · 08-24-2019, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

You may well be right. But what would they add to the Aura H2O at this point?

I'm crossing my fingers for a flexible substrate.

(Is "Libra" a well-known tampon brand elsewhere, or just here?)

issybird · 08-24-2019, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

You may well be right. But what would they add to the Aura H2O at this point?

Upgrade to 7" and 300 ppi?

Gibbo · 08-24-2019, 03:38 AM

Make it 8" and take my money NOW!!!!!

Tony1988 · 08-24-2019, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibbo

Make it 8" and take my money NOW!!!!!

Well we know that wont happen ...lol. I bet it's a 6" again...

ZodWallop · 08-24-2019, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

Upgrade to 7" and 300 ppi?

Maybe. I don't pay much attention to the H2O. I thought they were 300 ppi already. I bet that's what it is. A new H2O using the same screen as the Oasis.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibbo

Make it 8" and take my money NOW!!!!!

That would just cannibalize their own 8" Forma.

Gibbo · 08-24-2019, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

That would just cannibalize their own 8" Forma.

Erm... you're right forgot about the forma

.

9" then?

booklover6 · 08-24-2019, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I hope Kobo's finally rolling out a 6" waterproof reader. A 6" Kobo device that is both waterproof and matches the rest of the features on the Clara would get me to buy one even though my Clara is less than a year old.

Fingers crossed. If it's larger than 6", they aren't getting my money. I still like and use my original H2O and will not get another. 6" is my preferred size.

davidfor · 08-24-2019, 10:36 PM

Looking at this, and the devices Kobo currently has, or had until recently, I think the name change is to try and clarify things. At the moment, there is confusion over the name "Aura". It has been used for 6", 6.8" and 7.8" devices. There are two edition of some, and two versions of the second editions. Some have been waterproof, some have not been. I don't know if this means that "Aura" will be retired completely, or kept to a particular size.

As to which device it is replacing, I'm going with the Aura H2O Edition 2. That was released in May 2017. So, it and the Aura Edition 2 are oldest devices. There was a CPU update somewhere in there, but no other changes made. A more complete update, including a 300DPI screen is due. And as the H2O moniker has only been on the 6.8" device, this does give some continuity. I'd guess it will be a 7" screen using the same one the Oasis uses.

I don't think it will be a 6" device. The Clara HD is the newest device, so unless they want to update that to waterproof, I don't think it would be done. And I'd hope they would use "Clara H2O" for that. And I don't feel like it will be a replacement for the Aura Edition 2. I think we are more likely to see that disappear and only the Clara HD kept.

I do wonder if it could be a replacement for the Aura ONE. While another 7.8" or 8" device would seem to clash with the Forma, there might be a place for the button-free device. Based on discussion here, some love the Forma's buttons and form-factor, and other don't. If it uses a plastic substrate and doesn't have the light or touch calibration issues of the Aura ONE, it would be a good alternative. One thing that does point this way is that one report has that it has a 1200mAh battery. This is what the Aura ONE and Forma use. I assume this is to save weight. Using this in an Aura ONE replacement would be consistent.

Those are my thoughts and predictions. As to how accurate they are, within the last two weeks, I predicted there would be no new devices this year. So, probably not very.

azayn · 08-24-2019, 11:11 PM

Am I the only one wishing it's the 5" Kobo Mini 2? I doubt a 6" reader will be exciting because there isn't a whole lot they can do to improve on the Clara HD except waterproofing and maybe a flush screen. The Forma is only a year old and pretty much has all the bells and whistles.

08-23-2019, 07:26 AM	#1
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Kobo Libra H2O Clears the FCC A new Kobo cleared the FCC Friday morning. All the more interesting details are embargoed in the FCC filing, but based on what I found online, I think it's going to be called the Kobo Libra H2O. https://the-digital-reader.com/2019/...lears-the-fcc/ Last edited by Nate the great; 08-23-2019 at 03:11 PM.

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08-23-2019, 10:33 AM	#3
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,499 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	I hope Kobo's finally rolling out a 6" waterproof reader. A 6" Kobo device that is both waterproof and matches the rest of the features on the Clara would get me to buy one even though my Clara is less than a year old.

08-24-2019, 03:38 AM	#9
Gibbo Guru Posts: 776 Karma: 2475053 Join Date: May 2007 Device: Galaxy Tab A (2019) - iPhone 11 - KA1 - Onyx Boox Nova Pro	Make it 8" and take my money NOW!!!!!

08-24-2019, 10:36 PM	#14
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	Looking at this, and the devices Kobo currently has, or had until recently, I think the name change is to try and clarify things. At the moment, there is confusion over the name "Aura". It has been used for 6", 6.8" and 7.8" devices. There are two edition of some, and two versions of the second editions. Some have been waterproof, some have not been. I don't know if this means that "Aura" will be retired completely, or kept to a particular size. As to which device it is replacing, I'm going with the Aura H2O Edition 2. That was released in May 2017. So, it and the Aura Edition 2 are oldest devices. There was a CPU update somewhere in there, but no other changes made. A more complete update, including a 300DPI screen is due. And as the H2O moniker has only been on the 6.8" device, this does give some continuity. I'd guess it will be a 7" screen using the same one the Oasis uses. I don't think it will be a 6" device. The Clara HD is the newest device, so unless they want to update that to waterproof, I don't think it would be done. And I'd hope they would use "Clara H2O" for that. And I don't feel like it will be a replacement for the Aura Edition 2. I think we are more likely to see that disappear and only the Clara HD kept. I do wonder if it could be a replacement for the Aura ONE. While another 7.8" or 8" device would seem to clash with the Forma, there might be a place for the button-free device. Based on discussion here, some love the Forma's buttons and form-factor, and other don't. If it uses a plastic substrate and doesn't have the light or touch calibration issues of the Aura ONE, it would be a good alternative. One thing that does point this way is that one report has that it has a 1200mAh battery. This is what the Aura ONE and Forma use. I assume this is to save weight. Using this in an Aura ONE replacement would be consistent. Those are my thoughts and predictions. As to how accurate they are, within the last two weeks, I predicted there would be no new devices this year. So, probably not very.

08-24-2019, 11:11 PM	#15
azayn Groupie Posts: 168 Karma: 7934958 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Chicago Device: Nova 3, Galaxy S22+, iPad	Am I the only one wishing it's the 5" Kobo Mini 2? I doubt a 6" reader will be exciting because there isn't a whole lot they can do to improve on the Clara HD except waterproofing and maybe a flush screen. The Forma is only a year old and pretty much has all the bells and whistles.