kobo

Research and compare e-readers at ReaderRocket

If you're in the market for an e-reader, you've no doubt read some reviews, checked out some user feedback, maybe even spoken with friends. That's all well and good, but sometimes you just want to put the leading candidates side by side and see which one wins the day.

That's the idea behind ReaderRocket, a seriously nifty tool that compares e-readers and gives you a complete rundown of specs, features, reviews, and more -- all so you can make the most informed decision possible.

To get started, either choose one of the existing comparisons, or type … Read more

Kobo unveils Aura HD, 'Porsche of e-readers'

The dedicated e-reader market, hurt by the rise of the tablet and large-screen smartphones, is widely regarded as being on the downswing. But that hasn't stopped Kobo from announcing the limited-edition $169.99 Kobo Aura HD, a "premium" e-reader with a 6.8-inch screen that the company says is the highest-resolution display available in an e-reader today.

The specs list the resolution for the Pearl E Ink display at 1,440x1,080 pixels, 265dpi, and Kobo says the larger 6.8-inch screen size offers "30 percent more reading surface and the closest experience to print-on-paper -- showcasing text and high-resolution images beautifully."

Kobo also claims that with its 1GHz processor is the fastest e-reader by 25 percent. It will come in three colors -- Ivory, Espresso, and Onyx -- and has 4GB of storage, plus an expansion slot that accepts up to 32GB microSD cards. Battery life is rated at up to two months. … Read more

Get a Kobo Mini e-reader for $59.99

Tablets are great and all, but if you're mostly into reading, it's hard to beat an e-reader. Eye-friendly screens, ultra-light designs, amazing battery life -- the perks go on and on.

And let's not forget price. Amazon's entry-level Kindle is now down to $69. But here's an even more wallet-friendly option: Best Buy has the Kobo Mini e-reader for $59.99 shipped (plus sales tax). That's for the white model; the black one literally sold out while I was writing this post.

So that's only a $10 difference, right? And when you factor … Read more

The Kobo Arc tablet is the less discerning man's Nexus 7

As the latest in a now long line of 7-inch tablets to hit the market with a sub-$200 price, the Kobo Arc attempts to set itself apart in two specific ways. The first is its folderlike interface called Tapestries that allows you to organize apps, articles, pictures, and other content into customizable nodes. The second is the ever-present Discover Ribbon, which, based on what you're currently looking at, constantly offers recommendations at the bottom of the home screen.

Unfortunately, these features do little to make the case for a tablet that otherwise offers less storage than the competition … Read more

Amazon lights a new Fire under iPad

Thursday's tech news roundup has a glow about it:

Amazon unveiled several new Kindles on Thursday. Here's the quick breakdown with links to the full first-take reviews:

• The new Kindle Fire HD comes in three flavors. There's a 7-inch model with 16 GB of memory for $199, and it ships Sept. 14. Coming out late November is a larger 8.9-inch model with 16GB of memory, selling for $299. If you want double that memory and the option for 4G LTE wireless, that'll cost $499 -- the same as a new iPad. • That 4G LTE wireless … Read more

Nextbook Next3 tablet

The Nextbook Next3 8.4-inch tablet runs Android 2.1, houses a 600MHz Rockchip processor, and comes with 2GB of internal storage with SD expansion.

It also includes integrated Borders eBook Store software, powered by Kobo, as well as built-in 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi. The screen sports a resolution of 800x600 pixels and comes with a protective case and pointer stylus.

The tablet is currently difficult to find in stores and you may have better luck with the Amazon Kindle Fire.

Kobo Touch $69.99 at Buy.com today

It was Barnes & Noble's turn on Black Friday. Now it's Kobo's turn on Cyber Monday.

Last week, Barnes & Noble offered up a limited edition of the Nook Simple Touch for $79. Now Kobo's teamed up with Buy.com to sell the new ad-supported Kobo Touch With Offers for $69.99 in a one-day sale.

That's a $30 price cut and a good deal on a solid touch-screen e-reader. (Read our full review here).

Like the Kindle Touch With Special Offers, the Kobo Touch With Offers features an advertisement just at the bottom of … Read more

$99 ad-supported Kobo Touch ships

Not too long ago Kobo announced that it would soon begin selling an ad-supported Kobo Touch with Offers for $99, matching the price of the Kindle Touch With Special Offers and Nook Simple Touch. The company says that product is now available.

As part of the launch, Kobo has also updated the firmware for both the new model and standard Kobo Touch, which costs $30 more ($129). The new firmware offers "several significant new feature improvements, such as new customization options and enhanced speed to deliver a fully optimized e-reading experience." Owners of the standard Kobo Touch can … Read more

Kobo Touch drops price, adds ads

Google negotiates with music labels, ultrabooks could add tap-to-pay, and Kobo copies Amazon by putting ads in its cheaper Touch e-reader.

Links from Monday's episode of Loaded:

Kobo unveils $99 ad-supported e-reader

Borrowing a page from Amazon's playbook, Kobo has quietly launched an ad-supported e-book reader.

The Kobo Touch with Offers features a 6-inch E-ink touch screen, Wi-Fi, and a $99 price tag--a $30 price reduction from the regular model. The only difference, Kobo explains, is that the device's screen will feature an advertisement at the bottom of the home screen, as well as a screensaver ad when it's shut down or in sleep mode.

"Kobo Touch with Offers presents you with sponsored screens and valuable offers when your device is powered off or in sleep mode, and … Read more