Around the world, the two people who still pay attention to Kobo were awakened from their slumber when the company announced a new eInk eBook device with a hi-res screen and premium pricing, shockingly called the Kobo Aura HD.
I joke a bit. Kobo doesn’t make the waves of Amazon or have the Deathwatch popcorn-eaters of Barnes & Noble/Nook Media.
I am surprised they’ve done a new eInk device, however. I wonder what Nook Media and Amazon make of that?
Sizing them up:
Kobo Aura HD: 6.91″ x 5.05″ x 0.46″ – 8.4658 oz
Kindle Paperwhite: 6.7″ x 4.6″ x 0.36″ – 7.5 oz
Nook GlowLight: 6.5″ x 5.0″ x 0.47″ – 6.95 oz
What would have excited me is if this had been based on Android. But there’s no sign of that in the specs. Having Android would have put a big hurt on Nook Touch sales.
Update, Monday April 15, 2013: Kobo has a promo video. See it after the break.
It’s filled with renders, but still interesting.
Isn’t that a freakazoid back? Corrugated. It’s interesting they took a design cue from the Nook Touch with a recessed back like that. I guess flat backs are passé?
I hope someone at the London Book Fair will video a real unit and post to YouTube.
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