Borders' Kobo latest e-reader to fight iPad, Kindle
When Apple introduced the iPad, a tablet that combines the functions of an e-reader and a full-color laptop, you would have been excused for thinking that was the last entrant in the E-Reader Derby. But, no. Borders has begun taking orders for yet another e-reader, the Kobo, which will be released June 17 and will cost only $149.99.
The Kobo can be seen as a low-cost version of Amazon's Kindle -- retailing at about half the price. It mimics the Kindle's design and feel -- its white case is about 5x7 inches and weighs less than eight ounces -- and Wired went so far as to wonder whether it would be the real Kindle-killer. I can see a future where the iPad dominates the high-end of the e-reader market, with a large, full-color screen for reading graphic novels, comics and art-heavy books. Kobo, which will be sold at Walmart among other places, could siphon off consumers looking for a cheap e-reader. Still, it has a long way to go to knock out the dominant Kindle.
Kobo also has a fall-back position: It's based on an open system philosophy, so its e-publications can be read on many devices, including laptops, the BlackBerry and iPhone. So even if the e-reader hardware doesn't catch on, Kobo may be around in another form. But even here, Kobo faces an imposing competitor in Google Editions, which will launch this summer and allow users to read books via a web browser from a broad range of websites.
By the way, now that Barnes & Noble and Borders have e-readers, how long will it be until independent stores such as The Ivy Bookshop, Ukazoo or Daedalus introduces their own?
Comments
The e-reader market is becoming overwhelming!
Posted by: bermudaonion (Kathy) | May 10, 2010 1:50 PM
"...a tablet than combines the functions of an e-reader and a full-color laptop"
"Laptop' doesn't belong there. It has the functionality of a cell phone, since it uses the OS of a cell phone.
The Kobo sounds interesting if it's supported well by publishers. The Kindle was looking good until I learned that it doesn't support a lot of open formats; combined with that debacle about a year ago where they shut off a number of books people bought, I lost my interest in a Kindle (until it's hacked open, of course!).
Hopefully e-ink devices will become so cheap (I remember seeing a mention of a projected $99 reader soon) that it won't matter and the open formats will win. Book publishers are in danger of making the same mistake the music industry did; they're fighting the market and how people want to use their media and instead are backing ridiculous DRM and resisting change.
Posted by: Ubo | May 10, 2010 2:27 PM
"You would been"?
Wow.
Posted by: Anon Ymas | May 10, 2010 4:08 PM
Anon, I will correct that anon. My apologies.
And Ubo, I was referrring less to the operating syatem than the iPad's size and capabilities, which allow folks to consider using it as a replacement for a laptop (with some shortcomigs, of course).
Posted by: Dave | May 10, 2010 4:15 PM
hmmm interesting but I'm a big on the go with the e-reader and the lack of wi fi 3G would be a deal breaker.
Kindle as of right now is a little archaic in its design and and navigation.
The color touch screen and the finger swipe (similiar to an iPhone and smart phones) that the nook has is just an overall better experience. and it supports e-Pub.
I'm selling it on e-bay and will be picking up the Nook.
To me I will be watching the race betweent the Nook and the Kindle to see who gets the full color, touch screen E-ink display. Then we are talking
but as of right now the Nook is the best e-Reader on the market. iPad is useless outdoors and overkill.
Posted by: john | May 10, 2010 4:17 PM
Nice iPad case by Loopbag
http://www.loopbagstore.com/macbook-cases/ipad-cases.html
Posted by: Anna | May 10, 2010 4:19 PM
The iPad will have a lot of competitors, but not too many will come close to it, in any way, shape or form.
http://iPadLot.com
Posted by: Fretboard | May 10, 2010 4:20 PM
Honestly, I just got an iPad for my birthday a week ago. I had a kindle previously (the original, not the kindle 2), and I can say hands down I don't miss is at all. One of the othernposters here says that you can't include laptop in it's description, and I can tell you he's wrong. I happily leave me laptop at home for short trips because my pad can do nearly everything my laptop can and some things it can't. The iPad will dominate the kindle dx, and will likely still cut into standard kindle sales. Remember, the iPad sold of a million untis in less than a month, I'm not sure the kindle or any other ereader could say the same.
Posted by: elpoblano | May 11, 2010 2:18 AM
The Uka-reader, I kind of like it. I might have to start talking to the programmers.
Posted by: Edward F. Whitfill | May 12, 2010 9:36 AM
elpoblano - Amazon is in the business of selling books. If you compare the volume that Amazon is currently pumping out thru its Kindle store with what iBooks is doing, you'll see that Apple is getting thoroughly stomped on.
Posted by: Silas | May 12, 2010 11:47 AM
IndieBound.org - which a consortium of independent books - has been watching the eBook and eReader carefully.
Many of us already sell eBooks in one or more formats off our websites. We are all about getting books into the hands of our readers - in whatever format they want to read. This, however, is content.
When you talk about eReaders, you start talking about devices, not content. There are so many ways to read eBooks NOW, and more are on their way...iPad and GoogleBooks are just the tip of the iceberg. Like some of our customers, we in the IndieBound movement are hesitant to back just one or two devices over all the others. Partly because it limits the books available (see note above about 'we are all about getting books into the hands of our readers...') and partly because, well, what if we back the wrong format (anyone remember the 'Betamax' v. 'VHS' video wars)?
Personally, I'd love to see a device that handles all the eBook formats.
Posted by: Lauretta(ConstellationBooks) | May 12, 2010 11:50 AM
Not sure if this can keep up with the iPad or Kindle for that matter. Anyway, just another e-reader.
Posted by: Pat | August 2, 2010 3:01 PM
I'm shocked the ibook isn't doing as well as the kindle. Maybe Apple people are tapped out between the iphone, ipod, itouch and the ipad that they aren't shelling out anymore money for the ibook. I guess that would explain it. The ipad got alot more buzz and advertising. In fact i haven't seen any advertising at all on the ibook.
Posted by: Cara Financial Domination | August 5, 2010 2:28 AM