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Kobo Mini vs Nook Simple Touch
Last updated: July 09, 2023
The Kobo Mini and Nook Simple Touch are both compact e-readers that offer a portable reading experience, but they have key differences in terms of platform compatibility, design, and ecosystem.
1. Platform Compatibility: The Kobo Mini is closely associated with the Kobo ecosystem, which offers a wide selection of e-books and supports various e-book formats, including EPUB and PDF. Kobo users can access their e-books from the Kobo bookstore and sync their reading progress across multiple devices using the Kobo app. The Nook Simple Touch, on the other hand, is closely integrated with the Barnes & Noble ecosystem. It provides access to the Barnes & Noble bookstore, which offers a vast library of e-books, magazines, and newspapers. The Nook Simple Touch supports the EPUB format and also allows users to borrow e-books from public libraries.
2. Design: The Kobo Mini features a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to hold in one hand and carry around. It typically has a 5-inch e-ink display with a resolution suitable for reading text. The Kobo Mini includes a basic navigation system with physical buttons for page turning and menu options. On the other hand, the Nook Simple Touch has a slightly larger 6-inch e-ink display with a similar resolution. It features a minimalist design with a touchscreen interface for navigation, eliminating the need for physical buttons. The Nook Simple Touch also includes a soft-touch back panel for a comfortable grip.
3. Ecosystem: The Kobo Mini is part of the broader Kobo ecosystem, which provides a range of services and features for e-book enthusiasts. Kobo users can take advantage of personalized recommendations, social reading features, and the ability to sideload e-books from various sources. Kobo also offers apps for different platforms, allowing users to access their e-books on smartphones, tablets, and computers. The Nook Simple Touch, on the other hand, is closely tied to the Barnes & Noble ecosystem. It provides features like Reading Life, which tracks reading achievements and offers rewards for reaching reading milestones. The Nook ecosystem also includes in-store benefits and promotions for Nook users.
1. Platform Compatibility: The Kobo Mini is closely associated with the Kobo ecosystem, which offers a wide selection of e-books and supports various e-book formats, including EPUB and PDF. Kobo users can access their e-books from the Kobo bookstore and sync their reading progress across multiple devices using the Kobo app. The Nook Simple Touch, on the other hand, is closely integrated with the Barnes & Noble ecosystem. It provides access to the Barnes & Noble bookstore, which offers a vast library of e-books, magazines, and newspapers. The Nook Simple Touch supports the EPUB format and also allows users to borrow e-books from public libraries.
2. Design: The Kobo Mini features a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to hold in one hand and carry around. It typically has a 5-inch e-ink display with a resolution suitable for reading text. The Kobo Mini includes a basic navigation system with physical buttons for page turning and menu options. On the other hand, the Nook Simple Touch has a slightly larger 6-inch e-ink display with a similar resolution. It features a minimalist design with a touchscreen interface for navigation, eliminating the need for physical buttons. The Nook Simple Touch also includes a soft-touch back panel for a comfortable grip.
3. Ecosystem: The Kobo Mini is part of the broader Kobo ecosystem, which provides a range of services and features for e-book enthusiasts. Kobo users can take advantage of personalized recommendations, social reading features, and the ability to sideload e-books from various sources. Kobo also offers apps for different platforms, allowing users to access their e-books on smartphones, tablets, and computers. The Nook Simple Touch, on the other hand, is closely tied to the Barnes & Noble ecosystem. It provides features like Reading Life, which tracks reading achievements and offers rewards for reaching reading milestones. The Nook ecosystem also includes in-store benefits and promotions for Nook users.
5
Kobo Mini is the world’s smallest and lightest full-featured eReader, so it’s great for reading on the go. Complete with a no-glare natural E Ink touchscreen and built-in Wi Fi, it’s the full Kobo experience at a great value. Access to 1 million free eBooks doesn’t hurt either
2
Easiest to use with the world’s best reading screen & longest battery life. Breakthrough E Ink display for the best just-like-paper reading. Make the text bigger or choose the font you like. 25% faster than any other Reader. Quick page turns, fast browsing, get to your latest read with just a tap.
Kobo Mini vs Nook Simple Touch in our news:
2015. Kobo Mini e-Reader available again for a limited time
Kobo is reintroducing its compact 5-inch Kobo Mini e-reader at a price of $49, but this offer is only available until November 7. Unlike the original model released in 2012, which utilized the outdated e-ink Vizplex technology, this new version of the Mini incorporates e-Ink Pearl. With a resolution of 800x600 pixels and support for 16 levels of grayscale, this petite device easily fits into any pocket and is designed to be exceptionally lightweight and portable. While the screen size may appear small compared to larger tablets or e-readers, it proves ideal for those seeking extreme portability, making it a great gift option or backup device. The e-reader is equipped with built-in wireless internet access, enabling direct downloading of e-books from the Kobo bookstore.
2013. Barnes & Noble slashes Nook and book prices for Black Friday
Barnes & Noble is slashing prices on several Nook devices during the Black Friday weekend. The Nook Simple Touch is now available at its lowest price ever, reduced to just $39 from its original price of $79. Furthermore, Barnes & Noble is offering a minimum of 50 percent off on hundreds of best-selling Nook books. As part of the Black Friday promotion, several popular Nook books, including "Plum Lucky" by Janet Evanovich, "The Cider House Rules" by John Irving, and "Crewel" by Gennifer Albin, will be discounted to $2.99. Additionally, if you're in need of accessories for your Nook, Barnes & Noble has you covered. They are offering a $10 Industriell cover for Simple Touch and Simple Touch GlowLight devices, along with a 25 percent discount on other Nook HD accessories until December 1st.
2013. Barnes & Noble giving away free E-Reader with tablet purchase
Barnes & Noble is facing challenges as indicated by its recent fiscal quarter report, which revealed a 26% decline in Nook sales compared to the same period last year. In response, the company is leveraging every opportunity to attract new customers. As part of its strategy, Barnes & Noble is currently offering a complimentary Nook Simple Touch e-reader with the purchase of its Nook HD+ color tablet. This promotion serves as a signal that sales of either one or both of these devices are currently underperforming. The Nook Simple Touch is the company's entry-level e-reader, featuring a black-and-white eInk display, and it is currently priced at $79 after a $20 price reduction in December.
2012. Nook Simple Touch plays pricing catch up with Kindle
Barnes & Noble has recently reduced the price of the Nook Simple Touch from $99 to $79, making it a direct competitor to the $69 Kindle 5. Both devices feature 6-inch black-and-white screens, Wi-Fi connectivity, and 2 GB of storage. While the Nook Simple Touch is slightly wider, thicker, and heavier than the Kindle, it offers a longer battery life of two months, surpassing Amazon's e-reader which lasts for one month. Additionally, the Nook Simple Touch includes a microSD card slot and comes with a charger, setting it apart from the Kindle 5. On the other hand, the Kindle 5 displays ads on its screensaver, unless users opt for the ad-free version priced at $99. However, in the competition between these devices, the pricing of the device itself may become less important. The availability and pricing of books are likely to be the key factors influencing consumers' choices.
2012. Kobo unveiles $80 Kobo Mini ereader
The new Kobo Mini, marketed under the slogan "Small is a Big Deal," is designed to cater to those seeking a compact device. It features an E Ink screen for optimal readability even in direct sunlight and comes equipped with 2 GB of internal storage (although some units may have shipped with 4 GB cards internally, which users can modify at their own risk to access the unpartitioned space, voiding any warranty). Notably, the device stands out with its SnapBacks, removable back covers available in Teal, Ruby Red, and Purple, showcasing the distinctive Kobo quilt pattern. The Kobo Mini is offered in black and white variants, and Kobo claims that its battery can last up to a month with 30 minutes of daily reading and Wi-Fi turned off. Charging the device and transferring documents can be done through the micro-USB connecting port. Positioned as a competitor to the basic Kindle and Nook Simple Touch, it boasts a similar price, screen resolution, and storage capacity, while offering the advantages of smaller dimensions and lighter weight.