Kindle Ereader vs Kobo Aura

2024. New Kindle e-readers no longer connect as USB drives



The latest generation of Kindles, including the illustrious Kindle Paperwhite, the poetic Kindle Scribe 2 and 1 and the rumored Kindle Colorsoft (which may or may not be able to interpret hues you can’t even see), all share one curious trait: they no longer appear as external drives when you plug them into your PC or Mac. No, Amazon has quietly guided them away from the freedom of USB file transfer, much like a chaperone at a particularly rowdy school dance. The purpose? Probably to keep DRM in its rightful, invisible place and to discourage you from gallivanting off with files to dubious pirate websites. Meanwhile, the old guard—venerable 9th-generation Kindles and the like—still proudly show up as drives when connected, happily helping their owners sideload and backup ebooks as if this whole "new file system called MTP" business were nothing more than an annoying rumor.


2024. Kindle software update re-introduced Book Lists



In a move that might be described as "thoroughly over-engineered," Amazon’s Kindle e-readers are receiving yet another software update, this time lumbering under the gloriously cumbersome name of firmware version 5.16.10.0.1. Targeting the 10th and 11th generation Kindles—including the illustrious Kindle Scribe—this update performs the breathtaking feat of renaming "Your Reading Lists" to the slightly snappier "Your Lists," where your carefully hoarded Amazon books and samples now reside, accessible via the Samples filter in your Library. Alongside this monumental rebranding effort come the usual suspects: performance improvements, bug fixes, and "general enhancements" (whatever those might be). For those who can’t wait, the update is available for manual download from Amazon’s Kindle Software Updates page; for the more laid-back among us, it will waft its way automatically into devices during one of those serendipitous moments when the Kindle is plugged in, connected to Wi-Fi, and entirely unsuspecting—over the course of weeks, naturally.


2024. Kindle e-readers cannot access Overdrive Books anymore



The Amazon Kindle content system, in a manner not unlike a hyperactive Vogon bureaucrat with a grudge, has descended into chaos. Users, brimming with the innocent hope of diving into their freshly purchased books, are instead greeted with a void of technical ineptitude. The trusty *Send to Kindle* feature, which many had come to rely upon like a digital towel in the vast galaxy of reading, has been sulking inoperably for three weeks, steadfastly refusing to function. Meanwhile, Overdrive and its sprightlier cousin, Libby, have been locked in a peculiar tango of dysfunction with Amazon for months, leaving frustrated librarians, including yours truly, to witness patrons hurl their Kindles into existential despair as their devices stubbornly refuse recognition. This kerfuffle, affecting both Android and iOS Libby apps as well as the Overdrive website, is rendered doubly exasperating by the fact that sending library ebooks to Kindles is a privilege only extended to U.S. users, thanks to a licensing deal that feels as obtuse as a Krikkit warship treaty.


2024. Kindle update improves settings adjustment



In the unfathomable expanse of the Kindle universe, where e-ink pages hold dominion over the written word, Amazon has unfurled firmware update 5.16.7 for its sleek array of modern e-readers—an illustrious troupe featuring the latest Paperwhite, the rather clever Scribe, and the stalwart base Kindle. While this update, in the grand tapestry of technological evolution, might appear as thrilling as a Vogon poetry reading, its mission is clear: to quietly bolster performance, exterminate pesky bugs, and polish the device experience to a state of nearly ineffable functionality (as per the mysterious scribblings in the change log). Contrast this with the previous update, which paraded through the digital cosmos with such novelties as a reimagined settings menu for navigational bliss, a "Date and time" setting that, against all odds, lets you set them, and even a special little nook for screenshots to call their own. One can only hypothesize, in the speculative manner of pan-galactic hitchhikers, that version 5.16.7 serves to tidy up the loose ends left in its predecessor’s wake—possibly even extending battery life, as whispered in hushed tones by a few users who’ve ventured into its post-update reality.


2023. Amazon improves internet browser on Kindle e-readers



Amazon quietly introduced an improved internet browser for 10th and 11th-generation Kindle e-readers as part of the new 5.16.4 update. Although Amazon didn't officially announce the enhanced browser functionality, they did mention improvements made to Goodreads for better performance on E INK screens. Good e-Reader conducted various tests since Amazon didn't disclose specific details about the browser changes. Notably, the updated browser now loads websites faster, enhances text readability and allows users to interact with cookie-acceptance popups. Layouts and CSS issues on websites like Wikipedia have been resolved and users can now access email services like Google Mail. Amazon has also added new bookmarks for social media networks, including X.


2023. Send to Kindle is losing MOBI support



In the kind of language that might make even a Vogon pause and scratch its head in bemusement, Amazon has commenced the herculean task of reminding its customers—with a most ominous "Final Reminder"—that the beloved but arcane MOBI file format (.AZW, .MOBI, .PRC) will no longer be welcome in the sprawling universe of their Send to Kindle service as of later this Earth-year. This wasn’t entirely unanticipated; after all, Amazon did declare, with as much solemnity as one can muster while talking about file formats, that MOBI support would fade into the mists of "late 2022." Naturally, this timetable wandered a bit, lurching toward "early 2023," then whistling jauntily along until an unexpected September 2023. Now, however, with all the vigor of an advanced bureaucracy, Amazon is—probably—determined to "phase out support" for the ancient MOBI files starting November 1st, 2023, when the proverbial curtain finally descends on a format older than most people’s email passwords.


2023. Kindle e-readers get List view option for Collections



The latest firmware update for Kindle has bravely ventured into the Collections view and, with the kind of understated drama typically reserved for teabags refusing to sink, introduced List mode. Up until now, the Library section had been happily flaunting both Grid view and List view, while Collections stubbornly stuck to Grid view for reasons that might make sense only to the higher-dimensional beings working at Amazon. But lo! The update now allows Collections to bask in the glory of a List view as well, enabling users to shuffle their digital tomes with all the precision and flair of a librarian juggling invisible Dewey decimal cards. While some users might shrug and go back to flipping pages, others will find a peculiar joy in arranging their e-books in tidy lists within their collections. However, the Kindle Scribe, that illustrious device of note-taking ambition, seems to have been left out of the party. For now, the Scribe continues to view Collections with the same monolithic Grid perspective, perhaps hinting at Amazon’s mysterious plans for it. Optimists can only hope that, in some future update, the Scribe will not only join the List-view club but also gain a few Scribe-specific tricks to flaunt at family gatherings.


2022. New basic Kindle offers premium Paperwhite features for under $100



Amazon has introduced a new 6-inch Kindle, touting it as its "lightest and most compact" e-reader to date. Although this device is the latest addition to Amazon's standard Kindle lineup, its features are more comparable to the $139.99 Paperwhite model. It incorporates several attributes from the premium range, including a 300ppi high-resolution display for "crystal-clear text and images" (up from 167ppi), a dark mode and USB-C charging. Additional enhancements include a battery life of up to six weeks per charge and 16GB of storage, which is twice the capacity of its 2019 predecessor. The adjustable front light has also been reinstated. Notably, this new Kindle is priced at $99.99 — just a $10 increase from the previous generation, making it an attractive option for anyone looking to upgrade from an older model that lost the capability to browse, borrow, or purchase books directly from the Kindle Store last month.


2022. Kobo is now displaying advertisements on their e-readers



Kobo is now featuring advertisements on most of their e-readers when they wake from sleep mode. A full-page ad now appears, encouraging users to subscribe to Kobo Plus and informing them about the free 30-day trial. This ad is displayed regardless of whether Wi-Fi is turned on or off, as the image is retrieved from the device rather than the internet. This is the first instance of Kobo displaying ads on their e-book readers. Kobo has previously emphasized in their marketing campaigns that, unlike the Kindle, their devices are free from advertisements, but this no longer seems to be the case.


2021. Kindle update brings new navigation options



Amazon has launched another software update for Kindle e-readers that introduces further adjustments to the navigation system for reading e-books. The new software version is 5.14.1, an upgrade from 5.13.7 from the previous update, which made significant changes to the user interface. Now, they are addressing some issues caused by the removal of the back button in that update. Essentially, they have added a "go back" box that appears at the bottom of the screen whenever navigating to a different section of a book.


2021. Kindle Special Offers no longer show ads on the home screen



Various Kindle models feature a Special Offers program. This subsidizes the price of a new Kindle by around $25 to $30 and in return for the discount, advertisements are displayed on the lock screen and home screen. Amazon recently rolled out the 5.13.7 firmware update that completely overhauled the home screen. One of the improvements is that all ads have now been removed from the home screen, so ads are only shown when the Kindle is in sleep mode. The home screen now displays the book you are currently reading and your progress within it. It also features cover art of a few other books and some text-based information. Below that, you'll find your recommended reads—books Amazon promotes based on your previous purchases. There is simply not enough space in the user interface to display ads anymore.


2021. Kindle 3G internet will no longer work since 2022



In the mildly bewildering saga of technological advancement, Amazon, in its infinite wisdom, graced the world with a 3G-enabled Kindle back in the comparatively prehistoric year of 2017. These plucky little devices cheerfully latched onto the nearest 3G cellphone tower, allowing their owners to waltz into the Amazon bookstore or plunge into the endless void of Wikipedia. But alas, such charmingly antiquated connectivity is set to shuffle off this mortal coil. Beginning next year, the global network overlords, with the sort of ruthless efficiency one might expect from Vogon bureaucrats, will unceremoniously retire 3G networks, repurposing their erstwhile frequencies to the shiny realms of 4G/LTE and the even shinier, slightly smug 5G.


2021. Kindle can now display book covers on the lock screen



Amazon released a new firmware update that enables the Paperwhite, Oasis and entry-level Kindle to show ebook cover art on the lock screen while the e-reader is in sleep mode. This is a feature that users have been requesting for over a decade and one of the primary reasons many people resort to jailbreaking their Kindle. Which covers will it display? According to initial reports, it will show the ebook you are currently reading. It functions with content bought from Amazon, as well as sideloaded ebooks.


2021. Kobo e-readers get new My Words feature



Kobo has launched a new firmware update (4.26) for its range of Kobo e-readers. This update introduces a new "My Words" option, which can be activated from the list of Beta Features. It's similar to Kindle’s vocabulary builder feature, which tracks the words you look up in the dictionary for easy review later. Other new features include a “Back to page x” button for EPUBs, enhanced annotation synchronization and improved PDF viewing in landscape mode. Additionally, tapping the text field within the note preview window now allows for editing.


2020. Kobo introduces $99 e-reader Nia to replace Aura



In the vast and occasionally perplexing universe of e-book readers, Rakuten has flung a new contender into the cosmic void of consumer electronics. Behold the Kobo Nia, a nifty little gadget with a 6-inch, 1024x758 pixel touchscreen clocking in at a crisp 212 ppi. Thanks to its ComfortLight tech, you can make the screen as bright or as dim as your whims demand, all while clutching a remarkably svelte 172-gram device that’s just 9.2mm thick. Inside this sleek bit of circuitry lies a 1,000mAh battery, cheerfully boasting "weeks" of page-turning endurance, and 8GB of storage for more books than you can realistically read in a year. Inevitably, it invites comparison to Amazon's cheapest Kindle, which starts at $89.99 (but only if you're willing to endure the indignity of ads; $109.99 if you’re not), featuring the same 6-inch screen but with a comparatively meh 165 ppi resolution and half the storage. For anyone feeling mildly allergic to Amazon's ecosystem and looking for an affordable e-reader that doesn’t nag them with special offers, the Nia makes a rather compelling case—perhaps even with a wink and a smug little grin.


2018. Kobo e-Ink readers get rapid Page-Turning


Kobo has released a new firmware update for all their e-readers that enhances the speed of page-turns with a new rendering engine. This updated system allows you to quickly tap or gesture on the screen to turn pages swiftly. You can also hold your finger down on the screen to turn pages. The text may become unreadable while the pages are turning rapidly and you'll need to lift your finger for everything to fully render. The fast page-turning feature works with KEPUB eBooks, which are books purchased directly from Kobo. It does not support CBR/CBZ or traditional EPUB formats and is incompatible with sideloaded EPUB books.


2017. Kobo makes managing ebooks simpler



In a small corner of the digital galaxy known as Kobo, a fleet of e-readers received a firmware update of such significance that even the electrons buzzed with excitement. The cosmic architects behind it introduced the Manage Books feature, a sublime tool allowing the bookish traveler to select multiple volumes, mark them as triumphantly finished or woefully unread, banish them to oblivion, or gather them into curated collections with the flourish of a celestial librarian. The My Books section underwent a metamorphosis, emerging with a layout so clean and orderly it might make a Vogon weep. Filter and Sort menus now stand ready like sentinels of user-friendly order. And as if that weren’t enough, the reading experience ascended to new heights—tap the middle of a page, and voilà! Menus unfurl, the Table of Contents beckons, and Reading Settings await your command. In a final act of brilliance, the screen refreshes after each chapter, sparing you the tedious blink every six pages, because in this universe, even pixels deserve a break.


2016. New 7.8-inch Aura One e-reader - the Cadillac of e-readers



With the new Aura One, Kobo is aiming to challenge Amazon's dominance in the market. Its 7.8-inch screen significantly surpasses the Aura HD, accompanied by a $230 price tag. Despite the addition of several other appealing features, this is a steep price for a dedicated e-reader, especially when Amazon's Kindle Voyage starts at $30 less (for the Special Offers edition, at least). However, Kobo’s previous ventures have been successful and while the company will likely concede that the Aura One isn’t for everyone, it offers exactly what someone willing to spend over $200 on such a device desires: the ultimate e-reader. Kobo earns credit for thinking beyond the conventional e-reader approach and while the Aura One may not be justifiable for most readers, the dedicated few will find much to appreciate, including a large screen, blue-light adjustment, a sleek design and ample storage.


2014. Kindle Update for e-readers lets enables sharing books with your family



Amazon introduces a new update to Kindle e-readers, bringing the latest e-reading features of the Kindle Voyage to older Kindle models. The new features include Family Library (allowing users with linked Amazon accounts to access books downloaded by family members), Word Wise (which automatically displays definitions for challenging words above them), Enhanced Search (now retrieving results from your library, Goodreads and the Kindle Store) and About This Book (providing details such as author biographies and additional titles in the series as you begin reading). The update will be available for the 2nd generation Paperwhite, Kindle Voyage and the latest entry-level Kindles.


2014. Amazon unveils $199 Kindle Voyage and new simple Kindle ereader with touchscreen



Amazon today unveiled the 7th generation of Kindle: Kindle Voyage, the premium, most advanced e-reader yet and the new basic Kindle e-reader, featuring a 20% faster processor, double the storage and now with a touch interface. The Kindle Voyage is priced at $199. Should you purchase it? It depends on how important page turns are to you. On each side of the reader's face are two slim lines. A light press along these lines advances or reverses a page. Amazon has even included a subtle bit of haptic feedback to indicate the action is taking place. Pages can also be turned by swiping on the touch screen. Additionally, it features a flat glass, high-resolution display and a brighter, self-adjusting light.