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Kindle Ereader vs Kobo Glo
Last updated: July 10, 2023
Kindle Ereader and Kobo Glo are two popular eReader devices, each with its own set of features and functionalities that cater to different reading preferences.
One key difference between Kindle Ereader and Kobo Glo lies in their eBook ecosystems. Kindle Ereader is closely integrated with Amazon's Kindle ecosystem, which provides access to a vast collection of eBooks and audiobooks from the Kindle Store. It offers seamless synchronization of reading progress across devices, personalized recommendations, and access to Kindle Unlimited, a subscription service for eBooks. Kobo Glo, on the other hand, is part of the Kobo ecosystem, which also offers a wide selection of eBooks. However, it may have a different catalog and may not have the same depth as Amazon's Kindle Store. Users who have a preference for a specific eBook ecosystem or have existing content in one platform may find it influential in their choice between the two devices.
Another significant difference lies in the display technology. Kindle Ereader typically features an E Ink display, which mimics the appearance of printed paper and provides a comfortable reading experience with minimal eye strain. It offers high contrast, sharp text, and is glare-free, even in bright sunlight. Kobo Glo also features an E Ink display, which delivers a similar reading experience. However, some Kobo Glo models may offer additional features like built-in ComfortLight, which provides adjustable front lighting to allow for reading in various lighting conditions. This feature is especially beneficial for reading in low-light environments.
Additionally, the design and form factor differ between Kindle Ereader and Kobo Glo. Kindle Ereader is known for its sleek and minimalistic design, with a focus on lightweight and thin profiles. It aims to provide a comfortable grip and easy one-handed use. Kobo Glo, on the other hand, offers a slightly larger and wider design, which may appeal to readers who prefer a larger screen size or a more substantial feel in their hands. The design preference between the two devices may depend on individual ergonomic preferences and reading habits.
One key difference between Kindle Ereader and Kobo Glo lies in their eBook ecosystems. Kindle Ereader is closely integrated with Amazon's Kindle ecosystem, which provides access to a vast collection of eBooks and audiobooks from the Kindle Store. It offers seamless synchronization of reading progress across devices, personalized recommendations, and access to Kindle Unlimited, a subscription service for eBooks. Kobo Glo, on the other hand, is part of the Kobo ecosystem, which also offers a wide selection of eBooks. However, it may have a different catalog and may not have the same depth as Amazon's Kindle Store. Users who have a preference for a specific eBook ecosystem or have existing content in one platform may find it influential in their choice between the two devices.
Another significant difference lies in the display technology. Kindle Ereader typically features an E Ink display, which mimics the appearance of printed paper and provides a comfortable reading experience with minimal eye strain. It offers high contrast, sharp text, and is glare-free, even in bright sunlight. Kobo Glo also features an E Ink display, which delivers a similar reading experience. However, some Kobo Glo models may offer additional features like built-in ComfortLight, which provides adjustable front lighting to allow for reading in various lighting conditions. This feature is especially beneficial for reading in low-light environments.
Additionally, the design and form factor differ between Kindle Ereader and Kobo Glo. Kindle Ereader is known for its sleek and minimalistic design, with a focus on lightweight and thin profiles. It aims to provide a comfortable grip and easy one-handed use. Kobo Glo, on the other hand, offers a slightly larger and wider design, which may appeal to readers who prefer a larger screen size or a more substantial feel in their hands. The design preference between the two devices may depend on individual ergonomic preferences and reading habits.
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Basic 6-inch Kindle e-reader uses an electronic ink screen that looks and reads like real paper. The matte screen reflects light like ordinary paper and uses no backlighting, so you can read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room. Unlike tablet screens, Kindle has no glare.
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Kobo Glo's revolutionary ComfortLight illuminates the screen with a soft, adjustable glow so you can read any eBook any time of day under the perfect light — no lamp required. Because Kobo Glo’s advanced high-res XGA Pearl E Ink screen doesn’t use a glass overlay for its front light technology, there’s never any glare, even in the brightest sunlight.
Kindle Ereader vs Kobo Glo in our news:
2024. Kindle update improves settings adjustment
Amazon has rolled out firmware update 5.16.7 for its modern Kindle e-readers, encompassing models such as the latest Paperwhite, Scribe, and base Kindle. This update primarily focuses on maintenance rather than introducing new features or functionalities, with improvements aimed at performance, bug fixes, and general enhancements listed in the change log. Notably, the previous update brought a slew of new features to the Kindle, including revamped settings for easier navigation and adjustments, the addition of a "Date and time" setting under "Device options" for manual or automatic time setting, and a dedicated folder for storing screenshots. It is likely that the 5.16.7 update addresses lingering bugs from the previous release, with some users reporting extended battery life as a result.
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
Amazon has initiated the distribution of emails to their customers, issuing a "Final Reminder" regarding the discontinuation of MOBI file format support (.AZW, .MOBI, .PRC) for their Send to Kindle service, which will take effect later this year. Initially, Amazon announced that they would cease MOBI format support in "late 2022," but this deadline was later revised to "early 2023." Despite these initial estimates, Amazon continued to support MOBI formats well into September 2023. According to the updated schedule, Amazon intends to commence the process of "phasing out support" for sending MOBI files to Kindles and Kindle apps via Send to Kindle on November 1st, 2023.
2023. Kindle e-readers get List view option for Collections
The latest firmware update Kindle introduces a new feature within the Collections view – List mode. Previously, the Library section provided options for Grid view and List view, while Collections only supported Grid view for reasons known to Amazon. However, this recent update now offers the List view option for Collections as well. This addition allows users to organize their content according to their preferences. While some may not find this change significant, many users will appreciate the ability to display their e-books in list format within their collections. Interestingly, despite both the Kindle and the Kindle Scribe receiving the update simultaneously, the List view option for Collections remains unavailable on the Kindle Scribe. There is a possibility that Amazon has distinct plans for the Scribe, and it is hopeful that the List view feature for Collections will eventually be introduced to the Scribe along with other Scribe-specific enhancements in the future.
2022. New basic Kindle offers premium Paperwhite features for under $100
Amazon has introduced a new 6-inch Kindle that is hailed as its "lightest and most compact" e-reader yet. Although it joins Amazon's regular Kindle lineup, its specifications align more closely with the $139.99 Paperwhite model. It incorporates several features from the premium lineup, including a high-resolution display of 300ppi for sharp text and graphics, a dark mode, and USB-C charging. Notable improvements include a battery life lasting up to six weeks per charge, 16GB of storage (twice the capacity of its 2019 predecessor), and the return of the adjustable front light. Impressively, this new Kindle is priced at just $99.99, a mere $10 increase from the previous generation, making it an enticing option for those seeking an upgrade from older models that lost the ability to browse, borrow, or purchase books directly from the Kindle Store last month.
2021. Kindle update brings new navigation options
Amazon has rolled out a new software update, version 5.14.1, for Kindle ereaders, introducing further modifications to the navigation system while reading ebooks. This update follows the previous 5.13.7 version that brought significant changes to the user interface but also resulted in the removal of the back button, causing some issues. To address this, Amazon has introduced a new feature: a go back box that now appears at the bottom of the screen whenever navigating to a different section of a book. This addition aims to improve the user experience and alleviate the problems caused by the previous update.
2021. Kindle Special Offers no longer show ads on the home screen
The Special Offers program has been implemented on various Kindle models, offering a discounted price of around $25 to $30 in exchange for displaying advertisements on the lock screen and home screen. However, Amazon has recently released the 5.13.7 firmware update, which introduced significant changes to the home screen. One notable improvement is the complete removal of ads from the home screen, leaving them only visible when the Kindle is in sleep mode. The new home screen design presents the current book being read along with the reading progress. It also showcases cover art images of a few other books and provides text-based information. Additionally, the recommended reads section offers suggestions based on previously purchased books. The user interface now lacks sufficient space to accommodate advertisements, leading to their omission from the home screen.
2021. Kindle 3G internet will no longer work since 2022
In 2017, Amazon introduced the original Kindle, which offered 3G internet access. This feature allowed Kindle users to connect to the nearest cellphone tower providing 3G data, enabling them to access the bookstore and Wikipedia. However, starting from next year, this capability will become obsolete. Network telecommunication companies worldwide are beginning to shut down their 3G networks and repurpose the frequencies for 4G/LTE and 5G technologies.
2021. Kindle can now display book covers on the lock screen
Amazon has released a firmware update enabling Paperwhite, Oasis, and the entry-level Kindle to showcase ebook cover art on the lock screen while the e-reader is in sleep mode. This highly requested feature has been sought after for over a decade and has even prompted Kindle users to resort to jailbreaking their devices. The update displays the cover of the ebook you are presently reading, as reported early on. It supports both Amazon-purchased content and sideloaded ebooks, providing a versatile experience for users.
2019. Kobo boosts performance of PDF files
Kobo has recently rolled out a firmware update for their complete lineup of e-readers. This update enhances the performance of PDF files, leading to quicker loading times. Moreover, users now have the option to customize the header and footer of their reading interface. They can opt to showcase page numbers, percentage read, time remaining, or even deactivate the header, footer, or progress bar entirely.
2019. Kobo brings many of the Libra H2O features to older Kobo e-readers
Kobo has released a new firmware update for the Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, and Kobo Aura, incorporating several features found in the latest Kobo Libra H2O model to enhance eBook navigation. The headers and footers now provide information on both chapter and book progress, ensuring you can easily track your reading position. Additionally, a progress bar offers a visual representation of your progress within the book. For further customization, you can adjust your page layout through the Reading settings. The book scrubber has been improved, now displaying the entire book instead of just individual chapters, allowing for smoother navigation. Lastly, the addition of page previews enables quick referencing and facilitates navigation to different sections of the book.
2017. Kobo makes managing ebooks simpler
Kobo has recently released a firmware update for its e-readers, introducing several noteworthy features. One of the key additions is the "Manage Books" feature, accessible under the "My Books" section. This new feature allows users to select multiple books simultaneously, enabling actions such as marking them as finished or unread, removing them, or adding them to collections. The "My Books" section itself has undergone a visual enhancement, offering a cleaner layout of information, along with the inclusion of convenient Filter and Sort menus. The reading experience has also been enhanced with this update. Now, by tapping the middle of the page, users can easily access reading menus, navigate to the Table of Contents, or adjust Reading Settings. Additionally, the screen will now refresh after each chapter, as opposed to every six pages, providing a smoother reading experience.
2015. Kobo unveiled new e-Reader Glo HD to take on Kindle Voyage
Kobo is set to release its latest e-reader, the Glo HD, which claims to offer the highest resolution at an affordable price point. Priced at $129.99 and launching on May 1, this new device from Rakuten-owned Kobo features a 6-inch display with an impressive 300 ppi pixel density. This resolution matches that of the $199.99 Kindle Voyage, ensuring extremely sharp and pixel-free text rendering. Both the Kobo Glo HD and the Kindle Voyage utilize e-ink's Carta screen technology, delivering text quality comparable to high-resolution e-ink screens found in modern smartphones, albeit with the low-power e-paper technology that provides black and white display, ideal for dedicated text reading devices.
2014. Kindle Update for e-readers lets enables sharing books with your family
Amazon has released an update for Kindle e-readers, bringing new e-reading features previously exclusive to the Kindle Voyage to older Kindle models. The update introduces several enhancements, including Family Library, which enables users with linked Amazon accounts to access and read books previously downloaded by family members. Additionally, the Word Wise feature automatically displays definitions for challenging words above them, aiding comprehension. The Enhanced search function now provides results from not only your library but also Goodreads and the Kindle Store. Lastly, the About This Book feature offers valuable information such as author biographies and other titles in the series as you commence reading. The update is compatible with the Paperwhite 2nd generation, Kindle Voyage, and the most recent low-end Kindles.
2014. Amazon unveils $199 Kindle Voyage and new simple Kindle ereader with touchscreen
Amazon has recently unveiled the 7th generation of Kindle, including the premium and highly advanced e-reader called Kindle Voyage, as well as the new and simplified Kindle ereader. The Kindle Voyage boasts several notable features, such as a 20% faster processor, double the storage capacity, and the addition of a touch interface. Priced at $199, whether or not you should purchase it depends on your preference for page turning methods. The Kindle Voyage incorporates two thin lines on either side of the reader's face, allowing for effortless page advancement and reversal with a gentle press. Amazon has even incorporated subtle haptic feedback to provide a tactile confirmation. Alternatively, users can also swipe on the touch screen to navigate through pages. It is worth noting that the Kindle Voyage offers a flat glass, high-resolution screen, as well as a brighter, self-adjusting light to enhance the reading experience.
2012. Amazon unveils Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle 5
In the ongoing competition among e-readers, Amazon has recently introduced two new devices, namely the affordable Kindle 5 and the "frontlit" Kindle Paperwhite. The latter model is set to rival the Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight and Kobo Glo. While all these e-readers allow for reading in the dark, the Paperwhite appears to outshine its competitors. Its screen offers a nearly perfect white display, whereas the Nook still retains a slight grayish tinge. Furthermore, Amazon has made improvements to the battery life, claiming up to eight weeks of usage even with the light turned on, surpassing the Nook's one-month estimate. The Kindle Paperwhite features a touch screen and serves as a replacement for the Kindle Touch in Amazon's e-reader lineup. Notably, the Paperwhite lacks audio capabilities and Text-to-Speech functionality, resulting in a more compact and lightweight device. It comes with 2 GB of storage, a reduction from previous Kindle models that offered 4 GB. The Paperwhite is priced at $179 for the Wi-Fi/3G version and $119 for Wi-Fi only, with an additional $20 charge for removing special offers from the lock screens (although it may go unnoticed by most users). For reference, the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight (Wi-Fi) is priced at $139. As for the second model, the Kindle 5 is the latest iteration of the basic Kindle e-reader, offering no significant changes compared to the Kindle 4 except for a color change from gray to black. However, it is priced $10 cheaper at just $69 (with Special Offers). For more information, you can also explore: Why you need a Kindle collection manager.
2011. Amazon launches Kindle 4
The new Kindle 4 boasts a 6-inch, 600x800 E-Ink Pearl screen, which remains largely unchanged from the previous model. However, significant hardware differences can be observed. The traditional keyboard found in previous Kindles has been replaced with four physical buttons and a "five-way controller," a directional pad encircling a central button. Text input is now achieved using this controller and an on-screen software keyboard, which, although less convenient, contributes to a reduction in size and weight. Holding the Kindle with one hand during extended reading sessions remains comfortable. Internally, the Kindle incorporates budget-friendly components to achieve its affordable $79 price point. It supports Wi-Fi speeds of up to 72.2 Mbps and includes 256MB of RAM and 2GB of flash memory. Powering these features is an 890mAh 3.7 V battery, which Amazon claims can last for approximately one month.