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Kindle Oasis vs Kobo Aura
Last updated: July 10, 2023
Kindle Oasis and Kobo Aura are two high-end eReader models, each with its own unique features and capabilities that cater to different reading preferences.
One key difference between Kindle Oasis and Kobo Aura lies in their design and form factor. Kindle Oasis features a sleek and ergonomic design with a larger display on one side and a grip area on the other, providing a comfortable one-handed reading experience. The asymmetrical design allows for easy holding and page turning. On the other hand, Kobo Aura has a more traditional and symmetrical design with a 6-inch screen, providing a balanced and symmetrical feel in the hand. The design preference between the two models may vary depending on readers' personal preferences for ergonomics and aesthetics.
Another significant difference lies in their ecosystem and content availability. Kindle Oasis is closely integrated with Amazon's Kindle ecosystem, providing seamless access to a vast collection of eBooks and audiobooks available in the Kindle Store. It also offers features like Whispersync, which synchronizes reading progress across devices, and Kindle Unlimited, a subscription service that grants access to a large library of eBooks. Kobo Aura, on the other hand, is part of the Kobo ecosystem, offering access to the Kobo eBookstore. While the Kobo eBookstore also offers a wide selection of eBooks, it may not have the same depth as Amazon's Kindle Store. If you have a preference for a specific ecosystem or have existing content in one platform, it may influence your choice between the two models.
Additionally, the display technology differs between Kindle Oasis and Kobo Aura. Kindle Oasis features a high-resolution E Ink Carta display, which provides sharp and crisp text for a comfortable reading experience. It also includes adjustable front lighting, allowing for reading in various lighting conditions. Kobo Aura, on the other hand, features an E Ink Pearl display, which offers a good reading experience but lacks the higher resolution and adjustable front lighting found in the Kindle Oasis. If display quality and adjustable front lighting are important factors for you, the Kindle Oasis may be the preferable choice.
One key difference between Kindle Oasis and Kobo Aura lies in their design and form factor. Kindle Oasis features a sleek and ergonomic design with a larger display on one side and a grip area on the other, providing a comfortable one-handed reading experience. The asymmetrical design allows for easy holding and page turning. On the other hand, Kobo Aura has a more traditional and symmetrical design with a 6-inch screen, providing a balanced and symmetrical feel in the hand. The design preference between the two models may vary depending on readers' personal preferences for ergonomics and aesthetics.
Another significant difference lies in their ecosystem and content availability. Kindle Oasis is closely integrated with Amazon's Kindle ecosystem, providing seamless access to a vast collection of eBooks and audiobooks available in the Kindle Store. It also offers features like Whispersync, which synchronizes reading progress across devices, and Kindle Unlimited, a subscription service that grants access to a large library of eBooks. Kobo Aura, on the other hand, is part of the Kobo ecosystem, offering access to the Kobo eBookstore. While the Kobo eBookstore also offers a wide selection of eBooks, it may not have the same depth as Amazon's Kindle Store. If you have a preference for a specific ecosystem or have existing content in one platform, it may influence your choice between the two models.
Additionally, the display technology differs between Kindle Oasis and Kobo Aura. Kindle Oasis features a high-resolution E Ink Carta display, which provides sharp and crisp text for a comfortable reading experience. It also includes adjustable front lighting, allowing for reading in various lighting conditions. Kobo Aura, on the other hand, features an E Ink Pearl display, which offers a good reading experience but lacks the higher resolution and adjustable front lighting found in the Kindle Oasis. If display quality and adjustable front lighting are important factors for you, the Kindle Oasis may be the preferable choice.
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The thinnest and lightest Kindle ever. All-new ergonomic design with dedicated buttons to effortlessly turn the page. Longest Kindle battery life. Choose from a black, merlot, or walnut removable cover. High-resolution 300 ppi display with crisp, laser quality text. Reads like real paper without glare, even in direct sunlight. Enhanced built-in adjustable light evenly illuminates the screen for perfect reading anywhere, anytime
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Kobo Aura's beautiful 6" ClarityScreen and a high res, edge-to-edge low-glare Pearl E Ink screen provides a print on paper reading experience, even in direct sunlight. The latest E Ink screen technology allows you to transition between pages without those annoying flashes. With pinch to zoom, you'll catch every detail when zooming in to PDFs and select books. Or change font sizes with a simple pinch.
Kindle Oasis vs Kobo Aura in our news:
2022. Kobo is now displaying advertisements on their e-readers
Kobo has introduced a new feature on their e-readers where advertisements are displayed upon waking the device from sleep mode. Users now encounter a full-page advertisement encouraging them to subscribe to Kobo Plus, and it also highlights the availability of a free 30-day trial. Notably, this ad appears regardless of whether the device's Wi-Fi is turned on or off, as the image is sourced from the device itself rather than the internet. This marks the first instance of Kobo displaying ads on their ebook readers, contradicting their previous marketing campaigns that emphasized their devices being ad-free compared to Kindle.
2021. Kobo e-readers get new My Words feature
Kobo has recently introduced firmware update 4.26 for their range of Kobo ereaders, bringing several notable enhancements. One of the key additions is the My Words option, accessible through the Beta Features list, which functions similarly to the vocabulary builder feature found in Kindle devices. This feature enables users to conveniently review and revisit words they have looked up in the dictionary. Additionally, the update includes a "Back to page x" button specifically designed for epubs, enhancing navigation within books. Furthermore, annotation sync has been improved, allowing for better synchronization of annotations across devices. Users can now edit text within the note preview window by tapping the text field, and landscape mode PDF viewing has been enhanced for a more seamless experience.
2020. Kobo introduces $99 e-reader Nia to replace Aura
Rakuten has introduced a new, entry-level e-book reader that stands up favorably to the most affordable Amazon Kindle in various significant aspects. The Kobo Nia features a 6-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024x758 pixels and 212 ppi. It incorporates Kobo's ComfortLight technology, allowing users to adjust the display's brightness according to their preference. With a sleek design weighing in at 172 grams and measuring 9.2mm in thickness, the Nia offers a visually appealing form factor. Inside, it is powered by a 1,000mAh battery, providing "weeks" of reading on a single charge, and offers 8GB of storage capacity. In comparison, Amazon's cheapest Kindle, which inevitably draws comparisons to the Nia, starts at $89.99 but includes Amazon's "Special Offers" ads. Without the ads, the price increases to $109.99. The Kindle also features a 6-inch display but with a lower resolution of 165 ppi and only half the storage capacity of the Nia. These factors make the Nia an enticing choice for budget-conscious e-reader shoppers who prefer not to be locked into Amazon's ecosystem.
2019. Kindle update makes page turn speed faster
Amazon has released a firmware update (version 5.10.3) for several Kindle e-Ink e-readers, including the Oasis 2, Paperwhite 4, and Voyage. While the update's official description mentions improved performance without specific details, I have observed significant enhancements in page turn speed through swiping or tapping. This improvement will be particularly beneficial for avid ebook readers. Additionally, ebooks now open more quickly with this update. The firmware update is expected to be distributed via Wi-Fi over the next few days, reaching Kindle devices automatically.
2018. Kobo e-Ink readers get rapid Page-Turning
Kobo has recently launched a firmware update for their entire range of e-readers, aiming to enhance the speed of page-turning through the implementation of a new rendering engine. With this new system, users can experience faster page transitions by simply tapping their finger rapidly on the screen or using gestures. Holding a finger down on the screen also enables page-turning. However, it's important to note that during rapid page-turning, the text may become unreadable until the user releases their finger from the screen, allowing for full rendering. This rapid page-turning engine specifically works with KEPUB ebooks, which are books purchased directly from Kobo. It does not support CBR/CBZ or classic EPUB formats, and it is incompatible with sideloaded EPUB books.
2017. Amazon's Kindle Oasis gets big and waterproof
Amazon is introducing a significant update to its flagship e-reader, Kindle Oasis, bringing about radical changes. This latest model boasts the largest screen size ever seen on a Kindle device, measuring 7 inches. Moreover, it marks Amazon's first foray into creating a waterproof e-reader. Remarkably, the device is incredibly thin on one side, measuring a mere 0.13 inches, while accommodating a thicker battery section on the other side, which measures approximately a third of an inch. To enhance the reading experience, Amazon has increased the number of LED lights positioned over the screen to 12, ensuring more uniform lighting compared to the previous 10 lights. Notably, the integration of the Audible Audio Book service is another major addition. Despite Amazon's ownership of Audible, this service was previously separate from the Kindle, but now users can conveniently browse and purchase Audible Books directly on the device. Furthermore, the Kindle Oasis now starts at a price of $249 for the 8 GB storage variant.
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.
2016. New 7.8-inch Aura One e-reader - the Cadillac of e-readers
In an effort to challenge Amazon's dominance, Kobo has unveiled the Aura One, targeting a niche market. With its impressive 7.8-inch display, the Aura One surpasses the Aura HD and carries a matching price tag of $230. Despite being relatively expensive for a dedicated e-reader, especially considering the Kindle Voyage's lower starting price, Kobo's past successes in pushing boundaries indicate potential for the Aura One. While acknowledging that this device may not appeal to everyone, it caters precisely to those willing to invest over $200 for the ultimate e-reader experience. Kobo once again showcases its innovative mindset, offering features such as a spacious screen, blue-light shifting, an attractive design, and ample storage. Although the Aura One may not be cost-effective for most readers, it is sure to captivate a devoted audience seeking an exceptional reading device.
2016. Amazon unveils new Kindle Oasis
The latest addition to Amazon's Kindle lineup is the Kindle Oasis, offering an incredibly compact and lightweight design along with a unique handle for enhanced grip. With a thickness of only 3.4 mm at its thinnest point, the Kindle Oasis brings readers even closer to the tactile experience of holding a physical book. The one-sided handle grip is specifically crafted to simulate the sensation of holding a book's spine while indulging in your reading journey. Notably, this new Kindle model reintroduces physical buttons for page flipping, a departure from the touchscreens and keyboards of previous generations. Amazon has recognized the enduring appeal of buttons, and they have made a comeback based on user preferences. The Kindle Oasis is available in two versions: the WiFi model priced at $289 and the 3G model priced at $359.
2014. Kobo unveiled waterproof Aura H2O Reader
Kobo has unveiled the Kobo Aura H2O, a new waterproof device priced at $179, set to be released on October 1. This addition to Kobo's product lineup targets the premium segment of the market, offering a purpose-built e-reader tailored for avid readers. The Kobo Aura H2O serves as a versatile, all-terrain e-reader, catering to users who desire to bring their devices to unconventional locations such as the bathtub or the beach. With a sleeker and lighter design compared to the Kobo Aura HD, the Kobo Aura H2O features an upgraded high-definition display and a dustproof, air-tight construction that can withstand submersion in water for up to thirty minutes.