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Kobo Aura vs Kobo Libra
Last updated: July 10, 2023
Kobo Aura and Kobo Libra are two eReader models offered by Kobo, a leading brand in the eReader market. While both devices offer a great reading experience, they have key differences in terms of design, features, and target audience.
1. Design: Kobo Aura features a compact and lightweight design, making it highly portable and easy to hold with one hand. It has a 6-inch E Ink display, which provides a comfortable reading experience and reduces eye strain. On the other hand, Kobo Libra has a larger 7-inch E Ink display and features an ergonomic design with physical page-turn buttons, making it ideal for readers who prefer a more substantial device. The larger screen size and physical buttons offer enhanced usability, particularly for those who read for longer periods.
2. Features: Both Kobo Aura and Kobo Libra offer a range of features to enhance the reading experience. However, Kobo Libra has a slight edge when it comes to features. Kobo Libra is waterproof with an IPX8 rating, meaning it can be submerged in up to 2 meters of water for up to 60 minutes, making it a great option for reading by the pool or in the bathtub. Additionally, Kobo Libra has an adjustable color temperature feature, allowing users to customize the warmth of the display to reduce eye strain. While Kobo Aura is not waterproof and lacks the color temperature feature, it still offers a solid reading experience with a high-resolution display and built-in ComfortLight for reading in low-light conditions.
3. Target Audience: The target audience for Kobo Aura and Kobo Libra may differ based on their design and features. Kobo Aura's compact size and lightweight design make it an excellent choice for readers who prioritize portability and one-handed use. It is suitable for readers who enjoy reading on the go and prefer a smaller device. On the other hand, Kobo Libra's larger screen size, ergonomic design, and additional features make it ideal for avid readers who spend longer hours immersed in books. The physical page-turn buttons and waterproof feature are particularly beneficial for readers who want added convenience and durability.
1. Design: Kobo Aura features a compact and lightweight design, making it highly portable and easy to hold with one hand. It has a 6-inch E Ink display, which provides a comfortable reading experience and reduces eye strain. On the other hand, Kobo Libra has a larger 7-inch E Ink display and features an ergonomic design with physical page-turn buttons, making it ideal for readers who prefer a more substantial device. The larger screen size and physical buttons offer enhanced usability, particularly for those who read for longer periods.
2. Features: Both Kobo Aura and Kobo Libra offer a range of features to enhance the reading experience. However, Kobo Libra has a slight edge when it comes to features. Kobo Libra is waterproof with an IPX8 rating, meaning it can be submerged in up to 2 meters of water for up to 60 minutes, making it a great option for reading by the pool or in the bathtub. Additionally, Kobo Libra has an adjustable color temperature feature, allowing users to customize the warmth of the display to reduce eye strain. While Kobo Aura is not waterproof and lacks the color temperature feature, it still offers a solid reading experience with a high-resolution display and built-in ComfortLight for reading in low-light conditions.
3. Target Audience: The target audience for Kobo Aura and Kobo Libra may differ based on their design and features. Kobo Aura's compact size and lightweight design make it an excellent choice for readers who prioritize portability and one-handed use. It is suitable for readers who enjoy reading on the go and prefer a smaller device. On the other hand, Kobo Libra's larger screen size, ergonomic design, and additional features make it ideal for avid readers who spend longer hours immersed in books. The physical page-turn buttons and waterproof feature are particularly beneficial for readers who want added convenience and durability.
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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.
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Kobo Libra is the embodiment of your reading style. With more storage, a faster E Ink screen, and Bluetooth wireless technology so you can listen to Kobo Audiobooks, Kobo Libra is an integral part of your rich reading life. Packed with features and personality and storage for all of your eBooks Kobo Libra was made to do more. An ergonomic design keeps your reading life on hand and page turn buttons keep the story going while you sip your coffee, stir your signature pasta sauce, or nurse your newborn so you can read on and on, no matter what.
Kobo Aura vs Kobo Libra in our news:
2023. Rakuten unveiled Kobo Libra 2
Rakuten Kobo has unveiled the Kobo Libra 2, featuring a 7-inch HD E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen display with a resolution of 1264 × 1680 pixels or 300 PPI. This e-reader offers color temperature adjustment and Dark Mode, allowing users to customize their reading experience. Powered by a 1 GHz Processor and equipped with 32 GB of onboard storage, the Libra 2 has a distinctive asymmetrical design, with a thicker right spine housing physical page turn buttons. Additionally, it boasts a fully waterproof construction and is available in Black and White variants. Customers can also purchase optional SleepCovers for $50. The Kobo Libra 2 is priced at $250 and is accessible for purchase through Flipkart and various online retailers in India.
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. Kobo brings the Forma form factor to a cheaper model Kobo Libra
The new Kobo Libra H2O brings the sleek form factor of the Forma e-reader to a 7-inch screen device, retailing at a relatively affordable price of $170. Although it may not be the cheapest option in the e-reader market, it's a positive development to witness some of these advanced features becoming more accessible. The device's form factor is highly functional, allowing users to read in both landscape and portrait orientations, with automatic screen rotation thanks to the built-in accelerometer. Kobo has also made software improvements, enhancing menus, book scrubbing, and previews for a smoother reading experience. Additional convenient features include the ability to adjust front light intensity by swiping the screen's side and the device being waterproofed with an IPX8 rating, ensuring protection against water damage.
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. 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.
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.