 |
Kobo Forma vs PocketBook Color
Last updated: July 10, 2023
The Kobo Forma and PocketBook Color are both eReader devices with color E Ink displays, but they have distinct differences in terms of design, features, and software ecosystem.
In terms of design, the Kobo Forma features a unique asymmetric design that offers an ergonomic grip, making it comfortable to hold with one hand for extended reading sessions. It has a larger 8-inch E Ink display with adjustable front lighting, providing a comfortable and immersive reading experience. The Forma also boasts a durable and waterproof design, making it suitable for reading in various environments. On the other hand, the PocketBook Color has a more compact form factor with a 6-inch color E Ink display, providing a vibrant reading experience. It offers adjustable front lighting and physical page-turn buttons for easy navigation.
In terms of features, the Kobo Forma offers a range of functionalities tailored to enhance the reading experience. It supports a variety of eBook formats, including EPUB and PDF, and provides access to the extensive Kobo eBookstore. The Forma offers features like customizable fonts, font sizes, and margins, as well as options for personalized recommendations and syncing reading progress across devices. The PocketBook Color, on the other hand, provides a compact eReader experience with a color E Ink display. It supports various eBook formats, offers customizable settings, and allows for note-taking and annotations. It provides a vibrant reading experience with illustrations and graphics in color.
Another notable difference is the software ecosystem. The Kobo Forma integrates tightly with the Kobo ecosystem, providing access to the Kobo eBookstore, personalized recommendations, and seamless syncing of reading progress. It offers features like OverDrive integration for borrowing eBooks from public libraries. The PocketBook Color, on the other hand, runs on the PocketBook operating system, which offers a versatile platform supporting a wide range of eBook formats and customization options. It provides access to various eBook sources and allows users to organize and manage their digital library effectively.
In terms of design, the Kobo Forma features a unique asymmetric design that offers an ergonomic grip, making it comfortable to hold with one hand for extended reading sessions. It has a larger 8-inch E Ink display with adjustable front lighting, providing a comfortable and immersive reading experience. The Forma also boasts a durable and waterproof design, making it suitable for reading in various environments. On the other hand, the PocketBook Color has a more compact form factor with a 6-inch color E Ink display, providing a vibrant reading experience. It offers adjustable front lighting and physical page-turn buttons for easy navigation.
In terms of features, the Kobo Forma offers a range of functionalities tailored to enhance the reading experience. It supports a variety of eBook formats, including EPUB and PDF, and provides access to the extensive Kobo eBookstore. The Forma offers features like customizable fonts, font sizes, and margins, as well as options for personalized recommendations and syncing reading progress across devices. The PocketBook Color, on the other hand, provides a compact eReader experience with a color E Ink display. It supports various eBook formats, offers customizable settings, and allows for note-taking and annotations. It provides a vibrant reading experience with illustrations and graphics in color.
Another notable difference is the software ecosystem. The Kobo Forma integrates tightly with the Kobo ecosystem, providing access to the Kobo eBookstore, personalized recommendations, and seamless syncing of reading progress. It offers features like OverDrive integration for borrowing eBooks from public libraries. The PocketBook Color, on the other hand, runs on the PocketBook operating system, which offers a versatile platform supporting a wide range of eBook formats and customization options. It provides access to various eBook sources and allows users to organize and manage their digital library effectively.
18
To make the reading experience better for ravenous booklovers who read for hours on end, and want a lightweight, portable alternative to heavy print books, we’ve delivered our most comfortable eReader yet with waterproof reliability, the choice of landscape or portrait mode, and the expanded access of book borrowing.
6
PocketBook Color is equipped with innovative E Ink screen, which displays 4096 colors and guarantees eye-safe reading and frontlight that allows users to read in any light conditions and optimises the optical performance of the screen. It has Text-to-Speech function and supports 6 popular audio formats for music and audiobooks. Bluetooth allows the user to connect wireless headphones and switch e-reader to audio systems.
Kobo Forma vs PocketBook Color in our news:
2023. Pocket updates support for Kobo e-readers
News and article reading service Pocket has announced that Kobo e-readers will no longer be supported. The reason is that in order to improve security all Pocket accounts are migrated to Firefox accounts. This news caused great indignation among Kobo users and the developers of Pocket decided to solve the problem anyway. Sarah Vasquez, the Senior Manager, Communication at Mozilla, told Good e-Reader in an exclusive statement, “Kobo is aiming to update the Pocket login on their e-readers to support Firefox accounts. The exact timing is to be determined. However, Pocket’s existing Kobo users will not be affected nor lose access to their accounts.
2023. Pocketbook unveiled InkPad Color 2 e-reader
Pocketbook has unveiled a new 7.8-inch color e-reader that uses E INK Kaleido Plus e-paper technology. This device is designed to deliver full and vibrant color for digital books, manga, and other digital content. Users can access the Pocketbook Store to buy and download digital content, and the manual page turn buttons located at the bottom of the reader allow for easy and quick flipping through pages. Moreover, the PocketBook InkPad Color 2 is reliably protected against water damage, meeting IPX8 standards. The device is powered by a 2900 mAh battery that can last up to a month. Additionally, the PocketBook InkPad Color 2 is an ideal e-reader for audio enthusiasts, supporting six audio formats, and comes equipped with a built-in speaker, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Text-to-Speech function. With the built-in speaker, users can enjoy their favorite stories without the need for additional devices. The Pocketbook InkPad Color 2 is priced at $320.
2022. New Kobo software update added a pinch-zooming gesture
Kobo has released a software update for their entire range of Kobo e-readers, including models dating back to the original Kobo Touch (excluding the Kobo Mini). The update introduces a pinch-zooming gesture to adjust font size and now includes a new gesture that allows users to quickly access the last three books they read by swiping down from the top of the screen. Additionally, two new font options specifically designed for digital reading, Rakuten Sans and Rakuten Serif, have been added. The interface now supports three additional languages: Czech, Polish, and Romanian. A new feature called "Recently Viewed" has also been introduced, which displays recently viewed ebooks in the Kobo store, although users have the option to disable this feature in the settings.
2021. Kobo released Sage and Libra 2 with Bluetooth and stylus support
Kobo has introduced two new e-readers, the Sage and Libra 2, which build upon the company's high-end offerings by incorporating Bluetooth audiobook and stylus support. These devices retain the recognizable asymmetrical design of their larger counterparts. Furthermore, the Sage and Libra 2 are equipped with a new charging cover, allowing users to recharge the device every few months instead of every few weeks. The Sage, an evolution of the Forma, boasts an impressive 8-inch, 300 PPI screen and a color-adjustable screen light, ensuring an exceptional reading experience. Similarly, the Libra 2 serves as the successor to the Libra H2O (sans the H2O branding, although it remains waterproof), featuring a 7-inch display with the same display and lighting characteristics. For those seeking a more compact option, the Clara model remains the ideal choice.
2018. Kobo Forma e-Reader gets first major update
Kobo has recently released a significant update for their Kobo Forma e-reader, addressing various persistent issues such as improving WIFI stability and enhancing manga performance. With this update, readers now have the ability to navigate through pages by pressing dedicated page-turn buttons, enabling them to move forward or backward with ease. Furthermore, by pressing and holding these buttons, users can rapidly flip through multiple pages. Kobo has also ensured that their e-reader is suitable for both left-handed and right-handed individuals. By simply holding the Kobo Forma in either hand, the screen will automatically adjust. Additionally, readers can now enjoy the flexibility of reading in landscape or portrait mode. While reading, users can rotate their device to any orientation they prefer. To lock the screen into portrait or landscape mode, readers can tap the middle of the page to access the menu and then select the rotation icon located in the header (all while maintaining the option to hold the device in either hand).
2018. Kobo Forma - e-Ink reader with IPX8 case
Kobo has unveiled their latest ebook reader, the Kobo Forma, which surpasses the Kindle Oasis in several aspects, making it their most innovative e-reader to date. With a design reminiscent of the Kindle Oasis, featuring page buttons on one side of the screen and a tapered back (without the wedge), the Kobo Forma offers the flexibility to read in both portrait and landscape mode, complete with the option for automatic screen rotation. Boasting a spacious 8-inch screen and waterproof capabilities, this digital eBook reader delivers an immersive reading experience. Moreover, it allows direct borrowing of ebooks from Overdrive, resulting in long-term cost savings. The inclusion of comfortlight technology enables users to dim the bright white screen for comfortable nighttime reading. The adjustable front-light is gentle on the eyes and gradually reduces blue-light exposure, promoting better sleep quality. With an IPX8 rating, the Forma is waterproof for up to 60 minutes, and it even comes pre-installed with the popular library app OneDrive, simplifying the process of connecting your library account to the e-reader.
2018. Kobo's latest e-reader is called the Forma
Kobo has introduced the Forma, their latest addition to the lineup of e-ink e-readers, showcasing a range of enhancements. The Forma is equipped with an 8-inch 1920 x 1080 pixel (1080p) e-ink display, combining high resolution with an immersive reading experience. Its new ergonomic design stands out, featuring a handle on the side that not only provides a fresh aesthetic but also improves the device's grip. Along the right edge, convenient buttons simplify page-turning, offering a more tactile alternative to touchscreen interactions. Weighing just 197g, the Forma is approximately 15 percent lighter than the Kobo Aura One, without compromising durability. Kobo assures that the e-reader can withstand drops from two meters. Furthermore, with its IPX8 rating, the device is water-resistant and capable of enduring submersion in up to two meters of water for around 60 minutes. The Forma is available in an 8GB version starting at $299.99 CAD.
2012. PocketBook unveils first eReader with Color E Ink screen
PocketBook has introduced a new e-Reader called PocketBook Color, featuring a color E Ink screen and a frontlight. While color E Ink technology has faced challenges due to its requirement of high ambient light for optimal coloration, the inclusion of a frontlight in this device may address this issue. Unlike previous models with larger 9.7-inch screens, the PocketBook Color utilizes an 8-inch Triton display, supporting 4096 colors and boasting a resolution of 800x600. Additionally, the device incorporates PocketBook's advanced firmware, known for its PDF-friendly capabilities and support for various formats.