Kobo eBook Reader

26th March 2010

Kobo eBook eReader

Kobo has unveiled it’s very own eBook reader. It may be the first semi-premium option for those wanting to buy a Kindle or Nook. While the Kobo eReader lacks 3G, little else should disappoint. The build is clever, with a quilted, vinyl back and the option to skin the face with a cloth or leather facade. Most buttons are tucked to the side of the device, but a big, blue navigational pad looks ready to flick away at those pages just fine. It’s only equipped with 1GB of storage, but it’s got room for a 4GB SD card, so that point barely matters.

The device openly supports EPUB or PDF transfered over USB (they have their own store if you want to use it), and Bluetooth allows you to sync what you’re reading across devices loaded with Kobo’s app.

Plus, the menus just look polished, with touches like leaving the book’s cover on the screen when the device is at rest (a nice feature we see in the Nook) and virtual bookshelves (suck on that, iPad!).

The Kobo eReader will go on sale at Borders this summer. It is said to be retailed at $150.

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