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The first Kobo eReader was poised to take the Kindle down with a combination of low pricing ($149) and an open platform. But Amazon easily fought back by introducing a $139 wireless model. The Kobo eReader was readily forgotten in the wake of cheaper and better Kindle.        

Now Kobo is striking back with sharper screen contrast, faster operating speed, built-in WiFi connectivity, and a cheaper price tag. Are they enough to keep the Kobo eReader in the eReader race? 

Features – Hardware and Software

The new Kobo is still a basic eReader and still lacks many advance features like web browser. It looks exactly like its older sibling, except that the quilted back now comes in three colors: black, metallic silver, and pearlized onyx.

It carries over a lot of the old Kobo’s features, too, including 1GB storage, SD card, Bluetooth connectivity, and support for ePub, PDF, Txt, and RTF text files. It is still 0.39 inches thick and measures 7.2 inches long and 4.7 inches wide. The addition of WiFi modem, however, has caused the device to gain a little weight; it now weighs 221 grams (7.8 ounces).

Yet the Kobo WiFi eReader does have some software enhancements. It now has a faster processor, allowing the device to have 2.5x faster page turns and operating speed than its predecessor. While it doesn’t have eInk’s new Pearl screen (its design seems to have predated the Pearl screen’s rollout), Kobo has improved the screen display’s Vizplex driver to 16 grayscales, allowing it to display sharper texts.

Now that the Kobo is wireless-enabled, users can now enjoy shopping and purchasing books directly from their device. Unfortunately, it only connects you to the Kobo Store so if you want to shop and download books from other sites, you still need to plug in to a computer with Internet connection.

Kobo books have additional features that are not available on books from other sources: dictionary and the option to left-justify texts. Magazines and periodicals are now delivered wirelessly. Battery life has been improved, too; you can now enjoy 10,000 page turns per charge (with wireless off).

The Bottom Line

The Kobo WiFi may not have the latest screen technology of the Kindle 3 or the new Sony Readers.  However, if you are looking for stable device that gives you access to library books or different eBookstores, the new Kobo device is now available for shipping. Price tag is the same as the Kindle’s, $139.

Pros

If you order the Kobo WiFi now, you get 1 month free trial of The New York Times magazine. Also, the Kobo WiFi is pre-loaded with 100 free eBooks. The Kobo WiFi supports ePub, which means you can access and borrow library books via Overdrive.com. This also means you can purchase books from any ePub-supporting eBookstore. The device’s quilted back provides additional comfort when holding the device.

Cons

The Kobo WiFi’s wireless capability is very limited; it can only connect you to the Kobo Store. The device doesn’t have a web browser either so you won’t be able to surf the web or visit other bookstores directly from the device. WiFi doesn’t automatically to available network either (as the Kindle 3 does) so you have to setup the WiFi network every time you want to use it. Lack of keyboard, virtual or physical, means you won’t be able to add notes or do quick searches. Searching for a particular author or book title is on the inconvenient side; you to need click through the list of book titles to find what you’re looking for. The Kobo WiFi also lacks many features that are essential to reading. It doesn’t support highlights, bookmarks, and annotation. It doesn’t give you the option to jump to a specific page and modify line spacing or margin. Kobo said these features will be added via the next firmware upgrade. The device doesn’t support audio, too, so listening to music or audiobooks is definitely out of the equation. Page turn buttons are found on the right side of the device only; leftists won’t be able to use the Kobo with one hand.

What’s in the box:

- Kobo WiFi Reader
- USB Cable
- User Manual

Main Features

- 6-inch eInk screen with 16 grayscale levels
- 2 weeks of reading time or 10,000 page turns per single charge
- 1GB onboard storage holds up to 1000 books
- SD slot supports up to 10,000 eBooks (32GB) via external storage
- Weighs 7.8 ounces

Key Features

- Quilted back
- Library book lending
- 3 library view options: list, cover flow, or text
- 5 font size options and 2 font styles

Bonus Features

- 100 free eBooks
- 1 month free trial of The New York Times