Color e-readers have been on the market for some time now, but it’s been a long wait for a color-screen Kindle or Kobo. However, the wait is finally over, as Kobo has recently announced two new color e-readers: the Kobo Libra Colour and the Kobo Clara Colour.
Both of these devices are upgraded versions of their respective predecessors, the Libra 2 and Clara 2E, and they feature a new screen technology called E Ink Kaleido 3. This technology allows the e-readers to display over 4,000 colors, which is a significant improvement over the previous monochrome models.
The Kaleido 3 display is currently the best color e-paper technology available for e-readers, supporting 4,096 hues. However, the colors may appear slightly less vibrant than what you would see on an LCD display. Despite this, Kobo has managed to beat Amazon in releasing a mainstream color e-reader, and the pricing of these devices is also competitive.
Of the two new e-readers, the Kobo Libra Colour is the one that stands out the most. It is an upgraded version of the highly praised Kobo Libra 2, which is considered to be one of the best e-readers on the market. The Libra Colour retains the 7-inch screen size of its predecessor but now has the ability to display over 4,000 colors and has writing capabilities.
To handle the additional workload, Kobo has improved the processing power of the Libra Colour by using a 2GHz CPU instead of the previous 1GHz chip. The battery capacity has also been increased to 2,050mAh from the previous 1,500mAh. Other features, such as page-turn buttons, 32GB of internal storage, Bluetooth support, and OverDrive integration, have been inherited from its predecessor.
What’s remarkable about the Kobo Libra Colour is its price. Despite the new screen capabilities, Kobo has managed to keep the price only slightly higher than the Libra 2, which currently retails for $189.99 / £169.99 / AU$319.95. This is quite impressive when you compare it to other color e-readers on the market that can cost significantly more.
For those who want to take full advantage of the Libra Colour’s writing capabilities, a compatible pen, such as Kobo’s existing Stylus 2, is required. However, this pen needs to be purchased separately.
In comparison, the Onyx Boox Tab Mini C, which is considered the best color e-reader and costs $450 / £450 / AU$765, comes with a pen. Another alternative is the PocketBook InkPad Color 3, a 7.8-inch color e-reader without any writing capabilities that retails for $329 in the US.
Aside from the Libra Colour, Kobo has also introduced the Kobo Clara Colour, a 6-inch mid-range option priced at $149.99 / £139.99 / AU$259.95. It does not have any writing features but serves as an affordable and smaller alternative to other color e-readers that typically have a 7.8-inch screen. It comes with 16GB of internal storage and Bluetooth connectivity.
Additionally, Kobo is releasing the Kobo Clara BW, a monochrome e-reader that features the latest E Ink Carta 1300 screen technology. This technology promises better contrast and improved refresh rates compared to previous models. The Kobo Clara BW is priced at $159.99 / £119.99 / AU$239.95 for 16GB of storage.
In terms of sustainability, Kobo has taken steps to reduce its environmental impact. The Clara 2E was the first Kobo e-reader to be made from 80% recycled plastics, 10% of which came from ocean-bound sources. This commitment to sustainability continues with the new e-readers, as recycled and ocean-bound plastics were used to make the body of each device. The packaging is also made from 100% recycled paper, with soy ink used for the printing.
Furthermore, all of the new Kobo e-readers feature IPX8 waterproofing, allowing them to withstand accidental exposure to water. Kobo has also partnered with iFixit to promote repairability, although specific details about this partnership are still unclear. iFixit is known for providing repair guides and selling replacement parts for various tech products, so this partnership could potentially help prolong the life of Kobo e-readers.
Overall, the introduction of color e-readers from Kobo is an exciting development in the e-reader market. With their competitive pricing, improved screen technology, and additional features, these new devices are likely to attract a lot of attention from avid readers. Kobo’s commitment to sustainability and repairability is also commendable and adds to the appeal of their e-readers.
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