Kobo

Kobo is an ebook reader sold by Canadian-based ebook retailer, Kobo, Inc.  who according to their website, “is a global eBook retailer backed by Indigo Books & Music, Borders, REDgroup Retail, Cheung Kong Holdings, and other leaders in technology and retail.” Borders owns 20% of Kobo and they currently have a partnership to sell ebooks online at Border’s ebook website.  Borders also sells Kobo ereaders online and in Borders stores in the United States.

Kobo Inc. announced an eReader on March 24, 2010 at the CTIA show. The Kobo was released on May 1, 2010 and began selling at Borders in June 2010. It is currently sold at Indigo/Chapters in Canada, Whitcoulls in New Zealand, Angus and Robertson and Borders in Australia, and at Borders in the United States. It uses an electronic ink screen like the Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook and currently retails for around $150 US.

Unlike the Kindle 2, it has no built-in keyboard, but is smaller, lighter and cheaper. It is available in black or white colors. It has expandable memory via an SD card slot.

The Kobo comes preloaded with 100 public domain classic books. It does not have wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi and 3G like the Kindle, Nook and the iPad, although it does have limited connectivity via Bluetooth to select Blackberry wireless devices.  Apps are available for the Blackberry, iPhone, Android, and HP/Palm Pre’ as well as the iPad.