New Kobo Aura HD eInk eReader 1440x1080

pdurrant · 04-15-2013, 05:05 PM

Kobo have just announced a new eInk ebook reader, the kobo aura HD.

Suggested retail price is $169.99 in US and Canada (+sales tax, I expect)
At W.H. Smiths it's £139.99 (including VAT. £116.66+VAT)
I haven't found a Euro price yet.

See also this thread in the Kobo forum.

Size: 175.7 x 128.3 x 11.7 mm (6.91 x 5.05 x 0.46 in)
Weight: 240 g (8.4658 oz)
Display: 6.8" WXGA+ Pearl E Ink Screen
ClarityScreen+: 265 dpi, 1440 x 1080 resolution
Light: Built-in ComfortLight technology with micro-thin coating for durability and even light distribution
Buttons: Power on/off, light on/off
Connectivity: Wi Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Micro USB
Storage: 4 GB
Option to expand up to 32 GB with a Micro SD card

John Carroll · 04-15-2013, 05:10 PM

Ooooo, that looks pretty. It looks like a luxury eInk reader perfect for avid readers.

DreamWriter · 04-15-2013, 05:10 PM

Here's a video that showcases the new Kobo Aura HD:

pdurrant · 04-15-2013, 05:17 PM

It's the 265ppi screen resolution that's really impressive to me. It's competitive with retina displays in an iPad (which are 264ppi).

JD Gumby · 04-15-2013, 05:20 PM

A $170 price tag, before sales tax. Meh.

Too large to be comfortable.

And, despite the video, expect the screen redraws to be slower than the Glo (same speed CPU, but larger screen area and resolution to compensate for).

pdurrant · 04-15-2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD Gumby

A $170 price tag, before sales tax. Meh.

Curmudgeon is right! A 6.8", 265ppi front-lit display for $170? A bargain!

BeccaPrice · 04-15-2013, 05:37 PM

I wonder how one can get a case, given the shaped back? I don't totally trust my readers in my purse without a case.

But... this may get me to break my "no new technology this year" pledge to my husband. (I wonder what Amazon is going to do with this new screen?)

One of the threads in General Discussions asks, how many ebooks is enough? for me, it's how many ereaders is enough? should I give up my Sony 350 if I get this new Kobo? or keep the 350 for the small form factor, and give up my beloved Kindle Keyboard (which resides in a drawer now that I've got the Paperwhite)...

Kumabjorn · 04-15-2013, 05:37 PM

Battery lasts for two months, not bad. I think Rakuten is aiming the device for Manga readers in Japan.

taming · 04-15-2013, 05:45 PM

Battery life really depends on how people use it--things like if WiFi is always on, if the light is always used when reading. I expect the page turning to be faster. They are talking about a different technology for it, and it is not like more than 1 GHz is required for that. I know that in the past, speed for that kind of thing has improved greatly as the developers continued to work on it. It has not been a hardware issue for a very long time.

The Aura is about an inch wider and two inches taller. I ordered one and will report back on how it feels in my small hands. I did not get a cover. if that oddly shaped back is supposed to make holding it a better experience, then I didn't see the point in going for a flat backed cover. Besides, they are saying that the screen is much more durable than previous models and I don't expect to take it out of my house, except when it goes away on holidays with me.

booklover6 · 04-15-2013, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeccaPrice

One of the threads in General Discussions asks, how many ebooks is enough? for me, it's how many ereaders is enough? should I give up my Sony 350 if I get this new Kobo? or keep the 350 for the small form factor, and give up my beloved Kindle Keyboard (which resides in a drawer now that I've got the Paperwhite)...

Makes sense to me....I have three and I use all three. 4, and I might have a problem lol. But I am drooling over this new Kobo, and gleefully awaiting what Sony or Amazon might have to compare with it.

taosaur · 04-15-2013, 05:51 PM

I'd call that size finally large enough. I have yet to pick up an e-ink reader and the 5"-6" standard is one (minor) reason. The Trade Paperback form factor (similar to my old Nook Color) looks just about right.

The price... well, one could pick up a tablet of similar size and PPI for not much more, but it still seems just about right for the combination of features. It ticks off all my boxes (display quality, front light, microSD) except for a hackable Android OS, but it's looking less and less likely that B&N will release another generation of e-ink Nooks stepping up the PPI

BeccaPrice · 04-15-2013, 06:34 PM

I dunno, taosaur, the 6.8" screen seems like it might be too big. I'd love to see one, hold it, see how it balances in my hands. I'm also cautious about the shaped back - makes it kinda hard to have a screen-protecting cover. I do like everything else about it, though.

elemenoP · 04-15-2013, 06:43 PM

A number of people have asked for a better PDF reader. Do you think this is it?

eP

pdurrant · 04-15-2013, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

A number of people have asked for a better PDF reader. Do you think this is it?

If you have young eyes, the combination of the 6.8" screen and 265ppi should make even A4 PDFs readable.

charmian · 04-15-2013, 06:51 PM

Kumabjorn has a good point: this would be really great for reading manga. I find the resolution is the biggest problem with reading manga on a Kindle.

04-15-2013, 05:05 PM	#1
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 72,535 Karma: 309500000 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Voyage	New Kobo Aura HD eInk eReader 1440x1080 Kobo have just announced a new eInk ebook reader, the kobo aura HD. Suggested retail price is $169.99 in US and Canada (+sales tax, I expect) At W.H. Smiths it's £139.99 (including VAT. £116.66+VAT) I haven't found a Euro price yet. See also this thread in the Kobo forum. Size: 175.7 x 128.3 x 11.7 mm (6.91 x 5.05 x 0.46 in) Weight: 240 g (8.4658 oz) Display: 6.8" WXGA+ Pearl E Ink Screen ClarityScreen+: 265 dpi, 1440 x 1080 resolution Light: Built-in ComfortLight technology with micro-thin coating for durability and even light distribution Buttons: Power on/off, light on/off Connectivity: Wi Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Micro USB Storage: 4 GB Option to expand up to 32 GB with a Micro SD card Last edited by pdurrant; 04-16-2013 at 07:15 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Aura HD Kobo Aura HD	PeterT	Kobo Reader	937	07-29-2013 07:02 PM
Soribook: First eReader eInk device now in beta testing!	Nate the great	News	13	04-27-2013 09:28 AM
Best eInk ereader for PDFs? or How do I cope with PDFs on the Kobo Touch?	GvilleBridge	Kobo Reader	8	01-19-2012 08:22 AM
Sell Irex DR1000S (10" eink ereader)	Aegis	Flea Market	10	03-14-2011 06:27 PM
Total eReader sales from eInk's revenue data?	sforce	News	6	10-01-2009 08:48 PM

04-15-2013, 05:10 PM	#2
John Carroll kookoo Posts: 1,461 Karma: 7772454 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Colorado Springs Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook, LG4	Ooooo, that looks pretty. It looks like a luxury eInk reader perfect for avid readers.

04-15-2013, 05:10 PM	#3
DreamWriter Books are brain food. Posts: 2,950 Karma: 4836916 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: U.S. Device: Paperwhite · Fire HD6/HD8/HD10 · Galaxy Tab A7	Here's a video that showcases the new Kobo Aura HD:

04-15-2013, 05:17 PM	#4
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 72,535 Karma: 309500000 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Voyage	It's the 265ppi screen resolution that's really impressive to me. It's competitive with retina displays in an iPad (which are 264ppi).

04-15-2013, 05:20 PM	#5
JD Gumby Cynical Old Curmudgeon Posts: 1,085 Karma: 8495696 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Halifax, Canada Device: Kobo Mini, Kobo Arc, HTC Desire C	A $170 price tag, before sales tax. Meh. Too large to be comfortable. And, despite the video, expect the screen redraws to be slower than the Glo (same speed CPU, but larger screen area and resolution to compensate for).

04-15-2013, 05:37 PM	#7
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,145 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	I wonder how one can get a case, given the shaped back? I don't totally trust my readers in my purse without a case. But... this may get me to break my "no new technology this year" pledge to my husband. (I wonder what Amazon is going to do with this new screen?) One of the threads in General Discussions asks, how many ebooks is enough? for me, it's how many ereaders is enough? should I give up my Sony 350 if I get this new Kobo? or keep the 350 for the small form factor, and give up my beloved Kindle Keyboard (which resides in a drawer now that I've got the Paperwhite)...

04-15-2013, 05:37 PM	#8
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	Battery lasts for two months, not bad. I think Rakuten is aiming the device for Manga readers in Japan.

04-15-2013, 05:45 PM	#9
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	Battery life really depends on how people use it--things like if WiFi is always on, if the light is always used when reading. I expect the page turning to be faster. They are talking about a different technology for it, and it is not like more than 1 GHz is required for that. I know that in the past, speed for that kind of thing has improved greatly as the developers continued to work on it. It has not been a hardware issue for a very long time. The Aura is about an inch wider and two inches taller. I ordered one and will report back on how it feels in my small hands. I did not get a cover. if that oddly shaped back is supposed to make holding it a better experience, then I didn't see the point in going for a flat backed cover. Besides, they are saying that the screen is much more durable than previous models and I don't expect to take it out of my house, except when it goes away on holidays with me.

04-15-2013, 05:51 PM	#11
taosaur intelligent posterior Posts: 1,562 Karma: 21295618 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ohiopolis Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Samsung S8, Lenovo Tab 3 Pro	I'd call that size finally large enough. I have yet to pick up an e-ink reader and the 5"-6" standard is one (minor) reason. The Trade Paperback form factor (similar to my old Nook Color) looks just about right. The price... well, one could pick up a tablet of similar size and PPI for not much more, but it still seems just about right for the combination of features. It ticks off all my boxes (display quality, front light, microSD) except for a hackable Android OS, but it's looking less and less likely that B&N will release another generation of e-ink Nooks stepping up the PPI

04-15-2013, 06:34 PM	#12
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,145 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	I dunno, taosaur, the 6.8" screen seems like it might be too big. I'd love to see one, hold it, see how it balances in my hands. I'm also cautious about the shaped back - makes it kinda hard to have a screen-protecting cover. I do like everything else about it, though.

04-15-2013, 06:43 PM	#13
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	A number of people have asked for a better PDF reader. Do you think this is it? eP

Advert

Advert

04-15-2013, 06:51 PM	#15
charmian Addict Posts: 386 Karma: 1814548 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle PW2	Kumabjorn has a good point: this would be really great for reading manga. I find the resolution is the biggest problem with reading manga on a Kindle.