wraggster
April 15th, 2013, 20:56
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/04/kobo-aura-hand-lead.jpg (http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/15/kobo-limited-edition-aura-hd-e-reader/)Late last year, Kobo went small. The introduction of the 5-inch Mini (http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/06/kobo-mini-review/) was no doubt, at least in part, an attempt to offer up a bit of variety in a space whose parameters are largely defined by two Goliaths: Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The device offered a compelling alternative, but ultimately not one enticing enough to recommend it. Announced at roughly the same time, the company's first take at front-lighting technology, the Glo (http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/02/kobo-glo-review/), suffered a similar fate, coming on the heels of the Kindle Paperwhite (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CEYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.engadget.com%2F2012%2F09%2F30 %2Famazon-kindle-paperwhite-review%2F&ei=q6xoUeWwIaXriwKao4CYDg&usg=AFQjCNHsis4rgiuDJ5-g4rv9st3WSNrPFA&sig2=0L-Y5QDW3tJrcEogCnr7mw&bvm=bv.45175338,d.cGE) and Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight (http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/nook-simple-touch-with-glowlight-hands-on/).
Less than half a year later, the company has announced a new reader that once again rethinks the standard 6-inch screen. With the Aura HD, Kobo is going big, extending things to 6.8 inches, putting it closer to tablet size. With that upgrade comes an impressive resolution: 1,440 x 1,080 (compared to the 1,024 x 768 on the Paperwhite and 1,024 by 758 on the Glo). It's a product focused on hardcore readers. "We got 10,000 customers together across dozens of countries to ask them what we can do for them," Kobo CEO Michael Serbinis (http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/09/the-engadget-interview-kobos-michael-serbinis/) explained. As such, it's a limited edition offering, one not destined to replace the flagship Glo. "This is something that is designed for this most passionate, voracious reader," he said, "and as much as I wish everyone was like that -- it would make us a lot bigger business right away -- that is not the case." The reader's priced at $169, and is available for pre-order now, with shipping expected to begin on the 25th. In the meantime, we've got more details and some hands-on photos after the break.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/15/kobo-limited-edition-aura-hd-e-reader/
Less than half a year later, the company has announced a new reader that once again rethinks the standard 6-inch screen. With the Aura HD, Kobo is going big, extending things to 6.8 inches, putting it closer to tablet size. With that upgrade comes an impressive resolution: 1,440 x 1,080 (compared to the 1,024 x 768 on the Paperwhite and 1,024 by 758 on the Glo). It's a product focused on hardcore readers. "We got 10,000 customers together across dozens of countries to ask them what we can do for them," Kobo CEO Michael Serbinis (http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/09/the-engadget-interview-kobos-michael-serbinis/) explained. As such, it's a limited edition offering, one not destined to replace the flagship Glo. "This is something that is designed for this most passionate, voracious reader," he said, "and as much as I wish everyone was like that -- it would make us a lot bigger business right away -- that is not the case." The reader's priced at $169, and is available for pre-order now, with shipping expected to begin on the 25th. In the meantime, we've got more details and some hands-on photos after the break.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/15/kobo-limited-edition-aura-hd-e-reader/