Difference between Kindle and Kobo

Key Difference: There isn’t much to separate Kobo from Kindle. Kindle, an e-book reader, is developed and marketed by Amazon.com. On the other hand, Kobo is also an e-book reader, which is designed and marketed by Kobo Inc.

Both Kindle and Kobo started out in the market as E-book readers. They both have their separate image in the market. However, eventually both Kindle and Kobo have developed into more than just e-readers. They can now stand their own ground against the market influx of tablets.

A shortened term for e-book reader is an electronic book reader for those people who are geek readers or love reading. It is the most flexible gadget for those who do not want to carry loads of books with them from one place to another. In layman’s term, e-book devices are an exciting and growing technology contributing access to many books through one electronic reader.

Kindle, an e-book reader, is developed and marketed by Amazon.com. The release date of the Amazon e-book reader device was November 19, 2007. An e-book reader is essentially a mobile electronic device whose main use is for reading digital e-books and periodicals. The word Kindle was taken from the context of ‘kindling a fire’.

Kindle has published different ranges of e-book reader for different readers. Models range from a basic reader to touch screen, and illuminated models for reading under the covers. Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Paperwhite 3G, and Kindle Keyboard are e-readers, which feature the electronic paper technology. The electronic paper, also called e-paper looks like traditional paper and has several advantages, such as better readability, less glare, etc. Whereas, Kindle Fire Tablet, Kindle Fire HD Tablet, Kindle Fire HD 8.9” Tablet, and Kindle Fire HD 8.9” 4G Tablet are tablets, which feature LED screens.

Kobo, an e-book reader, is developed and marketed by Kobo Inc. The release date of Kobo e-book reader device was May 2010. It is another series of e-book readers where the readers can easily access their favorite books.

Kobo follows the same story as Kindle, where it started out as a traditional e-book reader. Kobo e-book readers were mainly sold by W.H. Smiths and they are becoming a familiar name in the U.K. market. With a variety of different models on sale, as well as a cheap Mini version, there are options to suit everyone within the Kobo range. There are different varieties of the Kobo Inc., Kobo e-book reader. It includes many devices such as Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini, Kobo Aura, Kobo Aura HD, Kobo Arc and Kobo Vox. The LCD tablet version was released in the year 2011 and 2012.

Comparison between Kindle and Kobo:

 

Kindle

Kobo

Description

A Kindle is an electronic gadget or device that is used to download e-books.

A Kobo is also an electronic gadget that is used to download e-books.

Developer

Amazon

Kobo

Manufacturer

Foxconn

Kobo Inc.

Released date

November 19, 2007

May, 2010

Storage Capacity

Internal flash memory (available total/user)

  • Original: 256/180 MB
  • Kindle 2: 2/1.4 GB
  • Kindle 3: 4/3 GB
  • Kindle DX: 4/3.3 GB
  • Kindle 4: 2/1.25 GB
  • Kindle Touch: 4/3 GB
  • Kindle 5, Paperwhite: 2/1.25 GB

1 GB of memory (or around 1,000 books) plus up to 32 GB SD card

Size

Mostly 6 inch

Ranges from 6 to 7 inch

Weight

Weight ranges from 206 grams to 290 grams.

Weight ranges from 220 grams to 221 grams.

Faster

Kindle is an order of magnitude faster than the Kobo.

Kobo is an order of magnitude slower than the Kindle.

e-Pub format

Kindle e-book readers are not at all compatible with the e-Pub format.

Kobo e-book readers are compatible with the e-Pub format.

Advantages

  • It has easy access to a huge range of book titles via the Kindle Store.
  • It contains a large number of classic books which are free because their copyright date has expired.
  • Kindle apps are available to download for Android and Apple devices such as tablets and smartphones.

 

  • You can borrow books from the library and buy from different e-book stores.
  • The Kobo store itself has almost three million titles, and one million of these are older titles that are available for free download.
  • Some quilted back e-book reader makes them comfortable to hold for long periods of time.

Disadvantages

  • Unfortunately one can't purchase books from other e-book stores because they do not use a compatible format.
  • It has the lowest failure rate of the main e-book brands.
  • Kobo does not support audio books.
  • Kobo e-book readers are a cheaper alternative to the Kindle range, but that also depends on the quality of the devices.

Website

Amazon.com

Kobo.com

Image Courtesy: inmondadori.it, royallypink.blogspot.com

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