TOKYO, October 17, 2013 - Kobo Inc., a subsidiary of Rakuten, Inc., today announced the launch of the new e-reader Kobo Aura in Japan. Pre-orders for the Kobo Aura open today https://kobo.rakuten.co.jp/ereaders/koboaura/ and will ship in early December for 12,800 yen (incl. tax).
The Kobo Aura e-reader has been rolled out across the Kobo bookshop network worldwide starting from September 16, 2013 and has received high praise from readers. The Kobo Aura boasts a beautifully smooth high-resolution flat display (212 dpi), which virtually eliminates ghosting and decreases page refresh frequency, allowing for a stress free and immersive book reading experience. Furthermore, now at 4GB of storage – with 3GB free to use – the e-reader can store up to 3,000 text-based books, and 60-150 heavy titles such as comics. It easily fits in a pocket for those on the move, and weighing in at just 174g despite holding approximately three times more content than existing models, long reading sessions can be enjoyed in comfort.
Since Kobo Inc. launched its e-book service on July 19 last year, it has addressed the needs of readers with multiple devices by providing free Kobo Android and iOS apps for devices other than its three existing e-readers, kobo Touch, kobo glo and kobo mini. A lighter e-reader with better interactivity, the Kobo Aura provides all book lovers with a more comfortable reading environment.
Online pre-orders for the Kobo Aura are available via the Rakuten Ichiba website from today, and from early December it will be available on Rakuten Ichiba and some electronics stores and bookshops.
Kobo aims to ensure a pleasant reading experience to Japanese readers by further enriching the content of the Rakuten Kobo e-bookstore and offering superior devices and apps. Special Rakuten Kobo Sleep Cover (available in Black or Pearl Grey) will come in a set with Kobo Aura e-reader when pre-ordered online via Rakuten Ichiba website.
Details of the new e-reader are as follows.