Tag - Kobo
Kobo Glo HD e-book reader matches Kindle Voyage resolution
Kobo is directly taking on the Amazon Kindle Voyage, by updating an earlier e-book reader with a high-resolution display. The Kobo Glo HD's 6-inch touch-enabled e-paper display has a pixel density of 300ppi, equalling Amazon's e-reader equivalent in terms of resolution, with Kobo severely undercutting the Voyage's price by pricing the Glo HD at $120.
Sony e-reader migration to Kobo commences, many devices left behind
Earlier this year, Sony announced that its Reader e-book store would be supplanted by the Kobo eBookStore. The company has now declared that the process begins today. Users of Sony's tablets and smartphones have been instructed to acquire the Kobo app from Google Play. Readers with a small selection of dedicated e-reader devices, limited to the PRS-T1, T2, and T3, will receive an email in June with instructions on how to transfer library files to a Kobo account.
Briefly: Yezz's Windows 8.1 phone, Kobo and McDonald's UK partnership
Mobile device manufacturer Yezz has announced its latest smartphone, the Billy 4.7. Based on Windows 8.1 OS, the Billy 4.7 is a dual-SIM device with a 4.7-inch IPS screen and 1280x720 HD resolution. Featuring a 13.1-megapixel camera and 4G HSPA+ network capability with HSDPA+ 42.2 Mbps data speed, Billy 4.7 is aimed at a versatile audience. The phone's body is comprised of lightweight aluminum, with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 2. The total phone's thickness is measured at 7.2mm (0.28 inches). Anticipated to be available in June through Amazon, Yezz's Billy 4.7 will be priced at $250.
Briefly: Neil Young's hi-fi playback device, Kobo Windows 8 app
Musician Neil Young has founded a high-fidelity digital music service, and with it an accompanying playback device soon to be available for pre-order. Entitled PonoMusic, the company encompasses both an online music store and a playback device (PonoPlayer), which is set to be available for pre-ordering through Kickstarter starting next week. The PonoPlayer offers the ability to play high-resolution digital music from both major labels and prominent independent labels, curated and archived for purchasing on PonoMusic.com. The aim is to deliver audio quality that is far superior to other audio file formats, such as the standard MP3.
Sony to close Reader Store in North America
In addition to getting out of the personal computing business and spinning off their television division, Sony will start dropping out the e-book business as well. In a press release from the company, Sony will be teaming up with Kobo in the United States and Canada in late March 2014, closing its Reader Store in the process.
Kobo redesigns book reading app for iOS 7
E-reading company Kobo has launched a major redesign of Kobo Books for iOS, used to read books downloaded through the company's online store. Visually the app is now in line with iOS 7, with a "flatter" look, new fonts, and translucency effects. Kobo has also done work on the interface however, for instance overhauling the Library and adding a slide-out navigation menu.
Review: Kobo Aura ebook reader
Five years ago, we thought that by the end of 2013 there'd be a bigger market for e-book readers. Then, along came the tablet that Jobs built and a slew of followers-on. Just as the iPod did away with most of the competition, the tablet market seems to be having much the same effect on the ebook reader segment. Kobo, a big player in the international market, has a well-received line of e-readers, and we got a chance to spend a month with the Kobo Aura, one of its latest devices. Read on to see what we thought of this dedicated e-reader.
Macmilllian, Penguin issue settlement notices to e-book customers
Two of the five publishers accused of conspiring with Apple to inflate e-book prices, Macmillan and Penguin, have started issuing emails to e-book customers, informing them of rights, responsibilities, and proposed terms in the legal settlement the companies negotiated. Under current terms, the publishers would distribute approximately $162.25 million to customers who bought e-books at any digital outlet between the iBookstore's launch on April 1st, 2010 and May 21st, 2012.
Kobo debuts three new tablets, one dedicated e-reader
E-reader vendor Kobo today announced its new lineup of eReading devices, featuring the new Kobo Aura six-inch E Ink eReader, the Google-certified Kobo Arc 10HD and two Kobo Arc 7 tablets. Designed specifically for readers, the new lineup is built on Kobo’s unique user experience "Reading Life" enabling the collection, curation and discovery of content.
Kobo launches limited edition 265 DPI Aura HD e-ink reader
E-book vendor Kobo today announced its limited-edition Kobo Aura HD e-ink e-book reader. The 6.8-inch Pearl touchscreen runs at an e-ink industry-high of 265 DPI. The device's 1GHz Freescale i.MX507 processor makes the new device the fastest e-reader on the market, according to the company.
Now AAPL Stock: 152.09 ( + 1.82 )
Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj
Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket
The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94
Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa
SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If
Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
