Image Gallery: Hands-on with the $149 Kobo eReader - TechRepublic

Image Gallery: Hands-on with the $149 Kobo eReader

  • Back of the Kobo eReader package

    The back of the retail box shows you several details on the Kobo eReader.

  • Sliding out the inner box

    The retail package contains two pieces, an outer sleeve and the inner box.

  • Opening the inner box

    The Kobo eReader is located on the right side behind a frame. Inside the left side are you will find a Quick Start Guide and miniUSB to USB cable used for transferring ebook content and charging up the device.

  • Guide and cable

    These are the only two things found in the retail box with the Kobo eReader.

  • Kobo eReader and loaded book

    I like the way that the Kobo shows you the book cover for the title you were last reading when the device went into standby mode.

  • Cool blue navigation pad

    To turn pages and navigate through menus you use the rubber covered navigation pad found on the lower right side of the Kobo eReader.

  • Four side hardware buttons

    There are four hardware buttons located on the left side of the Kobo. The buttons have rubber covering so they have great feel to them.

  • Labeled hardware buttons

    The names for each hardware button are found on the left side of the front and include Home, Menu, Display, and Back.

  • Kobo logo on top of the display

    The colorful Kobo logo is placed along the center top of the eReader.

  • Back pattern and soft touch material

    This close up shot better shows off the patterned back of the Kobo eReader.

  • Bottom miniUSB port

    The miniUSB port is used to transfer ebook content and charge up the Kobo eReader.

  • Nook, Kobo, and Sony Reader 505

    Here you can see the Kobo stacked up against two ebook readers that I personally own, the Nook and Sony Reader.

  • Back of the three ebook readers

    The Nook is close to the size of the Kobo with the Sony Reader being the most compact.

  • Sony on top of the Kobo

    Another comparison view of the ebook devices.

  • Stacking up the ebook readers

    The Kobo is found in the middle of these three ebook readers.

  • Home screen menu

    When you press the Menu button this is what you see when you are on the Home screen.

  • Settings overview screen

    I think you can tell here that the system fonts are quite light and small in some of these screens. Thankfully, fonts look great when you are actually reading ebooks.

  • Four available settings screens

    There are four available screens within settings to help you manage your eReader.

  • Bluetooth supports BlackBerry devices

    You can transfer content to your Kobo eReader via Bluetooth with your supported BlackBerry smartphone.

  • Quote while waiting

    If you select an action and there are delays in loading, then random quotes will appear on the Kobo eReader.

  • Menu functions while reading a book

    As you can see here, the menu options change when you are reading an ebook.

  • Font sizes and types

    There are five sizes of fonts in two different styles loaded on the Kobo eReader.

  • Reading in the smallest size

    This is a typical ebook with the smallest font selected.

  • Largest font selected

    To compare, here is the largest available font on the Kobo. Reading is excellent with either font and everything is crisp and clear.

  • Kobo eReader gallery 1

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  • Kobo eReader gallery 2

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