Image Gallery: Hands-on with the $149 Kobo eReader
Image 1 of 26
Back of the Kobo eReader package
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
Sliding out the inner box
The retail package contains two pieces, an outer sleeve and the inner box.
Opening 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
Guide and cable
These are the only two things found in the retail box with the Kobo eReader.
Kobo eReader and loaded book
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
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
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
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
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
Back pattern and soft touch material
This close up shot better shows off the patterned back of the Kobo eReader.
Bottom miniUSB port
Bottom miniUSB port
The miniUSB port is used to transfer ebook content and charge up the Kobo eReader.
Nook, Kobo, and Sony Reader 505
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
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
Sony on top of the Kobo
Another comparison view of the ebook devices.
Stacking up the ebook readers
Stacking up the ebook readers
The Kobo is found in the middle of these three ebook readers.
Home screen menu
Home screen menu
When you press the Menu button this is what you see when you are on the Home screen.
Settings overview 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
Four available settings screens
There are four available screens within settings to help you manage your eReader.
Bluetooth supports BlackBerry devices
Bluetooth supports BlackBerry devices
You can transfer content to your Kobo eReader via Bluetooth with your supported BlackBerry smartphone.
Quote while waiting
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
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
Font sizes and types
There are five sizes of fonts in two different styles loaded on the Kobo eReader.
Reading in the smallest size
Reading in the smallest size
This is a typical ebook with the smallest font selected.
Largest 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
Kobo eReader gallery 1
Thumbnail 1
Kobo eReader gallery 2
Kobo eReader gallery 2
Thumbnail 2
