Product of the Day
Kobo unveils new waterproof ereader
Kobo has announced its latest Kobo Libra H2O in a video, which shows off waterproof capabilities and impressive pricing, writes BRYAN TURNER.
Almost a year since the launch of the Kobo Forma, the company has returned with another e-reader that looks similar to last year’s model, but supports more “life-proof” features.
The device looks like the Amazon Kindle Oasis, but costs almost $100 less in the US market.
The Libra H2O is a smaller device in the Kobo Forma family. It shares a similar design to last year’s device, but features a smaller form factor, with a 7″ panel. A 1,200mAh battery provides a few weeks of charge and the ComfortLight Pro LED array helps users get a comfortable reading experience.
The announced price for the Libra H2O is $170, which is very reasonable for an e-reader with such high specifications.
It features an IPX 8 rating, which means the device can drop to the bottom of a pool and emerge to tell the tale. It comes with a 300ppi E Ink Carta display, and a wide bezel on one side to keep fingers off the page. On the wide bezel, it has navigation buttons for tactile readers.
Like the previous generation Kobo Forma, it can be used in either portrait or landscape with a built-in orientation sensor. Adding to the new user experience, it features a new interface, which will also be rolled out to other Kobo eReaders later in the year.
One can store around 6,000 eBooks on the built-in 8GB storage. External storage has not been specified yet.
The Kobo Libra H20 will be available in black or white on pre-order in the US from 10 September and ship a week later. No announcements have been made about South African availability.
