The ever-increasing popularity and wide acceptance of eReaders has enabled manufacturers to offer innovative e-book readers and enhanced services. Now, Kobo expands its support for eReaders with “Powered by Kobo†partner program for hardware manufacturers and retailers.
Kobo’s application which will be integrated in eReaders launching this year claims to bring in remarkable eReading experience and storefront. The company also takes the covers off the Kobo eReader.
“We believe consumers want choice, and the freedom to read on any device. Building great eReading applications and partnering with leading device manufacturers is a recipe for success in this quickly growing market,†said Michael Serbinis, CEO of Kobo. “Our ‘Powered by Kobo’ program accelerates the time to market for manufacturers of new devices and delivers more options for consumers. By providing a world-class catalog, complementary mobile applications and global infrastructure, partners can start selling eBooks in a matter of days.â€
The Kobo eReader application is standard software made available for hardware partners across the globe. The “Powered by Kobo†program is said to be a flexible solution for partners to launch an eReader or eBook store offering eBooks, newspapers and magazines. Kobo’s eReader application lets users read eBooks in standard ePUB as well as PDF formats, and also supports eBooks, subscriptions (newspapers, magazines) and documents. The application is also in sync with the Kobo account and any Kobo-enabled device for continuous reading. It supports a broad array of hardware options, several screen types and connectivity options.
Kobo’s stylized, easy-to-use, and affordable eInk enabled reader will be made available for a limited time through Kobo’s retail partners for $149USD (approx Rs. 6,713). It is said to be pre-installed with 100 classic books. The Kobo eReader will debut in Canada in May and available at Indigo Books & Music, followed by Borders in the US this summer.
