![]() The compact Kobo Nia is an excellent option for bringing along with you on a bus, while waiting in line, or for use on lunch breaks. The SleepCover does make the Nia seem bulkier, but it’s an inexpensive way to add a splash of color and protection. Opening or closing the magnetic cover will wake the Nia or put it to sleep. ![]() Slip the eReader into the cover, and it gets some protection. Kobo has also released SleepCovers for the Nia. The Nia is constructed of hard plastic, but the textured back makes it easier to grip. Kobo owners also have more choice for buying eBooks, including Google Play. The Nia has Wi-Fi connectivity, so you simply select OverDrive from a menu and you are free to browse and download eBooks from your public library right from the eReader - with an account, of course. Kobo offers the advantage of onboard OverDrive support for its eReaders. Many local libraries loan eBooks using the OverDrive platform. In short, if you like each eBook to look perfect for reading, Kobo is the one to beat. You can even connect Kobo eReaders (including the Nia) to your PC and side-load additional fonts. A dizzying array of fonts and font styles are available, and you can also tweak the font weight and sharpness. TypeGenius is Kobo’s content customization tool and it’s the best in the game. The Kobo eReader platform in general also offers some significant advantages to Amazon’s. It has a textured back panel that makes it a little easier to grip than the Kindle’s smooth plastic. The Kobo Nia is small and light enough for effortless one-hand use, and easy to stash away for carrying. For all intents and purposes, this is a draw. At 0.36-inches thick and 6.07 ounces, the Kobo Nia is fractionally thicker than the Kindle, but the Amazon eReader weighs a tiny bit more. In terms of size, both of these eReaders are compact, but at this price range they don’t attempt to replicate the super slim profile of more expensive models. Kobo Nia's ComfortLight illuminates the screen evenly. The ComfortLight illumination is adjustable, and evenly lights the screen. In testing, I found Kobo didn’t cut corners on the processor, either. When flipping pages, screen redrawing is fast, and the touchscreen is responsive. That’s a big enough difference that text is going to appear considerably sharper on the Nia’s display. More importantly, the Nia’s 6-inch E Ink display is higher resolution, with a density of 212 PPI (pixels per inch) to the Kindle’s 167 PPI. Its 8GB of onboard storage is double the 4GB the Kindle offers - enough capacity for up to 6,000 eBooks. Despite coming in below the $100 ceiling, the Kobo Nia actually ups the ante over the Kindle in several key areas. With the Nia, Kobo is undercutting Amazon with a $99.99 eReader. And at this end of the market, price is a big deal. The base model Kindle is priced at $109.99, giving it a $10 price advantage over the Clara HD - which had been Kobo’s most affordable model. Brad MoonĪt the entry-level, Amazon has been a tough nut to crack. Kobo's flagship and new entry-level eReaders, the Forma and Nia.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |