Rakuten Kobo is including color to its standard e-reader line with the 7-inch Kobo Libra Color and 6-inch Kobo Clara Color.
Each units function an “optimized color E Ink Kaleido 3 show” to create a refined palette, permitting customers so as to add color notes, scribbles and doodles to no matter e book or doc they’re studying. It’s vital to notice that creating something past easy highlights (which you can also make along with your finger) requires the expensive Kobo Stylus 2 ($89.99).
After spending the previous few days utilizing the Libra Color, I can affirm that whereas the refined color filter array impact works properly, it provides a bizarre sheen to the display that makes the show look extra like a standard laptop computer’s display than what I’ve come to anticipate from am e-readers.
I’ve additionally struggled to discover a cause to tug out the Stylus 2 and begin doodling, although this doubtless simply comes right down to how I learn books.
Seeing e book covers in full color is fairly cool.
There are lots of people who wish to annotate books with transient notes or map out a personality’s journey, and the Libra and Clara Color supply a less expensive, stylus-compatible different to Kobo’s Elipsa 2E ($499.99) or Sage ($299.99) for these which might be inquisitive about doing precisely that.
It’s additionally simply undeniably cool to see e book covers and menus in color, although that is removed from a game-changing addition to an e-reader.
After I first obtained my palms on the Libra Color, I envisioned turning it right into a digital pocket book alongside being my new principal e-reader. I typically create itemized lists of what I must get achieved in a given day, and ditching my hefty real-life pocket book for a barely smaller, light-weight e-reader was an thrilling prospect. Sadly, the writing expertise the Libra Color gives is simply too cramped for my liking, and there’s a minor delay between the stylus’ actions and the show that makes Kobo’s new e-reader really feel much less intuitive than I hoped. Palm detection can also be removed from good, ensuing within the Libra leaping pages whereas attempting to take notes.
The Libra Color I’ve been utilizing is operating beta software program, so there’s a risk the ultimate launch shall be extra responsive (if that’s the case, I’ll replace this story). However for what it’s value, in my transient time with Amazon’s Kindle Scribe, I didn’t encounter this problem. I can’t converse to the efficiency of Kobo’s higher-end e-reader, the Elipsa 2e, as a result of I haven’t used it myself, but its writing and note-taking features have received positive coverage (together with from MobileSyrup).
The truth that I assemble most of my letters like a 5-year-old who’s nonetheless studying to print doubtless doesn’t assist issues.
You need to use the Kobo Libra Color as a pocket book, however most individuals doubtless gained’t need to.
On the extra optimistic aspect, the Libra Color options form recognition, the power to show handwritten letters right into a typed-out record (which you’ll be able to then add to Google Drive and different cloud storage platforms), numerous types of writing thickness, together with a ballpoint pen, a fountain pen, a calligraphy pen and extra, and the power to insert diagrams and math equations into notebooks. The Libra Color gives way more note-taking options than I anticipated, surpassing even the far dearer Kindle Scribe in a number of respects. Nonetheless, writing thickness doesn’t shift relying on how arduous you push with the stylus, which is a shocking and disappointing limitation (these are options the Kobo Sage and Elipsa supply).
It’s additionally vital to notice that the Libra Color Kobo despatched me has a distracting useless pixel within the decrease proper nook. This isn’t a deal breaker, and I doubt it’s a widespread downside, but it surely’s nonetheless value mentioning as one thing to look out for when you plan to choose up this e-reader.
“Kobo’s new color e-books are designed for a really particular sort of reader — those that need to doodle and write within the margins.”
Lastly, like all e-readers, the Libra Color stays fairly laggy. When you’ve by no means used an e-reader earlier than, you’ll doubtless be shocked at how sluggish and unresponsive the Libra Color’s shows can typically be, particularly when in comparison with fashionable tablets or smartphones. I do know e-readers have a distinct objective and that it is a trade-off for higher battery life, an easier expertise and a show that’s simpler on the eyes, however I can’t assist however anticipate higher out of an e-reader in 2024 — particularly now that Kobo has jumped to color E Ink and is actually pushing its stylus.
The Libra Color sports activities a 7-inch 1264 x 1680 decision (300 ppi for black-and-white content material/150ppi for color content material), and the Clara Color encompasses a 6-inch 1448 x 1071 decision (300 ppi for black-and-white/150ppi for color content material). The one different notable distinction between the 2 new color e-readers is that the Libra Color consists of two side-set buttons for turning pages. I’ve used the Kobo Forma as my principal e-reader for the previous few years, and I favor to make use of these buttons to show pages quite than tapping on the show.
Trying on the broader e-reader trade, Amazon, Kobo’s key competitor within the house, is anticipated to launch a color Kindle throughout the coming months. It’s unclear if customers will be capable to add notes on to ebooks and paperwork like they’ll with Kobo’s Stylus 2 suitable e-readers. The Kindle Scribe at the moment isn’t able to this and as a substitute solely permits annotations. Given the Kindle’s locked-down nature, I don’t see this altering, sadly.
Ultimately, Kobo’s new color e-books are designed for a really particular sort of reader — those that need to doodle and write within the margins. When you don’t fall into that camp, you’re higher off sticking with one of many e-book maker’s cheaper black-and-white choices.
Like each Kobo I’ve ever used, the Libra Color 2 feels strong and well-made.
The Kobo Libra Color prices $249.99 whereas the Kobo Clara Color prices $179.99. The brand new color e-readers shall be out there in-store beginning April thirtieth, 2024. The Sleep Cowl for the Libra Color prices $44.99 (it feels and appears nice and features a handy stylus storage clip), and the Clara Color model prices $34.99.
Together with the Libra Color, Kobo can also be launching the $159 Kobo Clara BW, an upgraded model of the traditional e-reader. The black and white e-reader options 6-inch show, 16GB of storage and adjustable brightness/color temperature. Specs-wise, the Kobo Clara BW appears practically an identical to the Kobo Clara 2E, with the one improve being a 1300 E Ink Carta touchscreen versus its predecessor’s 1200 show.
