Source: Kobo. The Kobo
Aura H2O eReader.

Kobo, the eBook retailer, and distributor Lionfish have announced that Kobo’s digital reading platform is launching in the GCC region. This will give readers access to Kobo’s eBookstore, which offers over 4.2 million titles. They will also be able to purchase eReaders and apps compatible with iOS, Android, Microsoft, and BlackBerry platforms.

Kobo products will be sold in 34 stores throughout the region. These include Dubai Duty Free Stores, Virgin Megastores (excluding Kuwait locations), and Xcite (Kuwait locations only). Online retailers include Modvito, Souq.com, and Jado Pado. The Kobo eBookstore offers 4.2 million titles across 72 languages, spanning a wide variety of genres to appeal to a broad audience.

“The popularity of digital reading is increasing worldwide, and we are excited to enter the GCC market. Our goal is to provide readers with top-tier eReaders and a vast selection of eBooks,” said Jean-Marc Dupuis, Managing Director of EMEA, Kobo. “The Kobo Touch, Kobo Aura, and Kobo Aura H2O offer a range of features and price points to suit every reader. We are eager to lead the digital reading transformation in a region that is still in its early stages of adoption.”

Lionfish General Trading will oversee all aspects of Kobo’s operations in the GCC, including distribution, retail partnerships, marketing, and customer service.

The Kobo Touch eReader features an anti-glare 6" Pearl E Ink touchscreen, creating a reading experience very similar to paper. This technology minimizes eye strain, even in bright sunlight. The Kobo Touch has a battery life of up to one month and is available in black, blue, and lilac. It offers 2 GB of internal memory, which can hold up to 1,000 books. It also includes an option to expand storage capacity to 32 GB using a microSD card. The Kobo Touch will retail for AED429.

The new 6" Kobo Aura eReader is a front-lit model with the first high-resolution, edge-to-edge E Ink display. Kobo’s ComfortLight technology creates the most evenly lit display, with adjustable settings for optimal reading in any lighting conditions. The Kobo Aura is available in black and pink. Its sophisticated design, 212 dpi resolution, and Pearl E Ink screen make it the closest alternative to reading a physical book. The pinch-and-zoom capabilities for FLePubs/PDFs, low-flash waveform screen, and virtually nonexistent page refresh and ghosting create a seamless user experience. The Kobo Aura offers 4GB of storage (up to 3,000 books) and is expandable up to 32GB with a microSD card. With a battery life exceeding two months, the Kobo Aura will be available for AED729.

The Kobo Aura H2O is IP67 certified, which means it can withstand being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes as long as the port cover is secured. This allows users to enjoy reading in any environment without fear of damaging their device from accidental water exposure. The Kobo Aura H2O is ideal for the beach thanks to its dustproof design and anti-glare display.

The spacious 6.8" touchscreen features an upgraded Carta E Ink technology and a 265 dpi resolution, offering a reading experience very similar to a physical book. This is the first eReader to offer Carta E Ink technology in this display size. The device’s 1GHz processor enables rapid page turns. It comes with 4GB of onboard storage, expandable up to 32GB with a microSD card. The Kobo Aura H2O will be priced at AED999.

* All Virgin Megastores except those in Kuwait
** Only Xcite stores in Kuwait