It's nothing new for companies related to ebooks and eReaders to launch unusual promotions for key campaigns like Christmas or the upcoming summer season. However, Kobo 's launch for its Kobo Mini device is not just unusual , it 's incredible . In the UK , Kobo has priced its Kobo Mini eReader at £ 29,9 , a price similar to that of a traditional book in the country . This is an unprecedented price point, rarely seen before and always with very low-end devices, contrary to what has been proposed.
Kobo Mini, an attractive eReader
The Kobo Mini is a Kobo device with a 5-inch e-ink screen and an 800 x 600 resolution . It also features a touchscreen and Wi-Fi connectivity, elements that few low-end e-readers offer. The only drawbacks of this device are its lack of high definition, which puts it below the Kindle, and its 5-inch screen size, which won't appeal to those who prefer larger displays.
The device's processor is not very new, at around 800 MHz , although the market that Kobo offers for ebooks is very interesting, already reaching 1.000.000 titles.
This price drop to a mid-range device seems to be a Kobo plan to enter the British market and position itself as a rival to Barnes & Noble, a company that seems to be conquering this market with its ereaders and ebooks.
I don't know if Kobo's interest lies in taking market share from its rival or in gradually expanding into Europe. Despite this, Kobo's measures are very drastic and are yielding excellent results. A few months ago, all eReader manufacturers were producing 6-inch screens; now, after the success of the Kobo Aura HD , many manufacturers are considering, and have even switched to, 7-inch screens.
Not long ago, Kobo decided to sell its devices and ebooks in physical stores spread throughout the United States, and a few days later , similar actions are being planned in Germany and Spain .
Little by little, we're seeing Kobo position itself as a major player in the sector, stealing market share from giants like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. This makes me wonder if we'll soon see eReaders in Spain priced like a copy of Don Quixote. For now , and given the potential wait, the official distributor of the Kobo Mini in Spain lists it as " unavailable, " although it's not listed as discontinued. Now we just have to wait and see how the major players in the market will respond to Kobo's actions, because I have no doubt they'll be quick to react.
More Information – The Reader, Kobo's interest , Digital World Tagus joins Spanish bookstores ,
Source - Goodereader
Image - Kobo Spain