Kobo Libra Color: you come for the color and stay for the battery

May 29. (EDIZIONS/Portaltic) –

This weekend the Madrid Book Fair starts and, like every year, the debate on the present and future of electronic books. Unlike other industries, such as music, digital remains a minority option among readers and paper is positioned as the favorite format for more than 70 percent of Spaniards, according to data from the ‘Barometer of Reading Habits’. reading and buying books in Spain 2023′.

In this context, we wonder if new developments in electronic reading devices can change this trend, so we have tested the latest from Rakuten Kobo: Kobo Libra Color. This eReader has the new 7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 color screenwhich becomes its main attraction along with the Kobo Stylus 2 electronic pen, which is sold separately and allows you to take color notes, underline, etc.

It is not the first color ‘eReader’ on the market, not even from the brand, but it is evident that it is the natural step to continue opening the range of readings, with the comic or the graphic novel as the main protagonists. However, if there is something that should be highlighted about this device, it is its battery, with an autonomy of 40 days in standard use (which the company associates with its use in reading at a brightness of 30% each day, and WiFi connections and Bluetooth disabled).

We have been able to test it on more intense reading days, but the numbers add up and the battery of this ‘eReader’ seems infinite. Another aspect that seems fundamental to us is the anti-reflective finish of the Kobo Libra Color panel, key for outdoor use, which offers great contrast and sharpness when reading without damaging your eyesight.

IT HAS NEVER BEEN SO COMFORTABLE TO CARRY 24,000 BOOKS IN YOUR POCKET

Ergonomics and design are key for this type of products, designed especially for mobility. It is on the plane, on public transport or in those relaxing moments in cafes where we get the most out of an ‘eReader’ thanks to the possibility of carrying thousands of books, always available, in our bag or in a small compartment of the backpack. .

In this sense, Kobo Libra Color presents a curved design that fits perfectly in the hand grip of the reader, with page turning buttons and the option to read in landscape mode. Likewise, it has 32 GB of storage, which allows you Store up to 24,000 eBooks or 150 audiobooks. By having Bluetooth connectivity, the user can connect speakers or headphones and listen to audiobooks in a very simple way.

For those who want to get even more out of their ‘eReader’, this device incorporates WiFi 5 Dual Band to download content, browse or update the operating system. Its IPX8 protection makes it rain or splash resistant (something key when we read on the street or by the pool), as well as small knocks, common when transporting it.

As we mentioned at the beginning, the charm of paper is still very present in the world of books, but ‘eReaders’ are gaining followers among those who often read outside the home, thanks to the ease of transporting it and the technological improvements that They develop with each new update. However, one of the barriers to entry continues to be the price and in the case of Kobo Libra Color we are talking about 229.99 euros, to which we must add about 40 euros for the most basic case and 69.99 euros if you want to add the electronic pen (which to us seemed the most expendable).

In short, Kobo Libra Color is positioned as a very interesting option for those inveterate readers who do not let any free time pass without picking out a book. They will enjoy a battery like no other and they will be able judge the book by a full color cover. Of course, if they want the complete experience that the brand offers they will have to spend around 350 euros and that may be a big word.