The complement of e-readers most commonly seen on the market seems fairly well established and stable—not to drastic a change from one generation to the next across the biggest brands (e.g., Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo). Now-common features are tweaked in small increments: a brighter display or a more sensitive touch screen here; a longer battery life there.
This is perhaps why it’s exciting to see a truly new function added to the latest device by one of the major manufacturers, one that addresses a need that e-reader fans may have always had but never quite thought to demand: water proofing. The newly announced Kobo Aura H20 is touted as the first truly waterproof reader, able to withstand up to 30 minutes fully submerged in three feet of water (with ports closed).
In addition to this newest technological advance of e-readers, Kobo saw to including a number of other noteworthy specs like higher screen resolution and faster processing power.
Indeed, it seems that this development followed some seemingly proactive research conducted by Kobo among the company’s customers. A survey revealed that around 60 percent of respondents cited the ability to not worry about exposure to water as desirable.
Tech review sites all over have already begun to gleefully put the device to the test, and thus far it seems to hold to its promise of withstanding water. The device won’t become available to consumers until October 1, but in the meantime Kobo is taking preorders and seems pleased with being first out of the gate with such a welcome development.
What about you—do you see the development of waterproofing technology in an e-reader as useful, and critical enough to influence your buying decisions? What e-reader functions are most critical to you?
Articles:
CNET: “Kobo Aura H2O waterproof e-reader brings e-books to bathtime”
ZDNet: “Kobo Aura H2O eBook reader survives our water test, perfect for the bath”
Yahoo: “Kobo’s Aura H2O e-Reader Finally Brings eBooks to the Bathtub”
This is perhaps why it’s exciting to see a truly new function added to the latest device by one of the major manufacturers, one that addresses a need that e-reader fans may have always had but never quite thought to demand: water proofing. The newly announced Kobo Aura H20 is touted as the first truly waterproof reader, able to withstand up to 30 minutes fully submerged in three feet of water (with ports closed).
In addition to this newest technological advance of e-readers, Kobo saw to including a number of other noteworthy specs like higher screen resolution and faster processing power.
Indeed, it seems that this development followed some seemingly proactive research conducted by Kobo among the company’s customers. A survey revealed that around 60 percent of respondents cited the ability to not worry about exposure to water as desirable.
Tech review sites all over have already begun to gleefully put the device to the test, and thus far it seems to hold to its promise of withstanding water. The device won’t become available to consumers until October 1, but in the meantime Kobo is taking preorders and seems pleased with being first out of the gate with such a welcome development.
What about you—do you see the development of waterproofing technology in an e-reader as useful, and critical enough to influence your buying decisions? What e-reader functions are most critical to you?
Articles:
CNET: “Kobo Aura H2O waterproof e-reader brings e-books to bathtime”
ZDNet: “Kobo Aura H2O eBook reader survives our water test, perfect for the bath”
Yahoo: “Kobo’s Aura H2O e-Reader Finally Brings eBooks to the Bathtub”