Kobo Touch 2.0 – tech specs, comparisons, launch details, and more

Following the launch of Kobo Glo HD in May, the Toronto-based ebook platform is updating their basic e-reader – Kobo Touch.

The first-generation Touch was launched back in summer 2011. Four years have passed, and it’s the highest time to replace the popular model with an up-to-date device.

When it comes to looks, the new Kobo uses the casing of Kobo Glo HD. It’s slimmer and better-designed than the Kobo Touch 1.0.

Don’t expect too many hardware improvements, however. The Kobo Touch 2.0 has the same screen as the previous generation: the 6-inch anti-glare E-Ink Pearl.

The display is touch-operated, but it’s not lighted, so you won’t be able to read in the dark like on the Kobo Glo or Kindle Paperwhite.

Internal storage has increased from 2 GB to 4 GB, but this is the standard, nowadays.

What does Kobo want to say about its new entry-level e-reader? We read in an official Kobo Touch 2.0 announcement on the Kobo blog:

The refreshed version of a beloved classic offers a sleeker design with more internal storage memory and a battery life that lasts up to two months depending on individual usage.

Kobo Touch 2.0 – launch details

The 2015 Kobo Touch was announced on September 1, 2015.

Prior to that, it was shortly available on Chapters Indigo at the end of August but was removed the day Kobo made an announcement. Now, it’s back and costs 89.95 CAD.

The new Kobo was launched on the 9th of September on Kobo website in the U.S. and Canada. It is available in one bezel color – black (Kobo Touch 1.0 sold in five body colors).

The suggested retail price is 89.99 CAD for Canada, and 89.99 USD for the United States. It will cost 89.99 EUR when it’s launched in the EU countries.

When will Kobo Touch 2.0 be released in other countries? The company promises to start selling it in Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Mexico by the end of September. In October, it will become available in France, Spain, and Germany.

As for the rest of the world, “Kobo Touch 2.0 will become available in other countries later this year and early 2016.”

Kobo Touch 2.0 – comparisons

Let’s compare the entry-level Kobo e-reader with the entry-level device from Amazon – the basic Kindle, the 7th generation. Both have touch-operated screens, and both are not front-lighted.

As you’ll see in the comparison table below, both devices are very similar when it comes to hardware. Therefore, if you are new to ebooks and are going to buy the first e-reader in your life, you should switch the attention to what matters more: the comparison between ebook platforms.

Switching from one ebook platform to the other is a painful process. Amazon and Kobo use different file formats and different DRM systems.

To move your collection of ebooks from one store to another, you’ll have to remove DRM. To switch to Kindle, you’ll also need to change the format from epub to mobi. You won’t need to do that when you switch from Kindle, as Kobo Touch supports unprotected mobi.

I hope you’ll take the conclusion from what you’ve just read: is the 10-dollar difference in price worth the effort of pushing the entire ebook collection through the time-consuming and difficult process of conversion?

Kobo Touch 2.0 – pictures

We will add more images as they will be released by Kobo. Stay tuned.

Kobo Touch 2.0 – cases and accessories

The problem with e-readers other than Kindle is that there are never enough cases and accessories to choose from – either original or third-party.

At the time of launch of Kobo 2.0 in September 2015, there was only one case on a list related accessories.

Don’t worry, you’ll find more covers than you think because Kobo Touch 2.0 has exactly the same dimensions as Kobo Glo HD..

Most importantly, on the list of official Kobo accessories the cases for Glo HD has been already renamed to “Kobo Glo HD/Touch 2.0”. Specifically, we’re talking about a popular Kobo SleepCover that’s available in three colors: Black, Cream, and Purple.

The accessory marked as fitting two devices is the strongest proof any case designed for Glo HD will also fit Touch 2.0.

Take a look at the comparisons of dimensions of the two Kobo devices and Kindle Voyage. It’s how you extend the number of cases to choose from.

The e-reader from Amazon is only 5 mm higher than Kobo Touch 2.0 and Glo HD. That means most cases that use elastic corner straps (but not plastic shell) should be a good fit for both devices.

You can check out Kindle Voyage covers, so that you can compare with what’s available for Kobo. We’ve also published a list of the most fashionable Kobo Touch cases and sleeves.

Kobo Touch 2.0 – full specs

Screen:	6” Pearl E Ink touchscreen
Weight:	185 g
Size:	157 x 115 x 9.2 mm
Storage:	4 GB on-board memory, holds up to 3,000 ebooks
Customizability:	TypeGenius: 11 different fonts and 35 sizes to choose from Exclusive font weight and sharpness settings
Supported formats:	Ebooks: EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, and MOBI Images: JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP and TIFF Text: TXT, HTML, XHTML, and RTF Comic Books: CBZ and CBR Supports EPUB and Adobe DRM. Read books borrowed from your public library.
Connectivity:	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Micro USB
Battery Life:	Up to 2 months
Languages:	English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Brazilian, Portuguese, Japanese
Other:	No advertising, no interruptions

Kobo Touch 2.0 – product chart

All images via Kobo and Chapters Indigo.

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