Kobo has just launched their new high resolution e-reader in Japan. The device is available for purchase from the Rakuten Kobo eBook Store and selected online and offline retail stores in Japan. The price of the device is JPN 12,800.
The brand new Kobo Glo HD features a six inch e-ink Carta screen with a resolution of 1448×1072 and 300 PPI. It has the same front-lit display as the Kobo Aura H2O, so you will be able to read in low-light conditions or complete darkness.
Underneath the hood is a 1 GHZ processor and 4 GB of internal storage. When you take the e-reader out of the box for the first time you only have 3.1 GB of memory, primarily because the OS takes up a fair amount of space.
The Japanese version of the Glo HD includes two English-Japanese dictionaries pre-installed. In addition, Kobo has also launched the Kobo Glo HD Support Dial service, in which a team of specialized staff are ready to answer questions on everything from setting up the device to purchasing eBooks. This toll-free service can be used not only by those who have already purchased the device, but also those are considering purchasing it. The first 3,000 customers to purchase the device and log in with their Rakuten membership ID will receive a JPN 2,000 coupon for use on the Rakuten Kobo eBook Store.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.