The Kobo Chronicles: 3 Reasons Switching from Kindle Might Just Be Your Best Decision Ever

Over the past few years, the digital reading world has been subject to a fierce battle between KOBO and Kindle. While Kindle has a much wider user base, greater choice of devices, and powerful brand recognition, many readers are making the switch to KOBO. Why? This KOBO story will shed some light on why switching to KOBO might just change the way you read, forever.

Kindle: The Behemoth of E-Readers

Kindle has been at the forefront of new eReader technology for years, and the company has spewed forth a large number of eReader devices since 2007. Comfortable with Amazon and Kindle because they have become familiar? That’s understandable, but check out what’s coming down the pike in the form of KOBO. It’s a strong challenger to the Amazon Kindle empire. Here are some of the differences.

Navigating the Shift: From Kindle to KOBO

You can say goodbye to your Kindle… you can even say goodbye to Amazon entirely; but what about all the eBooks you’ve bought, without truly owning them? What do you do with your eBook library? What do you do with the convenient, comfortable ecosystem that Amazon has buffered you with? Well, with a tool such as Calibre and pared-down but adequate management and conversion, the burden of moving your eBook library is far less daunting than it seems. Is Amazon’s ecosystem with all of its shiny bells, whistles, and convenience greater than purely book-focused KOBO? That is what you need to ask yourself. Or is it?

KOBO's Hidden Gems: Price and Customization

KOBO eBooks might seem pricier than Kindle on the face of it, but its price matching scheme ensures that you can claim credits for future purchases. But where KOBO really differs from the competition is that other than price, it’s highly customisable: you can have your device engraved with your name, email or a special message. Plus you can breathe easy knowing you’re doing your bit for the environment, with KOBO devices designed to be easily repaired, and using over 85 per cent recycled plastic.

Library Loans: Kindle vs KOBO

While borrowing library eBooks is easier with Kindle (Amazon integrated the Libby app), KOBO’s partnership with BorrowBox is comparable (and slightly more involved, but still a minor bump in the road for anyone who wants to support more open, hackable and Green devices.

Embracing the KOBO Ecosystem

The switch to KOBO is far from a seamless experience, especially for those who are deeply enmeshed in the Amazon ecosystem. But those who venture forth will find a device that encourages them to focus on what really matters – which is the reading, of course. KOBO serves as demonstration that it is possible to create a well-designed reading device and companion ecosystem that empowers readers rather than disempowering them through distraction. And it does so without overt design aesthetics. The triumph of KOBO’s design is that it looks and feels homely, not flashy. It allows users to personalise the experience in a way that feels authentic, rather than forced.

Why KOBO Might Just Be the E-Reader You've Been Searching For

Although changing over to KOBO might not be easy, the reasons to do so are numerous — its open platform, for example, its epub, .mobi, .pdf, and even .txt support; and from an environmental standpoint, it is just a nicer brand to have behind you, as it cares about reading and the planet.

About KOBO

For book-lovers everywhere, KOBO is the antidote to the Kindle. It’s for people who like to read without constraints, who want to personalise their device, and who maintain a higher level of environmental conscience in what they purchase. With a KOBO, you’re not buying an eReader: you’re joining a bookish revolution that puts the book (and the planet) first.

I could lean back and lose myself completely in the world of my story – the way reading is supposed to be.’ Choosing KOBO over Kindle, for this man – and for many of its fans – is also a switch from the ‘extended mind’ to an unadulterated version of reading. The road to KOBO can be bumpy at times, said Friedman, who had read some fine smaller press and indie books on his Nook. But taking the plunge, he said, comes with many rewards – and that’s why KOBO is starting to capture some of the ‘soul’ of every reader.