Kobo officially released two new ebook readers this week on October 19th, and Kobo has already stopped selling one of them because they’re sold out.
The Kobo Sage is Kobo’s new 8-inch model that adds stylus support and comes with a faster processor and a USB-C port. Either it’s been more popular than expected or Kobo didn’t have many to begin with.
Either way it’s kind of odd to release a new device and then not have it available to purchase anywhere.
I think it’s likely they announced the new models earlier than they had planned because Kobo wanted to get some free press by releasing their new devices a week before Amazon’s new Paperwhite started shipping (Kobo did the exact same thing when the last Paperwhite was released).
There’s also the fact that the Kobo Sage PowerCover wasn’t released at the same time as the Kobo Sage, and it still isn’t available to pre-order or purchase. Why release a new ereader with an expensive charging cover that isn’t available yet and has no upcoming release date? Seems kind of strange…
It’s also strange that Kobo doesn’t keep accepting pre-orders for the Kobo Sage while it’s sold out. Instead they offer no way to purchase it on their website, and there’s no option to be notified when it is available again either.
Meanwhile the Kobo Sage is available to pre-order on Walmart’s website. They say it ships by 11/12/21 so that’s 3 weeks away. If you want to get a Kobo Sage it looks like you might have to wait awhile longer than the initial release date suggested.
Well, that at least keeps me from wanting to buy one. My resolve of sticking with my old Forma was starting to waver, but problem solved!
Probably a combination of issues. There is a known problem with supply of eInk displays as there are only a couple of manufacturers, and the main one had Covid problems a few months back. So they may have underestimated the demand and over estimated the supply. That combined with, as was stated here, some eagerness to get this out there before people commit to buying the new Kindle. The fact that they are no longer taking orders might reflect some uncertainty about when they are going to get new supply. Either that. or they have some agreement with Walmart about sales volume that they must comply with. Also regarding the power charge case, not at all suprising to me that they would announce the accessory at the same time as the device but not release it until much later. Apple does this all the time..
I pre-ordered the Sage. I don’t have it in hand yet, but it has apparently shipped. So I don’t think the order stoppage is some indication of a hardware problem, or at least I hope not.
Sounds right on why.
My pre-order shipped also.
Well, it’s not something I’ll lose any sleep over. It’s a new model, they are bound to get more. This is only likely to affect the early adopters who are anxious to have it NOW.
Meanwhile, I saw someone posting a picture of his new Sage screen over on MobileRead, saying it was a *massive* improvement on lighting uniformity over the Forma.
I promptly set my brightness sliders just like he did, only on my Forma, and wait for it … COULD NOT SEE A DIFFERENCE! His Sage screen looked virtually identical to my Forma screen. Both very nice. Neither quite as good as the Kindle Oasis 2.
Which doesn’t mean that the Sage screen is not overall, a better screen. According to reports, Sage contrast IS improved.
Anyway, it’s fun seeing folks get their devices! I’m just delighted with my Forma every time I pick it up! Looking forward to folks start to do their personal reviews.
FWIW, just searched on Walmart and it appears to be available for pre-order there. So perhaps it *is* an agreement with Walmart that has it “sold out” elsewhere.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kobo-Sage/843481773
Oops, didn’t read that you already had the information I posted above. OLD AGE! I guess I tend to think of “sold out” as not being able to get it anywhere.
Just call me slow, ancient, decrepit, they all fit …
Just got the Sage and the contrast and clarity are outstanding. Better than my Voyage or Oasis…far better than my Kobo Forma. Don’t know if it is the new E-ink screen tech or not, but, Wow …readability off the charts. Great dark mode also.(First few minutes of use and the handle side was brighter and slightly reminiscent of my Forma…now flawless…possibly after adjusting the light levels a bit.Weird.
Slightly fingerprint on front.
Best screen that I have seen on an e-reader!
Fingerprinty on front. The Libra will probably be even better…no writing layer. Performance is also snappy.
Some actual advancements this year.
I agree, the new screens look great. And you’re right, the Libra’s screen is slightly better than the Sage’s without the added front layer, but still neither are quite as good as the Voyage’s in a side-by-side test, IMO. The frontlight on the Libra 2 is a major improvement, though, especially considering the first gen version had one of the worst I’d ever seen.
Back in stock. Was able to order one a few minutes ago on Kobo site.
This isn’t entirely pertinent here, but would anybody be kind enough to confirm which dictionaries are available on version 4.29.18730 of Kobo’s firmware (i.e. the version with which the new Kobo Sage and Libra 2 launched)? I’m particular interested in whether a Chinese to English dictionary has been added. There was already an English to Chinese dictionary.
No, the dictionary options have not changed.