I’ve been keeping an eye on this Netronix page for new FCC listings for Kobo devices, and a couple of new entries turned up this week.
Unfortunately, it looks like both listings aren’t really new models at all. They have the same model numbers as previous Kobos, the Kobo Clara BW and Kobo Clara Colour. They just added a “B” to the end of the existing model numbers so these are most likely just revised versions of the latest Clara models with minor changes.
Earlier this year Kobo released a revised version of the Kobo Clara BW with a larger battery, and they didn’t bother mentioning it anywhere (their website still lists the older smaller battery size in the specs for the Clara BW).
That version of the Clara BW was listed by a different OEM on the FCC, with model number P365. This other new version listed by Netronix has a model number N365B. The original’s model number is N365. So apparently there’s now going to be three different versions of the Clara BW and two versions of the Clara Colour. This is going to get confusing.
That probably explains why the latest software update released by Kobo is only available for the two Clara models. They probably had to update something for these revised versions.
Nobody but Kobo knows why they’re revising the two Clara models and not any of their other models. It might have something to do with the availability of parts. Or maybe they’re actually going to do something unexpected and add stylus support to the Clara models as well, but probably not.
A lot of people are hoping that Kobo will release some new ereaders with black and white screens in 2025, especially a new Libra BW to complement the color version, but unfortunately that is looking less likely by the day.
I’d guess the Clara iterations are more popular because of their fairly low price. They sell more of them and run out of chips faster, so that’s probably why new versions and revisions come out more often.
Same with Pocketbook, the Verse has a lot of versions, while the larger screen models don’t.
Would added page turn buttons be possible? I have the Clara BW but usually switch to the Pocketbook Verse Pro at night because of the page turn buttons. I never liked the turn buttons before but have revised my thinking due to arthritis and loss of hand strength. I would love a Clara with buttons because the screen is so much better than the Verse Pro. Companies would go insane trying to make devices to fit what each person wants. Even if there is little change, it still is exciting to see that a new device is in the works.
Kobo Touch has 3 model numbers, N905, N905B and N905C. The version with the “B” has an internal microSD as storage, while the other two has soldered storage.
I doubt that the new Clara models will be noticable different other than the battery capacity.
I’ll keep my hopes up!
If not, I think the odds are fairly good that Boox will come out with a Note Air 5 C! It’s Boox after all. After updating my Kindle Scribe, the device is not recognized by my computer…,
I was just thinking it’s about time for Onyx to announce a new Note Air since it’s been 8 months since the last one was released. I think they should release a BW model this time. The Go 10.3 doesn’t seem to be as popular without a frontlight and without BSR.
Frontlight versatility is hard to give up! Almost no downsides…a little clarity and battery life.
I had the same problem where my Paperwhite 11th gen was not being recognized by my computer. I did a restart of the PW and then it was recognized.