It looks like 2024 might be an interesting year for new dedicated reading devices, as a third new Kobo ereader has turned up at the FCC for testing.
The model number for this latest new device is N367, and the FCC ID is NOIKBN367. Most of the pertinent information and photos are hidden until August 24th, so at this point we don’t really know anything about the device other than the fact that it exists.
Two other yet-to-be-released Kobo devices turned up on the FCC website late last year.
The first one that showed up in October, model number N428, might surface in a couple of months, as the confidentiality agreement comes to an end on April 15th, 2024.
The other new device, model number N365, was approved by the FCC on December 24th. The confidentiality agreement for it ends on June 22nd, 2024.
At this point nobody outside of Kobo really knows anything about these new devices, but we can always speculate. I think one has to be a new entry-level device as their current model is majorly outdated and totally unappealing. The Kobo Libra 2 and Kobo Sage will also be turning 3 years old later this year so they might be releasing updated versions of one or both of those devices.
However, Kobo has a history of not upgrading their 7.8-inch and 8-inch devices. They never updated the Kobo Aura One or the Kobo Forma, and I think both of those devices were better than the Kobo Sage, so I doubt there will be a Sage 2, but I could be wrong.
Hopefully at least one of these new Kobos will be something new and innovative instead of them just basically repackaging existing products and calling them “new”, as Kobo often does. A Libra 3E that’s 95% the same as the current Libra 2, but made with recycled plastic would be seriously yawn-inducing. I could totally see Kobo doing something like that, though, because that’s pretty much exactly what they did with the Kobo Clara 2E and the Elipsa 2E, the last two new devices that they released.
Hopefully we will get our updated Mini!!!!
Could it be? We’ve waited too long already.
They should ditch the Nia and come out with a new Mini having the same form factor as the Boox Palma (but with more modest specs and no camera). Price it at $99 and it would sell.
It is probably the Nia added to the Sage and Libra getting the “e” design. I will be very surprised to see any new new model.
The existing models do have upgrades compared to their predecessor, like USB-C, bluetooth for audiobooks, better screen and frontlight and/or bigger battery and storage, waterproof coating on the PCB, “native” dark mode without patch.
Libra 2E/3 with only recycled plastic “upgrade” would be very cringe, I don’t think kobo would do such a thing, and it wouldn’t justify an increased price either.
Although not sure what features they could really add to a 7 inch Libra 2 which already has everything needed today for a good reading experience, except note taking and an 8 inch screen. 🙂
Yeah, they did add some minor upgrades before, but when they released the Nia they just repackaged the previous model and added more storage space and that was it. Otherwise it’s exactly the same as the Kobo Aura 2 from 2016. They when they released the Elipsa 2E the only relevant change was the addition of a warm frontlight, which it should’ve had to begin with. The Clara 2E did get a few more upgrades but they’ve basically been using the same design since forever, and I don’t think the changes were enough to convince Clara HD owners to spend $140 to upgrade. At some point they’re going to have to come up with a new idea. I just wish they’d move away from the cheap plastic casings, especially on the Libra considering it costs almost $200.
There is quite a lot of things they could do with Libra:
– Speaker for audiobooks (their support is kinda pointless now without speaker, it’s usualy faster to connect smartphone to headphones for that)
– Light sensor for automatic brightness
– Carta 1300 display for even better contrast and speed
– Synchronisation of sideloaded books (that’s a software thing taht could come to older devices too but Kobo is known for software limits like when you only can use Dropbox with Sage, so it might be something to “motivate” people to upgrade)
– Support of fully magnetic case like Sage has (or even better like Onyx Boox Page has)
– Smaller bezzels, less heavy body
– More premium design
And that’s just what I can think of right now, I know there’s much more that that.
I hope they release a new Forma.
Adding audio book support, speaker, USB C and a working power button would satisfy me.
I am patiently waiting. I want a new Ereader and leaning towards a Kobo. Originally wanted an upgraded Oasis but it was discontinued instead. 🙁
My forma has a visible vertical line on the screen and the button pop off every so often as well as Overdrive stopped working and has never been fixed. I haven’t replaced it as I think it’s time for a Sage update. I really just wanted a forma with more uniform lighting, USB C, Bluetooth and Overdrive that worked…
The Sage would be my ideal device if it had bolder font options and a text-to-speech function. I wouldn’t need anything else.