Some other ereader website has a news article up saying that Kobo is going to release a new ereader called the Kobo Spa later this year, but after doing 2 minutes of research I don’t think that is true at all—once again they’re missing some key details and getting the facts wrong, as they often do.
The report is based off of FCC listings for two new Kobo products that first showed up back in June, so that’s not even news.
The model numbers for both products are existing model numbers for the Kobo Clara BW and Kobo Clara Colour, but with a “B” at the end, so those new FCC listings are for revisions of those existing models.
The screenshot that other website is using that shows the “Kobo Spa” name says that it is model number N365B. The Kobo Clara BW is model number N365. The iFixit website confirms the N365B model number as another variant of the Kobo Clara BW, along with the P365 variant that showed up earlier this year.
If you look up the P365 version on the FCC website, it also shows the same “About Kobo Spa” page, but with the model number P365. That model has been independently confirmed to be the Kobo Clara BW so the about page clearly has the wrong name.
Who knows why Kobo is using the Kobo Spa name on the about page for that model (maybe they’re doing it just to throw people off that snoop in the FCC paperwork), but it’s clearly not a new product based off of the model number, and the N365B version isn’t a new model called the Kobo Spa either.
Maybe that was a test name or a temporary moniker the developers used, but either way the fact that it shows model number 365 debunks the notion that it’s a new product called the Kobo Spa. Maybe that really is a new model name they’re working on, but not with model number 365 because that product already exists in the form of the Clara BW—there just happens to be three different variations of it now.
Update: I inadvertently solved the mystery of the “Spa” name while checking on something else. The images on Kobo’s website for the Kobo Clara models contain the word “Spa” in the urls. That must have been the codename for the device before it got released.
When I saw the headline, I thought it was a Kobo designed to be read in a spa. The idea sounds pleasant but I worry that would push the limits of the waterproofing.
Honestly, Spa is a pretty lame name. Most of us don’t own a spa much less read in one. So I certainly hope that it is just something they whipped up to throw people off.
I love how your favorite terrible eReader “news” site is reporting this as real right now.
It gets tiring dealing with the constant stream of misinformation that site pumps out. Months from now people will still be asking when is the Kobo Spa getting released.
Ugh that is tiresome. Thanks for doing a little bit of digging for all of us who were skeptical to begin with. Clearly the two revisions are for the white body Clara’s they will be, supposedly, releasing soon. (Unless that was also debunked & I missed it).
It is kind of comical they created that name though & I’m sure are tracking who talks about it on the internet.
It really is half of what he publishes. The other half is a copy of this blog, changing a few words in the title and content. An article published here is immediately reproduced there. The lack of imagination and scruples are infinite.
Spa – Second production arm?
Hopefully the B would stand for: button.
Looking for a newer e-reader
( i got Sony prs-T2) And i think i would prefer a fysical button.
But probably wait and see if its something revised…
Has anyone looked at Kobo’s FB page today? Mentions everything you wanted is coming soon. The small device starts black colored bezel then briefly turns yellow. The power button looks like it is at the top. Hopefully, finally a Mini.
The new device is most likely a white version of the Kobo Clara Colour.