The cat is out of the bag. Kobo’s “new little hardware surprise” that they’ve been teasing on social media for the past couple months is a Bluetooth page turner with Kobo branding.
The new page turner is called the Kobo Remote, and it’s now listed on Kobo’s website, but it’s not available to order just yet. The release date is set for November 4th. The price is $29.99 USD, and it’s available in both white and black.
Kobo says the Kobo Remote is compatible with all Kobo ereaders that have Bluetooth, which includes all the current models and several of the older ones. It’ll probably work with other ereaders that support Bluetooth as well, if they’re set up to use page turners, unlike Kindles that support Bluetooth for audio only (the Kobo Remote will not work on Kindles; you have to use one of those clip-on page turners that touches the screen with Kindles).
Kobo says the new remote “pairs instantly with your Kobo ereader via Bluetooth with a single button press,” so hopefully that means Kobo has streamlined their software to work with the Kobo Remote.
The last time I tried to use a Bluetooth page turner with a Kobo ereader it worked well enough, but then Kobo’s devices are configured to automatically turn off Bluetooth whenever you turn them off, so you had to go to the settings menu and turn it back on and manually reconnect the controller every time you wanted to use it.
The Kobo Remote uses a single AAA battery. It supports Bluetooth 5.0. It has an ergonomic design, and it only weighs 36 grams. It has two buttons, but they don’t specifically say if it supports paging forward and back with both buttons, and they don’t say if it supports multiple functions for long-press and short-press. They say it also works with Kobo audiobooks, but with limited functions.
The price is on the high side for a remote page turner, but Kobo fans are sure to love it anyway. For those that like the idea of a remote page turner but want something cheaper, you can get an 8Bitdo micro bluetooth controller with more buttons and more functionality for nearly half the price. The green one is currently on sale for $16.79 and the blue one is $21.99. Those have been a popular choice to use with Kobos for a while now.
Good news, is finally some actual new hardware, it looks good, fits the design, and can be helpful.
But this is devastating for those who expected a new kobo Mini. And terrible news for every kobo device’s battery.
And possible bad news for those who want a Libra BW / Sage successor.
I’ve been blocking the latest software update until I heard it was safe for all devices. I wonder if I need to do that update in order to use the remote page turner.
I’ve not had any problems with bluetooth devices on my libra color. Nor have I had any issues with the update. I did a full power off and power on to make sure though. And the page turning functions of the micro controller as clicker page turners predate the libra color existing, so I wouldn’t expect to need this software update to use them.
After using Pocketbook’s UI for awhile now — from a decade+ of using Kindle, Kobo, Nook & Android devices — what I’ve learned is that what is important to me in e-reader page-turning is not dedicated buttons, clickers, or punching the back of a Kindle, it’s having forward/back page-turns always near to my hands regardless of how I’m holding the device.
Pocketbook defines 9 tap-zones on the screen, each capable of performing any function on the device — including forward & back — AND this means that I can turn pages, easily, without moving my fingers much at all.
It seemed like such a minor feature when I first saw it that I didn’t think it would make much of a difference but — on a device which is loaded with better features than any other brand that I’ve used — it has become my favorite feature.
Didn’t have any problem with my Libra Colour.
My guess that people who had problems installed patches before. I may be wrong.
Thank you all! Can’t wait for this device!
What?
Kobo has some new hardware?
Nathan must be so happy. ☺️
Could it be used on the Kindle devices?. As it’s Bluetooth maybe.
I don’t think any of the other Bluetooth page turners work on a Kindle. I think the BT functionality is limited to audio output. (I’ll gladly be wrong, though.) 🙂
Will it work with my Libra 2 b/w ?
These are the models that Kobo specifically lists as being supported: The Kobo Clara 2E, Kobo Clara BW, Kobo Clara Colour, Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Libra Colour, Kobo Sage, Kobo Elipsa, and Kobo Elipsa 2E.
Many thanks ! ♥♥♥
Ugh I had a feeling it would be something dumb like this. Well hopefully they’re working on a good lineup of e-readers for next year as well as some good software updates that fix bug issues….. One can dream I guess.
While I was looking forward to an updated Mini, I am excited about this remote page turner. I am going thru chemo and the neuropathy in my hands is making hard to hold even the Clara. This will help me greatly as I am sure it will help other people with mobility and strength problems.
I never thought about your use case, Suzanne. Very valid point. There certainly is a market for this device.
Before I had similar thoughts to Sebrina, “Just add the physical page-turning button on your devices. Why the need for extra devices that need charging just to operate?”. I hate over-consumption.
With that in mind, Suzanne, I wish you a swift and smooth recovery.
Thank you !! That means a lot.
Thank you for opening my mind to use cases like this! I have not seen anyone online use the page turners like this. I always just see the e-reader holders matched with page turner devices.
Like Alan said, I would prefer physical page-turn buttons on newer e-readers. But seeing as you’re having difficulty with what you’re currently going through, I appreciate this little device and use cases like that.
I wish you a quick and smooth recovery! I’m glad this little thing will help you with reading while you go through your treatments, too.
I’m not sure what the use case is for such a thing (seriously, can anyone enlighten me?). If you’re already holding the Kobo in your hands to read, why use a remote control?
I’d been hoping (admittedly in vain) that the “new hardware” would be a simple 6″ reader, B&W, 300dpi (or higher) screen with no fronlight (and therefore no light layer), no wi-fi (just connect to the Kobo app on desktop to load books), and no bluetooth. Clearly not the direction Kobo is taking at the moment … !
Page turner can help with those who don’t like to tap the screen and can read without holding their device (they might have a desk stand or whatever).
I don’t think a reader without a frontlight will ever be made by Amazon or Kobo. If you check the E Ink website, there are products they can choose from and use in their devices. BW screens are still available, so there’s no reason for Kobo not to come out with a BW reader. At the same time I don’t see any Carta displays without frontlight.
It’s great that you can just hold your device but there are people with disabilities out there who actually can’t do it.
Really helpfull for those who trying to play the guitar..
That’s interesting! Never thought of that before. I suppose people working out on treadmills, etc will be helpful as well!
Above, Suzanne commented that this will help her greatly while going through chemo as she has been having trouble with holding her Clara now. That is certainly something that did not cross my mind before but I’m happy it will be able to help out anyone who really needs it.
Reading in bed, winter time, completely under the covers, with the reader propped on a laptop tray. I’ve wanted a Bluetooth remote page turner for a while now. I’ll definitely be getting this.
I had to come back and check this article for the release date Kobo originally stated. Now their website is saying December 2☹️
It’s hard to believe that for the price they listed ($30) they couldn’t make it a USB-c rechargeable device.