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Kobo launches a 7 inch Android tablet as it tries to piggyback on Amazon's buzz

Kobo launches a 7 inch Android tablet as it tries to piggyback on Amazon's buzz

Posted: 06 Sep 2012, 22:15, by Alan F.

Categories: Android Android Tablets Tablets

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Kobo launches a 7 inch Android tablet as it tries to piggyback on Amazon's buzz

Riding the buzz generated by Amazon's multi-tablet announcement on Thursday, eReader manufacturer Kobo unwrapped its first Android tablet, the Kobo Arc. The tablet was one of four products announced by Kobo including the Kobo Mini, the lightest and smallest full-featured eReader, the Kobo Glo which uses CoverLight technology to allow users to read in comfort day or night, and the Kobo Touch which is the industry's first touchscreen eReader.

The Kobo Arc 7 inch tablet

With its 7 inch screen and $199.99 price tag for 8GB of storage and $249.99 for 16GB, the Kobo Arc has been designed to go up against the newest crop of low-priced 7 inch Android tablets like the ASUS built Google Nexus 7 ($199.00 for 8GB and $249.00 for 16GB) and the just introduced entry-level Amazon Kindle Fire 2 for $159 and the Amazon Kindle Fire HD. The latter offers a HD 1280 x 800 resolution 7 inch screen and 16GB of storage for $199.

The Kobo Arc comes installed with Android 4.0 with a Kobo developed skin called Tapestries running on top of it. A 1.3MP camera is on board along with front-facing speakers. Unlike the Amazon Kindle Fire devices, Google applications are available on the Kobo Arc, including the Google Play Store. Pre-installed on the tablet is Facebook, Twitter, Skype and PressReader. The latter is an app that gives you 2,000 full-content newspapers from 95 countries. Launching in November, the Kobo Arc will be available in Black and White with Blue and Purple SnapBacks that can be interchanged.

This isn't the end of the 7 inch tablet competition as next month Apple is expected to introduce the Apple iPad mini.

source: Kobo via Phandroid

The Kobo Arc will launch this November

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1. Jimstar posted on 06 Sep 2012, 23:40 2 0

I actually read about the Arc before any news about the kindle lineup came out

2. pikapowerize (banned) posted on 06 Sep 2012, 23:43 1 3

fail.... trying to compete with amazon and google nexus with ridiculous higher price than the 2 giants...

5. imkyle posted on 07 Sep 2012, 18:44 0 0

It's the same price and storage for the Nexus. This looks pretty good actually.

3. doubler86 posted on 07 Sep 2012, 04:08 1 0

umm I can't believe I'm saying this, but this looks like it's better than the Kindle Fire 7" HD

4. Mozarrt posted on 07 Sep 2012, 06:04 1 0

Kobo has a magnificent ebook offering which rivals Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Funny is that they are always seen as the underdog but their product have been second to none.

Here in the Netherlands you can get the Kobo Touch for much less than the Sony Ereader, so it is the much better buy. I'm actually considering the Arc, as the Kindle's aren't sold here anyway.

6. BaiGanyo posted on 09 Sep 2012, 12:46 0 0

This product looks fabulous. The technical specs are up there with what is being offered by others in the category. But Kobos store sells you a more open product then amazon or others do. You are free to take your books elsewhere if you choose and not risk losing them. It's not locked down at all. That's better. I want this tablet as I am using an older kobo reader and would like to upgrade.

7. imkyle posted on 09 Sep 2012, 15:02 0 0

I would laugh if the TI OMAP 4470 is better than the Tegra 3.

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Kobo launches a 7 inch Android tablet as it tries to piggyback on Amazon's buzz

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7 Comments Follow Following

1. Jimstar posted on 06 Sep 2012, 23:40 2 0

2. pikapowerize (banned) posted on 06 Sep 2012, 23:43 1 3

5. imkyle posted on 07 Sep 2012, 18:44 0 0

3. doubler86 posted on 07 Sep 2012, 04:08 1 0

4. Mozarrt posted on 07 Sep 2012, 06:04 1 0

6. BaiGanyo posted on 09 Sep 2012, 12:46 0 0

7. imkyle posted on 09 Sep 2012, 15:02 0 0

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