Enjoy a more responsive and faster reading experience with improved page-turn taps and other improvements. Also in this update, you have the option of letting your Facebook friends see what you’re reading by sharing your reading activity to Facebook Timeline.

Here is what you can expect in v1.9.17 update:

• Improved recognition of page-turn taps
• Home screen now correctly remembers your carousel choice
• Improved sync performance
• Fixed rendering of menu items when a word is highlighted
• Fixed trouble connecting to wifi – reported by our customers
• Option to share your reading activity to Facebook Timeline

Click here to download the newest Kobo Touch update v1.9.17 and let your friends know what you’re reading this weekend!

This year’s theme, which centres on “Light Sound Object Past Present Future” has got the people here at Kobo thinking – what is the future of art? We know how much technology can change how we live; after all we’re focused on changing how people read every day! So, how will technology influence art when you can already get your book about art and culture digitally?

If the future of art is now, you’re already late for buying your ticket to the event! We hope to see you on April 19. In the meantime, check out our @Kobo on Twitter and our Facebook page over the next few weeks for more on #thefutureofartis – the Kobo perspective.

Don’t worry about smudges and spills, the Kobo Vox stands up to little fingers as they browse through classics like Franklin and Olivia. The Vox is easy to use and engaging, encouraging children to read and discover their favourite characters. Read Along books available at the online Kobo bookstore provide audio for key words to encourage your young reader as they learn.

But don’t worry parents, the Vox gives you the features you’re looking for in a powerful, multi-feature eReading device. Check your email, browse the web, get the latest titles, and take your pick of more than 15,000 apps to make your eReading device work for you while you’re on the go! We’re thrilled that the PTPA community of parents is using the Kobo Vox and we know you will be too!

“This is such a great and convenient product, especially for a busy working mother of two children.”
- Maria Louisa O.

Facebook Timeline is the dynamic display from Facebook which lets you “tell your life through photos, friendships and milestones.” Thanks to Kobo you can now add books to that list! Vox readers, share what you are reading, when you read and don’t forget to dish on your favourite characters with your Facebook friends. If you’d like to keep your reading experience to yourself, don’t worry, you can easily determine which books you’d like to share on your Timeline or turn off the feature entirely.

Trying to decide on your next book? The brand-new Just For You menu provides you with recommended titles, new releases and more. On the home screen you’ll also find a New Recommendations widget suggesting ebooks Kobo thinks you’ll enjoy.

The new and improved Reading Menu on the Vox makes your reading experience easy to use and easy to read. Modify your font and other book settings, quickly manage your account, and select the social settings you want to use.

And don’t forget to grab your headphones, with the Vox you can listen to millions of free songs with Rdio – advertising free!

Kobo wants to thank you for sharing your feedback with us. These updates were made based on your suggestions. Keep them coming!

A perfect match for your Kobo Vox eReader , the beloved Dark Horse heroes come to life with the vivid 7” multimedia screen and brilliant color display while the seamless page-turning keeps you enthralled in your ereading experience. Get connected to your friends and other fans using Kobo’s Reading Life application to track your reading, earn awards and spark discussions about the thrilling stories.

A great way to connect with your children, reminisce with friends, and use your imagination – collect all the Dark Horse comics at Kobo , today. New titles will be added each month.

“Kobo is the perfect partner for Dark Horse. Like us, they’ve established themselves on a basis of innovation,” says Matt Parkinson, Senior Director of Marketing for Dark Horse. “We couldn’t be more excited to reach new readers around the world with some of the most exciting and dynamic storytelling that our comic titles offer.”

Kobo Vox Joins $99 Kobo Touch with Offers In-Store, $129 Kobo Touch and Kobo Wifi Online

TORONTO – February 15, 2012 – Kobo, a global leader in eReading with over 7 million users in 170 countries worldwide, today announced the in-store availability of the Kobo Vox eReader at Best Buy stores across the United States and online at www.bestbuy.com. The Kobo Vox eReader, will be sold at Best Buy for $199 (USD), has seen strong adoption worldwide including Canada, the U.K., Germany, Australia and New Zealand. The Kobo Vox offers a superior reading experience with access to Kobo’s eBookstore that offers over 2.5 million eBooks, of which a million available to download and read for free. Best Buy will offer the Kobo Vox in all four stylish colors: Hot Pink, Lime Green, Ice Blue and Jet Black.

The Kobo Vox is the world’s first social eReader, which enables readers to start conversations with other readers and discover new books and authors through their social network. With a vivid color display, Kobo takes the reading experience to a whole new level – rich color books, newspapers, magazines, music, video, over 15,000 apps, games and social feeds – all on an open Android platform.

“We’re excited to offer the Kobo Vox eReader in U.S. Best Buy locations where consumers can try our innovative social experience and see the difference that Kobo brings to eReading,” said Todd Humphrey, EVP Business Development, Kobo, Inc. “We’re focused on delivering an innovative and easy eReading experience and our expanded footprint throughout the U.S. will allow consumers to experience Kobo first hand and find out why it is the favored choice of millions of readers around the world.”

A World Class Reading Experience

Built by booklovers, for booklovers – people can access their entire library on the go, in an easy-to-hold, lightweight design with the Kobo signature comfortable quilted back designed to fit perfectly into the palm of a hand for hours of comfortable reading. The Kobo Vox delivers a superior reading experience that allows users to easily navigate their library, scroll through books, and turn pages with a tap or swipe, plus personalize their reading experience with highlights, annotations, adjustable fonts and more. The Kobo Vox holds up to 8,000 eBooks — with expandable SD card storage to hold up to 40,000 books — and access to unlimited storage in the Kobo cloud.

The Most Advanced Multimedia Touch Screen

Featuring a brilliant multimedia touch screen, readers can experience text with high contrast resolution and immerse themselves in books, magazines, games and videos in vivid color. Kobo uses the most advanced 7 inch FFS+ display, with anti-glare – the same technology used in airplane cockpits (there are no clouds at 30,000 feet) – for great reading indoors or outdoors and featuring an extra-wide angle for incredible viewing…ideal for shared reading and viewing.

Read in Vivid Color

Kobo’s global ebook store – 2.5 million books and more than one million free – just got better with color and enhanced multimedia content. Discover a new world of reading with rich vivid color content for all ages, including cookbooks, engaging travel guides, comic books, and graphic novels. Parents and children can read together with Read Along children’s books, a great way to spend quality time and a fun way to help children learn to read.

Experience More – the eReader for your Connected Life

In addition to reading Kobo Vox users can easily browse the Web, check email, listen to music, watch movies, play games and store personal photos. Choose from a selection of pre-loaded top ranked entertainment apps:

• Over 4,800 popular magazines from Zinio®
• Newspapers from PressReader™ – over 2,000 newspapers from around the world
• Unlimited music from RDIO®
• Get social with Twitter® and Facebook®
• A book lover must-have: Merriam Webster’s Dictionary
• Apps – over 15,000 FREE apps
• Access to music, photo, and video services in the app store

An eReader for Everyone in the Kobo Family of Products

In addition to the Kobo Vox, Best Buy currently sells the award-winning Kobo Touch with Offers eReader, which delivers an amazing touch experience with Infrared Touch Technology that allows readers to swipe or tap to easily turn pages. Available in black for $99 in-store and online, Kobo Touch with Offers brings all of the award-winning features of the Kobo Touch eReader at a great ad-supported price.

With the intuitive new touch interface, readers can highlight a phrase, look up a word, zoom into an image, increase the font size, or quickly navigate through a book or their entire library. Plus finding that next read is also quick and easy with Wi-Fi and a virtual keyboard. Using the latest E Ink technology, it’s just like reading print on paper, plus it is glare-free making it easy to read in bright sunlight.

Best Buy also sells the original Kobo Touch, available in an assortment of colors, for the low price of $129.

Freedom of Choice

At Kobo, we believe you should have the ability to read on any device. Readers can download free Kobo eReading apps to read across the most popular devices including desktops, laptops, tablets, Android phones, iPhones, iPads, Blackberry® Smartphones and PlayBooks. Readers can also download their ebooks and read on a wide range of dedicated eReaders.

About Kobo, Inc.

Kobo is a global eReading service with more than 2.5 million eBooks, magazines and newspapers – one of the largest eReading catalogues in the world. Kobo believes that consumers should have the freedom to read any book on any device and has attracted millions of readers from over 170 countries across the globe. Kobo has top ranked eReading applications for iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows and MacOS, and is the eReading application of choice for leading tablet OEMs. Kobo eReaders, including the Kobo Touch and the newly launched Kobo Vox are available at leading retailers, including Indigo, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, Future Shop, WHSmith, FNAC, Libris Blz., Buy.com, Collins Booksellers and Whitcoulls. Kobo’s innovative Reading Life is an industry-first comprehensive social eReading experience – Kobo users can earn awards simply for time spent reading and encouraging others.

Ellen DeGeneres is a well known and loved comedian, actress, and a host of her own TV show, and we are thrilled that our Kobo Vox eReader was featured on the show during a special Super Bowl episode.

Not only did our Kobo Vox eReader look great on camera as Ellen DeGeneres presented it to her audience, but it was amazing to see that our Kobo Vox eReader stirred up quite the cheer when Ellen announced that everyone in her studio audience will be taking one home with them.

Here are some highlights of what Ellen DeGeneres had to say about our Kobo Vox eReader:

“Get in the game with the Kobo Vox eReader that’s a tablet and a whole lot more. Access over 15,000 free apps, a million free books, get social and have fun.”

“Kobo Vox is the eReader tablet for today’s connected life — watch videos of the big game, huddle with your friends through Pulse and tackle new favourite reads from friends’ recommendations. The Kobo Vox tablet comes in 4 bold colors — one to match your personality.”

Click here for a chance to win your very own Kobo Vox eReader from The Ellen DeGeneres Show and watch highlights from today’s Special Super Bowl Edition!

The Ontario Science Centre is hosting a Live Event via Facebook to discuss da Vinci’s impact on today’s innovators.

Joined by 4 panel of experts, including our CEO, Micheal Serbinis, examine how da Vinci’s amazing contributions to modern invention and his spirit can spur young minds towards invention in a much different world.

Event Details

When: Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 1pm EST

Where: Visit and “like” https://www.facebook.com/ontariosciencecentre#!/events/162759327165781/ to register and view the event.

Join the discussion with your own thoughts on Twitter using hashtag #innovinci and follow @Kobo & @OntScienceCtr

If you are not on Facebook, you will still be able to view the discussion on YouTube following the event.

Canadian innovator Michael Serbinis, Chief Executive Officer of Kobo, will be joining 3 other experts as panelists at the event. This special event will feature a live panel discussion on how da Vinci’s amazing contributions to modern invention and his spirit can spur young minds toward invention in a much different world.

Join in on February 2nd and get the opportunity to ask questions live via Facebook!

Event Details

When: Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 1pm EST

Where: Visit and “like” https://www.facebook.com/ontariosciencecentre#!/events/162759327165781/ to register and view the event.

Panelists:

• Michael Serbinis – Chief Executive Officer, Kobo
• Sandra Martin – Executive Editor, Today’s Parent Magazine
• Massimiliano Lisa – Curator and CEO of Leonardo3
• Dr. Hooley McLaughlin – Vice President, Science Experience and Chief Science Office, Ontario Science Centre

Join the discussion with your own thoughts on Twitter using hashtag #innovinci and follow @Kobo & @OntScienceCtr

If you are not on Facebook, you will still be able to view the discussion on YouTube following the event.

KOBO CONTINUES INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
LAUNCHING IN THE NETHERLANDS WITH LIBRIS BLZ.
Award Winning Kobo Touch eReader will be Available Online and In-Stores for €129.00

THE NETHERLANDS / TORONTO – January 24, 2012 – Kobo, a global leader in eReading with over 7 million users in more than 170 countries worldwide, announced today that Dutch retailer Libris Blz. are selling the award winning* Kobo Touch eReader online at www.libris.nl and www.blz.nl with free shipping, and it will be in select stores starting Jan 30 – for €129.00. Kobo offers one of the world’s largest bookstores with more than 2.5 million ebooks, which now includes thousands of bestselling Dutch titles.

“Through our new partnership with Libris Blz., we’re confident our expansion into the Netherlands will be a huge success,” said Michael Serbinis, CEO of Kobo. “Kobo’s focus has always been to bring eReading and eBooks to people everywhere around the world. By launching in the Netherlands, and bringing eReading to the passionate Dutch reading community – we are one more country closer to delivering on that promise.”

“Libris Blz. and Kobo are a perfect fit, as we are driven by a strong passion for reading and books, and both organisations see great potential in eReading,” stated Caroline Damwijk, Managing Director of Libris Blz. B.V.

THE KOBO TOUCH – Built by booklovers, for booklovers.
The Kobo Touch offers a best-in-class reading experience, with an amazing touch experience, that uses Infrared Touch Technology, allowing readers to easily swipe or tap to turn pages. With the intuitive touch interface, readers can highlight a phrase, lookup a word, zoom into an image, increase the font size, or quickly navigate through a book and an entire library. Plus, finding that next read is also quick and easy with Wi-Fi and a virtual keyboard.

The Kobo eReader Touch is the first eReader to be available in multiple languages and offers a completely local experience, including content, recommendations, and the Kobo store. Readers may choose from English, French, Canadian French, German, Spanish, Italian and Dutch.

KOBO TOUCH FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS:

• New Pearl 6” E Ink Screen – Equipped with the newest E Ink screen featuring 16 level grey scale, the Kobo Touch is a highly responsive and intuitive experience designed to help you forget about the device and focus on reading.
• The eInk screen is glare free and easy to read in bright sunlight
• Read in Style – Kobo’s signature quilted soft-touch back and travel-friendly size offer the ultimate reading comfort and experience – choose from white, black, silver, blue and lilac.
• Customize taps on the screen to turn pages to bring additional comfort to left-handed readers
• A choice of 7 font styles and 25 sizes to best suit individual eyesight needs– the most of any eReader on the market today.
• Add your own fonts for full customization
• Easy note making within a book while users read, as well as browsing and editing notes with the Annotations list
• Easily highlight favourite passages within books
• Fully adjustable refresh rate for fast page turns
• Sleep and power off screens that show full screen book covers
• Progress indicator — Readers can easily find out how far they’ve read in each book

With battery life of up to one month, and storage of up to 30,000 books with expandable memory, the Kobo eReader Touch Edition delivers the freedom to read anywhere, at any time.

READ FREELY – KOBO SUPPORTS THE MOST CONTENT
The Kobo eReading service is built on an open platform, allowing consumers to read eBooks from other stores that use the ePub format – plus books on a growing number of Kobo eReaders and apps. The versatile Kobo eReader Touch Edition devices let users read ePUB, PDF and MOBI format eBooks; view JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP and TIFF images; review TXT, HTML and RTF materials; and enjoy CBZ and CBR comic book formats. Consumers can also easily borrow and read eBooks from the local public library.

GET SOCIAL WITH KOBO READING LIFE
Kobo offers the industry leading social platform, Reading Life, that provides the ability to connect with friends or create book clubs and discuss favorite reads on Facebook and Twitter. Plus, users can track their reading statistics, and unlock fun and exciting awards just for reading.

SHOP AND READ ON ANY DEVICE WITH KOBO
Kobo offers free eReading apps so users can read on most popular devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets, Android phones, iPhones, iPads, Blackberry® Smartphones and Blackberry® PlayBooks – in addition they can browse and shop the Kobo store. Plus, with Kobo Sync you can read from one device to another and pick up from the page that you last read – your library will always be kept up to date.

WHERE TO BUY
The Kobo Touch eReader is available for immediate purchase online from Libris at www.libris.nl and Blz. at www.blz.nl, including free shipping and delivery, and in select stores starting Jan 30 – for €129.00.

Kobo will be launching a fully localized Dutch website in February. For more information and to download the free Kobo International eReading app avaible in Dutch please visit kobobooks.com/welkomlibrisblz

* Named “Editor’s Pick” in Wired Magazine: eInk Reader Round-up: January 2012 Edition; Won prestigious “Jaus de L’Industrie” for innovative & lightweight design of the Kobo Touch eReader; Institut Francais du Design (IFD); Nov 2011

About Kobo, Inc.
Kobo is a global eReading service with more than 2.5 million eBooks, magazines and newspapers – one of the largest eReading catalogues in the world. As part of its “Read Freely” mentality, Kobo believes consumers should have the freedom to read any book on any device and has attracted millions of readers from more than 170 countries across the globe. Kobo has top-ranked eReading applications for iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows and MacOS, and is the eReading application of choice for leading tablet OEMs. Kobo eReaders, including the Kobo Touch and the newly launched Kobo Vox are available at leading retailers, including Indigo, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, Future Shop, WHSmith, FNAC, Collins Booksellers and Whitcoull’s. Kobo’s innovative Reading Life is an industry-first comprehensive social eReading experience where Kobo users can earn awards simply for time spent reading and encouraging others. For more information on Kobo, and to download free eReading apps, visit www.kobo.com.

Libris Blz. B.V.
The Libris Blz. group of booksellers comprises independent, professional, highly-motivated entrepreneurs who work together to compete effectively against standard bookstore chains. Libris booksellers aim to be the authoritative bookseller within their market, offering a wide assortment of titles, whereas Blz. booksellers offer an optimal mix of books in combination with office supplies. With gross book sales of more than 100 million euros, the Libris Blz. group is the largest player in the Dutch general book market.