Kobo has just announced the 2017 Kobo Aura H2O. The device starts selling on May 22, 2017, costs $179.99, meets IPX8 water-resistance rating, and sports the 6.8-inch Carta E-ink touchscreen with blue light control.
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The new e-reader is a successor of the company’s original waterproof e-reader launched in September 2014.
What makes the 2017 Aura H2O similar to the first-generation model is the display: a 6.8-inch Carta E-ink HD touchscreen, with 1430 × 1080 resolution, and 265 ppi pixel density.
Most of other features, as The Verge points out, bring the second-generation Aura H2O closer to Kobo Aura One – the model released in September 2016, and recognized by many reviewers and users as Kobo’s best e-reader ever made.
Both Kobo Aura One and the Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2 are waterproof and meet the same water-resistance rating. It’s IPX8, what means the device is waterproof for up to an hour in up to 2 meters of water. It’ll surely pass every bathtub test, won’t it?
The second feature both 2016 Aura One and 2017 Aura H2O share is ComfortLight Pro. It’s something similar to Night Shift in the iPhone and iPad, or Blue Shade in Amazon Fire tablets.
The amount of the blue light from the LED lamps around the screen is being reduced in the evening and during the night. Thanks to that, you can read longer without affecting the sleep.
When you take a look at the pictures of the new Kobo Aura H2O, you’ll see that the design is borrowed from Aura One, with a big turquoise on/off button in the top left corner, and a textured back that prevents the device from slipping.
The price of the Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2 is $179.99. It’s similar to the price tag of the first-generation model and $50 less than Aura One.
When you decide to buy a waterproof Kobo, the decision will go down to one simple question about the screen size: do I need a 7.8-inch of Aura One, or is the 6.8 in Aura H2O enough for me?
The new waterproof Kobo is available in one body color: Black. The launch date is set for May 22, 2017, but you will be able to pre-order the device from May 15. Below, you’ll find launch details in specific countries.
Kobo Aura H2O 2017 – launch details
| Country | Launch date | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | May 22, 2017 | 199.99 CAD |
| USA | May 22, 2017 | 179.99 USD |
| UK Italy France the Netherlands Spain Belgium Switzerland Japan Turkey |
May 22, 2017 | n/a |
| Sweden | June 2017 | n/a |
| Australia New Zealand Philippines |
July 2017 | n/a |
| Mexico Brazil |
By the end of 2017 | n/a |
Kobo Aura H2O 2017 in pictures
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Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2 (2017)
Waterproof for the ultimate escape
Sink into a good read in the bath or by the pool without worry. Kobo Aura H2O has HZO Protection, making it waterproof from the inside out and ready to go places other devices can’t. So relax, fill the tub, or hit the beach and start reading.
Read it and sleep with ComfortLight Pro
By reducing blue-light exposure, ComfortLight Pro provides the best nighttime reading experience, emitting the optimal hue based on the time of day, from a white sunlight to an orange candlelight. Or, choose your own light settings based on your personal preference. With Kobo Aura H2O, enjoy nighttime reading without affecting your sleep, and wake up feeling refreshed.
It’s never been easier to get lost in a story
The 6.8” HD Carta E Ink screen offers seamless page turns and a superior, print-quality reading experience. The lightweight design is comfortable to hold for hours of reading. You’ll never want to put it down.
Read your way
No two booklovers are alike, so create your perfect reading experience with Kobo Aura H2O. The TypeGenius feature has weight and sharpness settings exclusive to Kobo, and lets you choose from over 50 font sizes and 11 font types. Plus, adjust margins, highlight passages, write notes, or look up a word with the built-in dictionary – all with the tap of a finger. Read the way you want with Kobo Aura H2O.
Open up to endless reading possibilities
The Kobo eBookstore gives you access to over 5 million titles, so a new favorite is always at your fingertips. Get personalized recommendations based on your reading habits and earn Kobo Super Points on every purchase. With 8GB of storage space, your Kobo Aura H2O can carry twice as many eBooks as other eReaders. And with just one charge, it gets weeks of battery life, not hours, so you never need to stop doing what you love – reading.
Extend your e-reading experience
Start reading on your Kobo Aura H2O and pick up on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop with the free Kobo App. You’ll never be without your current read no matter what device you read on. Plus, we’ll sync your bookmarks so you can easily switch between devices without ever losing your spot.
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