eReading: anytime. anyplace

Dear Kobo Customers;

What an amazing few months it has been in the world of eReading… I often tell people that we are on a rocket ship as this market, this global transformation, this company – is taking off!

In the beginning of May we launched the Kobo eReader an affordable, easy-to-use, and stylish eReader, in time for Mother’s Day in Canada. What a tremendous response we received. We have since expanded distribution adding Walmart in Canada, Whitcoull’s in New Zealand, Borders and A&R in Australia and last but not least, Borders in the US. Most initial shipments were sold out in 24 hours, and the response from customers has been very enthusiastic. More shipments are on the way to all of our retail partners, and some new ones to be announced soon.

In the meantime, we have been working very hard to grow our customer service by adding 24×7 phone support, in addition to 24×7 email support. We have certainly experienced some growing pains, but are doing everything possible to scale up fast to exceed our customer’s expectations. We are adding dozens of people by the week, and our goal is that no one waits more than a few minutes to get to one of our agents, and that we get to every email in 24 hours or less. We will continue to build our service team around the world, and all we ask is for some of your patience and understanding. We are getting better and better, every single day.

Through the last 30 days, we have also been working on our first software upgrade for the Kobo eReader, focusing on what customers have been telling us. Our software is complete, and we are just working on the final touches on the upgrade process. The upgrade will be available the week of June 28th and we will make sure you know the minute it is available. For those that want to upgrade sooner, we are offering our beta program to partake in the software trial sooner.

Here is a sampling of some of the improvements we are making:

1. ePub Font resizing. You will be able to load Adobe ePubs with fixed font sizes (set by the content publisher or originator) and still be able to resize the fonts with your Kobo eReader.

2. Hiding 100 Free eBooks. Some customers have told us that they actually don’t want the 100 Free eBooks in their way, so we have added the ability to hide the 100 Free eBooks we provide. We are working on a wide range of other organization features for a separate release of our desktop software coming in the future.

3. The “Off” Screen. The challenge with eInk screens, is that even when they are off, they look like they are on. We are working on making this a lot more clear to everyone, especially those who are not experts in eInk.

4. Sleep Mode. We are introducing a new “sleep” mode, if you have left your device inactive for more than 5 minutes, it will go to sleep. This is helpful in managing battery life, and it’s also a behavior that people have come to expect.

5. Low Battery. Some of you have found situations where your battery runs down faster than expected. We found the problem, and fixed it. We’ve also improved how we tell you that your battery is low, and you are running out of time to finish your chapter. Lastly, we have improved this shut down process so it is clear that you have run out of battery, and your Kobo eReader needs charging.

6. Installation. Some of you Windows XP users have had difficulty installing the Kobo Desktop. We did a poor job communicating what version you needed, so we’ve fixed that and for those customers that don’t have Windows XP, Service Pack 3 – we are bundling in everything you need.

More improvements are coming for our eReader and our desktop software and we will be making this a regular process for those customers who have bought a Kobo eReader and want to get the latest and greatest software experience. All new Kobo eReaders produced this week, and in stores by the end of June/early July will have the latest software.

Keep your feedback coming, it is fuel for us at Kobo. This is a new market, and a new product category and we are learning by the second, 86,400 seconds per day, 365 days per year. We are insanely focused on delivering the best experience to customers around world, and while we are a young, rapidly growing company, who will make some mistakes, who will experience some growing pains – you have my commitment that we get through them all, as fast as humanly possible.

Please enjoy reading your eBooks, enjoy your new Kobo eReaders, enjoy shopping at our newly launched partners in Australia and New Zealand, enjoy using our iPad app and it’s amazing selection of content internationally, enjoy our regular contests to win eReaders, iPads, Summer Getaways, and… enjoy the world of eReading with Kobo! Btw – new iPhone and iPad apps are coming this month! Plus, check out the newly launched Kobo eReading app for Android.

I look forward to bringing you new ways to enjoy Kobo and the world of eReading in the coming days, weeks and months. As always, please reach out to let us know how we can serve you better!

Mike Serbinis
CEO

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Check out the winners:

Thanks to all who submitted a photo blog as part of our Where Are You Reading contest. The contest is now closed, but you can still check out all the photos at www.ereadandwin.com.

Congrats to our nine winners – each an owner of a brand new Kobo eReader!

Kobo’s iPad application now available in all iPad markets; Company launches regionalized versions for Canada, UK, Australia, and soon New Zealand

TORONTO, ON — May 28, 2010 — Kobo, a global eReading service, today announced availability of its popular iPad application in all markets where iPad is available. Additionally, Kobo today released regional versions for Canada, UK and Australia and announced a New Zealand application is coming soon. The regionalized applications, built specifically for the iPad, feature local content, merchandising, and currency. All Kobo iPad applications come pre-loaded with five free eBooks and connect to the Kobo eBook store, which features more than two million titles including current best sellers, classics, and thousands of free titles.

Kobo is a global eReading service with customers in more than 200 countries today. The company offers free applications for a wide variety of mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, netbooks and eReaders. Kobo also recently started selling the affordable eInk Kobo eReader, with a goal of making eReading more accessible for consumers. Kobo’s open approach enables consumers to read their content on any device anytime, anyplace – including downloading purchases and reading on popular third-party devices and software. Kobo believes customers should have freedom of choice, and be able to build their eBook libraries independent of any device or service.

“We’re excited for iPad owners around the world to experience Kobo on this amazing device,” said Michael Serbinis, CEO of Kobo. “Our customers around the world can read free books and hot new bestsellers on our new iPad app, access their existing libraries and make new purchases from the Kobo store. People don’t want their content locked to one specific device, so we’ve given them the ability to read what they want, on the device that they want.”

In Australia and New Zealand, Kobo recently announced it will power regional stores for Borders Australia, Angus & Robertson and Whitcoulls. The retailers also joined Indigo Books and Music (Canada), Borders (US) and Walmart Canada in selling the Kobo eReader.

Kobo’s iPad application was developed specifically for iPad’s large screen and takes advantage of the device’s unique features. Users can personalize the application by creating a custom bookshelf, choosing their ideal font and font size, adjusting brightness and colors, selecting unique bookmarks and more. Existing Kobo users will be able to read all the books they already own, which will be downloaded automatically when the user logs in to their Kobo account from the Kobo iPad app.

To download the iPad application, visit the Apple iTunes Store.

About Kobo, Inc.
Kobo is a global eReading service backed by majority shareholder Indigo Books & Music, Borders Group, REDgroup Retail, and Cheung Kong Holdings. Kobo believes consumers should be able to read any eBook on any device. With a catalog of over two million eBooks, and an open platform, Kobo enables retailers, device manufacturers and mobile operators to bring the joy of eReading to customers everywhere. For more information, visit www.kobobooks.com.

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Borders Australia to sell the Kobo eReader and to launch eBook store, powered by Kobo

TORONTO, ON – May 19, 2010 – Kobo, a global eReading service today announced the launch of its first International eBook store with Borders Australia, a subsidiary of REDgroup Retail.

The Borders Australia eBook store will give Australian consumers the ability to read eBooks anytime, anyplace on the device of their choice. The Borders eBook store is powered by Kobo content and technology, and offers over 2 million eBooks including eBooks from Australian authors and publishers, New York Times Bestsellers, new releases, romance, classics, as well as thousands of free titles. The Borders launch marks the first international ‘Powered by Kobo’ eBook store. Additionally, Borders Australia will sell the affordably-priced Kobo eReader for AU$199, which will retail in its stores and online (borders.com.au).

As part of the Powered by Kobo™ program, Borders Australia is launching Borders branded applications for the iPhone, Android™ and BlackBerry® Smartphones, PC and Mac.

“Our ‘Powered By’ program enables our retail partners to quickly launch a world class eReading experience,” said Michael Serbinis, CEO of Kobo. “Kobo is a global eReading service and we’re excited to enter the Australian market with this partnership.”

Australian consumers will now be able to purchase eBooks directly from the Borders website and read them on select smart phones, tablets, PCs or laptops – or on dedicated eReading devices such as the Kobo eReader. One of the key benefits of the ‘Powered by Kobo’ service is the access to a vast selection of content and the ability to read that content across multiple devices without ever losing your place.

About Kobo, Inc.
Kobo is a global eReading service backed by majority shareholder Indigo Books & Music, Borders Group, REDgroup Retail, and Cheung Kong Holdings. Kobo believes consumers should be able to read any book on any device. With a catalog of over two million eBooks, and an open platform, Kobo enables retailers, device manufacturers and mobile operators to bring the joy of eReading to customers everywhere. For more information, visit www.kobobooks.com.

About REDgroup
Borders opened its first store in Australia in 1998 and has since grown to a network of 25 stores in Australia, 5 in New Zealand and 2 in Singapore. REDgroup retail acquired Borders Australia, New Zealand and Singapore from Borders Group, Inc in June 2008. Borders is an experience-based bookstore which offers books, magazines, music and DVDs, with cafes in most stores.

Great news! You can now get the Kobo eReader in Walmart stores across Canada.

Along with Indigo, Chapters, and select Coles stores, Walmart is now selling the Kobo eReader nationwide at $149. In addition to the 100 free classic eBooks preloaded on the eReader, for the Walmart launch customers will get four free Harlequin novels as an added bonus.

Walmart is known for carrying quality products at affordable prices and we are excited to be able to offer our Kobo eReader to Walmart customers. After our incredible launch earlier this month our biggest challenge now is keeping the Kobo eReader from flying off the shelves!

These are exciting times and we are thrilled to see our Kobo eReaders in the hands of customers. As always, we value your feedback so let us know what you think of the new eReader by emailing us at feedback@kobobooks.com

For more information on the Kobo eReader, visit www.koboereader.com

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$149.99 eReader Now Available for Pre-Order on Borders.com

TORONTO — May 7, 2010 — Kobo, a global eReading service, today announced that the Kobo eReader is available for pre-order in the U.S. at Borders online at www.borders.com/koboereader, and will ship in time for Father’s Day.

The new Kobo eReader offered through Borders is a stylized, easy-to-use, affordable eInk device that comes pre-loaded with the Borders eBook app. Consumers can easily access over a million eBooks, including today’s bestsellers, through USB or wirelessly through Bluetooth. The Kobo eReader also comes pre-loaded with 100 classic books and can store up to 1000 eBooks. Its soft, quilted back allows for an enjoyable book-like reading experience.

“The Kobo eReader is the eReader for everyone and is now available in the U.S. – launching at Borders,” said Michael Serbinis, CEO of Kobo. “At $149.99 the Kobo eReader is roughly $100 less than the other eReading devices out there, so it provides a great way to start eReading without breaking the bank. We couldn’t be happier about partnering with a brand like Borders which shares our commitment to technological innovation, high quality, and customer value.”

Kobo has developed a strong global following for their eReading service, which includes free apps for the iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Palm Pre and Android. Through the “Powered By” program, Kobo also offers applications to partners allowing them to offer eReading on their own devices. eReader application is in sync with a user’s Kobo account and any Kobo-enabled device for continuous reading.

For information specific to the new Kobo eReader, visit www.KoboeReader.com.

About Kobo, Inc.
Kobo is a global eReading service backed by majority shareholder Indigo Books & Music, Borders Group, REDgroup Retail, and Cheung Kong Holdings. Kobo believes consumers should be able to read any book on any device. With a catalog of over two million eBooks, and an open platform, Kobo enables retailers, device manufacturers and mobile operators to bring the joy of eReading to customers everywhere. For more information, visit www.kobobooks.com.

About Borders Group, Inc. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., through its subsidiaries Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) is a leading specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and entertainment items. The company employs approximately 19,500 throughout the U.S., primarily in its Borders® and Waldenbooks® stores. Online shopping is offered through borders.com. Find author interviews and vibrant discussions of the products we and our customers are passionate about online at facebook.com/borders, twitter.com/borders and youtube.com/bordersmedia. For more information about the company, visit borders.com/media.

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A trending topic on twitter, the most popular item in Chapters/Indigo stores, and arguably more exciting than discussing volcanic ash on transatlantic flights from Toronto – the new Kobo eReader launched this weekend in Canada!

First of all, thank you to all new Kobo eReader customers for making the jump into eReading with Kobo!   We are thrilled to have you join the world of eReading with us, and for those existing Kobo customers – thank you for continued support.

The new Kobo eReader – an eReader for Everyone – is a *the* place to start eReading if you are interested in a dedicated eReader without losing your shirt.  At $149 – it has tremendous value, including 100 Free eBooks, a beautiful design and an easy to use interface that makes it great for eReading.   It’s also a part of the Kobo family, which means you can access your books from any device – and they are yours forever – even if you lose your device.  We already support popular smartphones (iPhone, Blackberry, Palm Pre, Android), download of standard Adobe/ePub files, and now a new desktop app for Mac or Windows.   We will be making our desktop app widely available this month, and our fresh new Android app will be available soon.  Check out our beta program to get a preview.

Some of you have already been in touch with us over email (help@kobobooks.com), phone (1-866-204-4714), twitter.com/kobo, or through various forums and blogs like blog.kobobooks.com.  We are here to help you with any questions about Kobo or the Kobo eReader so please do not hesitate to call!  I want to make sure that your entree into the world of eReading is a positive one, so please do let us know how we can help.

We’ve heard a number of good feature requests that we will be implementing, along with some improvements / fixes and we will be making regular updates available beginning this month.  All you’ll have to do is connect your eReader to your PC / MAC and we’ll take care of the rest.   One of the biggest uses of the Kobo eReader / Desktop so far is to consolidate your eReading life, and this includes purchases you’ve made in other stores, PDF’s and other document formats.  We’ve also heard that you want more management and organization features.  Rest assured we are listening, and will be quickly implementing these and other features to make your experience a great one.   There are no bad ideas so please let us know what you’d like to see.

It was a great first weekend, and it certainly exceeded our expectations in so many ways.   More inventory is coming, including new black Kobo eReaders, and accessories.  You can already check out Kobo skins at www.gelaskins.com!

Many of you asked about availability in other stores and other countries.  I hope to be able to make some announcements on this topic later this week.  Our vision is a global one, and our strategy is open, so you will see more steps in line with that soon!

I just wanted to thank you again for your continued support of Kobo.  It is our mission here to make your eReading experience the best one possible, and there is certainly more to come!

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While it’s true that every day is New Years Day at Kobo, today is extra exciting. Kobo eReader pre-orders have shipped! For the next few days, diligent Canada Post workers will be zipping across the country with full (yet shockingly light) bags of Kobo eReaders. And tomorrow the eReader will be in Chapters and Indigo stores across Canada. (Pre-orders were fast-and-furious, so get there early!)

The launch of the eReader fulfills a lot of hopes for us, not just as an eReading company, but as readers and book-lovers: a simple, elegant reading experience, a device designed to feel good, a device that is affordable yet stylish, an extension of your reading life rather than a piece of hardware, something you can give your mom, something you can give your kids. We are pretty happy with the result and we hope you are too.

There are some great stories about the creation of this device and I’ll be posting some behind-the-scenes detail soon. In the meantime we want to hear from you! Send us your feedback, comments, unboxing photos, video, your “first 30 minute” experiences, your “first week” experiences. What happens when you pull it out on the bus or subway or plane or local coffee shop? Post on the blog, send an email to feedback@kobobooks.com, send to @kobo on twitter – Let us know!

And of course, if you run into any problems, don’t hesitate to get in touch. 1-866-204-4714 is our 8am-midnight ET help line, staffed with eInk ninjas and eReading fans. And we answer emails to help@kobobooks.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Enjoy!

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By popular request, here are the slides from the “12 Months of Learnings About eBooks in 40 Minutes” presentation, in all their semi-intelligible glory. This is mostly to satisfy the data-hungry, hoping for a closer look at the graphs, and Agile development groupies, hoping for a closer look at our story whiteboards (skip to slide 76). Always happy to oblige.

(This way, you can get through it way faster than 40 minutes, depending on how quick your mouse-clicking is!)