An Early Look at the New Kobo Glo HD (video)

09.04.2015 Nate Hoffelder 10 Comments

Kobo took a low-key approach with the launch of its newest ereader earlier this week. The Kobo Glo HD might be amazing and priced to disrupt Amazon, but hardly anyone has put their hands on the 6 inch ereader.

I’ve been watching Youtube for the past couple days, and so far I’ve found just the one video. It’s not long, but it is better than nothing. The video was shot at the breakfast launch event on Tuesday, and it takes the Glo HD through its paces.

So tell me, have you seen any other videos?

To be honest, I’m having trouble finding any photos of the device, much less videos. There’s so little first hand reporting that it is almost as if Kobo didn’t want anyone to see their new Kindle killer.

Given that the Kobo Glo HD has a screen resolution comparable to the Kindle Voyage but is priced the same as the Kindle Paperwhite, I find that very puzzling – also frustrating. If you see a report from someone who actually put their hands on the Glo HD, let me know. I want to read it.

The Kobo Glo HD is scheduled to ship in the US and Canada on 1 May. It will go up for pre-order next week on Kobo.com, and can be pre-ordered on the Chapter.Indigo.ca website.

Comments

Name (required) April 9, 2015 um 1:34 pm

Strange …
when I go to kobo.com I can’t see Kobo Glo HD. I can’t even see Kobo Aura H2O, only Kobo Aura HD that has been discontinued.
when I click on "compare devices" I see only one device – "Kobo Glo HD".

Nate Hoffelder April 9, 2015 um 2:12 pm

Weird. I can see all of them.

Name (required) April 10, 2015 um 12:50 am

Try going through proxy from other country.

drtghtr April 9, 2015 um 3:06 pm

So one guy claims they are already able to ship it as an early release: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qECgSuwmXaY

Costs $199 on their shop site though: http://www.shopereaders.com/Kobo-Glo-HD-p/kobo-glo-hd.htm

Nate Hoffelder April 9, 2015 um 3:17 pm

Yeah, that listing is bogus. Did you note that he said they’d get their shipment "really soon"?

They don’t have the hardware which they claim to sell, and it’s not the first time. They’ve previously claimed to have an early lead on the Sony PRS-T2 before it was released.

Just to prove my point, I ordered a Glo HD. (I do believe I’ll post a review of the ordering experience.)

drtghtr April 9, 2015 um 3:46 pm

I noticed what they said. When I wrote the comment, their page said 3 to 5 days shipping time. They have now changed the page to say 2 to 3 weeks. If you are lucky, they may actually have been able to obtain one early device that they’ve sold you. However, I cannot tell and believe you when you say you have info that they used to make false claims in the past. Just make sure then to cancel your order in time, if they can’t deliver.

drtghtr April 10, 2015 um 1:36 pm

The YouTube videos they’ve posted now confirms the suspicion. Since they mention in their unboxing video, that Kobo sent them the reader as a review sample, I wonder, whether their resale of the unit is legal. You’d probably need to know their agreement with Kobo on this.