Kobo
Canadian digital reading company offering e-books, audiobooks, e-readers, reading applications, and publishing services.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Kobo Inc., commonly branded as Kobo or Rakuten Kobo, is a Canadian digital reading company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. It operates an international platform for purchasing and reading e-books and audiobooks, while also designing and selling dedicated e-readers based on electronic-paper displays. Its ecosystem includes the Kobo online bookstore, Kobo Reading Apps for computers and mobile devices, Kobo Plus subscription plans, Kobo Writing Life for independent authors, and a range of Kobo-branded e-readers. The business began in Canada as Shortcovers, a cloud-based electronic reading service launched by Indigo Books & Music in February 2009. In December of that year, Indigo renamed the service Kobo and separated it into an independent company. The name Kobo is formed from the word “book” rearranged. Indigo initially remained the majority shareholder, while Borders, Cheung Kong Holdings, and REDgroup Retail were among the minority investors. Kobo’s strategy was to combine an open, device-agnostic digital bookstore with dedicated reading hardware and partnerships with bookstores and retailers in multiple countries. Kobo launched its first branded e-reader in 2010. Its hardware portfolio subsequently expanded from basic compact readers to illuminated, high-resolution, waterproof, ergonomic, and stylus-enabled devices. Notable families have included Kobo Touch, Kobo Mini, Kobo Glo, Kobo Aura, Kobo Aura HD, Kobo Aura H2O, Kobo Forma, Kobo Clara, Kobo Libra, Kobo Sage, and Kobo Elipsa. In 2024, Kobo introduced the Libra Colour and Clara Colour, bringing color electronic-paper displays to those product lines. Kobo devices synchronize books, bookmarks, reading progress, and related data through Kobo’s cloud services and work with the company’s applications for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. Rakuten acquired Kobo in January 2012 for a reported US$315 million, making the company part of the Japanese technology group’s broader digital-content portfolio. Under Rakuten, Kobo expanded its international retail and distribution relationships, including partnerships with WHSmith, FNAC, Whitcoulls, Livraria Cultura, Eslite Bookstore, independent bookstores, and online retailers. It also took over or supported migration from several closed digital bookstores, including the Borders and Sony Reader Store services in relevant markets. Kobo’s content business extends beyond individual purchases. Kobo Plus, an unlimited subscription offering for e-books and audiobooks, began in the Netherlands and Belgium in 2017 and later expanded to Canada and other markets. Kobo also operates Kobo Writing Life, a self-publishing platform launched in 2012 that provides authors with global distribution, sales analytics, educational resources, and, later, audiobook publishing capabilities. Through these services, Kobo positions itself as an alternative to vertically integrated digital reading ecosystems, emphasizing broad international availability, partnerships with local booksellers, support for open ePub standards, and a combination of hardware, retail, subscription, and publishing services. The company has also experimented outside its core e-reader category. It released the Kobo Vox Android tablet in 2011 and the Kobo Arc tablet family in 2012 and 2013, but discontinued the tablet line in 2014. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kobo worked with governments, publishers, and retail partners on the Stay Home and Read initiative, which made more than 20 million free books available. Kobo remains an active Rakuten subsidiary and a significant international competitor in digital reading, particularly alongside Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook.
History
Kobo originated within Indigo Books & Music, a Canadian bookstore chain that launched Shortcovers in February 2009 as a cloud-based electronic reading service. The service was intended to let customers access digital books across connected devices rather than limiting them to a single physical reader. In December 2009, Indigo renamed the service Kobo and spun it off as an independent company. Kobo’s ownership at the time included Indigo as the majority investor and minority participation from Borders, Cheung Kong Holdings, and REDgroup Retail. The Kobo brand expanded from a digital bookstore into a combined content-and-device platform. The company released its first Kobo eReader in 2010 and developed a succession of electronic-paper products aimed at different price, size, lighting, durability, and note-taking requirements. Early products included the Kobo Touch, Kobo Mini, and Kobo Glo. Later devices such as the Aura, Aura HD, Aura H2O, Forma, Clara, Libra, Sage, and Elipsa added features including front lighting, higher-resolution displays, waterproofing, physical page-turn buttons, larger screens, and stylus-based writing. Kobo also briefly entered the Android tablet market with the Vox in 2011 and Arc models in 2012 and 2013, but ended that line in 2014. Rakuten acquired Kobo in January 2012 for a reported US$315 million. The transaction gave Kobo the backing of a large Japanese technology group while preserving its identity as a global digital reading business. Kobo continued to sell e-books and audiobooks directly and through physical and online retail partners. Its bookstore used the open ePub format for much of its catalog, although digital rights management was applied to many titles. Kobo developed relationships with booksellers and retailers including WHSmith, Whitcoulls, FNAC, Livraria Cultura, Eslite Bookstore, Booktopia, Bol.com, Walmart, and independent bookstores. When some competing digital stores closed, including services associated with Borders and Sony, Kobo provided migration routes for affected users in relevant markets. The company broadened its software and publishing services alongside hardware. Kobo’s reading applications support computers and mobile devices, allowing customers to synchronize purchases, bookmarks, and reading progress through Kobo’s cloud platform. In 2015, the company received a Top Developer badge in Google Play. In 2012, Kobo launched Kobo Writing Life, a self-publishing service that provides authors with global distribution, real-time sales analytics, educational materials, and later audiobook publishing options. This helped Kobo participate in both the retail and supply sides of digital publishing. Kobo Plus began in the Netherlands and Belgium in 2017 as a subscription service for unlimited reading. It later expanded to Canada and other markets, with plans covering e-books, audiobooks, or both. In Portugal, Kobo worked with publisher LeYa on Kobo Plus e_LeYa, which included exclusive content. The subscription business complemented individual e-book and audiobook sales and helped Kobo compete with other recurring-content services. Kobo also pursued partnerships beyond traditional bookselling. In 2018, Walmart began selling Kobo e-readers, e-books, and audiobooks in the United States, marking the retailer’s entry into the e-book category. In 2019, Kobo partnered with Hotel Viu Milan for a Reader in Residence program that placed Kobo Libra H2O devices in hotel rooms for guests. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kobo worked with governments, publishers, and retail partners on the Stay Home and Read program, distributing more than 20 million free books. The company reported increased interest in children’s and young-adult books during the period while romance and mystery remained strong categories. Kobo’s recent hardware development has emphasized waterproofing, Bluetooth audiobook support, recycled materials, larger writing-oriented devices, and color displays. The Kobo Clara 2E, released in 2022, used recycled plastic, included waterproofing and Bluetooth, and offered 16 GB of storage. The Kobo Elipsa and Kobo Sage added stylus-enabled note-taking. In 2024, Kobo launched the Libra Colour and Clara Colour, extending its e-reader range into color electronic paper. Kobo remains a Rakuten subsidiary headquartered in Toronto and continues to operate an international digital reading ecosystem alongside major competitors such as Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook.
- 2024
Color e-readers launched
[1]Kobo released the Libra Colour and Clara Colour with full-color electronic-paper displays.
- 2022
Kobo Clara 2E released
[1]Kobo released a waterproof six-inch reader made partly from recycled plastic, with Bluetooth audiobook support and 16 GB of storage.
- 2021
Kobo Elipsa introduced
[1]Kobo entered the e-reader and digital notebook category with the stylus-compatible Elipsa.
- 2020
Kobo Nia introduced
[1]Kobo launched the entry-level Nia e-reader as a replacement for the discontinued Kobo Aura.
- 2018
Walmart partnership announced
[1]Walmart began offering Kobo hardware and digital content in the United States.
- 2017
Kobo Plus launched
[1]Kobo introduced its subscription reading service in the Netherlands and Belgium.
- 2014
Tablet business discontinued
[1]Kobo stopped developing and selling its Arc tablet line after its 2012 and 2013 models.
- 2012
Rakuten acquired Kobo
[1]Rakuten bought Kobo from its shareholders for a reported US$315 million.
- 2012
Kobo Writing Life launched
[1]Kobo introduced its self-publishing platform for independent authors.
- 2011
Kobo Vox released
[1]Kobo entered the Android tablet market with the seven-inch Kobo Vox.
Products and positioning
An international, bookstore-connected digital reading ecosystem combining dedicated e-readers, open-format digital content, subscriptions, mobile and desktop applications, and author self-publishing services. Kobo generally positions itself as a global alternative to Amazon’s Kindle-centered ecosystem.
Dedicated e-readers · 2010
Kobo eReader
Kobo’s core hardware line uses low-power electronic-paper displays and synchronizes books, bookmarks, and reading progress through Kobo’s cloud service. The family has included entry-level, compact, illuminated, waterproof, large-screen, button-equipped, and stylus-compatible models. Product generations include Touch, Mini, Glo, Aura, Aura HD, Aura H2O, Forma, Nia, Clara, Libra, Sage, and Elipsa.
Compact e-readers · 2018
Kobo Clara
The Clara family consists of compact six-inch Kobo readers. Models have emphasized portability and accessible pricing, while later versions added waterproofing, Bluetooth audiobook support, larger storage, recycled materials, and, in the Clara Colour, a color electronic-paper display.
Ergonomic e-readers · 2019
Kobo Libra
The Libra line targets readers seeking a larger screen and ergonomic handling. The Libra H2O added waterproofing and physical page-turn controls, while subsequent generations continued the button-equipped design. The Libra Colour extends the range with a color display and stylus compatibility.
Large-screen e-readers · 2021
Kobo Sage
Introduced alongside the Libra 2, the Kobo Sage is an eight-inch e-reader with a high-resolution E Ink Carta 1200 display, 32 GB of internal storage, Bluetooth, USB-C, and support for stylus-based note-taking. It occupies a premium position in Kobo’s reading-device portfolio.
E-reader and digital notebook · 2021
Kobo Elipsa
The Kobo Elipsa combines a large electronic-paper reading surface with digital notebook functionality. Its stylus support allows users to write notes on the device, extending Kobo’s products beyond conventional book consumption into annotation and document workflows.
Digital bookstore · 2009
Kobo Bookstore
The Kobo Bookstore sells e-books, audiobooks, newspapers, and magazines through Kobo’s web and application ecosystem. Much of its e-book catalog uses the open ePub format, generally with digital rights management. Customers can access purchases through Kobo readers and the company’s mobile and desktop applications.
Subscription service · 2017
Kobo Plus
Kobo Plus is Kobo’s subscription offering for unlimited digital reading. Depending on market and plan, customers can subscribe to e-books, audiobooks, or a combined service. It began in the Netherlands and Belgium and later expanded to Canada and other markets, including a Portuguese partnership edition with LeYa.
Self-publishing platform · 2012
Kobo Writing Life
Kobo Writing Life enables authors and publishers to distribute digital books internationally through Kobo. Its tools include sales reporting, real-time analytics, educational resources, and global market access. The platform later added opportunities for authors to self-publish audiobooks.
Android tablets · 2011
Kobo Vox and Kobo Arc
Kobo briefly sold Android-based tablets, beginning with the seven-inch Kobo Vox in 2011 and continuing with the Kobo Arc family introduced in 2012 and refreshed in 2013. The tablet business was discontinued in 2014 and is no longer part of Kobo’s product portfolio.
Reading applications
Kobo Reading Apps
Kobo provides free reading applications for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, as well as Windows and macOS computers. The applications connect to Kobo’s cloud services and let users read purchased or subscribed content while maintaining synchronization across supported devices.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Stay Home and Read
International
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kobo worked with governments, publishers, and retail partners to make more than 20 million free books available to readers affected by stay-at-home conditions.
Outcome. Expanded access to digital reading during the pandemic; Kobo reported continued strength in romance and mystery and increased interest in children’s and young-adult books.
- 2019Reader in Residence
Italy
Kobo partnered with Hotel Viu Milan to place Kobo Libra H2O devices in hotel rooms for a month, allowing guests to use the readers as part of a hospitality-focused reading experience.
Outcome. Created a temporary product-experience partnership in the hotel sector.
- 2014Kobo Emerging Writer Prize
Canada
Kobo established an annual prize for first-time Canadian authors, traditionally covering literary fiction, nonfiction, and a changing genre-fiction category. Winners receive monetary awards and marketing and communications support.
Outcome. Built Kobo’s association with Canadian literary discovery and supported both traditionally published and self-published authors.
Brand decisions
2024
Introduce color e-readersProduct launchBackground
Kobo continued differentiating its dedicated reading hardware through new display capabilities.
Action taken
The company launched the Libra Colour and Clara Colour with full-color electronic-paper displays, with the Libra Colour also supporting a stylus.
Aftermath
Color became part of Kobo’s mainstream e-reader range, broadening the potential appeal to illustrated books, comics, and annotation use cases.
2018
Partner with Walmart in the United StatesStrategyBackground
Kobo aimed to broaden physical distribution and reach customers through a major U.S. retailer.
Action taken
Kobo and Walmart agreed to sell Kobo e-readers, e-books, and audiobooks, with reading stations placed in more than 1,000 Walmart stores.
Aftermath
The agreement represented Walmart’s entry into e-books and expanded Kobo’s U.S. retail presence.
2017
Launch Kobo PlusProduct launchBackground
Kobo sought to complement individual digital-book purchases with a recurring subscription model.
Action taken
The company launched Kobo Plus in the Netherlands and Belgium with unlimited reading access, later adding audiobook and combined plans in selected markets.
Aftermath
The service expanded to Canada and other countries and became a recurring-content component of Kobo’s platform.
2014
Exit the Android tablet categoryStrategyBackground
Kobo had released the Vox and Arc tablet families but subsequently concentrated on digital reading and dedicated e-reader products.
Action taken
The company discontinued the Arc tablet line and did not develop another tablet family.
Aftermath
Kobo’s hardware strategy returned to electronic-paper readers rather than general-purpose Android tablets.
2012
Join Rakuten’s digital-content portfolioM&ABackground
Kobo sought the scale and international support needed to compete in a digital reading market increasingly shaped by large technology and retail companies.
Action taken
Rakuten acquired Kobo from Indigo and other shareholders for a reported US$315 million.
Aftermath
Kobo became a Rakuten subsidiary while continuing to operate under its own brand and expanding its global content and retail relationships.
Reported acquisition price. US$315 million (January 2012)
2009
Separate the digital reading service as KoboStrategyBackground
Indigo’s Shortcovers service was repositioned as a standalone digital reading company rather than remaining solely an internal bookstore initiative.
Action taken
The service was renamed Kobo and spun off, with Indigo retaining majority ownership and outside investors taking minority stakes.
Aftermath
The new structure supported Kobo’s expansion into international partnerships, dedicated reading hardware, and digital publishing.
Recent events
- 2024
Kobo introduced color e-readers[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Kobo released the Libra Colour and Clara Colour, its first listed e-readers with full-color electronic-paper displays.
- 2021
Kobo Plus expanded through international partnerships[1]
Product launch
Kobo expanded its subscription offering and partnered with Portuguese publishing group LeYa to launch Kobo Plus e_LeYa with exclusive content.
- 2018
Kobo and Walmart entered a U.S. digital reading venture[1]
Other
Walmart began selling Kobo e-readers, e-books, and audiobooks in the United States, with reading stations installed in more than 1,000 stores.
- 2017
Kobo acquired Shelfie[1]
M&A
Kobo acquired Shelfie, an application focused on organizing users’ personal libraries.
- 2012
Rakuten acquired Kobo[1]
M&A
Rakuten acquired Kobo from Indigo and its other shareholders for a reported US$315 million, integrating the company into Rakuten’s digital-content operations.
- 2012
Kobo launched Kobo Writing Life[1]
Product launch
The company introduced a self-publishing platform offering international distribution, author analytics, and publishing guidance.
- 2010
Kobo introduced its first e-reader[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Kobo entered dedicated reading hardware with its first branded electronic-paper e-reader.
- 2009
Shortcovers was renamed Kobo and spun off by Indigo[1]
Other
Indigo Books & Music renamed its Shortcovers cloud reading service Kobo and separated it into an independent company while retaining majority ownership.
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