What's Happening?
Kobo e-readers have historically integrated with Pocket, a popular read-it-later app. However, following Mozilla's announcement in May that Pocket would be discontinued in July, Kobo users faced uncertainty regarding their reading options. In response, Kobo announced in late July that it would replace Pocket with Instapaper, another well-regarded read-it-later service. This transition has been completed, and Instapaper support is now available as a free firmware update for all supported Kobo devices. This move ensures that Kobo users can continue to save and read articles offline without needing an Instapaper Premium subscription.
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Why It's Important?
The integration of Instapaper into Kobo e-readers is significant for users who rely on these devices for offline reading. The discontinuation of Pocket could have left many users without a convenient way to save articles for later reading. By adopting Instapaper, Kobo not only fills the gap left by Pocket but also enhances its e-reader offerings with a service that has a strong reputation in the read-it-later market. This decision may strengthen Kobo's position in the competitive e-reader market by maintaining user satisfaction and potentially attracting new customers who value seamless offline reading capabilities.
What's Next?
Kobo users can expect continued support and updates for Instapaper integration, ensuring a smooth transition from Pocket. As the October 8th deadline for Pocket data deletion approaches, users are encouraged to migrate their saved articles to Instapaper to avoid losing valuable content. Kobo's partnership with Instapaper may lead to further enhancements and features, improving the overall user experience. Additionally, other e-reader manufacturers may observe Kobo's strategy and consider similar integrations to enhance their own product offerings.
