Experience in-depth with Kobo Clara 2e: A Detailed Evaluation
The Kobo Clara 2e is a top-tier eco-friendly e-reader, boasting an impressive 85% recycled plastic body, including 10% ocean-bound plastic. Its waterproof design allows you to take it anywhere, whether lounging by the pool or reading in the bath. The device delivers an impressive reading experience, with a sharp, sunken screen and bezel design that minimizes light reflection. It's perfect for reading books, graphic novels, and manga, both day and night.
If you're an audiobook fan, you'll be thrilled to know that the Clara 2e now supports Bluetooth, unlocking a new audiobook section in the Kobo Store. You can access the Bluetooth pairing system in the settings menu and use wireless headphones or earbuds for a seamless listening experience. Audiobooks are on the rise, with digital audiobook sales up 3.8% and generating $400.6 million in revenue in the US in the first eight months of 2022.
The device features a six-inch E Ink Carta 1200 e-paper display panel, delivering a 20% increase in response time and improved contrast ratio compared to E Ink Carta 1000. The overall resolution is 1448×1072 and boasts 300 PPI for crystal-clear font clarity. The dark blue body (almost black on camera) sports a sunken screen with exposed e-paper for optimal reading comfort, with no reflective layer of glass. The white and amber LED lights alongside the bezel provide even lighting across the screen without shining directly into your eyes.
Under the hood, the Clara 2e houses a 1 GHZ dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM, and 16GB of storage for books and audiobooks. Connect to the internet via WiFi 802.11 ac/b/g/n, and for the first time in a Clara model, enjoy Bluetooth for audiobook playback.
What sets the Clara 2e apart from other e-readers is its eco-friendly design. The device's retail box is made of recycled cardboard, and it runs on a customized version of Linux to create a seamless user experience optimized for e-ink screens. The user interface is a bit different from Kobo's other e-readers, with high DPI cover art and text on the home screen showcasing your last few opened or purchased books and similar titles for easy exploration.
In the UI, you'll find options for adjusting illumination settings, WIFI, and battery life, with a power saver mode that extends the battery life by a week by optimizing light, disabling WIFI when not in use, and stopping syncing for content. Access your library, browse the Kobo online store, enjoy Pocket integrated with the device, and even access your local library's OverDrive digital collections directly on the e-reader.
Experimental features like an internet browser, large print mode, and the sketchpad are also available for added convenience. If you're a digital book lover, you'll appreciate the Clara 2e's compatibility with popular formats like EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, TXT, HTML, and more.
One underrated feature of Kobo e-readers is their continued support for older models. Even devices purchased in 2013 are still supported today, setting Kobo apart from many competitors. Whether you're a casual or hardcore reader, Kobo offers advanced options that the competition can't match, such as the ability to load your own fonts for a personalized reading experience.
Don't let the mundane name fool you—the Kobo Clara 2e offers an exceptional reading experience in a sleek, environmentally friendly package. Its unique features, combined with its accessibility and customization options, make it a standout device in the world of e-readers.
- The Kobo Clara 2e, with its six-inch E Ink Carta 1200 e-paper display, delivers an improved digital reading experience, providing a 20% increase in response time and improved contrast ratio compared to E Ink Carta 1000.
- Users can manage firmware updates for the Kobo Clara 2e from the settings menu, ensuring the device runs efficiently and smoothly.
- On the subject of battery life, the Kobo Clara 2e boasts a power saver mode that extends its battery life by a week by optimizing light, disabling WiFi when not in use, and stopping syncing for content.
- The Kobo Clara 2e supports a wide range of reading apps and formats, including EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, TXT, HTML, and more, catering to various digital reading preferences on gadgets powered by technology.
