{{Short description|2012 Kobo eReader with 5" screen}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox information appliance | name = Kobo Mini | logo = Kobo Mini logo.svg | image = | caption = Kobo Mini eReader front | developer = | manufacturer = Kobo Inc. | family = | type = E-book reader | generation = | release_date = {{Start date|df=yes|2012|09|06}} <!-- Original release date only --> | lifespan = | price = USD/CAD $79 <!-- this is price at initial release, not the current price --> | discontinued = | units_sold = | units_shipped = | media = | os = Kobo Firmware 3.4.1 | power = 3.7V 1000mAh 3.7 Wh | cpu = ARM Cortex A8 800 MHz single-core Freescale MCIMX507CVM8B | storage = 2 GB internal memory<br />Internal microSD card slot | memory = 256MB Samsung DDR SDRAM | display = {{convert|5|in|sigfig=3}} diagonal,<br />16-level grayscale <br />600 × 800<br />electronic paper | graphics = | connectivity = CyberTAN WC121 802.11b/g/n SDIO Module | input = zForce Touchscreen<br />On-screen keyboard | dimensions = 102 X 133 x 10mm | weight = {{convert|134|g|oz|abbr=on|disp=flip}} }} The '''Kobo Mini''' is a miniature, touch-based e-book reader produced by Kobo Inc.<ref name="KArc">{{cite web|url=http://blog.kobobooks.com/welcome-the-new-kobo-family-of-devices-%E2%80%93-an-ereader-for-everyone/ |title=Welcome the New Kobo Family of Devices – An eReader for Everyone! |date=6 September 2012 |publisher=Kobo Inc. |access-date=6 September 2012 |location=Toronto |archive-date=10 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910015029/http://blog.kobobooks.com/welcome-the-new-kobo-family-of-devices-%E2%80%93-an-ereader-for-everyone/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Hardware == Kobo Mini was introduced on 6 September 2012, with the Kobo Glo and Kobo Arc. Marketed with the slogan "Small is a Big Deal", it was targeted to those who wanted a pocket-sized device.

Kobo Mini includes an E Ink screen for legibility in direct sunlight. It also included a 2 GB internal microsd card (although some units were shipped with 4 GB cards internally, which may be modified by the user, any damage not covered by warranty, to gain access to the unpartitioned space).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Kobo+Mini+Disassembly/110467 |title=Kobo Mini Disassembly |access-date=2024-11-25}}</ref> A distinguishing feature included SnapBacks (removable back covers) available in three colors at launch (Teal, Ruby Red, and Purple) with the distinct Kobo quilt pattern.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blog.kobobooks.com/welcome-the-new-kobo-family-of-devices-%E2%80%93-an-ereader-for-everyone/ |title=Welcome the New Kobo Family of Devices: An eReader for Everyone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910015029/http://blog.kobobooks.com/welcome-the-new-kobo-family-of-devices-%E2%80%93-an-ereader-for-everyone/ |archive-date=10 September 2012 }}</ref> Kobo Mini was available in two colours: black, and white.

The Kobo Mini was intended to compete with the basic Kindle and Nook Simple Touch, with a similar price, identical screen resolution, and the same amount of storage. Advantages included the smaller dimensions and lighter weight.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/ereaders/kobo-mini.aspx|title =Kobo Mini Review and Rating }}</ref>

Kobo claims the battery lasts for a month, assuming 30 minutes of reading a day and Wi-Fi turned off. Charging the Kobo, as well as transferring documents, is accomplished with the micro-USB connecting port.<ref name="Kobo Mini Tech Specs">{{Cite web|url = http://www.kobo.com/kobomini#techspecs|title =Kobo Mini Tech Specs }}</ref>

==Software== Kobo Mini runs on the Kobo Firmware, based on the Linux kernel. The software is available in 8 languages and 2 variants: English, French, Canadian French, Japanese, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Brazilian Portuguese.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url = http://www.kobo.com/koboaura#techspecs|title = Kobo Aura Tech Specs|access-date = 2014-05-25|website = Kobo|archive-date = 21 October 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141021122340/http://www.kobo.com/koboaura#techspecs|url-status = dead}}</ref>

The main screen shows tiles that automatically update based on actions the user has performed. Tiles may appear for books, newspapers, magazines, store categories, or games the user has recently read, browsed, or played, respectively. The main screen is called "Reading Life".<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.kobo.com/kobomini#readinglife|title = Kobo Mini: Reading Life|access-date = 2014-06-06|website = Kobo}}</ref>

The main application used by the Kobo Mini is the digital reader for books, newspaper, magazines and any document in the ePub, Kobo ePub, HTML, CBZ, CBA, MOBI, or PDF file formats.<ref name="Kobo Mini Tech Specs"/> The reader may adjust the font size, weight, and sharpness with an included tool called TypeGenius to further enhance readability. Highlighting, adding notes, and looking up definitions by long tapping a word or section in a book is also possible.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/ereading/kobo-mini/|title = Kobo Mini|access-date = 24 May 2014|archive-date = 14 June 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140614184301/http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/ereading/kobo-mini|url-status = dead}}</ref>

== Pricing == Kobo Mini was initially released at the price of $79.99 in North America, but a $30 discount was offered during the Black Friday season of 2012. Later promotions offered a free Kobo Mini when purchasing a Kobo Arc tablet. By May 2014, the price had dropped to $49.99.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/kobo-mini-white/6000058318879|title =Kobo Mini White }}</ref>

== Reception == Kobo Mini was received with positive to mixed reactions. While reviewers praised the compact design of the device,<ref name="Kobo Mini Review and Rating">{{Cite web|url = https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2412121,00.asp|title =Kobo Mini Review and Rating }}</ref> there were several complaints: a less responsive touchscreen,<ref name="Kobo Mini Review and Rating"/> a lack of a target audience,<ref name="Kobo Mini Review">{{Cite web|url = https://www.engadget.com/2012/11/06/kobo-mini-review/|title =Kobo Mini Review }}</ref> the small screen,<ref name="Kobo Mini Review and Rating"/> and its pricing.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/ereaders/kobo-mini.aspx|title =Kobo Mini Review }}</ref> Many stated that it would be "great for kids" and "those looking for a less expensive alternative to the Kindle."<ref name="Kobo Mini Review"/><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/hands-on-review-of-the-kobo-mini-ereader|title =Hands-on Review of the Kobo Mini eReader }}</ref>

==See also== * Kobo eReader * Comparison of e-book readers

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{Official website|https://www.kobo.com/kobomini/}} {{Ebooks}} {{Kobo}}

Category:Dedicated ebook devices Glo