Kobo integrates Storygraph on its e-readers, another move to close the gap with Amazon

Source: Mashable Tech

Overview

If you want an e‑reader but don’t want anything to do with Amazon, the alternative is a Rakuten Kobo e‑reader. Kobos are speedy, easy‑to‑use, and a great value, and now they’re teaming up with another bookish company for the ultimate reading integration. Storygraph, a platform for tracking everything you read, is coming to all Kobo devices in June.

Integration details

The integration syncs Kobo e‑readers and apps to a Storygraph account. Your reading progress will automatically be captured in Storygraph, so when you finish a book it’s marked as read without any extra effort.

“Our mission is to make reading lives better, and removing the friction from tracking is one of the most direct ways we can do that,” says Nadia Odunayo, Founder & CEO of StoryGraph.

The partnership positions both brands as anti‑Amazon alternatives.

Comparison with Amazon

Amazon dominates the book industry. It makes the popular Kindle e‑readers and runs the massive online bookstore for physical and e‑books. Since 2013, Amazon has owned Goodreads, the original book‑tracking platform, and Kindle devices are already integrated with Goodreads, offering similar progress‑tracking features.

However, many readers are resistant to Amazon’s influence, especially its impact on independent bookstores. This creates demand for alternatives—both in e‑readers and in reading‑tracking services.

Pricing and models

Kobo Clara Colour – $179.99

Kobo Libra Colour – $259.99