Kobo Wireless eReaders Roll Into U.S. Best Buy Locations and Also Available Through www.bestbuy.com

TORONTO, May 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kobo, the leader in global eReading ,today announced that the Kobo  Wireless eReader is  now available in Best Buy stores throughout the United States as well as online through www.bestbuy.com.  Now customers can visit any U.S. Best Buy location to get hands-on experience with the affordable, Kobo Wireless eReader as well as access to over 2.3 million eBooks, Newspapers and Magazines in the robust Kobo  store.  Starting today through May 14, 2011, U.S. Best Buy locations are offering the Onyx Kobo Wireless eReader in stores and online for the special discounted price of $99.99 in celebration of Mother's Day.  At the end of this promotion, Best Buy will resume selling the Kobo Wireless eReader for $129.99.

The Kobo Wireless eReader comes pre-loaded with 100 free eBooks, so purchasers can read right out of the box.  Users can easily shop the Kobo store that offers over 2.3 million titles including today's newest releases and bestsellers, newspapers and magazines -  plus a selection of over 1 million free titles.  Delivering open standards versatility (supporting ePUB, PDF and Adobe DRM), customers can also borrow eBooks from their local libraries and read them for free on the Kobo Wireless eReader.

The compact, lightweight, and simple-to-use Kobo Wireless eReader features an eInk screen that reads like print on paper and is easily customizable with a selection of font sizes and font styles.  Perfect for reading on-the-go, Kobo's Wireless eReader holds up to 1,000 eBooks and has a SD expansion slot that can increase capacity to hold up to 10,000 eBooks.  Featuring a modern, clean design, with easy-to-use navigation and a unique soft quilted back, the Kobo Wireless eReader provides an intuitive user experience with access to a rich assortment of the latest content with just the press of a button.

To provide additional flexibility, free eReading applications are available at www.kobo.com for most smartphones, desktops, laptops and tablets, and come pre-loaded on the recently released BlackBerry PlayBook.  This multi-platform approach to reading freedom championed by Kobo offers consumers the ability to read across multiple devices while building a lifetime eReading library, available from anywhere, with Kobo.

"We've seen great success working with Best Buy in Canada and look forward to being available in-store in the U.S. with the Mother's Day special," said Todd Humphrey, vice president of business development, Kobo.  "Having Kobo's Wireless eReader in Best Buy stores throughout the United States and online provides the eReading public with more purchasing options and allows shoppers to compare our eReader to the competition to see the value and versatility we bring to the table.  Best Buy is the ultimate electronic shopping destination, offering knowledgeable product experts and a low price guarantee."

Kobo is changing eReading with Kobo Reading Life, an industry-first social experience that lets passionate readers, discover, track and share their love of reading.   With Reading Life, Kobo users can connect with friends or book clubs and discuss their favorite books on Facebook.  Statistics help users track their Reading Life, and earn awards – just for spending time reading.

Kobo users can download free eReading applications at www.kobo.com for most smartphones, netbooks, tablets, desktops and laptops. Throughout the last 18 months, Kobo has aggressively built relationships with OEMs, retailers and content owners around the world to create an overall eBook solution that provides consumers the freedom to read on any device.  Today, Kobo has more than 3 million users and customers in 100-plus countries worldwide.   The company has added more than 1 million of those users in just 90 days.  Kobo also supports a range of dedicated eReaders like the Sony eReader and Nook, and has partnered with device manufacturers, including Samsung and RIM. 

About Best Buy Co., Inc.

With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, China and Mexico, Best Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $50 billion in annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy, Audiovisions, Best Buy Mobile, The Carphone Warehouse, Five Star, Future Shop, Geek Squad, Magnolia Audio Video, Napster, Pacific Sales, and The Phone House. Approximately 180,000 employees apply their talents to help bring the benefits of these brands to life for customers through retail locations, multiple call centers and Web sites, in-home solutions, product delivery and activities in our communities. Community partnership is central to the way Best Buy does business. In fiscal 2011, the company donated approximately $25 million to improve the vitality of the communities where its employees and customers live and work. For more information about Best Buy, visit www.bby.com.

About Kobo, Inc.

Kobo is a global eReading service with more than 2.3 million eBooks, magazines and newspapers – one of the largest eReading catalogues in the world.  Kobo believes consumers should have the freedom to read any book on any device and has attracted millions of readers from over 100 countries across the globe.  Kobo has top ranked eReading applications for iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Windows, MacOS and is the eReading application of choice for leading tablet OEMs.  The Kobo Wireless eReader is also available at leading retailers including Indigo, Walmart, Best Buy, Borders, WHSmith, Angus & Robertson's, and Whitcoull's.  Kobo's recently announced, innovative Reading Life marked the launch of an industry-first comprehensive social eReading experience – Kobo users can earn awards simply for time spent reading.  Kobo is backed by majority shareholder Indigo Books & Music Inc, Cheung Kong Holdings, and institutional investors.

SOURCE Kobo